Who is a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with a specialization in diagnosing and treating various complex mental health conditions. Psychiatrists usually work in settings of hospitals, psychiatric clinics, or other mental health institutions. With mental health conditions increasing worldwide, a psychiatrist's role is becoming more critical in today’s society.
What does a psychiatrist do?
A psychiatrist diagnoses a person for specific psychological, behavioural, or physical mental illnesses and offers personalized therapy and medications if needed to treat them. Some of these most common mental illnesses are listed below.
Depression
Depression is a common mental illness that negatively affects a person's way of thinking. It is the most common problem across genders, ages, and nationalities today.
Bipolar disorder
Also known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of continuous euphoric or continius depressed mood lasting for weeks or months . This disorder affects person's mood, sleeping pattern, thinking, and behavior.
Post-traumatic disorders
Such mental illness can occur following a traumatic event such as war, death of a dear one, accident, or abuse of some form.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
It is a common disorder in kids that causes them to be overactive and exhibit impulsive behaviors. ADHD often starts in early childhood and lasts until they grow up to adulthood. Children with ADHD constantly feel on edge, agitated, or unable to relax.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health illness that affects a person's ability to interpret reality normally. Person may experience hallucination, delusions and disturbance in sleep and functioning.
Apart from the conditions mentioned here, a psychiatrist can also help with other mental health issues such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, phobias and insomnia.
What are the types of psychiatrists?
Psychiatrists are trained in different types of specialties.
Child and adolescent psychiatrists
Child and adolescent psychiatry involves helping patients under the age of 18.
Geriatric psychiatrists
Geriatric psychiatrists focus only on issues of elderly patients. Therefore, they mostly deal with dementia or Alzheimer's, depression, and anxiety.
Perinatal psychiatrists
Perinatal psychiatrists address mental health issues during pregnancy and the first postnatal year.
Addiction psychiatrists
Addiction psychiatrists help patients with drug or alcohol addiction and mental health disorders.
Forensic psychiatrists
Forensic psychiatrists are trained to handle the mental illness of people having judicial issues.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
The main difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that psychiatrists have medical training along with psychiatry, and they can prescribe medication. But psychologists are only trained to offer psychotherapy and cannot prescribe medications.
When do you need a psychiatrist?
Listed below are some symptoms that suggest that you should get help from a psychiatrist:
- You are overthinking, and you can't control it
- You are having feelings of dread or panic
- You have difficulty in sleeping and concentrating
- You are experiencing heightened alertness
- You have eating disorders or a change in appetite
- You have suicidal or self-harm thoughts
- You are having many negative and delusional thoughts
- You are addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling or other certain behaviors
What are the qualities of a good psychiatrist?
The qualities of a good psychiatrist include:
- Good listening skills; a psychiatrist genuinely listens to their clients.
- Ability to convey authentic concern
- Respectful; a psychiatrist always respects their patient's feelings.
Zivanza Quartenary Care has the best psychiatrists in Dubai. Led by Dr. Tulika Shukla, the highly trained medical team at our clinic is always eager to address your issues and provide the best quality treatment in a gentle and tender environment. To avail of our services, book an appointment with us.
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