What Can A Psychiatrist Do for You?

Updated March 26, 2024by MyTherapist Editorial Team

If you are in a poor state of mind or want to improve your overall mental health, an adult psychiatrist can help. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They are licensed to diagnose, treat, and prevent behavioral, emotional, and mental health disorders. You may be experiencing panic attacks, disordered thinking, or persistent feelings of sadness, anxiousness, or anger. Fortunately, seeking the support of an adult psychiatrist can help improve your state of being and get you back to living in full mental health. Read on to discover how a psychiatrist diagnoses and treats mental health conditions as they improve mental health and general well-being of their clients. 

What is an adult psychiatrist?

Psychiatry is the field of medicine that evaluates, diagnoses, and treats people with mental disorders or psychiatric issues. The simple definition of an adult psychiatrist is a medical doctor who practices psychiatry to people between the ages of 18 years of age and retirement. 

Adulthood is when we face many obstacles and challenges, and these all can affect our mental well-being. Furthermore, any psychiatric or mental disorders can develop in adulthood, making it challenging to live a full life. A psychiatrist can help you sort out your life by treating you through several avenues, one of which includes medication. 

How psychiatrists differ from psychologists

To understand what an adult psychiatrist is it is important to define how they differ from a psychologist, another mental health professional licensed to help people manage mental health conditions. The primary distinction between psychiatrists and psychologists is their ability to prescribe medications. This is often the area that psychiatrists focus on most when it comes to mental health. A psychologist, on the other hand, is unable to write prescriptions. They work on helping their patients through forms of psychotherapy or talk therapy. While both professions are trained in providing psychological therapy, it is uncommon for a psychiatrist to focus solely on client talk therapy as an approach to treatment care.

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Therapy can be healing and work alongside psychiatry

Adult psychiatrist: how do they help?

An adult psychiatrist serves their patients in several ways, typically using the following four steps:

  • Evaluate - The patient will come in for an evaluation. They will explain their symptoms, and a psychiatrist may use different tests to determine if they have a disorder. They may look at the patient's genetic history or run some cognitive tests to help find a match.
  • Diagnosis - The psychiatrist will diagnose someone based on if they meet the criteria required in the DSM, or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
  • Treatment - The psychiatrist will then treat the mental illness through many different methods.
  • Follow-up - Patients should follow up with their psychiatrist to make sure they're doing well and ask about any questions or concerns they may have.

DSM-5-TR: The tool for diagnosing

An adult psychiatrist does not guess the patient's mental illness. They need to consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, also known as the DSM. As the book is in its fifth edition, it is known as the DSM-5-TR. Most mental disorders have specific criteria that a patient must meet to be diagnosed. This is to help mental health professionals like psychiatrists from misdiagnosing a patient. Even with consulting the manual, it is possible to misdiagnose. However, the DSM is edited and revised continually to give clinicians the most current and accurate resource for diagnosing psychiatric illnesses.

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How a psychiatrist treats people

There are many misconceptions concerning how an adult psychiatrist will treat someone. They may believe that a psychiatrist only prescribes medication, but this is not the case. Beyond medication, a psychiatrist will use different methods to treat their patients. Here is a list of ways a psychiatrist can help a person.

Talk therapy

Also known as psychotherapy, talk therapy consists of sessions where the psychiatrist or psychologist will discuss, listen, and counsel clients to help them treat their condition. Sometimes, a psychiatrist can let the person speak and allow them to come up with their solutions. Other times, therapy may be implemented through cognitive behavioral therapy, or using techniques to change how patients process negative thoughts and behaviors. For instance, self-deprecating thoughts will be addressed and for more positive and reassuring thoughts. 

Medications

Many mental disorders have symptoms that can be treated with medication. Accordingly, a psychiatrist will prescribe medications to treat various ailments such as PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and more. Medication may be used instead of, or along with, talk therapy. For example, a psychiatrist may prescribe antipsychotics to help with people managing schizophrenia. Sedatives can help with anxiety and insomnia. A hypnotic can treat insomnia as well.

Medication use should be monitored to ensure there are no negative side effects, and you should consult your doctor before trying any potential medication. Psychiatrists closely monitor dosage to avoid negative side effects. 

Electroconvulsive therapy

Some mental disorders do not respond well to medication or talk therapy. In cases like these, a psychiatrist may recommend electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This therapy involves the use of brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is anesthetized. These electrical currents are applied to balance out the neurotransmitter levels in the brain.  For instance, electrically stimulating the brain associated with happiness may help with depression by releasing neurotransmitters that improve mood. ECT is often administered alongside other treatments, especially medications and psychotherapy. 

Getty/Halfpoint Images
Therapy can be healing and work alongside psychiatry

Finding the best adult psychiatrist for the job

To find the best psychiatrist requires a little bit of digging. In some cases, you may live in a rural area with limited nearby options, and traveling an hour to see one can make it harder to be consistent. 

