Who is a Psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health.
Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing, treating and managing various
mental illnesses and disorders. They use both therapy and medication to
treat their patients. Psychiatrists are also adept in conducting thorough
assessments to diagnose the underlying cause of a patient's mental health
problem and provide the necessary treatment.
Part of a psychiatrist's line of work includes prescribing and managing
medications to treat various mental health conditions.
Apart from medications, psychiatrists can also utilize therapeutic
approaches to treating mental disorders. These include psychotherapy, and
cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), among others. Such approaches can help
them gain a deeper understanding of a patient's emotions, thinking, and
behavioral patterns to improve their mental-well being.
What types of mental disorders do Psychiatrists treat?
Following are some of the mental disorders psychiatrists are capable of
treating:
-
Schizophrenia
-
ADHD
-
Bipolar disorder
-
Depression
-
Multiple personality disorder
-
Sleep problems
What is Psychiatry?
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis,
prevention and treatment of psychiatric illnesses and mental disorders.
Medical specialists who are experts in psychiatry are known as
psychiatrists.
When should you see a Psychiatrist?
You should visit a psychiatrist in Karachi in the following cases:
-
Mental Disorders: It is important to see a psychiatrist
when you or your primary care doctor suspects you are experiencing some
mental problem. People already diagnosed with mental disorders need to
visit a psychiatrist regularly, especially in cases where the symptoms
are becoming more severe.
-
Stress and Anxiety: Moreover, it is also important to
visit a psychiatrist in Karachi when your mental health
is lagging and you feel overwhelmed by anxiety or stress. Perpetually
feeling an intense feeling of sadness and hopelessness is a common
symptom of depression and is cause for concern.
-
Depression: If you experience any of the symptoms of
depression, consulting a psychiatrist can be very helpful, if not
life-changing.
-
Self-harm, negative and sadistic thoughts: A morphed
thinking process is also a cause for alarm. Mental health causes people
to think negatively of themselves and others, incoherence and lack of
focus in their thoughts, and most alarming are the suicidal thoughts.
Some patients might also think of hurting others instead.
-
Alarming symptoms: Mental problems also have physical
symptoms. Having too much or too little energy, getting too little or
too much sleep and extreme eating habits are common in patients with
mental health problems. Those suffering from anger management issues
also need intervention from a psychiatrist.
-
Performance Anxiety:Some people have performance
anxiety that interferes with their intimate relationships leading to
sexual dysfunction. A trained mental health specialist can properly and
safely treat this.
-
Children with intellectual disabilities: Children with
problems like autism, ADHD, and other intellectual issues also need to
be treated by a mental health specialist before these problems become
lifelong. Many psychiatrists are also specially trained to deal with
young children and can effectively treat children who have a mental
illness or severe trauma.
-
Postpartum depression: New mothers might also need to
visit the best psychiatrist in Karachi if they suffer
from postpartum depression. The changing hormone levels, the trauma of
birthing, and the responsibilities of motherhood can overwhelm mothers.
If they feel depressed, suffer from mood swings, cannot connect to the
baby, have altered sleep and dietary habits, cry and feel hopeless for
more than two weeks, then they need the help of a mental health
specialist.
What are a Psychiatrist's main areas of concern?
Psychiatrists are responsible for helping patients manage their mental
health and understand its impact on their bodies.
Commonly used psychiatric medication includes antidepressants,
antipsychotics, stimulants, sedatives, mood stabilizers etc.
Since these drugs impact the patient's overall health, psychiatrists ensure
that they don't have any contraindications for the patients and are safe to
take. The prescription process can sometimes be hit, and trial as the doctor
does not know which drug and dosage the patient will respond well to.
Psychiatrists also perform different therapies on the patients. For example,
those who suffer from seasonal depression are often treated using light
therapy, a form of psychiatric treatment.
Electroconvulsive therapy is reserved for patients suffering from extreme
depression that does not respond to other treatments. It involves giving
electrical current to the brain. On the other hand, another treatment
technique, psychotherapy, entails talking to the patients, similar to
counselling.
What are the most common mental health issues in Pakistan?
Mental health problems are a growing concern in Pakistan. Pakistani people
regularly visit a psychiatrist in Karachi to get treatment
for various psychiatric disorders.
According to a
study
, the most common mental health problems in Pakistan are as follows.
|
Mental Illness
|
Percentage of Population
|
|
Depression
|
6%
|
|
Epilepsy
|
2%
|
|
Schizophrenia
|
1.5%
|
|
Alzheimer’s disease
|
1%
|
How can I find and book an appointment with a psychiatrist in Karachi?
oladoc makes it easy for you to book an appointment with a psychiatrist in
Karachi. Choose any psychiatrist near you from the list of doctors shown
above and book your appointment in just a few clicks. You can also check
patient reviews, doctor rating, doctor experience, and qualifications, etc.
oladoc lists only the top, qualified and verified psychiatrists on its
platform to ensure your health and safety.
What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?
The main difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that unlike
psychologists, psychiatrists can also prescribe medications to patients for
the treatment of mental illnesses whereas psychologists mostly provide
counseling and psychotherapy to patients.
Types of Psychiatrists in Karachi
Psychiatry is a broad field that has many subspecialties. The best
psychiatrists in Karachi may therefore specialize in:
-
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists: These psychiatrists
help diagnose, treat and manage thinking and behavioral issues in
children. They are specially trained to deal with children's disorders
like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, mood disorders,
delinquency, learning disabilities etc.
-
Forensic Psychiatrists: The psychiatrists who take up
this field deal with the treatment of prisoners and patients locked up
in secure hospitals. They also address the mental issues plaguing the
community at large and therefore have close ties with the legal system.
-
Geriatric Psychiatrists: They are psychiatrists that
diagnose, treat, prevent and manage the mental health issues present in
the older population.
-
Perinatal Psychiatrists: This category of psychiatrists
deal with the mental health of pregnant women and their progress through
their first year with the baby.
-
Neuropsychiatrists: Brain and mental diseases share a
common terrain, and neuropsychiatry is a blend between neurology and
psychiatry. Neuropsychiatrists are trained to deal with patients having
various mental disorders that originate from abnormalities in brain
function.
-
Young Adult Psychiatrists: These types of psychiatrists
work with people aged 18-29 and the problems they face due to the
transitions they undergo in their lives lead, young adult specialists
exclusively cater to the many mental health issues in young people.
Why Choose oladoc to Book Your Appointments with the Best Psychiatrist in
Karachi?
You can book appointments or online video consultations with a psychiatrist in Karachi, instantly through oladoc.com - Pakistan's biggest and most trusted healthcare platform and save your precious time and money.
To book your appointment with the best psychiatrist in Karachi right now with no additional charges, click the book appointment button, download the app or call 02138140600 to confirm your booking.
