Getting to Know More about Psychiatric Medicine

Psychiatry is a branch of medical science that studies more deeply about diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. A doctor who studies or has undergone specialized education in the field of psychiatry is known as a psychiatrist. To become a psychiatrist, one must go to medical school first. After that, the doctor will need to undergo a four-year training and specialization period specializing in psychiatry. After completing the period of specialist education in the field of psychiatry, later the doctor will hold a mental health specialist or psychiatrist. As a psychiatrist, a psychiatrist is competent in everything related to diagnosis and treatment for patients with mental health problems, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The psychiatrist will be responsible for determining the treatment steps that will be taken for people with mental disorders. Psychiatrists are competent to provide treatment and evaluate the condition of sufferers of psychiatric problems in medical terms. That is what distinguishes between psychiatrists and other mental health workers, such as psychologists.

Field of Psychiatry Subspecialty

After completing the training period, the psychiatrist can continue training or special education to get subspecialty in the field of psychiatry. Subspecialties in psychiatry include:

• Child and adolescent psychiatry

Psychiatric subspecialty that deals specifically with mental disorders in children and adolescents. Psychiatric conditions of children who need psychiatric treatment, such as growth and development problems, children with ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia.

• Elderly psychiatry (geriatric psychiatry)

This field of psychiatry focuses on the treatment of mental and emotional disorders that occur in the elderly. Like children, the elderly also have different types of disorders, needs, and treatments from adults in general, so the selection and administration of doses of medicines must be adjusted to the age of the elderly.

• Psychiatric addiction

This is a special sub-specialty of psychiatry in the treatment of people suffering from one or more psychiatric disorders related to addiction problems. For example, addicted to drugs or alcoholic drinks.

When does someone need to see a psychiatrist? No need to wait until a severe mental disorder occurs to consult a psychiatrist. Mental and psychological health problems should also be addressed and diagnosed early, so that the patient's condition can be treated before complications occur.

Health Conditions That Can Be Treated by Psychiatrists

Many mental health disorders can be treated effectively after patients come to a psychiatrist. Mental health conditions that may be diagnosed and treated by a psychiatrist include:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Phobias
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Personality Disorders
• Schizophernia and paranoid
• Mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder
• Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia
• Insomnia
• Addicted to drugs or alcoholic drinks

There are many treatment methods that psychiatrists use to help cure a patient's psychiatric problems, such as psychotherapy, drug therapy, psychosocial interventions, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The purpose of this therapy is to eliminate or control the symptoms that are bothering the patient. Psychotherapy usually requires several sessions over one to two weeks, or even more, depending on the level of the patient's mental problem. In addition, drug therapy is also commonly used by psychiatrists to help correct chemical imbalances in the brain that are considered as one of the causes of mental disorders. The success of the treatment of psychiatric disorders depends on the commitment of the patient, as well as collaboration between the psychiatrist, the patient, and the family. Families and people closest to the patient need to be patient because generally the treatment of mental disorders requires time. Psychiatry is very important in dealing with mental health problems, emotional, and behavioral. If you feel you have a complaint that affects your mental health, do not hesitate to consult a psychiatrist. Before going to a psychiatrist, you should consult a general practitioner first. If consultation with a psychiatrist is needed, you will be referred to a psychiatrist with special expertise according to the disorder you are experiencing.