A Psychiatrist and Mental Illness
A psychiatrist in the United States is a medical doctor qualified to diagnose, treat and prevent mental illness and emotional problems. They go through extensive medical and psychiatric training to earn the right to be called, “psychiatrist”. Being a medical doctor, they can prescribe medications for their patients when they are necessary. Their training makes them qualified to recognize and treat emotional disturbances of body and mind. Many emotional disturbances manifest themselves as physical illnesses. They are uniquely qualified due to their training to understand both the physical and the emotional aspects of mental and emotional illnesses.
The mental illnesses and disorders that a psychiatrist treat on a daily basis are varied just as medical doctors in other specialties such as internal medicine treat a variety of physical illnesses and disorders the psychiatrist must be ready to encounter any number of different cases in a given day. A few of the more common illnesses and disorder that they may see in the course of a day may be ADHD, autistic disorder, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, disruptive behavior disorders, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia.
ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is perhaps one of the most talked about mental disorders in America today. There is much controversy regarding it’s diagnosis and medications that are prescribed for this disorder especially where children are concerned. The symptoms are distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity and have also included minimal brain dysfunction/damage (MBD), hyper kinetic reaction and hyperkinesias.
Autistic Disorder can manifest itself in multiple nonverbal behaviors, such as exhibiting eye-to eye gazing, facial expression, body postures and gestures used to regulate social interaction with others. Those diagnosed with Autistic Disorder usually lack social or emotional reciprocity and are noted to have qualitative impairments regarding communication that manifest in either a delay in, or lack of development of the spoken language, inability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others, a inflexible adherence to very specific and nonfunctional routines or rituals that they perform, and also repeated motor mannerisms that may include hand, finger flapping, twisting or other complex whole-body movements.
Bipolar is a mood disorder and have two types. One or more Manic Episodes or Mixed Episodes characterizes bipolar I Disorder. Individuals with Bipolar I Disorder may also have Major Depressive Episodes. Those who have Bipolar II Disorder have one or more Major Depressive Episodes that are accompanied by one or more Hypo manic Episodes. Those who suffer from Bipolar have irritable moods that last for at least one week and may require hospitalization. During these mood episodes they usually exhibit 3 or more of the following symptoms: an inflated self-esteem, a decreased need for sleep, they are more talkative than usual and may feel a pressure to keep talking, they have racing thoughts, are easily distracted, are extremely goal driven. They may have an excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that may have a potential for painful consequences such as excessive buying sprees, sexual affairs, or risky investing. They frequently have difficulty maintaining employment due to mood disturbances that interfere with occupational functioning. They also have difficulty maintaining relationships work or social.
These are just a sample of what a psychiatrist may encounter on a daily basis. It is evident why a psychiatrist must be prepared through education, experience and ongoing training. There are many individuals whose mental well-being depend on the skill and ability of the psychiatrist.
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