Find a licensed psychiatrist or psychiatric NP in Rio Rancho, NM

The author J.M. Storm once wrote, “She is a beautiful piece of broken pottery, put back together by her own hands. And a critical world judges her cracks while missing the beauty of how she made herself whole again.” This quote could describe any human, male or female, who has dealt with adversity. 

In the formative years of our psychosocial development we’re supposed to learn how to regulate our emotions, manage conflict, and play well with others. But sometimes we don’t learn those lessons properly, or we learn strategies that aren’t sustainable. We still deserve accolades for surviving and putting ourselves back together again after grief, loss, pain, hardship, and fear. But wouldn’t it be nice to have a little support from an expert as we make those repairs? When your car breaks down, you take it to a car mechanic. When your psyche is suffering, you see a mental health professional.

The licensed psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Rio Rancho, NM excel at diagnosing, treating, and helping to prevent mental health conditions that interfere with overall health and daily functioning. These conditions can include the following:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic disorder
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
• Post-traumatic stress
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Personality disorders
• Specific phobias
• Eating disorders
• Insomnia

Psychiatric conditions can be difficult to diagnose because it can be hard to distinguish between adaptive and harmful responses, and because many symptoms overlap. For example, someone with depressive symptoms may also have anxious symptoms. Someone with ADHD may also have trauma. Thriveworks psychiatrists don’t aim to define clients by their diagnoses. Rather, a diagnosis can serve as a useful guide for treating the whole person effectively.

What Do Psychiatrists Do? 

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in evaluating people for psychiatric conditions, then in treating them accordingly. Treatment can include evidence-based psychotherapy techniques as well as psychotropic medications that target certain brain chemicals to allay symptoms and improve wellbeing. Only psychiatrists, not psychologists, can prescribe and manage medication. 

If a client begins a course of pharmacological treatment, then it’s the psychiatrist’s responsibility to follow up with the client to monitor for improvements, setbacks, and side effects. Client feedback and contributions are extremely important. At Thriveworks in Rio Rancho, NM, psychiatrists aim to alleviate suffering and help clients achieve their life goals. 

What Are the Types of Personality Disorders?

Like many mental health conditions, there aren’t definitive biomarkers for personality disorders. This means that they are diagnosed based on symptoms and self-reports rather than physiological testing. Personality disorders are somewhat rare, but they can interfere with jobs, relationships, and daily functions. Thus clients often seek professional help. Personality disorders include the following:

• Paranoid
• Schizoid
• Schizotypal
• Antisocial
• Borderline
• Obsessive-compulsive
• Histrionic
• Narcissistic
• Avoidant
• Dependent

But certain personality tendencies don’t necessarily make an enduring, harmful pattern that will lead to diagnosis and intervention. A licensed psychiatrist at Thriveworks in Rio Rancho, NM has the experience and insights to evaluate clients for these types of conditions. 

Are Psychiatrists Primary Care Doctors?

Psychiatrists are not considered primary care doctors. Their specialty is psychological and behavioral health, not overall physical health. Unfortunately, many people who suffer from mental health conditions are misdiagnosed by their primary care doctors because they’re first line health care providers. It’s important that primary care doctors refer people who are experiencing mental or behavioral issues to someone who specializes in that kind of treatment. The psychiatry team at Thriveworks in Rio Rancho, NM is equipped to deal with complex, sensitive conditions. 

Psychiatric treatment can include any of the following strategies:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Psychodynamic therapy
• Lifestyle modifications
• Psychosocial interventions
• Mindfulness therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) 
• Medication management 

Is Online Psychiatry Effective?

Studies have shown that online psychiatry can be just as effective as traditional, in-person psychiatry. The same evaluation and diagnosis techniques that work in a clinic can also be applied in virtual sessions. For example, online psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Rio Rancho, NM can take the following initial steps to assess patients:

• Talk about therapy goals
• Discuss symptoms, both cognitive and behavioral
• Educate the client on psychological issues that might be affecting them
• Discuss lifestyle questions about substance use, diet, exercise, sleep habits, etc.
• Take a full medical history
• Take a family medical history 
• Take a full psychosocial evaluation of a person’s core relationships, support system, and home life

Speak to a Top-rated Psychiatrist at Thriveworks in Rio Rancho, NM

The licensed psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Rio Rancho, NM provide exceptional mental health services for people who are experiencing, or expect that they’re experiencing, a psychological or behavioral condition. When you call the Thriveworks office, our staff helps to match you quickly to a provider who can help. Most clients meet with their psychiatrist within 24-48 hours after their initial call or online booking. Thriveworks clients can access their provider between sessions by phone or email. Call today and get on the right path toward feeling better!