There are times in life when we all might feel overwhelmed, sad, or anxious—this is just part of the daily life experience. But when the symptoms become so distressing that our ability to function becomes impaired it is time to consider meeting with a psychiatrist. These medical doctors are trained to recognize whether the symptoms are caused from a medical condition or a mental health disorder. If it is determined that the condition is a mental health disorder, a psychiatrist can be highly effective in helping individuals achieve relief from the unpleasant, or in some cases, paralyzing, symptoms.
The psychiatrist will diagnose the disorder based on multiple sources of information. The data is gathered using various diagnostic tools, including:
Based on the information gleaned from these sources, a psychiatrist is able to arrive at an initial diagnosis, followed by the creation of a treatment plan specific to the individual.
Psychiatrists are able to treat a diverse array of mental health conditions, from mild mood disorders to complex mental illness. Some of these mental health disorders include:
Once the psychiatrist has arrived at a diagnosis, he or she will design an individualized, integrated treatment plan for the patient. Generally, mental health disorders follow a standard treatment protocol of combining medications and psychotherapy, and may also include additional complimentary therapies.
Psychotherapy. With a range therapies available, the psychiatrist will select the modality or modalities best suited for the diagnosis and any other unique patient features. In psychotherapy, the doctor engages the patient in a discussion of the problem areas in order to provide guidance toward resolving the underlying issues and making positive life changes. Psychotherapy can be provided in both individual sessions and in small group sessions with other patients sharing the same mental health disorder.
Medications. There is a broad range of drugs designed to mitigate the symptoms of various mental health disorders. The psychiatrist will select a medication, or a combination of drugs, that best suit the diagnosis. These drugs primarily include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, anti-psychotic medication, and mood stabilizers.
Adjunctive therapy. Adding on a complementary therapy creates an added dimension to treatment and can greatly enhance treatment results. These might include eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), neurofeedback, biofeedback, or holistic therapies such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, acupuncture, or equine therapy.
A psychiatrist is dedicated to helping patients through managing symptoms of the disorder, helping patients examine their emotional issues or past traumas, and guiding them toward making positive changes in their life.