Also, there may be a limited number of qualified psychiatrists even if you live in a populated area. The field of psychiatry is the oldest form of mental health treatment, and many see the methods used as antiquated. Thus, those interested in entering the mental health profession may steer away from psychiatric practice because of the stigma attached. For example, the misconception propagated by popular media that psychiatrists are simply pill pushers or people who want to experiment with their clients.

So how can you find an adult psychiatrist to help? Here are a few ways you can do so.

Get a referral for a psychiatrist

Referrals can connect you with a psychiatrist. A referral can come from a friend, a family, or anyone else who has been in a similar situation as you. Your general practitioner can also be a person who refers you.

Of course, not everyone who went to a psychiatrist saw one who is a good fit for you. However, finding referrals can be a good place for you to start.

Your insurance can help pay for a psychiatrist

If you have insurance, talk to your provider to learn which psychiatrists nearby accept your insurance. This can allow you to see a psychiatrist at little financial risk. If you do not like them, you can find someone else.

Find a local service for adult psychiatry

There may be a community clinic that can help you with your situation. For example, you may be able to find a state-run clinic that is affordable. You can also look for benefits if you are a veteran.

Research for adult psychiatry nearby

Searching online for psychiatrists nearby is perhaps the best way you can find one. You can read reviews and see how other clients found the experience to be. Of course, not all reviews will be helpful, but some will provide helpful criticism or commentary.

Interview the psychiatrist or adult psychiatry center

Whenever you find a good adult psychiatrist, do not hesitate to ask them some questions. Learning about a psychiatrist's qualifications and how they will treat you are two important areas to explore. Here are some questions you can ask to help carry the conversation:

  • What are your qualifications? Where were you educated? How much experience do you have in treating patients?
  • How long are your sessions? Will you have enough time to listen to me, or will I feel rushed? If your sessions are short, will you make up for it through more sessions?
  • What is your treatment philosophy? Will you treat me in the safest possible manner?
  • What about emergencies? If something goes wrong, will you be there?
  • When it comes to therapy, do you provide it? If not, can you recommend me a therapist?

If you are worried you are being pushy, think again. Remember these questions are designed to make sure you and the psychiatrist are a good fit. It would be best if you found a psychiatrist who can serve all your needs. If they seem like they are unable to do so and it feels like they dodge your questions, you may want to look elsewhere. A psychiatrist should be thanked, however, if they are a good sport with answering your questions.

When you lack a connection

When the experience with your psychiatrist just seems like it will not work, do not worry. There are many psychiatrists with different styles, so it is worth considering other options such as holistic psychiatry. Sometimes, a qualified psychiatrist just may not fit who you are, or you simply do not mesh. Do not blame yourself nor the psychiatrist. Not everyone is going to connect and there is no need to press a relationship that is not working. 

If you do decide to leave a psychiatrist, provide some feedback. Give the psychiatrist some helpful hints, and perhaps ask if they know someone who can will be a better fit in your case. The psychiatrist should understand. They too probably need to go through a journey to get the best fit to take care of their own mental health. Psychiatrists are human too, and they understand they are not able to treat everyone.

Reaching for help

When it comes to mental health, finding the time—let alone the words—to ask for help can keep you from making an appointment. Fortunately, many psychiatrists offer online sessions to make psychiatry available to a diverse range of people who live in all locations. Whether you are searching for a psychiatrist or psychologist, an online mental health professional can provide the same compassion, professional insight, and treatment as in-person therapy. Your psychiatrist may want to meet with you in person during your first consultation and then decide to continue treatment via video or telephone. Whatever your preference, know you have the option to meet with an online psychologist or psychiatrist and receive a thorough clinical mental health assessment in the comfort of your own home.

If you are unsure if psychiatry is right for you, know you can also look for an online therapist who can help you start your mental health care journey. Like a psychiatrist, they offer a wide variety of psychotherapeutic options to help support you as you work through any issue you are facing. Research has shown that online therapy is an equally effective alternative for therapy with some added benefits. For example, in a recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Technology in Mental Health, therapists reported that they were able to reach a diverse population of clients who appreciated the convenience and therapeutic alliance that was developed during counseling sessions. The authors of the study concluded that online therapy offers distinct qualities not found with in-person therapy sessions. One of which is an increased psychological connectedness between the therapist and client because of less distractions that are often created in a physical environment. People participating in online therapy often feel more comfortable due to being in their own personal space and the screen offers some innominateness and freedom of expression. 

MyTherapist has qualified licensed psychologists who have experience with helping people managing all types of mental health conditions and for those who want life advice. If your mental health is getting in the way of your comfort and ability to function, reach out for support when you are ready. 

Takeaway

An adult psychiatrist can help you in many ways. They can help treat the mental disorders and obstacles that come with adulthood and help you live a mentally fulfilling life. Being a medical doctor, they have the ability to perform a wide range of medical laboratory tests along with psychiatric evaluations to give a precise diagnosis. Beyond prescribing medication, psychiatrists can also support their patients through psychotherapy and other holistic methods of treatment.  If you want to seek help, make an appointment with an online therapist or a psychiatrist to help you obtain the best mental care possible.

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