Psychiatry is a medical field related to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health conditions. A psychiatrist is called a psychiatrist. Unlike other mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists and counsellors, psychiatrist should be trained physicians. Who has selected a psychiatrist? This means that they can provide medication and recommend other treatments. Many psychiatrists work as part of community-based mental health teams (CMHTs), cleveland clinic psychiatry, outpatient clinics, or hospital wards.
o Mental Health Counsellor – A counsellor with a master’s degree and several years of supervised clinical work. She is trained to identify and offer individual and group counselling.
o Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisor – A counsellor with specialised clinical training on alcohol and drug abuse. She is educated to diagnose and provide individual and group counselling.
o Nurse Psychotherapist – a registered nurse trained in the field of mental nursing and mental health. She is educated to diagnose and provide individual and group advising.
o Marriage and Family Healer – a master’s degree counsellor, with specialised education and training in marriage and family medicine. She trained to identify and provide individual and group advising.
o Pastoral Adviser – pastors trained in clinical pastoral education. She trained to diagnose and offer individual and group suggestions.
o Peer Specialist – a counsellor with living experience and mental health or drug use conditions. Helps clients recover by identifying and developing strengths, and setting goals. Most peer support programs require a few hours of training.
o Other Physicians – a qualified physician who specialises in specialised therapies. Examples include an art therapist and a music therapist.
What Treatments can a Psychiatrist Provide?
Psychiatrists provide and recommend a variety of treatments, including:
- psychiatric treatment (also called psychotherapy or speech therapy)
- medicines
- Brain remedies, such as rTMS and electroconvulsive therapy.
They will also give you practical advice on diet, and sleep. And other ways you can help yourself get better. They will give you information about your condition. Which can help you understand your symptoms and treatment.
Your psychiatrist will only recommend treatments that have proven to be safe and effective.
Your psychiatrist will explain:
- Why they recommend this treatment
- How does this work
- so what are the side effects?
- any medical risks
- how much does it cost?
It is up to you to decide whether to accept the treatment.
Subspeciality Areas in Psychiatry
Some psychiatrists focus on a specific area, such as:
- child and adolescent psychiatry
- perinatal psychiatry (related to the mental health of mothers and children)
- psychiatry for young adults
- mental ageing
- mental addiction
- forensic psychiatry (related to the law)
- psychotherapy (speech therapy)
What’s the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist?
The main difference between the two types of physicians is medication. The psychiatrist can prescribe it, while the psychologist cannot.
In addition to prescribing medication, psychiatrists often prescribe speech therapy, psychotherapy, or other forms of therapy. They can also refer you to counsellors or therapists (such as psychologists).
Conclusion
A psychiatrist is a doctor who can diagnose and treat a variety of mental illnesses. These may include depression, eating disorders, insomnia, and bipolar disorder. Psychiatrists also treat certain symptoms, such as anxiety or suicidal thoughts.
A psychiatrist often uses prescription drugs to treat symptoms. And he may work with psychiatrists to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Psychologists and therapists are not medical professionals. Psychiatrists perform tests and use psychotherapy to help treat mental health conditions.
Psychiatrists can use a variety of therapies, including speech therapy, creative therapy, and play therapy. Other treatments may be available in a group setting, as well as in each treatment. Anyone who is not sure if they need a psychiatrist or other mental health professional should speak to their doctor.
