A psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in preventing, diagnosing and treating mental, emotional and behavioral disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, schizophrenia and anorexia.
To diagnose psychiatric disorders, the psychiatrist usually performs some physical examinations, evaluates the person’s family and health history, and medication use, in addition to ordering tests to help complete the diagnosis, such as blood tests and psychological tests, for example. example.
A psychiatrist can be consulted when a person presents sudden problems, such as panic attacks, hallucinations and suicidal thoughts, for example. However, a psychiatrist can also be consulted in long-term situations, such as feelings of sadness, discouragement or anxiety that do not go away and that can interfere with day-to-day tasks.
What does a psychiatrist do
The psychiatrist helps treat:
- Mood disorderssuch as depression and bipolar affective disorder;
- Psychotic disorderssuch as schizophrenia, brief psychotic disorder, and substance- or medication-induced psychotic disorder;
- Anxiety disorderssuch as anxiety, social phobia, agoraphobia, acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder;
- Disorders in childrensuch as autism spectrum disorder and ADHD;
- Eating disorderssuch as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating and pica syndrome;
- Personality disorderssuch as paranoid personality, narcissism, borderline syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder;
- Sleep disorderssuch as insomnia, narcolepsy, sleepwalking and bruxism.
In addition, the psychiatrist also helps to identify and treat sexual dysfunctions, such as loss of sexual desire, premature ejaculation, excessive sexual appetite and anorgasmia, which is the difficulty or inability to reach orgasm. Learn more about anorgasmia.
The treatment indicated by the psychiatrist varies according to the type of disorder and may include the use of medications, such as antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers; therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (CME), psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy; and surgeries.
Psychiatrists can work in private practices, hospitals and basic health units, being responsible for preventing, diagnosing and treating mental, emotional and behavioral disorders, also helping with the person’s social rehabilitation.
Difference between psychologist and psychiatrist
A psychologist is a professional who can work alone or in a multidisciplinary team, to assess, diagnose, prevent and treat people with disorders. However, psychologists can only use psychotherapy as a treatment for mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.
A psychiatrist is a professional who completed a medical course and specialized in psychiatry, being able to request laboratory and imaging tests to complement the diagnosis of disorders, for example, being able to use not only psychotherapy in treatments, but also the use of medicines when necessary.
When to make an appointment
It is important to see a psychiatrist when there are signs that may indicate an emotional or behavioral disorder, such as sadness, anxiety, frequent mood changes, difficulty sleeping and decreased appetite, for example.
Furthermore, it is recommended to immediately seek help from a psychiatrist whenever signs of emergency arise, such as mental confusion, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and psychotic disorders related to the use of medication and drugs, for example.
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In the case of children and adolescents, it is advisable to consult a psychiatrist whenever behavioral changes are observed that may indicate situations such as autism, ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), such as difficulty paying attention to school activities, participating in silent activities, aggression , frequent disobedience and provocation, and difficulty maintaining little eye contact.
