What is Psychiatry?
Psychiatry is a form of medical practice, just as internal medicine, ob gyn and dermatology is. It’s similar in nature to other practices of medicine in that medical illnesses are discerned, treatment is provided, and the dysfunction of the physiology of a patient is present. Psychiatry is different in nature from other forms of medicine in that each diagnosis is unique. Each person brings a different life story (i.e. the person's coping skills, early childhood experiences and circumstances of life) to make their diagnosis and consequently their treatment unique. The practice of psychiatry helps each individual use their strengths to develop their deficits in order to allow them a better quality of life. No two depressions are the same!
Forms of psychiatry treatment include different types of psychotherapy, medication therapy, electroconvulsive therapy and trans cranial magnetic stimulation therapy. It is also important to identify strengths to help get through limitations.
Medical illnesses often play a part in our moods and coping strategies. It’s important to know what type of relationships can affect our moods. Early childhood developmental experiences play a big part in how we cope and in patterns of our relationships.
While doctors won’t always know the answer to all problems, developing a good therapeutic rapport is important. It’s integral to the outcome of the treatment plan. If a therapeutic rapport doesn’t grow, then you would want to seek care with a professional that rapport can be established with. Honesty is important. There is no judgment involved from both the patient and doctor. Psychiatry offers a safe environment to explore issues you may not be able to talk to others about. It seeks to help with the self discovery process and with problem solving.
Psychiatry is a medical practice that focuses on a person’s emotional well being and mental stability. Often your brain has different reactions to the circumstances of your life, in the same manner that your heart, lungs and bones do. The brain can greatly affect your mood and the quality of your life. Psychiatry focuses on obtaining an optimal balance in neurotransmitters.
Everybody’s depression looks different; no two patient’s diagnoses are ever equal.
"Everybody's depression looks different;
no two patients are ever the same."
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Our BlogLaura E. Harrington, MD, MS Psychiatric Services
Location:
1331 North 7th Street, Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Phone: 602-253-6655
Fax: 602-253-7025
E-mail: LHarringtonMD@msn.com
