Psychiatry allows people struggling to manage mental conditions or disorders to get access to medications that will make daily functioning easier, as well as work through any mental factors that might be causing or worsening their condition. Though medications can’t cure mental disorders, medication can make symptoms more manageable, making the process of psychotherapeutic treatment easier and more effective. Psychiatric care can be available through in-person psychiatry and online psychiatry, depending on where you live and your own preferences. However, psychiatric providers at Thriveworks in Kingwood, TX specifically offer online psychiatry to their clients.
A therapist has an education specifically rooted in therapeutic practice, approaches, techniques, and treatment. They cannot prescribe medications for clients, though they often refer clients to psychiatrists for medication management. Psychiatrists are medically trained doctors who specialize in mental health treatment, mainly through medication management and prescription, though they can also practice therapy.
Oftentimes, psychiatrists or psychiatric professionals will perform a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, which involves an in-depth discussion about your symptoms, medical history, and current medications. Once they reach a diagnosis, they may suggest starting certain medications depending on your condition and the intensity of your symptoms.
The licensed psychiatric providers at Thriveworks in Kingwood, TX have the compassion, expertise, and experience to support people in the Houston area. Mental health conditions can limit your achievements and disrupt daily functioning. But with the proper psychiatric care, people can learn to manage their symptoms and get back to living their best life without interference. If you’d like support from a psychiatric provider, reach out to Thriveworks in Kingwood, TX.
What Does a Psychiatrist Do?
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health conditions. At Thriveworks in Kingwood, TX, psychiatric providers can assess clients for a wide variety of psychological and behavioral issues, including the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
- Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Personality disorders
- Specific phobias
- Anorexia and bulimia
- Insomnia
- Behavioral problems
Psychiatric providers often use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as a guide to exploring complex symptoms and figuring out the most effective ways to treat mental health conditions.
Are Psychiatrists Primary Care Doctors?
Psychiatric providers are not generally considered primary care doctors because their expertise is more specialized. Psychiatrists can, however, prescribe medications to clients who might benefit from pharmacological interventions. After all, they are medical doctors (MDs) who graduated from medical school. The licensed psychiatric providers at Thriveworks in Kingwood, TX use a range of diagnostic tools to treat their clients. At an initial, lengthy consultation, a psychiatric provider and a client might do the following:
- Discuss therapy goals
- Discuss cognitive and behavioral symptoms
- Talk comprehensively about mental health conditions and psychoeducate the client where information is lacking
- Bring up lifestyle questions about substance use, diet, exercise, sleep, etc.
- Take a full medical history
- Conduct psychological tests
- Take a family medical history to explore genetic factors that might contribute to mental health
- Evaluate the client’s core relationships, support system, and home life (psychosocial evaluation)
How Does a Psychiatrist Treat Anxiety?
Treatment plans for specific mental health conditions can vary widely depending on client feedback, the psychiatrist’s therapeutic approach, and the severity of the client’s symptoms. To treat anxiety, a psychiatric provider at Thriveworks in Kingwood, TX will first do a full evaluation of the client. Then the psychiatric provider and client will work on developing a treatment plan together. For someone with moderate anxiety, a psychiatrist might recommend trying any of the following approaches:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Medication treatment
- Talk therapy
- Medication and psychotherapy combined
- Lifestyle changes, like increased exercise
- Psychosocial interventions
- Holistic approaches like mindfulness or meditation
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
- Referral to a social worker or long term counselor
- Referral to a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT)
Meet an Exceptional Psychiatrist at Thriveworks in Kingwood, TX
The psychiatric providers at Thriveworks in Kingwood, TX are all fully licensed, highly qualified, and recruited from the top 4% of mental health providers in the Houston area. Thriveworks hires psychiatric providers who are compassionate, responsive, and genuinely motivated to help clients achieve their objectives.
When you call the Thriveworks office, you can schedule an appointment quickly. Most new clients can meet with a psychiatric provider within the same week of their initial call. Clients can access their Thriveworks provider by phone or email between appointments. Psychiatry sessions take place via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth software that enables clients to see their doctor face to face in a way that’s both comfortable and convenient. Thriveworks psychiatric providers accept most major forms of health insurance, leading to exceptional coverage and affordability.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you’re experiencing a mental health condition. Everyone deserves exceptional health care. Call Thriveworks today.