PSYCHIATRY
Classically this is about diagnosing and empathizing in regard to the the psychological symptoms and suffering that someone is experiencing. Most common are depression, anxiety, and self-esteem issues, like self-doubt and self-criticism. Others may also find it difficult to resist certain impulses, or feel compelled to engage in self-defeating behaviors that they can’t seem to prevent or control. Also there may be intrusive, unwanted thoughts that are frightening and often coupled with compulsions of checking, frequent washing of the hands, or other repetitive rituals.
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Other concerns may include:
• Mood instability
• Panic attacks
• Identity problems: don’t feel like you know who you are
• A poor sense of what you want, what you are feeling and thinking
• Lack of agency: you don’t feel like you’re running your life, your life isn’t progressing, you feel stuck
• Work: you hate it, but can’t seem to. leave it
• Procrastination
• Isolation and loneliness
• Life transitions
• Grief and loss
• You feel you lack the necessary coping mechanisms to get on in life
• Trouble coping with all the stresses in your life
• You seem to misinterpret other people’s
intentions a lot
• You wonder about existence and the meaning of life
• Relationship issues
• Problems in romance
• Sexuality: inhibitions, conflict, diminished drive, anxiety related to sexuality
One avenue of treatment that psychiatry offers for those struggling with these concerns are the psychiatric medicines. These medicines help control symptoms of depression, anxiety, mood instability, and disruptive emotional outbursts, along with some of the other maladies listed above. Psychopharmacology is the technical term for this form of treatment and it can be strikingly helpful for some. In my practice it is more common to combine medication management with therapy as research has shown that the combination of the two is more effective than meds alone. Alternatively, some patients prefer to address their problems with therapy alone, forgoing the use of meds. Therapy is a significant part of my work, so I encourage you to continue on to the next section which focuses on therapy.