What Do Psychiatrists Do

A psychiatrist is a physician, medical doctor, that specializes in patients with temporary or chronic mental health issues.  They provide the best treatment options and care with compassion and patience.  A psychiatrist may prescribe medication (unlike a psychologist) when counseling and therapy have been ineffective or as a temporary measure until the patient is stable.  Psychiatry deals with mental disorders that originate in the brain, but they do not treat organic disorders like stroke, tumors, or epilepsy.  Sometimes behavioral issues appear that have an organic origin and a psychiatrist will be able to diagnose the difference.
 
In psychiatry the treatment options can vary depending on the success of the psychotherapy and medications.  It can also depend on the amount of social and emotional support received from friends and family members.  With progress, the medication can be reduced and therapy sessions adjusted.  If relapse occurs, it may be necessary to move to new treatment options or to resume some of the therapy sessions.
 
In addition to basic psychology, the psychiatrist must understand the medications available, as well as side effects and reliance on those drugs.  Many conditions can be treated without medication interventions.
 
Some mental illnesses or conditions are mild or temporary; some are severe and chronic.  Depression is one of those conditions that may run the gamut of severity.  Finding the cause of an illness can be critical to therapy.  For example, mild depression many be the result of a recent tragic event, like the death of a spouse and can be handled with appropriate psychological techniques.  Anxiety frequently involves a phobia (fear) in certain situations and can greatly affect a person's ability to act, such as a fear of flying can affect that person's career.  This is generally handled through psychological counseling and occasionally with medication depending on the degree of fear and the cause.
 
More severe cases are those people who suffer from hallucinations, delusions, and schizophrenia.  Through medications and treatment options many of these patients are able to function in normal situations.  Much of the result depends on accurate diagnosis and therapy to allow the individual to cope with the disorder.
 
Other disorders treated by psychiatrists are:

• Bipolar
• Trauma related conditions
• Eating disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive
• Sleep disorder
• Substance abuse
• Other personality disorders

 
It may take more than a single visit to diagnose the condition or disorder.  After that time, a plan of treatment is initiated.
 
Mental health issues have a wide range of causes and severity.  It is not always necessary to see a psychiatrist.  Sometimes the issues can be resolved through group discussion and therapy or other counseling.
 
Basically, a psychiatrist will assess mental and physical symptoms and help develop a plan for the treatment and recovery.  They can:

• Provide urgent care for sudden onset
• Help manage long-term illnesses
• Advise on lifestyle
• Work with you individually, as a group, or with others
• Provide second opinions
• Refer to other health care providers
• Admit someone to in-patient care