A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed a specialization in psychiatry. He deals with the prevention, examination and treatment of mental disorders and diseases. It helps a sick person find the cause of a problem, taking into account biological, environmental and personality factors.
The psychiatrist treats such diseases as depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, neurosis, addiction, anorexia, bulimia, post-traumatic stress disorder, mania, and DDA syndrome.
A psychiatrist also has the option of introducing pharmacological treatment when the patient's condition requires it.
Symptoms that show a need to visit a psychiatrist:
- depression and mood swings;
- behavioral changes in social relations (isolation, withdrawal);
- difficulties in dealing with traumatic events;
- constant feeling of anxiety, emotional tension, difficulty sleeping;
- lack of motivation and will to live, apathy and anhedonia (inability to feel joy);
- irritability, nervousness, aggression, attacking other people;
- noticing things that others can't see (delusions and hallucinations);
- abuse of alcohol and other psychoactive substances.
A visit to a psychiatrist
The task of a psychiatrist is to help a person who is facing difficulties. Mental disorders and illnesses, like any other, require a visit to a specialist. Usually, the first visit is aimed at gathering the most extensive interview possible in order to select the right kind of help. The questions may relate to areas related to childhood, family or education. After the interview, they may be ordered to conduct psychological tests or consult a psychologist.
