Psychiatry
Psychiatry is a medical profession that treats and prevents various mental health problems. Doctors and nurses who have the knowledge and skills to deal with mental health problems are known as psychiatrists. Psychiatrists must be medically professional qualified doctors that help individuals who are suffering from mental problems as well as provide solutions and help services that may benefit them.
Some doctors may choose to specialise In different fields of psychiatry such as psychology or counselling. This means that they can offer prescriptions and medicines whilst giving useful advice that can help them reduce the effects.
Most psychiatrists provide medication as a form of treatment or healing therapy that may improve a patient’s condition. Some psychiatrists work in teams to help solve mental health issues faster.
Different types of psychiatry issues
There are various mental health problems that are used to help treat people that are suffering. Most of these conditions are diagnosed by psychiatrists and are treated accordingly. This may include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- OCD
- PTSD
- Addictions
- Insomnia
- Aggression
- Drug abuse
- Eating disorders
Here are a few health conditions that can affect people making it difficult to cope and manage. An individual may suffer from a mental health condition depending on how bad their mental health has gotten.
It is best to seek professional help from a doctor or a therapist who may be able to give you advice on how to overcome these mental health conditions. Some of the listed conditions can damage your mental health leaving you with more than one health condition.
Appointment with a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists may provide support to people who are suffering from long term illnesses. In order to see a psychiatrist, you would normally have to visit your local GP or book an appointment with a doctor.
Your GP may recommend you see a psychiatrist or a mental health team member who may diagnose your current condition and decide whether you need to see a psychiatrist or another mental health officer.
Although, a reference is needed in order to see a psychiatrist. Your GP would then refer you to a psychiatrist near your area.
There are alternative options such as calling direct psychiatrist clinics and booking an appointment that way or just using the online services that can help arrange an appointment faster.
During your appointment
As soon as you arrive for your first appointment the psychiatrist will carry out a diagnosis to find the cause of your condition. They will examine both your mental and physical health. The psychiatrist may ask you a few questions such as what the problem is, general questions about your life or checking your blood pressure.
Once they have completed all check-ups and gathered relevant information about you they would prescribe medication and offer any treatments required. Psychiatrists may offer alternative treatments such as counselling or CBT(cognitive behavioural therapy).
You may have to visit your psychiatrist more than once in order to view the progress and see if there are any changes to your condition. This will give the psychiatrist an estimated number of sessions you need to see them. Each appointment will depend on your situation and circumstances.
Your therapy sessions may be continued by a psychiatrist, or you may be referred to a mental health service to deal with the matter at hand.
There are services that can be used to treat patients who are suffering from mental health problems. This is so that individuals are able to manage their illnesses and live a normal life.
Summary of Psychiatry
Psychiatry is qualified medical doctors that help the treatment and management of adults who are suffering from various health problems. There are different types of psychiatry, but the main ones involve:
- Child & adolescent psychiatry
- General psychiatry
- Medical psychotherapy
- Psychiatry of intellectual disability
- Old age psychiatry
. They manage and cope with different health problems they are suffering from. It is important that patients take good care of their health in order to reduce the chances of getting the condition.
Psychiatry & Psychology
Many people think that psychiatry and psychology are the same medical conditions. However, this is not the case as psychiatry deals with the medicinal and diagnoses aspects of mental health problems whereas psychology deals with the therapy and behavioural approach which would help ease the tension of mental health problems.
People do not know that counsellors, social workers, nurses and other practitioners also deal with mental health issues. Psychiatrists may approach mental health issues using different treatments which they think is suitable.
Psychiatrists use different methods and approaches to deal with mental health problems, it can be beneficial to individuals as they may prefer the treatment used.
Mental health can become confusing and difficult to comprehend as there are different branches and sectors that involve the mental health industry. It can become difficult to get your head across, this is because there are different medicinal, physical and mental treatments as well as various forms of therapy used.
How to Become a Psychiatrist?
To become psychiatrists, doctors, nurses and mental health officers must undergo medical training such as completing medical school and achieving their degree. This can take 4 – 7 years to fully become a licensed psychiatrist. Psychiatrists must undertake a written examination to test their skills and knowledge in psychiatry.
Once they have passed the written examination then they would be able to become. They may need to practically diagnose an actual patient who is suffering from mental health problems. This is part of the exam that helps students to become psychiatrists.
Some psychiatrists might have to undergo an additional four years of specialised and general training. Once they have completed the training they would either be dealing with the medical side or behavioural side of psychiatry.
Conclusion
Overall psychiatry is a delicate profession that requires a strong mindset and various skills. Psychiatrists may need to deal with various mental health issues and offer treatments or prevention methods that could benefit individuals. Psychiatry helps patients who are in need of managing their mental health problems and use alternative therapies to reduce the effects.
