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 Silver Spring, MD 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 Silver Spring 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?
Silver Spring, MD Psychiatry – Meet with Board-Certified Psychiatric Providers
Psychiatrists and other psychiatric providers help their clients find and manage their psychiatric medication. More specifically, they can assess your symptoms and offer diagnosis. Then, they can help you find a medication that successfully alleviates your symptoms.
If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, consider working with an online psychiatric provider at Thriveworks Silver Spring, MD. Our mental health professionals would love nothing more than to help you find relief.
How Can a Psychiatrist Help Me?
Thriveworks Silver Spring Counseling offers all of our clients compassionate, personalized care. This means that we get to know your needs and your goals for mental health treatment before we design your treatment plan. That said, when it comes to medication management, you can expect your online psychiatric provider to:
1. Educate you about how to use your medication.
It’s important that you follow exact instructions for taking your medication. For example, you should know whether you’re supposed to take your medicine with or without food. Your psychiatrist or nurse practitioner will make sure they educate you on these specifics and that you have these instructions readily available if you ever need a refresher.
2. Monitor any side effects of your medication.
Every medication comes with potential side effects, some of which prove harmful. If you start to suffer as a result of your medication and the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, then your psychiatric provider will pull you off of that medication and help you find another.
3. Offer tips for remembering to take your medication.
One of the most common problems when it comes to taking medication is simply forgetting to take it. Some people can easily work it into their schedules while others struggle to do so. If you are the latter, your psychiatrist or nurse practitioner will find a way to help you stay on top of taking your medication.
4. Remind you of the importance of taking your medication.
It’s easy to forget why you’re taking a medication or to assume that you’re “all better,” after you’ve been taking your medicine for X amount of time. One of your psychiatric provider’s duties is to continue to remind you of the importance of taking your medication. You might feel better, but that’s probably because the medicine is working! And if you stop taking it, it’s likely that you will begin to experience your symptoms again.
Medication management is super important when it comes to treating postpartum depression, major and minor depression, anxiety disorders, and many other mental health conditions. You need to partner with the right psychiatrist or nurse practitioner who stays committed to helping you manage your medication.
Schedule a Psychiatry Appointment at Thriveworks in Silver Spring, MD
Thriveworks Silver Spring Counseling can provide you with medication management as soon as today or tomorrow. All you have to do is call our office at (202) 478-9619 to secure your appointment.
The online psychiatrists and nurse practitioners at Thriveworks Silver Spring Counseling are excited to meet you!