Introduction
“Mental wellness” is a term that gets thrown around all the time, but it can mean many different things to different people. For some, it’s about learning to manage stress and anxiety; for others, it might be about getting help for an eating disorder or addiction. Say’s Dr Michael Vivian, in this blog post I want to talk about what psychiatry means as a profession and why we do what we do—and hopefully clear up some misconceptions along the way.
As a psychiatrist, I have seen that many people do not understand what psychiatrists do and what a life in mental health looks like.
As a psychiatrist, I have seen that many people do not understand what psychiatrists do and what a life in mental health looks like.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and study of mental illnesses. They can help people with a variety of mental health issues including depression, anxiety disorders and substance use disorders. Psychiatrists also treat physical health problems that may be related to mental illness such as heart disease or diabetes.
To provide care for patients suffering from psychiatric problems such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (or any other condition), psychiatrists often utilize medication combined with psychotherapy (talk therapy). Medications may include anti-psychotics used to treat psychosis; antidepressants used for mood disorders such as depression; anti-anxiety agents used during panic attacks; stimulants used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms such as lack of focus/impulsivity; mood stabilizers like lithium carbonate which help prevent manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder (BPD). In addition to treating these specific conditions by prescribing medications tailored specifically toward each individual’s needs based upon their diagnosis
Here’s a quick rundown of the kinds of things that a psychiatrist sees and does:
Psychiatrists are trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. They use medications, psychotherapy and other treatments to help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
In addition to treating patients with a wide range of symptoms and conditions, psychiatrists may also provide consultation services for other physicians who need assistance in diagnosing or treating mental health issues in their patients.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and study of mental illnesses.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and study of mental illnesses. The term “psychiatrist” comes from a Greek word meaning “doctor for the mind.” Like other physicians, psychiatrists must complete four years of medical school followed by three or more years of residency training (depending on their specialty).
After completing their training, psychiatrists can choose to focus on either general adult psychiatry or child/adolescent psychiatry; some also specialize further into areas such as geriatric psychiatry or addiction medicine.
We assess patients to determine the nature of their symptoms, consider the individual factors that may be contributing to those symptoms and match them with whatever treatment works best.
The role of a psychiatrist is to assess patients to determine the nature of their symptoms, consider the individual factors that may be contributing to those symptoms and match them with whatever treatment works best.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who, after completing medical school and residency training in internal medicine or general mental health specialty training (such as child psychiatry), complete an additional three years of postgraduate education in psychopharmacology (medication) or psychotherapy.
You need someone who understands the science of mental illness but also has compassion for people who experience it
You need someone who understands the science of mental illness but also has compassion for people who experience it. Psychiatrists are medical doctors, and they diagnose and treat mental illness. They’re trained to understand the science of mental illness, but also have compassion for those who experience it–you know, because they’re human beings too!
As a patient in therapy or on medication, if your psychiatrist isn’t able to relate her own struggles with feelings of anxiety or depression (or even just plain old stress), then she may not be able to help you deal with yours. She needs empathy as well as expertise; this combination makes her a great resource when it comes time to take action toward getting better–and staying that way long-term
Conclusion
As a psychiatrist, I have seen that many people do not understand what psychiatrists do and what a life in mental health looks like. This is why it’s so important for us to talk about our work and educate others about the science behind mental illness. But we also need to remember that there are many ways to help people with their mental health–and this includes listening and being compassionate towards those who need it most!
