Specialties in Psychiatry

The general practitioner makes a referral to a psychiatrist once it is shown that you need psychological treatment. Depending on your needs, there is a specific type of psychiatrist that can provide treatment and assist you in your mental health care.

 

Source: healthimpactnews.com

 

Addiction Psychiatry

“The first step was to understand that our goal was to mainstream addiction treatment into the general delivery of health care.” Navdeep Kang, PsyD said. Persons who are involved in addictive activities tend to create a dysfunctional living that can affect their families, school, career, and social relations. Addiction psychiatry focuses on addition problems such alcoholism, other forms of substance abuse, gambling, sex addiction, and the most recent kind of addiction – digital addiction. Digital addiction can be in the manner of excessive use of the internet like cyber gaming, dating and social media and online gambling.

 

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Children and teenagers will need professional help from a psychiatrist specialized in the treatment of mental disorders that affects this population. Disorders that are handled by a child and adolescent psychiatrist will include autism and autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders, etc. Since children and adolescents are considered minors, they will still need parental guidance and parental rights will extend to their treatments. Thus, the whole family is also a part of the treatment process. The treatment plan will also continue to the school environment where the child’s social relations is focused.

 

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can affect all ages and genders, but it is more common in adolescents and young women. Examples of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia, bulimia nervosa, pica, and morbid obesity. These psychiatric disorders will need a specialized psychiatrist as it can encompass various psychological, emotional, and social concerns for the person affected and their families. As Tali Yuz Berliner, Psy.D. explains, “An eating disorder can develop when an individual’s inner resources and ability to cope are low. Individuals often struggle to cope and adapt to life changes when grieving.”

 

Forensic Psychiatry

There is a need to establish psychological incapacity in a person who committed a crime if a benefit of a doubt warrants it. If proven as such, the person will need mental help and will be put into a mental health institution instead of in a general prison to ensure the safety of others and himself.

 

Source: heeoe.hee.nhs.uk

 

General Adult Psychiatry

General adult psychiatry encompasses different mental health concerns in all ages. They include anxiety disorders and phobia, personality disorders, somatoform disorders, mood disorders and depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

 

Intellectual Disabilities Psychiatry

Intellectual disability is comprised of problems in intellectual functioning and adaptive functioning. The person with this condition will need help and support to ensure that they are capable of functioning in society at their optimum capacity.

 

Old Age Psychiatry

The older population will need psychiatric interventions if disorders leaning towards cognitive decline such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease occurs. Also known as geriatric psychiatry, this field of specialty is focused on the medical and psychological treatment of the elderly population. The psychiatrist will establish treatment plan and follow-ups

 

Perinatal Psychiatry

Pregnant women often undergo psychological disturbances in the form of perinatal depression, postpartum depression, and post-partum psychosis. In this regard, perinatal psychiatry is demanded to intervene and provide psychological help. “Perinatal mental health can be improved or hindered depending on the level of supportive relationships within couples, families, and communities.” Shana Averbach, LMFT said.

 

Rehabilitation and Social Psychiatry

The moment the person is seen fit to return to his community, treatment now proceed to the rehabilitation and continued recovery. Families and those who are involved with the person are also included in the treatment program as the person continues reintegration into the community settings.