Did You Know?
A psychiatrist is different from a psychologist. Psychologists treat mental health conditions using psychotherapy, while psychiatrists can use psychotherapy, medications, and other medical treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I a candidate for psychiatric care?
Psychiatric care is generally recommended for those individuals who are experiencing symptoms of mental, emotional, or behavioral problems. Psychiatric care may be necessary for those who have recently experienced a life changing event and may need to talk through the upheaval and/or desires to change their lifestyle. Other strong indicators that psychiatric care may be beneficial include: suicidal thoughts, psychosis, depression, anxiety, panic attacks , and drug/alcohol addiction. To determine if you can benefit from psychiatric care, schedule a consultation with your Las Vegas psychiatrist at Prestige Mental Health today.
What can I expect when seeing a psychiatrist for psychiatric care?
Typically, the first step is your initial visit. During this visit you will discuss what you are feeling and experiencing with your psychiatrist. They will likely ask about your lifestyle, experiences, thoughts/feelings, and may even utilize assessments to determine the severity of your condition. In some cases, they may also run some medical tests to rule out certain medical conditions that can cause your symptoms.
Following this appointment, you can expect to begin treatment which may include medication and/or counseling. Psychiatrists can prescribe a range of medications including: antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedatives and anxiolytics, hypnotics, mood stabilizers, and stimulants. When starting a new medication, it is important to contact your psychiatrist if you feel that your symptoms are not improving or if they are getting more severe.
If you are going to receive counseling, then a plan will be developed to address your concerns and find ways to help you cope with what you’re going through. Psychiatric care plans vary depending on the individual needs of each patient. No two people experience psychiatric care in exactly the same way.
How does psychiatric care help me?
Most individuals who seek psychiatric care report that they are feeling overwhelmed by their symptoms and/or life circumstances. By receiving psychiatric care, you will gain the ability to feel more in control of your thoughts/feelings/actions, develop better coping skills, become aware of triggers for certain behaviors/emotions, find ways to avoid negative behaviors, and learn how to manage stress and conflict. Psychiatric medications can also be used to alleviate physical symptoms of certain mental health conditions.
