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A psychiatrist is a specialist who will help us solve our mental health problems. It is worth going to it when we go through a difficult period and suffer from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. You should not be afraid of a psychiatrist. This doctor will not judge us and, most importantly, he is bound by medical confidentiality. This is often the only person who can help us.
A psychiatrist, like any other doctor, must comply with the Code of Medical Ethics also uses a specific set of diagnostic criteria (in Poland, the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Problems ICD-10 is in force, established by the International Health Organization (WHO) and in force since 1996). Many people are reluctant to see this specialist. When we go to a psychiatrist, we are afraid of negatively assessing our problems and how we present them. Most often we think that our problems will be ignored by a psychiatrist. However, let us remember that he is often the only person who is able not only to listen to us, but also to find a solution and help.
A psychiatrist is a specialist who diagnoses and treats mental diseases and disorders. Psychiatry is an important field of medicine, and psychiatrists, like any physician, can introduce drug treatments and prescribe prescriptions. You should not be afraid of visiting a psychiatrist and postpone it.
A psychiatrist will help us diagnose and treat various mental disorders. Often times, a visit to a psychiatrist can stop the development of the disease. So don’t be afraid of your visit. The psychiatrist does not judge. He will listen to us and select the appropriate treatment. Most importantly: it is bound by medical confidentiality.
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The decision to see a psychiatrist is not easy. Often, however, we can hear such a suggestion from a family doctor or psychologist. You should visit a psychiatrist when you notice:
- sudden changes in mood
- changes in relationships with family and other people, e.g. avoiding social contact,
- change in daily activity,
- difficulties in accepting a new situation, e.g. loss of a loved one,
- fears and anxiety,
- sadness, depression, helplessness,
- feeling of isolation, loneliness,
- excessive nervousness, hypersensitivity,
- seeing things that do not exist, hearing voices, etc.,
- headache, trembling hands, palpitations (physical illness must be ruled out first),
- abuse of alcohol, drugs, drugs, addiction to gambling, shopping, sex, etc.
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The psychiatrist selects the treatment individually for each patient. The number of diseases this doctor faces is enormous. The most common ones include:
- depressions
- mental, emotional and personality disorders,
- bipolar disorder,
- neuroses,
- schizophrenia,
- addiction,
- eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia),
- psychosis and mania,
- post-traumatic stress disorder,
- suicidal thoughts and tendencies.
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A visit to a psychiatrist is a lot of stress for most people. But remember not to be afraid of it. At the first visit, the doctor interviews the patient. The interview may cover a variety of issues depending on the issues raised. The doctor will want to learn about family relationships, the course of education, love life, but also the state of physical health. He will also be interested in the quality of sleep, appetite and possible neurological disorders.
The psychiatrist will also ask about our ability to concentrate, memory disorders, and suicidal tendencies. They will also want to talk to the patient about their quality of life. During the first visit, a very important question will also be asked, namely with what and why we come to the specialist. The atmosphere of conversation is very calm, so that the patient feels safe. Based on the interview, the psychiatrist will order psychological tests, laboratory tests or a neurological consultation.
Psychiatrist – what does psychiatric treatment look like?
The psychiatrist may prescribe medication appropriate for you based on your medical history and tests. The specialist must also inform the patient in what doses to take the prescribed drugs and how their action may affect the patient.
If pharmacological treatment occurs, the patient is obliged to attend regular visits at the same time, thanks to which the psychiatrist will be able to assess whether the prescribed drug is working properly and discuss the given issues in the patient’s life and how they affect his mental state. As for prescribed medications, the psychiatrist may also, assuming the need arises, change the dose of the prescribed medications or change it altogether.
It should be mentioned here that pharmacological treatment usually lasts several months, but can also last up to several years. Importantly, the end of pharmacological treatment does not have to mean the end of visits to a specialist, as check-ups may still take place.
We must also add that There are situations in which a psychiatrist decides about the need to treat his patient in a psychiatric hospital. However, this type of situation occurs only when the patient has mental disorders that pose a threat to himself and his environment.
Psychiatrist: Poles in a bad mental condition
What are the differences between a psychiatrist, psychologist and psychotherapist?
At this point, it should be said that when it comes to mental health treatment, it can be provided by specialists from three cooperating fields, i.e. by psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists. But what are the differences between these specialists?
As mentioned before, a psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in treating mental disorders. Thanks to the appropriate diagnosis, he or she can choose the appropriate medical procedures, thanks to which he can influence the processes taking place in the body, which in turn affect the mental state of a given person. The psychiatrist is prepared to conduct psychotherapy and heals not only by prescribing drugs, but also by talking to the patient, trying to find the source of his problems. The work of a psychiatrist, like every doctor, is regulated by the “Act on the Profession of a Physician” and the regulations resulting from it.
A psychologist is a graduate of a master’s degree in psychology and diagnoses mental disorders, as well as supports in treatment, monitors the treatment process itself and provides advice. However, it should be noted that he does not issue prescriptions or prescribe medications.
A psychotherapist, in turn, is a person who has completed postgraduate training in psychotherapy (it can be completed by any graduate of master’s studies). It should be added that there are psychotherapeutic schools in Poland that differ from each other in terms that are used to understand the mechanisms of mental disorders and in methods. However, what is very important, graduation from only some schools entitles you to receive a certificate recognized by the National Health Fund! In order for our therapy to be effective, you should carefully consider the choice of a specialist.
Although the professions of a psychologist and psychotherapist have not been legally regulated in Poland (this profession can be practiced by anyone), there are large associations of specialists in these fields that have developed certain standards.
These include:
- Polish Psychiatric Association,
- Polish Psychological Society,
- European Association for Psychotherapy.
These associations adopted that in order to be able to conduct psychotherapy, one should have completed master’s or medical studies and four-year post-graduate training in centers accredited by the aforementioned societies. It is worth mentioning that they publish lists of certified centers and therapists on their websites. As part of the training, in addition to theory and practice, the therapist must undergo his own therapy and undergo supervision, i.e. discuss his work with a senior specialist, called a supervisor.
The aforementioned supervision lasts many years and finally, if certain requirements are met, you can obtain a psychotherapist’s certificate, thanks to which you can work independently. Before choosing a psychotherapist, it is worth asking about completed training, supervision and experience.
Find out more: Psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist?
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