Mental health treatment typically involves consulting with a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. Preparing for this type of medical consultation allows you to engage more fully in your own care and collaborate effectively with your physician.
What Does a Psychiatrist Do?
A psychiatrist and their medical background distinguishes them from other mental health professionals. Because they are medical doctors, psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and medical aspects of psychological problems. They are licensed to prescribe medication and can also provide various forms of psychotherapy.
Their training allows them to understand the complex relationship between emotional and medical illnesses. They can evaluate a patient’s symptoms in the context of their full medical history and diagnose mental health conditions. This comprehensive approach helps them develop a treatment plan that may include medication, therapy, or other interventions.
What Conditions Do They Treat?
Psychiatrists are equipped to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. These conditions can range from short-term issues to chronic illnesses. Some common conditions a psychiatrist might treat include:
- Anxiety Disorders: This category includes generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias.
- Mood Disorders: These involve persistent feelings of sadness or periods of mania, such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.
- Eating Disorders: Conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder involve extreme emotions and behaviors involving weight and food.
- Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) falls into this category, characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
- Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders: While often diagnosed in childhood, conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are also managed in adults.
Psychiatrists can help with issues that affect people at different life stages, from childhood difficulties to challenges faced by older adults.
What Should You Expect?
Your experience during a psychiatric appointment will be tailored to your specific needs, but there is a general structure that many consultations follow. Your initial appointment is dedicated to a comprehensive evaluation. The psychiatrist can ask detailed questions about your current symptoms, your personal and family medical history, and your goals. You will have the opportunity to describe what you have been experiencing in your own words. It is helpful to be as open and honest as possible.
The focus of follow-up sessions depends on your treatment plan. If you are prescribed medication, the psychiatrist will monitor its effects and make adjustments as needed. These appointments are a space to discuss how you are feeling and any changes in your symptoms. If your treatment includes psychotherapy, sessions will be dedicated to talking through your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to develop coping strategies. Some appointments may combine both medication management and therapy.
Speak Further at Your Appointment
Psychiatric care is a collaborative process between you and your physician. Preparing a few notes or questions beforehand can help you make the most of your time with the doctor. Open communication with your provider will further the development of an effective treatment strategy designed for your specific situation.