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 Richmond, 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 Richmond 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?
How Does Medication Management Work?
If you decide to start a relationship with one of our online psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs), you will first meet your provider and undergo a thorough evaluation. They’ll want to understand all of your symptoms as well as any important tidbits about your medical history.
Then, your psychiatric NP can better understand what medication might best help you manage your specific symptoms and condition. If you do decide to move forward with this treatment plan, your provider will then talk about the given medication in extensive detail, including:
- How often to take it
- When to take it
- Whether to take it with food or not
- Proper dosage
- Potential side effects
- Pros and cons
Your psychiatric NP will continue to monitor you on this medication to ensure that it helps you and works as intended. They will keep an eye out for any side effects that you might experience. Remember: every person is different, which means medication works differently for different people.
Sometimes, it does take some time and experimentation to find the medication that’ll best help you! And that’s okay.
Who Can Benefit from Medication Management?
Some people can manage without medication, while others truly need medication to manage their illness and live better. Now, several specific mental illnesses do often benefit from medication. These include:
- Anxiety: Social anxiety, OCD, PTSD, generalized anxiety. Many forms of anxiety can be alleviated with medication. Again, though, this must be determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Depression: Similarly, many forms of depression can often benefit from medication, including major and minor depression, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder, and more.
- ADHD: ADHD is the last item on our list and another condition that can be better managed with medication.
If you are struggling with any of these conditions or exhibiting symptoms of these conditions, please consider reaching out to Thriveworks Richmond, VA Counseling. Managing these conditions can be difficult, and we want to offer our help and support.
Set Up an Appointment with a Psychiatric NP at Thriveworks in Richmond
Thriveworks Richmond Counseling can see you now! If you think that you could benefit from medication management or from talking to a psychiatric NP at Thriveworks Richmond Counseling, just call our office. Our scheduling team will be happy to assist you however they can.
We have both in-person and online appointments with our psychiatric NPs available. Just choose the medium that you prefer, and we’ll be happy to accommodate you.
