Sometimes, among some people, psychiatry and psychiatrists are misunderstood. Way beyond the stereotyped image of “shrinks,” psychiatry and psychiatrists are vital components for treating not only mental health and emotional issues, but important aspects of overall health.
And overall health matters a lot! Because psychiatrists are qualified medical doctors that have completed medical school and a medical residency, they can order medical tests to evaluate physical health. For example, a psychiatrist near me may order blood work to check vitamin and iron levels. In some cases, psychiatric symptoms can be effectively treated by addressing certain medical disorders.
It is resoundingly shown that individuals who experience an addiction, suffer from a clinical and co-occurring condition. The chronic and progressive brain disease affects them, both physically and mentally. Psychiatrists can help.
Psychiatrists near me have special training in assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illness. They help patients with ADHD, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD and bipolar disorder. Psychiatrists also branch off into different areas and help with addiction, geriatric, child, and adolescent psychiatry.
Unfortunately, for people struggling with various private and challenging mental health issues, general practitioner doctors (GPs) cannot provide the in-depth assessment and treatments necessary to overcome mental, emotional and/or physical disorders.
Mental health is specific, individual, and different for everyone. There is consensus that negative mental health affects how people think, feel, act, or relate to others. And despite feeling alone and isolated, psychiatrists near me emphasize that mental issues are common among Americans. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 American adults have mental health issues.
The dynamic concept of Integrated Psychiatry focuses on each person as a whole—mind, body, and spirit, and uses individualized methods to manage depression, anxiety, trauma (PTSD), bipolar and obsessive-compulsive disorders, relationship conflicts and loss.
Psychiatrists near me diagnose and provide personalized and different treatments for an individual’s specific mental health issues. A psychiatrist can provide clarity, assess many aspects of physical health, provide opportunities for personal growth, and positively impact and improve the overall quality of life.
Because at its ultimate, psychiatry is about much more than disease management. It is a commitment to overall health and lifestyle optimization for supporting individuals to not only function but thrive.
