How a Psychiatrist Can Help With Depression and Other Mood Disorders

It can be difficult to go about your daily activities if you have a mood disorder. You may experience intense emotions for a short or long-lasting period. Psychiatrists are aware of the challenges you are facing, and are there to assist you. Seeing a psychiatrist can help improve your mental health and overall well-being. Read the following to learn how your doctor can help you with your condition.

Proper Tests and Diagnosis

A psychiatrist can perform a thorough assessment through interview during the appointment. The doctor will take a detailed history, including your medical, surgical, family, and social histories. You should tell your mental health provider about your behaviors, symptoms, and habits.

The treatment you receive will depend on your symptoms and diagnosis. It often needs a combination of talk therapy and medications. In some cases, brain stimulation is the ideal way to treat and manage mood disorders.

Medications

Your doctor can prescribe mood stabilizers for regulating mood swings. These medications can reduce or increase the activity of your brain - depending on your diagnosis. Neuroleptics or antipsychotics are for patients who have mixed episodes or mania. In some cases, doctors can treat depression with atypical antipsychotics.

Antidepressants can reduce depressive episodes in a person with bipolar disorder. These medications can also treat depression. Some antidepressants can be effective for some people while other patients find these medications ineffective; It is not one size fits all for medication and treatment options. It often takes four to six weeks before a patient can feel the full affects of the medication.

Talk Therapy

This is also known as psychotherapy. It aims to spot negative behaviors, emotions, and thoughts. Changing them is part of the therapy. Your doctor will provide you with guidance, support, and education. That way, you can function and interact with other people better.

Dialectical behavior therapy or DBT is for patients who have intense emotions. CBT is a goal-oriented form of psychotherapy. Psychiatrists use it to manage and treat emotional problems and mental health conditions.

Other Treatments

Some patients can receive alternative treatments for their depression or mood disorder. These alternative treatments can work alone or with other treatment methods. Below are some of the other treatment options that can help people with mood disorders:

ECT or electroconvulsive therapy passes weak electric currents through your brain.
TMS or transcranial magnetic stimulation is for patients with severe depression. It releases magnetic energy to help regulate your emotions.
Light therapy is for patients with seasonal affective disorder. The psychiatrist will supplement natural sunlight with artificial light during the cold months.

Treating and managing mood disorders may take some time, but the results will be worth your while. At Choulet Wellness, we make sure our patients get the right treatment and support that they need. Please visit our clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a one-on-one consultation. Call us at 480-448-6571 to set an appointment or ask about our mood disorder treatment packages.

References:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17843-mood-disorders

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/mood-disorders