Psychiatrists are specialists who focus on psychiatric medicine. Their emphasis is on diagnosing, treating and preventing mental, behavioral and emotional disorders. Typically, you're unable to see a psychiatrist without a referral. Some will take patients without a referral, but there are limitations on who you can see based on your insurance policy.

You usually need a recommendation from your primary care provider to see one. If your primary provider believes that seeing a psychiatrist will benefit you, they'll refer you to one. If you believe that you should see a psychiatrist, bring it up during your in-person or virtual doctor appointment.

About Psychiatric Care

Psychiatrists are medical doctors. While there is some overlap, these specialists are not the same as psychologists or therapists. Psychologists and therapists are unable to prescribe medications or treatments. Meanwhile, psychiatrists can.

Your visit with a psychiatrist usually begins with an examination and testing. From there, they look at criteria from the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, created by the American Psychiatric Association. Mental, emotional and behavioral disorders are more complex than your average injury or health condition. Therefore, they rely on their expertise and the diagnostic criteria to make an official diagnosis.

From there, they can work with you to develop a treatment plan.

Treatment for psychiatric disorders can vary. In most cases, psychiatrists take a multi-prong approach that combines psychotherapy, medications and other treatment method. Every case is unique, and these specialists take a highly individualized approach to caring for their patients.

What Psychiatrists Treat

Psychiatrists diagnose and treat various conditions. They include depression, mood and panic disorders, sleep disorders, schizophrenia and postpartum depression. They can also help those struggling with body dysmorphia, alcohol misuse and post-traumatic stress disorder.

That's a short list of some of the most common conditions psychiatrists treat. However, they can also help patients with rarer and more complex issues.

If you feel that seeing a psychiatrist is what you need, don't hesitate to bring that up during your next virtual doctor appointment. The first step to getting help is speaking up. Your doctor can work with you to understand what's happening and refer you to a psychiatrist if necessary.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown writes about mental and physical health. She advises people on Paediatrician & online Psychiatrist consultation. You can find her thoughts at online doctor blog.