What is a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist specializes in psychiatry, the field of medicine that deals with mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders. They train in diagnosing, treating, and preventing these issues. Psychiatrists are medically qualified to prescribe drugs and recommend various treatments. After completing a four-year medical school degree, they must complete a psychiatric residency program to earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or a Doctor of Medicine degree.
During the residency, they gain hands-on experience in the field. Most psychiatrists opt to take the voluntary examination conducted by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology to obtain a board certification. After this, the practitioner can choose to subspecialize by pursuing a fellowship for a year or two. Subspecialties include pain medicine, geriatric psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, emergency psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, sleep medicine, and consultation-liaison psychiatry.
Types of psychiatrists
Psychiatrists can be of many types, each providing different services and catering for mental health differently. Some of the standard types of psychiatrists and their specializations include the following:
- General adult psychiatrist: Recent studies have reported that over 23% of the U.S. adult population suffers from some form of mental disorder. Hence, general adult psychiatrists focus on helping adults overcome such mental health concerns as bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression. They use various types of treatment, such as medications and psychotherapy, to help manage their symptoms.
- Adolescent and child psychiatrist: If you suspect your child has mental health issues, you can take them to an adolescent and child psychiatrist near you. They specialize in assessing and diagnosing various mental health conditions, especially developmental disorders like ADHD, which can impact their behavior or learning capability. They also involve parents in treatment plans to help implement strategies at home and provide the support their child needs.
- Geriatric psychiatrist: As people age, they can develop different types of mental distress, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Hence, geriatric psychiatrists specialize in helping such patients by focusing on their unique challenges and developing tailored treatment plans. By collaborating with other healthcare providers, they take a holistic approach to mental healthcare, considering social, emotional, and physical well-being.
- Addiction psychiatrist: People with substance abuse disorders or addictive behaviors can visit an addiction psychiatrist who specializes in treating such issues. These psychiatrists can help treat these issues by providing effective treatment plans focused on improving one’s quality of life. They also address other accompanying mental health concerns other than addiction to ensure comprehensive care.
- Neuropsychiatrists: These psychiatrists often work closely with neurologists and focus on the link between the brain and mental health issues. They can treat conditions like epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. As a result, neuropsychiatrists address brain issues and mental health problems simultaneously. They create treatment plans after considering all aspects of an individual’s health to ensure overall well-being.
Treatments and medications
Various treatments are possible depending on the specifics of each patient’s condition. Most treatments involve a combination of different techniques that are customized and unique to each person. Psychotherapy is integral to psychiatric treatment. Here, you will talk with a trained mental healthcare professional to identify and address the factors that disturb your mental health or act as a trigger. The sub-segments of psychotherapy include interpersonal therapy (IPT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and others.
The specialist will use one or more of these alongside magnetic or electrical technology treatments if required. The psychiatrist might recommend medications along with psychotherapy to help treat your condition. Drugs usually prescribed by psychiatrists include hypnotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, ketamine, sedatives, anxiolytics, and stimulants.
When to see a psychiatrist near you?
It is difficult to see a psychiatrist; this must be a well-thought-out decision. Keep track of any disruptive or unhealthy emotions or thoughts that assail you. You could consult your primary care physician and share your concerns before heading to a psychiatrist. Some signs to watch out for include:
- Engaging in risky behavior
- Thoughts of self-harm
- Not able to manage or control your emotions
- Irrational or excessive fears
- Frequent or continuous bouts of anger or rage
- Eating disorders
- Substance use
- Socially withdrawn
- Excessive worrying or sadness
- Drastic changes in sleep pattern
- Decline in work or school performance
Difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist
Psychiatrists and psychologists are both healthcare professionals who specialize in mental health conditions. They often work together to provide adequate mental healthcare and may be part of a health team at a hospital or clinic.
The key difference between the two is their training. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor and would have completed medical school and a residency. They are qualified to conduct psychotherapy sessions and prescribe medical treatments or medications.
Meanwhile, a psychologist has an advanced degree in an area such as clinical psychology. They may have extensive training in clinical practice or research. Instead of medications, they rely on different types of psychotherapy to treat mental disorders. Some psychologists specialize in psychological testing and assessment.
What to expect at your first appointment?
After you schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist near you, you can make some preparations in advance to help everything go smoothly. Take along all the information on your medical and psychiatric history, both personal and family. Include a list of all medications, psychiatric and otherwise, any diagnoses, and your medical concerns.
During the appointment, your psychiatrist will likely ask you the reason for your visit, any symptoms you are experiencing, and your expected goals from the treatment. Some questions may be sensitive; if you are unwilling to share too many details, communicate this to your psychiatrist.
After assessing your situation, the psychiatrist will discuss your treatment options. Your treatment might include medication as well as referrals for psychotherapy if required. If the practitioner suspects any medical condition to be the underlying cause of symptoms, they might recommend lab tests or procedures to determine this.
Do not hesitate to voice your concerns and ask any queries about the diagnosis or treatment. Depending on your condition and diagnosis, you may have to come in for a follow-up appointment.
