US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy once stated, “Emotional wellbeing is more than the absence of a mental illness. It’s that resource within each of us which allows us to reach ever closer to our full potential, and which also enables us to be resilient in the face of adversity.” Great mental health professionals who treat mental health disorders know that people don’t just need to relieve their distressing symptoms; they also need to achieve their hopes and dreams. That is why the psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Centennial, CO treat the whole client with a holistic approach instead of just the diagnosis.
The board-certified psychiatrists at Thriveworks are recruited from the top 4% of area applicants to deliver the best care to clients in Centennial and Arapahoe County. They treat a wide variety of psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder (manic depression), personality disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and many others. Their goal is to help clients achieve maximum functioning in their relationships, occupations, and life pursuits. There shouldn’t be a stigma attached to the treatment of mental health conditions. Thriveworks psychiatrists offer compassionate, nonjudgmental, expert support.
What Is the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist?
If you’re new to therapy, it’s easy to get confused by all the different licenses and specialties that mental health professionals can have. Here’s a quick rundown of the kinds of exceptional providers you will find at Thriveworks in Centennial, CO:
- Psychiatrists (MDs): Psychiatrists are mental health providers who graduated from medical school. They specialize in the branch of medicine dealing with mental health and mental health disorders. These medical doctors are able to prescribe medication to help support neural functioning.
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP): These board-certified nurses specialize in psychiatric treatment.
- Psychologists (PhDs or PsyDs): Licensed psychologists have doctoral degrees and are qualified to use psychotherapy (talk therapy) approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat their clients. They do not prescribe or manage medication.
- Licensed professional counselors (LPCs): Counselors support their clients through a wide range of difficult issues and specific problems.
- Licensed social workers (LCSWs, LICSWs, or LMSWs): Social workers have masters-level degrees in social work and can counsel clients through various life issues.
- Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs): These licensed therapists treat relational issues in individuals, couples, and families.
- Licensed drug and addiction counselors: These counselors help people in recovery.
When Should I See a Psychiatrist?
If you are encountering difficulties at school, home, or work, you may not know whether you would most benefit from seeing a counselor, a social worker, a psychiatrist, or another licensed professional at Thriveworks in Centennial, CO. If your symptoms are acute or severe, they may indicate that you should be evaluated for a treatable mental disorder. These symptoms include the following:
- Difficulty paying attention or focusing
- Radical mood swings
- Persistent sadness lasting longer than two weeks
- Extreme fear or worry
- New eating behaviors
- Mania or hyperactivity
- Lethargy or low activity levels
- Hallucinations
- Difficulty sleeping or staying awake
- Repetitive behaviors
- Obsessions
A Thriveworks psychiatrist can talk through your symptoms with you and help determine whether you could benefit from psychiatric treatment.
How Do Psychiatrists Diagnose Bipolar Disorder?
Psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Centennial, CO operate a clinical practice that doesn’t rush to conclusions. Doctors assess and evaluate their clients carefully and conscientiously, with expert care, before diagnosing anyone with a mental health disorder, especially a long-term condition like bipolar disorder. Thriveworks psychiatrists use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as an important clinical resource for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders.
The diagnosis process may begin with a patient physical or psychological tests. The psychiatrist will want to hear about symptoms (depression, anxiety, or manias, for example) at length. They will have many questions for the client, and it may take several sessions before they draw any conclusions.
Do Psychiatrists Do CBT?
Psychiatrists are trained in medical school to do a variety of psychotherapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Different psychiatrists have different approaches to treatment–as well as different specialties. For example, some psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Centennial, CO may specialize in medication treatment, while others may specialize in more holistic approaches like meditation and mindfulness. You can choose a provider who best suits your needs by searching their bios on the Thriveworks website.
Prioritize Your Mental Health with a Board-certified Psychiatrist at Thriveworks in Centennial, CO
If you think you may be experiencing the distressing symptoms of a mental health disorder, remember that early intervention is key. Reach out to an exceptional psychiatrist at Thriveworks in Centennial, CO today and you could be seen as early as tomorrow or the next day. Thriveworks psychiatrists accept most major forms of health insurance, and are available by phone and email between sessions. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals!
