Psychiatry & Mental Health

Psychiatry Details:

Psychiatry is the medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.) who use a biopsychosocial approach to evaluate patients, considering biological, psychological, and social factors. They are qualified to prescribe medication, conduct psychotherapy, and order medical tests, differentiating mental health conditions from other physical illnesses.

What a Psychiatrist Does?

• They assess patients through interviews, medical history, and tests to identify specific mental health conditions, often using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
• This can include medication management, psychotherapy (talk therapy), or a combination of both.
• Psychiatrists are equipped to handle more complicated mental health conditions and monitor the interaction between mental illness and physical health.
• They often collaborate with psychologists, therapists, social workers, and other specialists to provide comprehensive care.

Common Conditions Treated in Psychiatry:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder)
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Personality disorders
• Substance use disorders
• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Importance of Psychiatry:

• Promotes mental well-being
• Prevents suicide
• Enhances quality of life
• Provides personalized treatment
• Addresses the biological, psychological, and social aspects of mental health

Psychiatry is a medical specialty focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications, perform physical exams, and order diagnostic tests.