According to the World Health Organization, around 450 million people are struggling with mental or neurological disorders. If not addressed, these can significantly affect an individual’s thinking, emotional, and behavioral capacities, as well as quality of life and overall well-being. Fortunately, help is available.
Psychiatric care deals with mental and developmental disorders, trauma, substance abuse, and addiction, among other issues. If you live in NYC, caught in the rush of the city that never sleeps, don’t hesitate to seek psychiatric care if you need it.
Conditions Treated with Psychiatric Care
Some of the conditions treated with psychiatric care include:
Mood Disorders
Depression and bipolar disorder are two of the most common mood disorders. These conditions are different from when people say they are irritable from time to time because these affect an individual’s emotional state every day. People of all ages can have mood disorders, however, symptoms may not always be the same. Moreover, children may be harder to diagnose.
Those with mood disorders may receive psychiatric care through therapy, medication, and support. With treatment, they can continue leading productive lives.
Psychotic Disorders
This class of mental disorders involves abnormal perceptions or thinking. Schizophrenia is an example of a psychotic disorder. Those who have bipolar disorder can also exhibit psychotic symptoms.
Patients may not have a full grasp of reality and their symptoms can include hallucinations and delusions. These symptoms can make them a danger to themselves and others. Psychiatric treatment will depend on the cause of psychosis. They may need evaluations, medications, or talk therapy.
Developmental Delays and Disorders
Psychiatric assistance is not only limited to mood and psychotic disorders. It can also address conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). These require specialized care and attention from a specialist.
Trauma
A number of mental health problems stem from trauma experienced during childhood, emergencies, or life-threatening situations. PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder is the most frequently diagnosed illness for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and war crimes.
PTSD symptoms are classified into four categories:
- Re-experiencing – flashbacks and nightmares
- Avoidance – avoiding thoughts, feelings, or places related or that reminds them of the traumatic event
- Arousal and reactivity – feeling constantly jittery, tense, or on edge
- Cognition and mood – negative changes in feelings, like blame and guilt, as well as changes in beliefs
Psychiatric care is provided through talk therapy and medication to treat patients with PTSD.
Sleep Disorders
Sleep problems such as insomnia and night terrors may seem minor for some, but they can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. In particular, sleep boosts your immune system. The lack of it or any other disorder linked to it increases your health risks and aggravates symptoms of mental conditions like depression and anxiety.
Substance Abuse and Addiction
Alcohol and drugs are highly addictive, hazardous substances. When misused, these may result in harmful consequences, including physical and mental health problems. While anyone can become addicted to alcohol or drugs, factors such as a family history of addiction, peer pressure, and mental health problems affect a person’s likelihood of developing substance use disorder.
Treatments Offered in Psychiatric Care
Mental health professionals conduct careful evaluations to determine the right treatment for you. There are different levels of treatment that you can get, depending on your needs.
Self-Care
After a thorough psychiatric evaluation, a specialist can give effective recommendations for self-help. These recommendations may include lifestyle changes, especially in sleeping habits, dietary restrictions, and physical activities. Self-help is usually suggested for people with mild symptoms, such as occasionally feeling down or problems with concentration.
Psychotherapy
Also known as talk therapy, psychotherapy is the most standard treatment in psychiatry. It involves talking sessions with a trusted and licensed mental health professional. They aim to help you understand your condition, as well as your thoughts, feelings, and moods.
There are various types of psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and psychodynamic and psychoanalysis therapies.
Rehabilitation Programs
For those struggling with substance abuse like alcoholism and illegal drug overuse, several initiatives are designed to help them cope and overcome their abusive tendencies or addiction. These programs may include behavioral therapy, medications, and counseling, which are all, of course, spearheaded by a medical practitioner.
Medication Management
Your provider may recommend medications, and you have the choice to decide if you want to take them or not. If you decide to take medications, your provider will work closely with you to determine the best possible medication and dosage for you.
Psychiatric Services in New York
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you feel symptoms of or know you have a mental health problem, don’t hesitate to seek help. You don’t have to suffer alone because help is available so that you could live the life you deserve.
Dr. Mark Stracks of Psy-Visions is a licensed and board-certified psychiatrist with extensive training, practice, and patient care experience. Led by Dr. Stracks, our team can work with you to create a treatment plan that can help you live a full life.
For questions or to schedule an appointment, you may contact our New York City office at (718) 887-2918 or send us a secure message. We also offer telepsychiatry services.
