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 Harrisonburg, VA 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 Harrisonburg 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?
What Does Psychiatric Treatment Involve?
Psychiatric treatment can look different from one client to the next. This depends mostly on the individual’s presentation of symptoms, but can also depend on their history of other conditions and how they were able to manage those. A psychiatric NP will also take into account the cause of one’s condition.
Often, a combination of multiple treatment methods can prove the most helpful. Here’s a little more insight into how a psychiatric NP makes this determination:
- Psychotherapy is an effective treatment measure that many clients at Thriveworks enjoy and find value in. It can help one address their triggers and any potential causes of their mental illness.
- Psychiatric medication is another effective option that relieves one’s symptoms. If someone is struggling to function on a normal basis due to their symptoms, a prescription medication might be a good option.
- Often, a combination of these two is recommended. Together, they can help one manage or recover from their condition and go on to live a happier, healthier life again.
Your psychiatric NP will make their recommendation after getting to know you. Regardless of which treatment they recommend or prescribe, they will make sure that you understand exactly what it entails. They can explain how therapy and medication work. They can also start conducting either form of treatment.
Schedule a Psychiatry Appointment at Thriveworks in Harrisonburg, VA
Psychiatry is a field of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders. Psychiatric NPs devote their lives to learning all there is to know in this field and then put this knowledge to work for their clients.
If you are interested in scheduling a psychiatry appointment, call or schedule online with Thriveworks in Harrisonburg, VA. Our psychiatric NPs are compassionate experts who can help you.
