Psychiatrist Help in Normal Life – A Brief Overview

In recent times, mental health-related problems have gained greater attention. According to statistics, in the USA, women are more likely to be affected by mental illnesses than men. In such a case, a psychiatrist’s help is required.

In this article, we will discuss the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist, how a psychiatrist is a better choice for severe and complicated mental conditions, and how BetterHelp Philippines can help you with psychotherapy. Let’s start, then!

Who is a Psychiatrist?

Have you ever faced a mental illness and gone to see a psychiatrist? Who is a psychiatrist and what role does it play? Let’s learn!

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who

1. Diagnoses
2. Treats
3. Prevents mental health issues.

The professional deeply understands your physical and mental health and assesses your psychological condition based on your mental and physical state.

Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist: What’s the difference?

One of the two most common terms that people often confuse are “Psychiatrist and Psychologist.” Do you know the difference between the two? If not, here’s it!

Psychiatrist	Psychologist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor.	A psychologist is not a medical doctor.
A psychiatrist can prescribe medication.	A psychologist can’t prescribe medication.
They treat more complex conditions that need medication.	Psychologists focus on psychotherapy.
To become a psychiatrist, you study psychiatry, a field of medicine focusing on mental health conditions.	Psychologists study psychology, which studies the mind, emotions, and behavior.

Both professions are similar because they deal with mental illnesses, extensive training, and research in the same field. However, the background education, training tools and techniques, and treatment methods differ significantly. With that, hope the difference is clear to you now!

What Do Psychiatrists Do?

As stated earlier, a psychiatrist assesses you to diagnose and treat your mental condition and emotional and behavioral disorders. They do so by performing various psychological tests following the criteria from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5). Based on the results, they prescribe medication or treatment.

Moreover, psychiatrists are also bound to perform the following duties:

1. Remain on standby to provide urgent care to someone with a sudden mental illness.
2. If needed, they can even admit you into the healthcare center
3. Refer you to other doctors if they can’t handle the case
4. Help you to stay mentally fit in a long-term
5. Guide to a healthy lifestyle

When Do You Need Psychiatrist Help in Normal Life?

In everyday life, you go through many things that cause mental stress. No matter how much you try to be cheerful, optimistic, and welcoming towards life challenges, at some point, you need a psychiatrist.

Here’s when this need hits you hard:

1. You start thinking about being suicidal
2. When your mental condition is deteriorating but challenging to diagnose
3. Your brain and body don’t respond to standard treatments by a family doctor.

What Treatments Does a Psychiatrist Do?

Here’s an overview of the treatments that a psychiatrist uses!

1.     Medication

A psychiatrist prescribes medication that targets the brain by altering chemical signaling and communication pathways. As a result, the symptoms of the psychic condition are minimized.

Typically, these are the medications that a psychiatrist prescribes:

•     Mood stabilizers
•     Antidepressants
•     Antipsychotics
•     Stimulants
•     Sedatives etc.

Sometimes, the medications are used in combination with psychotherapy.

2.     Psychotherapy

The second type of treatment is psychotherapy, which is talk therapy. During the therapy, you tell about your mental health, which helps the professionals in diagnosing your condition and figuring out the factors that trigger it.

Moreover, different types of psychotherapies have shown promising effects. These include:

•     Cognitive behavioral therapy
•     Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
•     Psychodynamic therapy, and many more.

3. Other Treatments

Besides the above two, psychiatrists also go for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and light therapy for seasonal depression.

If you prefer online treatment, the BetterHelp option is also available. It’s a virtual platform where you get aid from highly qualified and licensed professionals. Moreover, the platform also provides you with 24/7 access to the experts. If you prefer online psychotherapy sessions, visit betterhelp.com for more information.

The Bottom Line

Mental illnesses are increasing alarmingly, and you need psychiatrist help to tackle them. But who is a psychiatrist? Psychiatrists are medical doctors, unlike a psychologist, who assesses, diagnoses, and treats your mental condition. Besides, they treat the condition using various strategies involving medication, psychotherapies, and other treatments. So, consult a psychiatrist if you are suffering from mental health-related issues.