What is psychiatry?
Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that focuses specifically on the medical and psychotherapeutic treatment of mental conditions and disorders.
How does psychiatry work?
Psychiatry allows people struggling to manage mental conditions or disorders to get access to medications that will make daily functioning easier, as well as work through any mental factors that might be causing or worsening their condition. Though medications can't cure mental disorders, medication can make symptoms more manageable, making the process of psychotherapeutic treatment easier and more effective. Psychiatric care can be available through in-person psychiatry and online psychiatry, depending on where you live and your own preferences. However, psychiatric providers at Thriveworks in Bethesda, MD specifically offer online psychiatry to their clients.
Does psychiatry deal with anxiety?
Psychiatrists are among the mental health professionals who can prescribe anxiety medication, and they are also capable of offering therapeutic treatment for anxiety as well, though not every psychiatric professional offers therapy. Medication management can be offered via in-person or online psychiatry.
What is the difference between a mental health therapist and psychiatrist?
A therapist has an education specifically rooted in therapeutic practice, approaches, techniques, and treatment. They cannot prescribe medications for clients, thought they often refer clients to psychiatrists for medication management. Psychiatrists are medically trained doctors who specialize in mental health treatment, mainly through medication management and prescription, though they can also practice therapy.
What's the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
Psychologists and psychiatrists receive differing educations, as psychologists are not medically trained the same way that psychiatrists are. Psychologists mainly specialize in providing therapy services and diagnoses for mental disorders — something that most therapists cannot provide — while psychiatrists manage medications and sometimes provide therapy services. The main difference is that psychologists (generally) cannot prescribe medications the way psychiatrists can.
Do psychiatric NPs treat mental disorders?
Psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs) treat and diagnose disorders, prescribe and manage medications, and offer psychotherapy services, too.
How do psychiatriac providers diagnose?
Oftentimes, psychiatrists or psychiatric professionals will perform a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, which involves an in-depth discussion about your symptoms, medical history, and current medications. Once they reach a diagnosis, they may suggest starting certain medications depending on your condition and the intensity of your symptoms.
Is psychiatry/medication conducted in person or online?
At Thriveworks, we offer online psychiatry as well as in-person therapy services for optimal comfort and convenience.
How long does psychiatry last?
Psychiatric services at Thriveworks Bethesda can last for as little or as much time as the client needs to reach their treatment goals, whether that be a month or two or over the course of years. treatment length is heavily dependent on the condition(s) being treated, the course of treatment, and the client's goals for treatment.
Need more help deciding?
Bethesda, MD Psychiatry – Meet With Board-Certified Psychiatric Providers
If you are feeling depressed, anxious, or you’re struggling with another mental illness that we haven’t yet touched on, consider contacting Thriveworks in Bethesda, MD. Not only do we have therapists and counselors, but our Thriveworks Bethesda team is also comprised of online psychiatric nurse practitioners who can offer a diagnosis and provide medication management as well as therapy.
Our mental health professionals will help to determine what the best course of treatment is for your specific situation. To get started with a Thriveworks Bethesda psychiatric provider, just call (240) 513-3093.
What Is Medication Management and Who Does It Help?
Medication management is the process of assessing one’s need for medication, prescribing said medication, and overseeing the individual’s use of the prescribed medication. Typically, a nurse practitioner or psychiatrist will conduct this analysis and head medication management, which is super important to one’s trajectory in treatment for a given mental illness.
Why Is Medication Management Important?
If you reach out to Thriveworks Bethesda, MD to schedule an appointment with one of our online psychiatric providers, your provider will keep your health and wellbeing at the forefront. This means that they will check that you’re getting the desired outcome from the medication that they prescribe you. If you don’t receive the desired benefits or your state declines instead of improving, they’ll then help you find a different medication. In any case, it’s important that you follow their exact instructions for taking your medicine. For example, the following are all important:
- Taking your medication at the right time of day
- Taking your medication with or without food, depending on instructions
- Taking the right dosage of your medication
- Understanding and monitoring the potential side effects of the medication
Oftentimes, clients don’t understand just how important the above factors are. It’s up to their online psychiatric provider to explain to them exactly how to take their medication and why their instructions are important to their health and success in treatment.
Schedule a Session with an Online Psychiatrist at Thriveworks Bethesda
As we have reiterated many times over, it’s vital that you understand your medication: its purpose, potential side effects, proper usage, and more. If you decide to meet with one of our online psychiatric providers here at Thriveworks Bethesda, you won’t have to worry about figuring out this process alone.
Your Thriveworks provider will be there with you every step of the way. They’ll do their best to find the medication that can best benefit you, monitor how it’s helping (or, in some cases, hurting) you, and make any necessary adjustments.
You can begin working with a Thriveworks Bethesda online psychiatric providers as soon as this week. Just call our office to kickstart the process and we will be happy to get you scheduled with your first appointment.
