Psychiatry

Looking for a psychiatrist in San Diego?

Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups offers a list of psychiatrists who are specially qualified to treat mental and emotional illness. Psychiatry is the medical field devoted to the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, addictive, and emotional disorders. Psychiatrists are physicians, medically trained to understand the biological, psychological, and social components of mental health illnesses. Psychiatrists may complete additional training in order to subspecialize in: addiction psychiatry, brain injury medicine, child and adolescent psychiatry, clinical neurophysiology, forensic psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, hospice and palliative medicine, pain medicine, psychosomatic medicine, and sleep medicine.

Anxiety

Anxiety may come in many forms, and the distinction between what is a disorder or what is “normal” is not always clear. Anxiety becomes a disorder when symptoms become chronic and disrupt everyday life.

Depression

Most people experience periods where they’re feeling down, but these feelings usually pass on their own. In other cases, professional help from a psychiatrist may be needed.

Psychiatric Medications

A psychiatrist may prescribe psychiatric medication to help treat certain mental disorders. Psychiatric drugs work by altering the chemical makeup of the brain and nervous system.

Mental health conditions generally fall into one of the following categories: psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia), mood disorders (such as depression), anxiety disorders (such as social anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorders), substance-related disorders (such as drug and alcohol addictions), and sleep disorders (such as insomnia and narcolepsy). The treatment of psychiatric ailments is as diverse as the condition itself. A Psychiatrist is qualified to evaluate and treat psychological and interpersonal problems, to order diagnostic laboratory tests and to prescribe medications, and to assist families who are coping with stress. Patients receiving psychiatric treatment are frequently seen as outpatients, but severe conditions may require short to long-term hospitalization, especially when self-harm is a concern.

Mental health and emotional health issues can severely affect relationships, jobs, family, and life goals. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), individuals living with serious mental illness also face an increased risk of having chronic medical conditions. NAMI estimates that one in four American adults (about 61.5 million Americans) experiences at least one form of mental illness in a given year. Approximately one in seventeen (13.6 million Americans) suffers from a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder. If you believe that you or someone you know is suffering from a mental health illness, it is important to seek treatment from a trained professional.

Compare Rx Costs
Compare Rx Costs
Lipitor, Cialis, Lexapro