What is a psychiatrist and mental health expert do ?
A psychiatrist is a specialist doctor who is responsible for
diagnosing, preventing and treating mental health problems, including
psychological and emotional disorders.
Therefore, situations such as not knowing how to deal with
the loss of a loved one , a family problem, even being immersed in deep
depression, are sufficient reasons to seek the help of a psychiatrist.
Usually, these types of problems tend to generate anguish
and difficulties in social relationships or in work performance. So, having the
guidance of a professional could help a person overcome these discomforts and
prevent the situation from getting worse. it is worth discovering what a
Psychiatrist do.
When to go to the psychiatrist?
In addition to the situations we mentioned in the previous
section, you can also go to these mental health specialists when difficulties
arise suddenly, as in the following cases :
hallucinations
Crisis of panic.
Hear voices.
Suicidal thoughts.
Of course, there are other long-term problems that require
the attention of a psychiatrist, including :
Maladaptive anxiety.
Depression.
Other psychological symptoms that affect the person's
performance and functionality in their daily life.
Likewise, these professionals are usually used to:
Receive a medical prescription for a psychotropic drug as
treatment.
Evaluate and monitor treatment if complex side effects
occur.
Adjust a previously prescribed medication.
These situations surely give you an idea of what a
psychiatrist does. And basically, these professionals seek to improve your
emotional and behavioral well-being so that you can function better in society.
Signs that indicate the intervention of a psychiatrist
Other scenarios that allow you to discover what a
psychiatrist does and help identify the signs that you should seek help are:
When changes occur in daily life
Many times changes occur in our daily lives that require
preventive treatment because they could become serious health problems.
It is true that a psychologist can also be useful to
reduce/eliminate the effects of these alterations, but it is possible to
recommend the help of a psychiatrist, if the severity of the symptoms demands
it , such as:
Sudden weight loss.
Absence or excess of sleep.
Extreme difficulty concentrating.
Excessive food intake.
Memory problems.
There are circumstances in which problems related to sexual
habits are experienced that are very difficult to overcome through therapies
and, therefore, have to be combined with a medical prescription. The same
happens with addictions, especially when the level of dependency is very high.
When mood disturbances occur
Behavioral and mood changes that are very intense are
symptoms that indicate to a psychologist that the intervention of a
psychiatrist may be necessary. This usually happens in following scenario
Extreme changes in mood.
Excessive and uncontrollable anger with your partner,
family, friends or strangers.
Abnormal and unbridled worry.
Slowed or accelerated thinking.
When unusual thoughts occur
Although it is most common for a psychologist to help you
deal with unusual thoughts, depending on the severity of the issue, the
knowledge of a psychiatrist may be necessary. Especially when there are signs
of:
Frequent hallucinations.
Excessive fear.
Obsessions so intense that they cannot be controlled with
psychotherapies.
Permanent paranoid thoughts.
What does a Psychiatrist do?
First, the role of a psychiatrist is to establish a
diagnosis based on a comprehensive evaluation that includes:
Mental exam.
Physical exam.
Laboratory analysis.
Depending on the diagnosis, the specialist treats the mental
illness or coordinates the treatment that should be given to his patient. He
can offer:
Psychotherapy;
Medicines
Different neurostimulation techniques.
These are the main tasks that respond to the frequent
question about what a Psychiatrist does. Of course, it should be noted that
these professionals can work with a multidisciplinary team, which ranges from
nurses and psychologists to social workers, whether in hospitals or specialized
centers.
Differences between psychiatrist and psychologist
Psychiatry and psychology are different professions, but
they often complement each other. The psychiatrist is a doctor, who has
specialized in mental illnesses, while the psychologist studies human behavior
and then specializes in mental health.
The psychiatrist can prescribe psychotropic drugs, which is
important in the monitoring of serious disorders. The opposite happens with the
psychologist, who uses psychotherapy to help his patients, which does not
happen with all psychiatrists.
The Psychiatrist is recommended when:
You suffer from a serious disorder (psychosis, bipolar
disorder, etc.)
You need medication control
There is a risk of suicide.
You don't want to do psychotherapy
The Psychologist is recommended when:
Do you want to do psychotherapy
You don't want to wait too long
You want to choose (orientation, professional, etc.)
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