Eight Important Things Neuropsychiatrists Do

Psychiatry – a branch of medicine focused on studying, diagnosing, and treating mental health conditions – is made up of several fields, with neuropsychiatry being one of them. While psychologists typically focus on psychotherapy and testing, while psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication when clinically appropriate, and may also provide therapy in some cases. In this post, we will discuss what kind of treatments a neuropsychiatrist can offer and how people can reap the benefits.

What is neuropsychiatry?

Psychiatrists evaluate and diagnose mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and need to have a careful evaluation of their patients to ensure a proper diagnosis. The DSM-5 The DSM-5 is a widely used manual that outlines diagnostic criteria for many mental health disorders. Once they diagnose the person, a psychiatrist may recommend treatment options such as medication, psychotherapy, and, in some cases, electrical stimulation therapies as well.

A neurologist is someone who diagnoses and treats disorders that are connected to the nervous system. When there is an abnormality in the brain, spinal cord, or nerves, a neurologist hopes to treat it. Examples of neurological disorders include weak muscles, lack of sensation, seizures, pain, paralysis, different levels of consciousness, and more. You may have heard of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease – all of which can be considered neurological disorders.

Neuropsychiatry focuses specifically on treating mental health conditions that are connected to problems within the nervous system. It combines neurology and psychiatry, which are typically separate specialties.

How can neuropsychiatrists help you?

Let’s explore some of the conditions that a neuropsychiatrist can treat.

Neuropsychiatrists treat brain injuries

The brain is powerful but quite sensitive. Any injury to the brain can change how it functions and how you see the world. Brain injuries can significantly affect cognition, behavior, and personality, which can be distressing for many individuals. Additionally, there are many types of brain injuries one can experience.

Some brain injuries are inherited, caused by a degenerative brain disorder, or have to do with brain trauma, such as fetal alcohol syndrome. An acquired brain injury (ABI) occurs after one's birth, and can be either traumatic or non-traumatic.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is when your brain is altered because of a force outside of the body. TBIs can result from a fall, car crash, shaken baby syndrome, assaults, injuries, or any other impactful bump, jolt, or blow to the head. Non-traumatic brain injuries are internal, caused by strokes, seizures, tumors, lack of oxygen, poisoning, overdose, and other factors..

As there are many types of brain injuries, and everyone responds to them differently, this means that you will never have two brain injuries that are exactly alike. While some types of brain damage may be permanent, the brain can adapt through neuroplasticity, and recovery varies depending on the injury. Neuropsychiatrists help by looking at your unique situation in order to determine a path of treatment.

Neuropsychiatrists treat mental health conditions stemming from brain injuries

Often, brain injuries can lead to the development of a mental health condition. Someone who has dementia, for example, may experience depression or paranoia. Someone who has epilepsy may live with episodes of psychosis. A person who has a brain injury may feel more anxious or struggle with concentration. As you can see, many factors can influence the mind, and it's up to neuropsychiatrists to help the person who is living with such challenges. They can accomplish this through medication when clinically appropriate, therapy, and brain stimulation.

Neuropsychiatrists study how the brain changes

After an injury, the brain’s structure and functioning can undergo considerable change. Neuropsychiatrists study how brain structure and function change and see how an injury will transform the brain. These observations allow for the neuropsychiatrist to make a treatment based on the unique presentation of the patient.

Neuropsychiatrists treat many symptoms

As one might imagine, even a slight change in the brain can result in significant disruptions to one’s processing and behavior. Here are some examples of symptoms commonly experienced by people with brain injuries:

• Depression – a common and serious mental health condition that negatively impacts the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves.
• Mania – a state of intense euphoria commonly associated with bipolar disorder that can affect judgment and behavior.
• Insomnia or sleep disorders – lack of sleep can lead to mental symptoms like irritability, low motivation, and poor concentration, as well as physical symptoms such as lack of coordination and digestive issues.
• Anxiety – a common mental health condition which causes feelings of fear and discomfort.
• Interpersonal difficulties – experiencing a brain injury often means that the person will need to make significant life changes, such as abstaining from certain activities. Some people will require a caregiver, at least for a short time period. Some people do not respond well in the face of unpredictable moods and behaviors, which can lead to a person with a brain injury feeling isolated.

Neuropsychiatrists counsel individuals and families

Neuropsychiatrists educate the patient to help them better understand their brain injury. They can provide a safe space for sharing difficult emotions or challenges, as well referring their patients to a therapist or counselor. Counseling can be a valuable tool in treating many mental health conditions and giving the patient a place to speak and the counselor to listen.

A neuropsychiatrist will often collaborate with the patient’s family to make sure they receive the best care possible. The family may not fully understand how the patient has changed, and a counselor can help by helping families develop coping strategies and supportive communication skills. The family may need to step into care-taking roles, and the therapist can support them in making that transition.

Neuropsychiatrists monitor medication regimens

Many medications come with risks and/or irritating side effects. A neuropsychiatrist can evaluate your entire medication routine to explore how different medications may interact or cause side effects, like headaches, restlessness, or nausea. If a medication is no longer helping, a neuropsychiatrist may adjust the dosage or suggest an alternative based on a clinical evaluation. Some people are skeptical about medication, but medication can be an important part of care for some mental health conditions related to brain injury. Medication decisions are personalized, and not everyone needs or benefits from medication.

Therapy can help you change your thinking

One of the best ways to improve your mental health is through cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. This involves eliminating maladaptive behaviors and thought patterns that can hold you back. For example, if you're feeling depressed, your negative thoughts and inactivity can exacerbate the condition. A therapist tries to help by making sure your behaviors change and your overall mental health improves.

How can I find a neuropsychiatrist?

While many people seeking therapy for brain injuries will have received an official diagnosis from their physician, you do not need a diagnosis to work with a therapist. Online therapy may be a particularly useful avenue for people living with brain injuries, as platforms like MyTherapist eliminate the need to travel to and from an in-person therapist’s office. This advantage can be helpful to people who experience motor or visual difficulties stemming from a brain injury.

Additionally, users can schedule virtual counseling sessions with their dedicated therapist at convenient times. BetterHelp, MyTherapist’s sister site, now offers psychiatry services through UpLift as an additional care option alongside therapy, and psychiatry services may include medication management when clinically appropriate. The cost of online therapy is also considered to be more affordable than face-to-face therapy in some cases, which can be an important consideration for people managing overall healthcare expenses, including possible medication costs. Medication availability and coverage may vary by member location, clinical appropriateness, and individual pharmacy/insurance benefits. Prescribing decisions are made by the treating clinicians. We do not guarantee that any specific medication will be prescribed or covered by a member’s insurance plan.

Whether you’re interested in online therapy for mitigating symptoms of depression, memory loss, or interpersonal challenges, the licensed counselors at MyTherapist are trained to help people in various circumstances. Online CBT has helped many people overcome such issues. One recent study recruited 21 people diagnosed with mild or moderate TBI and depression to engage in a six-week, internet-based CBT treatment; after a year, participants sustained improvements in symptoms of depression.