What is psychiatry?
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of various mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. Doctors and medical staff who specialize in psychiatry must be familiar with both the social and biological sciences that impact the mind.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
While both psychologists and psychiatrists help patients deal with mental health issues and improve their mental health, they both approach the subject very differently. Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour and psychologists study how human beings think, behave and feel in different social settings. Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with the treatment of mental illness, emotional disturbances, and abnormal behaviour. Psychiatrists look at the various biological, neurological and biochemical factors that can cause mental illnesses and prescribe medications to treat them. Psychiatrists treat mental issues through medications whereas psychologists are not authorised to prescribe medications and instead treat patients through therapies. A psychologist can have a Ph.D. in philosophy or a degree in counselling psychology. They typically do 1 to 2 years of internship before commencing their practice. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are medical doctors graduating from medical school and have completed years of medical internship in the assessment and treatment of mental health diseases.
What does a psychiatrist do?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating those with mental health illnesses. Psychiatrists have the qualifications to assess both mental and physical aspects of various psychological problems. As part of their work, a psychiatrist can:
- Help you understand and manage long-term mental health issues
- Prescribe medications if needed
- Admit you to a healthcare facility or hospital if needed
- Work with you individually or with your partner, family, or guardian
Psychiatrists can perform or refer you to other resources that carry out a full range of medical laboratory and psychological tests to understand the patient’s physical and mental state. They might also look into the patient’s genetics and family history to make a diagnosis and develop appropriate treatment plans.
When to see a psychiatrist?
How to recognize the signs that you need psychiatric help? Here are some scenarios that may trigger the need of an appointment with psychiatry doctors
- Prolonged stress and anxiety
Be it a job interview, a personal relationship or family problems, stress and anxiety can originate due to many different reasons. Stress and anxiety, if not treated and diagnosed properly, can lead to social isolation, depression, and various other problems. With the help of a psychiatrist, patients can better manage stress and anxiety by finding the source or cause of your problems, as well as the correct ways to overcome them. - Prolonged depression
People often confuse depression with general sadness. Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness are often characterized by depression. People cannot just snap out of depression and they need proper diagnosis and treatment. If you or a loved one are stuck in constantly negative thought patterns that you find it hard to break out of, seek the help of a psychiatrist. - Severe phobias
Psychiatric help for phobias is required when it makes the patient unable to carry out daily tasks due to their phobia. There are patients who suffer from the phobia of eating or crowds or even socializing. In such cases, the doctors can help the patients
get to the root of the problem and find a solution. - Unhealthy habits and addictions
Addiction is a leading cause of mental illness. Alcohol, smoking or substance abuse can alter your brain chemistry leading to changes in the chemical makeup of the brain that finally causes mental illnesses. When a person indulges in alcohol and drugs for a long period of time, they experience certain illusionary realities that make them indifferent to the happenings in the actual life. With the help of a psychiatrist doctor addiction and substance abuse problems can be warded off. - Loss or the Death of a loved one
Many mental illnesses, especially in young people, can start with the death of close family members or friends. Even though it is a part of everyone’s life, it has been seen that people predisposed to mental illness often seem to alienate themselves and struggle to deal with the realities of the loss of a loved one. With the help of psychiatry doctors, the patient can work towards getting over the feelings of loss.
Conditions that psychiatrists treat
Patients who exhibit symptoms of mental health disorders that are affecting their quality of life and relationships should pay a visit to a Psychiatrist or a Psychiatric counsellor. Psychiatrists are equipped to diagnose and treat a range of mental health conditions such as:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Mood or anxiety disorders
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depression
- Dissociative disorders
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD
Post-diagnosis, the psychiatrist lets the patient and their family know the causes of the disease with proper insights. Usually, when patients need psychiatric help for depression or other mental health conditions the underlying causes can be:
1.Biological:
Hormonal disturbances, nutritional and lifestyle choices, inherited condition from family members and relatives, illnesses or chronic conditions.
2. Psychological:
Excessive stress or pressure, Unresolved childhood trauma
3. Social:
Personal relationship or work issues, economic or financial problems, substance abuse issues
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