Melissa felt like she was headed for a mental breakdown. She had to commute an hour each way to her photo studio, and each time she got behind the wheel of her car she felt like she was going to get in a fatal crash. But her daily commute wasn’t the only time her anxiety took over. She’d almost had a panic attack last week when she couldn’t get in touch with her husband on the phone. She assumed something terrible had happened to him. And she wasn’t sleeping well at night because frightening thoughts kept flashing through her head. Melissa knew that she needed help, but from whom? She had a bit of a “white coat syndrome” and worried about talking to a doctor. If only she could find a professional who truly listened and wouldn’t judge her feelings.
Should I See a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist?
Some Thriveworks clients see either a psychologist or a psychiatrist, and other clients see both. It depends on your mental health needs. If you have an underlying chemical imbalance that requires medication, then you can benefit from the support of a psychiatrist. But it’s okay if you don’t know what you need ahead of your first appointment.
Psychiatrists can prescribe medication while psychologists can’t (though they can refer you to psychiatrists). But both professionals have extensive training in treating psychological obstacles and disorders.
You should probably reach out to a psychiatrist if you experience any of the following behaviors or symptoms:
- Self-harm
- Gambling or sex addiction
- Violent thoughts or actions
- Uncontrollable anger or aggression
- Self-isolation
- Violent fantasies
- Obsessions or compulsions
- Trouble getting out of bed in the morning
- Anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure)
- Attention and/or concentration problems
- Severely restricting your calories (anorexia) or purging after you eat or binge (bulimia)
- Abusing someone physically or emotionally
- Memory loss
- Hallucinations
- Panic attacks
- Severe social anxiety
- Fear of being in public
Some of these symptoms might eventually lead to a diagnosis of an underlying mental health disorder like clinical depression and need to be treated with psychiatric medication. Other symptoms may just require treatment with counseling sessions or a specific type of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In any case, don’t be afraid to be honest with your mental health provider about what you’ve been experiencing. Thriveworks psychiatrists in Modesto, CA have heard it all. They can give you the best assessment and optimal treatment when you’re 100% open about your symptoms.
An Introduction to the Advantages of Online Psychiatry
As long as you’re not in acute crisis or under the age of 18, you might be a great candidate to see an online psychiatrist. Clients who have suffered from mood disorders know that it can sometimes be difficult to leave the house if you’re feeling severely depressed or anxious. Telepsychiatry can remove a lot of the stress and burdens surrounding therapy sessions. After all, opening up to a mental health provider can be hard enough without having to deal with a long drive, parking lots, waiting rooms, and late doctors. Psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Modesto, CA accept your medical insurance even when they meet with you online, so the option is both convenient and affordable. And the telehealth technology that our providers use is more secure than ever.
Your Psychiatrist and Medication Management
One of a psychiatrist’s most important jobs is supporting clients with medication, both through prescribing a drug for the first time and monitoring the drug’s effects on clients. A Thriveworks psychiatrist in Modesto, CA might educate you about a new medication and its potential side effects. They might give you detailed instructions for taking the medication. Then they will closely monitor and manage your response to the medication to make sure it’s effective and you’re not suffering from any adverse side effects. Psychiatric care includes follow-ups to make sure the prescribed treatment is working to improve your quality of life.
Schedule Your Appointment with a Licensed Psychiatrist at Thriveworks in Modesto, CA
It’s never been easier to reach out to a licensed psychiatrist in Modesto, CA. The Thriveworks office opens early and stays open late so you can call us when it’s convenient for you. After you schedule your first session, you’ll be privy to exclusive benefits like video content and educational e-books. And Thriveworks clients love being able to contact their psychiatrists anytime between sessions via phone and email. We look forward to scheduling your first appointment!