Tips on maintaining mental health
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted mental health and the need for overall well-being. We often focus on physical fitness and ignore the signs of mental distress in ourselves and others. You could maintain a balance by building your self-confidence and valuing yourself. Make time for your interests and hobbies regularly, if not daily.
Try keeping a journal where you compile a list of all you are grateful for and what you could accomplish each day. Reading through this when you feel low will help boost your self-worth and show you what you can achieve. Nurture your body with a nutritious diet, exercise, and a good night’s rest. Being physically healthy and getting quality sleep can generate positive thoughts and make you feel good about yourself.
Work on your family relationships and social connections to have a support system when needed. Joining a health or sports club or a class is one way of meeting people. Learn to relax and quieten down your mind with meditation or prayer. Switching off gadgets and disconnecting from the virtual world can instantly be calming.
What is an anxiety disorder, and what are its symptoms?
Feeling anxious from time to time is common. However, for those with anxiety disorders, worry and fear can become overwhelming and persistent.
Typical signs of anxiety may include:
- Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
- Sense of imminent danger or panic
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Weakness or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble sleeping
- Gastrointestinal (GI) issues
- Struggling to control worry
Avoidance of anxiety triggers
These feelings of anxiety and fear can disrupt daily activities, are challenging to manage, often disproportionate to the actual threat, and can persist over an extended period. To avoid experiencing these emotions, you may avoid certain places or circumstances. Symptoms of anxiety can manifest in childhood or adolescence and persist into adulthood.
Anxiety disorders can also include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), particular phobias, and separation anxiety disorder.
One can have multiple anxiety disorders. The exact cause of anxiety disorders remains incompletely understood. Traumatic incidents and life experiences tend to exacerbate anxiety disorders, especially in those predisposed to anxiety. Genetic traits might also be a factor. Additionally, anxiety can sometimes stem from underlying medical issues that require treatment.
Consult a psychiatrist near you if:
- Excessive worry hinders your daily functioning at work, in relationships, or in other areas of life.
- Your anxiety feels overwhelming and challenging to manage.
- You are experiencing depression, struggling with substance abuse, or facing other mental health challenges alongside anxiety.
- You suspect a potential connection between your anxiety and a physical health condition.
- If you have self-harm thoughts or engage in suicidal behaviors.
The issues you are experiencing may not go away on their own and may worsen over time if you do not seek assistance. Consult your doctor before your anxiety worsens. Early intervention makes treatment easier.
Find an experienced psychiatrist in Hammonton
Your mental health and physical well-being are equally important. If you have been feeling stressed or experiencing anxiety or depression lately, get help immediately. Not acting early on your mental issues can harm your work and family life. Zocdoc can help you find a qualified psychiatrist near you in Hammonton without the hassle of a long-drawn or time-consuming search.
Begin by setting up a free account on our platform. Log in to use the filters of gender, languages spoken, location, and hospital affiliations to get a list of psychiatrists meeting your criteria. Our convenient insurance detector lets you find an in-network practitioner. We use an advanced algorithm to scan an extensive nationwide database of doctors and specialists. You can further set Zocdoc to automatically find psychiatrists who accept your insurance by updating your Zocdoc account’s details. Accordingly, you can upload a picture of your health plan card on the Zocdoc app to get filtered results. Check out Zocdoc’s patient help center for more insurance-related FAQs.
Click on individual profiles for more details about the psychiatrist, such as their educational qualifications, experience, and board certification status. You will also access verified patient reviews and ratings to help find the right choice.
You can opt to book a virtual appointment before scheduling an in-person session. The easy booking process lets you schedule a session based on your convenience and the practitioner’s availability. You may find a psychiatrist near you offering extended hours and weekend appointments. All bookings made on Zocdoc are simple, free, and secure!
Statistics on mental health in New Jersey
The burden of mental health across the United States is concerning, with about one in five adults experiencing mental illness yearly. The National Alliance provides this data on Mental Illness (NAMI). The same source adds that more than half of Americans claim that Covid-19 has adversely impacted their mental health.
State-wise statistics provided by NAMI show that in February 2021, about 42.2% of adults in New Jersey reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. Approximately 19.9% were unable to get the necessary counseling or therapy.
Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) for the period spanning from September 29 to October 11, 2021, showed that about 28.6% of New Jersey adults reported anxiety and depressive disorder symptoms. This figure was 31.6% at the national level for the same period. Further data collated by KFF shows that as of September 30, 2021, New Jersey had only about 68.8% of the mental healthcare professionals it needs. In this respect, New Jersey is doing better than the national average of 28.1%.
In 2018 and 2019, about 3.8% of adults in New Jersey had severe thoughts of suicide in the past year. Again, the state is doing much better, given the national share of 4.6%. For the same period, 69.7% of New Jersey adults with mild mental illness did not receive mental health treatment. This figure was slightly higher than the national average of 67.9%.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD
Mental Health America
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Kaiser Family Foundation
MedicalNewsToday
American Psychiatric Association
Healthline
Brightside Health
Mayo Clinic
American University of Antigua
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