Mental health services are most often provided in two ways:
- Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, where a patient meets with a therapist, discusses their symptoms and develops processing skills, healthy coping skills, and behavioral management techniques.
- Psychiatry, where a board-certified medical doctor, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), or physician assistant will look for underlying physiological causes of your symptoms, prescribe helpful medications, monitor your progress, and adjust as needed.
Both have the same goal, and they’re often used together to provide comprehensive treatments for mental illness. However, psychiatry can address more complex mental health disorders that have physical as well as mental causes.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of psychiatric care, which behavioral and mental health issues are best treated with psychiatry, and Elite’s DNA’s approach to psychiatry.
Elite DNA has an extensive staff of board-certified psychiatrists. Schedule an evaluation at an Elite DNA location near you!
Benefits of Psychiatric Care in Florida
Psychiatrists are typically medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.), psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP), or physician assistants (PA). Each of these professionals has received extensive education in assessing the physical and mental aspects of mental health issues. They have also completed supervised clinical training during a residency at a psychiatric hospital or other medical institution. We discuss the differences between therapists and psychiatrists in more detail here.
Here, we’ll break down how psychiatry approaches mental health treatment.
Neurochemistry & Biology
Mental illnesses are complex. They rarely have a single cause and usually stem from a combination of situational stressors, psychological factors, and biological causes.
Psychiatry takes a comprehensive look at the individual and their symptoms. This includes diagnosing any underlying biological or physiological components.
There may be imbalances in neurotransmitters — the chemical messengers in the brain that communicate between cells. Imbalances in dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate have been linked to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
There’s also growing evidence that links inflammation in the body to mental health issues. This inflammation can also be linked to immune system responses.
In addition, hormonal levels can change throughout our lives, sometimes dramatically. These hormonal imbalances can contribute to mental health disorders.
Chronic infections and conditions like anemia can affect mental health and often show the same symptoms as mental health disorders but require very different treatment programs.
Mental health may also be affected by genetic predispositions, which can affect neurochemistry, immune system responses, and hormonal production.
As such, psychiatry evaluates all aspects of your health, physical and mental, to develop effective treatment plans.
Complete Diagnoses
To get the most accurate diagnosis, psychiatric providers use psychological evaluations and physical diagnostics.
Psychological evaluations might include detailed patient interviews, exploration of symptoms, and discussions about family history.
Physical diagnostics are also used to identify (or rule out) any underlying biological issues. For example, blood tests are a common and helpful diagnostic in psychiatry. They can assess overall health, thyroid issues, electrolyte levels, or vitamin deficiencies that might contribute to behavioral health issues — and can identify conditions such as anemia or infections, which often mimic the symptoms of depression.
In addition, a simple urinalysis can detect infections or dehydration, which can impact mental health, while a toxicology screen can detect foreign substances in the bloodstream that may be affecting mental health.
In rare cases, your provider may request brain imaging diagnostics, such as CT scans or MRIs, to rule out neurological issues that could affect mental health.
With a complete psychological and physiological evaluation, psychiatric service providers can develop a more targeted custom-tailored treatment program. These programs will likely include managed medication and psychotherapy to provide the most effective, comprehensive treatments.
Medication Management
Medication can play a crucial role in the treatment of many mental health disorders.
Medication can target the neurochemical imbalances associated with many conditions, such as depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorders, ADHD, and more.
Managed medication is also essential in treating severe mental health illness. It provides stabilization, helps patients manage acute symptoms, and helps make therapy more productive.
Effective medication management by a psychiatric professional can significantly reduce symptoms, and allow patients to participate more fully in their relationships, social lives, and careers.
Medication can also improve sleep and increase energy levels, improving life quality.
Psychiatric providers monitor medications closely to minimize any side effects and maximize effectiveness. Over time, different medications may be suggested, or dosages altered.
Finding the right medication for someone can sometimes be a trial-and-error process. To identify the most effective medications and dosages, patients should communicate clearly and openly with their providers.
At Elite DNA, we understand that medications aren’t a cure. However, they are tremendously helpful in managing symptoms and improving the overall quality of life for patients.
Issues Treated with Psychiatric Care
Many mental health disorders are best treated with managed medication.
Here’s a list of conditions commonly treated with managed medication during psychiatric care. A complete list can be found on our Psychiatric Services page.
- Major Depressive Disorders: Severe depression can be treated effectively with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs). These medications help regulate norepinephrine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that contribute to depression disorders.
- Bipolar Disorders: Many forms of bipolar disorder are often treated using mood stabilizers — and anticonvulsant medications can be helpful. These can help prevent manic episodes and regulate extreme mood swings. Antidepressant medications may also be used to help with bipolar disorder symptoms.
- Anxiety Disorders: Like General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), these issues are often treated with SSRIs or beta-blockers. These medications help to manage and reduce chronic worry and anxiety.
- Panic Disorders: Most forms of panic disorders are usually treated with antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications that can help reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): SSRIs can help those struggling with regulating serotonin levels which reduces intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Treatment can use two different types of medications. Stimulants are most commonly prescribed and help improve focus and attention while reducing impulsivity in those with ADHD. In some cases, non-stimulant medications may be used if patients experience side effects from stimulant medications.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): For severe trauma and stress, SSRIs and SNRIs are also used to treat symptoms. They help regulate mood, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep.
- Psychotic disorders: Antipsychotic medications are generally used for psychotic disorders. For example, antipsychotics are often used to treat schizophrenia. These medications help regulate the levels of dopamine in the brain, which reduces hallucinations and delusions.
Medications can also help treat co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
Psychiatric Care at Elite DNA
At Elite DNA, we provide psychiatric care to diagnose, prevent, and treat a variety of mental health conditions.
Our board-certified psychiatric staff will conduct evaluations and perform diagnostic tests to get a complete assessment of your physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being.
They will then develop a treatment program custom-tailored to your symptoms and diagnosis. A treatment plan may include managed medication, individual psychotherapy, or both. Elite DNA provides both services under one roof.
We can call your prescription into your preferred local pharmacy for convenience. And we schedule frequent check-ins to assess the effectiveness of your medication while minimizing side effects.
The medical professionals at Elite DNA are here to help and support you on your journey to better mental health.
Find out how our psychiatric services can help you by contacting Elite DNA today.
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