Psychiatry

Psychiatric consultation is helpful for various problems. Psychiatric problems vary in intensity. Most of the problems are mild e.g. anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, panic disorders, anger issues, alcohol and tobacco dependence, academic issues and various other issues. In these problems the patient is in complete control of himself/herself. His social functioning is preserved. In severe illnesses a patient is disturbed for some time and can return to complete functioning with proper treatment. You can consult a psychiatrist for even minor issues which might be troubling you and get suitable advice. Not taking treatment is like refusing to live a healthy and peaceful life.

Anyone can be affected by a mental illness. It has nothing to do whether a person is weak or tough. It is proved that it is due to neurotransmitter imbalance in brain and hence anyone can get affected. No one is immune to psychiatric problems. It is a known fact that Nobel prize winner Dr John Nash was suffering from schizophrenia. Former president of America Winston Churchill had depression and many more efficient and highly respected people had psychiatric problems and they were not weak. They took the proper treatment and hence they were able to leave a successful life.

Every patient does not require medications, in some cases medication can be helpful but you will be given an informed choice whether you want to take it or not.

It is not true. It is the need of the body and not an addiction. It has been proved that some of the psychiatric problems are due to neurotransmitters (Chemical) imbalance in brain. Medications are given to correct such imbalance. It is similar to some physical illnesses like diabetes mellitus. In diabetes deficiency of insulin is treated by tablets or injections, similarly psychiatric medicines are necessary to balance the chemicals in the brain. It is the requirement of the body . If thirsty we drink water but we do not say that we have become addicted to water, because of the simple reason that our body needs it. Please remember majority of the medications given are not addictive and can easily be stopped without the patient feeling the craving for the medication or withdrawal symptoms.

Psychiatric problems which require medications need to be treated with a course of particular duration. It may vary from few months to few years. The duration is decided by type of illness, doses required to control the problem, how fast a patient responds to treatment and some other factors. All psychiatric illnesses are treatable, most are curable.

It is your choice whether to discuss all the issues or not. It is always recommended to give complete information to your psychiatrist.

All medication given in allopathic medicine have side effects. It is similar with psychiatry medication. Psychiatric medication does have side effects but you need not get them. Most of the side effects are minor and will go with time, some medicines have more serious side effects like drop in the white cell count ( aganulocytosis), seizures, tardive dyskinesia etc. Your doctor will monitor for the side effects carefully when you are on such medications and will give you solutions if you suffer from the side effects. The newer psychiatry medication have a very different side effect profile than the older ones and are considered to be more safer than the older group. The trick is to give the right medication to the right patient. Remember ask for the side effect profile of the medicines being given by doctors and make an thoughtful choice.

In some of the psychiatric problems counselling plays a very important role, but in case of major psychiatric problems patient needs to be stabilised with medications first and then counselling plays a supportive role. It may be in the form of brief dynamic therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, marital therapy etc. All therapies are good when used by trained therapists. Remember for therapies to work the patient must be willing to work through the process and follow the instructions given by the therapist.