When to see a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is trained to diagnose, treat and prevent mental health illnesses. They handle all kinds of mental health issues ranging from panic attacks, hallucinations and suicidal tendencies to disorders like depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders. A combination of medical tests, psychological assessments and patient interaction is used to understand and diagnose.
Psychiatrists can recommend the following treatment methods based on the patient’s needs:
- Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, uses dialogue with patients as a tool to eliminate or control any disabling or troubling symptoms. You can find more information on psychotherapy in the American Psychiatric Association’s website.
- Medications, where required, to help with stabilizing brain chemistry.
- Psychosocial intervention is used to transform an individual’s behavior and emotional state. The purpose is to guide the patient into having healthy relationships with the society using nonmedicinal means.
- Electroconvulsive therapy to treat severe psychosis that accompanies detachment from reality.
Find the best psychiatrists in NYC
Psychiatrists are adept at aiding recovery from both mental and physical symptoms of a psychological disorder. What makes Zocdoc reliable? The reviews for NYC psychiatrists have been submitted by actual patients after seeing providers, which ensures our reviews are fair, accurate and trustworthy. We solicit reviews after every appointment, so we receive a high volume of reviews with an authentic representative sample of feedback (good, bad and in between).
With Zocdoc, you can book an appointment online 24 hours a day for top-rated NYC psychiatrists. By creating a free account, you’ll receive tailored appointment reminders to help you stay on top of important checkups. You can also book appointments with psychiatric subspecialists who focus on child and adolescent, geriatric, or addiction issues.
Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist
To qualify as a psychiatrist, a person must obtain a medical degree with specialized training in psychiatry. On the other hand, a psychologist has an advanced degree—commonly in clinical psychology—and has experience in research and clinical practice. Psychiatrists, being medical doctors, can prescribe medications in addition to psychotherapy. Psychologists primarily use psychotherapy as their treatment methods. However, some might train in psychological testing and evaluation. Read “Which Type of Therapist Do You Need?” from Zocdoc’s patient blog “The Paper Gown” for more information.
Sources: American Psychiatric Association, National Institutes of Health
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.
