Your mental health is as important as your physical health. A doctor who looks after a person’s mental health and well-being is known as a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists can diagnose and treat mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, addiction, depression and eating disorders. Treatment provided by a psychiatrist can take many forms such as medication, counselling and electroconvulsive therapy. They can provide short term treatment as well as long term treatment for chronic issues.
It is not necessary for you to have a mental illness to visit a psychiatrist. Even conditions like depression, anxiety and phobias can be treated by a psychiatrist. Some of the instances when you should visit a psychiatrist are:
If you are finding it difficult to adjust to a major change in your life
If you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide
If you are constantly thinking negative thoughts
If you use alcohol or drugs uncontrollably
If you have problems with body image and eating issues
If you have hallucinations or disjointed thoughts
There are many sub specialties in psychiatry. These include:
Perinatal psychiatry
Child psychiatry
Adolescent psychiatry
Addiction psychiatry
Geriatric psychiatry
Psychotherapy
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder Rs 1000-1500 per session
Treatment for OCD Rs 800-2000 per session
Treatment for Schizophrenia Rs 700-2000 per session
Treatment for PTSD Rs 600-2500 per session
Treatment for Anxiety Disorder Rs 700- 3000 per session
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings and usually affects people between the ages of 15 and 25 years. Bipolar disorder may be treated with a combination of medication and counselling.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
People with OCD often find themselves repeating actions and having repetitive thoughts and worries. OCD is usually treated with counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disease wherein the patient experiences hallucinations and delusions. Schizophrenia typically requires long term treatment in the form of medication and psychotherapy.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is often the result of exposure to a very stressful event. Medication may be prescribed to help calm the person along with counselling or psychotherapy.
Anxiety Disorder
People with an anxiety disorder feel worried and panicked all the time even when nothing triggers the worry. This could lead to the development of phobias. It may be treated with anxiety reducing medication and psychotherapy.