The doctor Julian Seifter once stated, “You are not your illness. You have an individual story to tell. You have a name, a history, a personality. Staying yourself is part of the battle.” A psychiatric diagnosis like major depressive disorder (MDD) might feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s important to remember that it’s not who you are. It’s simply a classification that can help guide successful treatment. An accurate diagnosis means that you’re no longer operating blindly, thinking something is inherently wrong with you. Your problem has a name, and you can face it head-on.
The licensed psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Tallahassee, FL use compassion and expertise to help people with the process of naming and navigating their mental health conditions. Psychiatrists diagnose, treat, and help prevent a wide range of mental disorders and their symptoms through medication and evidence-based psychotherapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). If you suspect that you might be suffering from a mental health condition, turn to someone who can truly help: an exceptional psychiatric provider at Thriveworks.
Is a Psychiatrist a Doctor Too?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who attended medical school. Their specialty is mental health, and they can diagnose and treat mental conditions of all kinds. If you have kidney issues, you see a nephrologist. If you have skin issues, you see a dermatologist. And when you have serious mental health or behavioral issues, you see a psychiatrist.
Unfortunately, many people who need mental health support don’t go directly to a specialist. They might first present their symptoms to a primary care doctor. This is because mental health conditions can affect one’s physical health as well. Think of the sleep and digestive disturbances that may come with mood disorders. But family doctors will hopefully refer patients to a psychiatrist when necessary.
In addition to the highly qualified psychiatrists that practice at Thriveworks in Tallahassee, FL, the following mental health providers are also on staff:
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), who can assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. They can also prescribe medication.
- Psychologists (PhDs or PsyDs), who have doctorate degrees in psychology. Clinical psychologists might do similar work to psychiatrists, but they cannot prescribe medication.
- Licensed professional counselors (LPCs), who provide short-term, solution-focused counseling, usually for clients with specific issues like substance use disorders (SUDs) or eating disorders.
- Psychotherapists, who take a longer-term and more in-depth examination of emotions and the psyche.
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), who provide counseling and direction for social services.
- Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), who treat couples or family members in group therapy.
Is Taking Medication an Effective Way to Cure Mental Illnesses?
Psychotropic medication is one of many resources that mental health providers have for treating mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. A depressed client might respond well to an antidepressant like a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), but they may also respond well to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or a hybrid approach. It all depends on the client’s goals and physiology.
Medication treatment works for many psychiatric clients at Thriveworks in Tallahassee, FL, but drugs are by no means the only remedy for psychological and behavioral symptoms. Psychiatrists and other mental health providers also have a number of other therapeutic resources at their disposal, such as the following:
- CBT
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
- Person-centered therapy (PCT)
- Existential therapy
- Exposure therapy, especially for specific phobias
- Systematic desensitization therapy
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness training
- Chronotherapy
- Light therapy
- Holistic therapies like meditation training or progressive muscle relaxation
- Supportive-expressive therapy
- Anger management treatment
- Emotion-focused therapy (EFT)
- Narrative therapy
- Lifestyle modifications that address nutrition and exercise
- Psychosocial interventions like support groups
- Motivation enhancement therapy (MET)
- Biofeedback
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
- Family therapy
- Couples therapy or marriage counseling
At What Point Should Someone Seek Help for Mental Illness?
If you are in distress and are having difficulty maintaining your usual level of daily functioning, it may be time to book an appointment with a licensed psychiatrist. Certain symptoms can signal the presence of a mental health condition. For example:
- Sleep disturbances, which can indicate a mood disorder
- Appetite changes, which can indicate depression
- Difficulty focusing, which can indicate attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Racing heart, sweating, and hyperventilation, which can indicate panic disorder or another anxiety disorder
Get Premium Psychiatric Care at Thriveworks in Tallahassee, FL
Premium psychiatric care doesn’t have to be expensive. The providers at Thriveworks in Tallahassee, FL accept most major forms of health insurance coverage. They also offer competitive self-pay rates. Best of all, Thriveworks psychiatrists can see new clients quickly, usually within 24-48 hours of an initial booking. That means you can call the office today and be seen as early as tomorrow. And Thriveworks clients can access their provider by phone or email between sessions.
Prioritize your mental health with Thriveworks in Tallahassee, FL.
