Psychiatric medical care includes the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. It also includes the study of human behavior, mental, and emotional issues in general. At The Heart Medical Center, We provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for all areas of pediatric psychiatry from infants to adolescents. Diagnosis, treatment, and on-going management of psychiatric disorders include:
Some of the reasons people see psychiatrists include:
- Panic attacks.
- Hearing voices.
- Having hallucinations.
- Suicidal thoughts.
- Depression.
- Feelings of helplessness and/or hopelessness.
- Stress.
- Anxiety.
- Fears.
- Phobia.
Despite these being problems of the mind, these afflictions can affect all reaches of our lives, including our relationships, jobs, and academic pursuits. When these conditions persist over time, not only can they become increasingly complex, but serious consequences can spill into all corners of our lives.
After compiling data from all testing, they’re able to reach correct clinical diagnoses. (‘Diagnoses’ is defined as symptoms clusters identified and agreed upon by the American Psychiatric Association in what they call DSM-5, which is 5th edition (published 2013) of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
Psychiatrists can employ multiple treatment strategies. These can include Psychotherapy, medications, psycho-social interventions, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and beyond.
In regards to medications, several classes are often used to great results:
- Antidepressants are used to treat depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders.
- Stimulants can treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Antipsychotic medications can treat psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations) of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and mood disorders.
- Sedatives and hypnotics can treat anxiety and sleeping problems.
- Mood stabilizers / anti-epileptics can treat bipolar disorder.
Psychiatrists aim to put you on a path to better controlling conditions that may be interfering in your ability to lead a stable and manageable life. Contact us at The Heart Medical Center, if you’d like to explore the science of the mind to see if there’s a solution applicable to your life.
