Psychiatrist for Bipolar Disorder
Who is a Psychiatrist?
Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders. With qualifications to assess both the physiological and psychological aspects of these disorders, treatment for various conditions can be availed.
Common conditions treated by a psychiatrist include- mood disorders, substance abuse disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and more. As physicians, they can administer a range of medical and psychological tests to make a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan.
What are the Qualifications of Psychiatrists for Bipolar Disorder?
A bipolar disorder psychiatrist is a physician who has completed their MBBS along with an MD. The extensive training and expertise allow them to assess, diagnose, and treat symptoms comprehensively.
As compared to primary care doctors (pediatricians, general practitioners, etc), a psychiatrist administers physiological and psychological tests to determine specific forms of therapy and medications that aid in a smooth recovery.
What Does a Bipolar Disorder Psychiatrist Do?
For conditions like bipolar disorder, a psychiatrist is usually the first point of contact. To determine the symptoms of the condition, a psychiatrist can conduct different tests including a physical examination, psychiatric assessment, mood charting, and more.
Bipolar disorder psychiatrists may also go a step further in understanding the medical and family history of the individual. With the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team (psychologists, counselors, case workers, nurses, etc) headed by the psychiatrist, the information gained is used to diagnose and treat the condition holistically.
Difference Between a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Therapist & Counsellor?
A psychiatrist is a medical professional with a specialization in mental health care. As physicians, they can prescribe medications for mental health conditions.
A psychologist is a postgraduate who may have also completed a Psy.D or Ph.D. With training in specific therapeutic techniques, they can treat different psychiatric conditions including bipolar disorder. However, while treating these conditions, they cannot prescribe medications of any kind.
A therapist and counselor are trained in managing the daily concerns of bipolar disorder through cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, and more.
A multidisciplinary team consisting of these professionals strives to help the individual manage symptoms and improve their overall well-being.
What Diseases are Treated by a Psychiatrist?
With specialization and training in assessing, diagnosing, and treating both mental and physiological aspects of disorders, here are some of the common conditions treated by psychiatrists:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders: These include Global developmental delay, Communication Disorders, and Autism spectrum disorders.
- Mood disorders: One of the most common conditions that include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, cyclothymic disorder, etc.
- Personality disorders: Schizoid personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder can be assessed and treated by a psychiatrist.
- Eating disorders: Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa, Bing eating, and Night-eating syndrome, fall under this umbrella.
- Substance use disorders: Addiction to any substance (alcohol, nicotine, hallucinogens, etc) is treated medically and psychologically by a psychiatrist.
- Psychotic disorders: Schizophrenia, Delusional disorder, and Brief psychotic disorders, are mainly assessed and treated by a psychiatrist.
- Impulse-control disorders: In children, disruptive or defiant behavior symptomatic of Conduct disorder, Oppositional defiant disorder, and more are also treated.
What Things to Expect During an Appointment With a Psychiatrist?
One of the first and crucial steps toward recovery is consulting a psychiatrist. For those consulting a psychiatrist for the first time, here are a few things you can expect:
- The psychiatrist will collect both general information (age, gender, occupation, relationship status) and specific enquires regarding medical and family history.
- The doctor will also ask questions surrounding your presenting complaints/concerns.
- Specific physiological and psychological tests may be suggested as this would provide a detailed perspective of the condition.
- Based on the symptoms, the psychiatrist can also prescribe medications that can help manage symptoms.
When to See a Psychiatrist for Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by fluctuations in mood ranging from extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression). For those facing this condition, shifts in mood may not always be recognizable. Hence, experts recommend keeping the following symptoms in mind:
Depressive episode:
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Fatigue
- Loss of interest in activities
- Social withdrawal
- Sleep disturbances
- Loss of appetite or overeating
Manic episodes:
- A sudden increase in energy
- Impulsive
- Agitated
- Decreased need for sleep
- Racing thoughts
- Distractibility
If you or a loved one exhibit these symptoms, seeking early diagnosis and treatment is highly recommended.
Why Should an Individual Consult a Bipolar Disorder Psychiatrist?
The degree of training and expertise that bipolar disorder psychiatrists possess allows them to determine and treat a wide range of physiological and psychological symptoms.
Based on the severity of the condition, they may also prescribe certain medications that can help manage the symptoms and improve overall functioning.
How Often Does Someone Need to Visit a Bipolar Disorder Psychiatrist?
For most people with bipolar disorder, the shifts in mood are a major obstacle to staying consistent with treatment and medications. As they reach manic episodes, they skip their medications and sessions. The highs they experience are self-interpreted as a sign of recovery.
This along with the severity of the symptoms determines the frequency of consultations. In cases where the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe and the individual requires daily assistance and supervision, the number of sessions is higher. Considering these aspects, the psychiatrist can recommend an increase or decrease in the frequency of consultations.
How to Find the Best Bipolar Disorder Psychiatrist Near You?
There are multiple sources through which you can seek mental healthcare services. With clinics, helplines, mental health applications, or a quick Google search, finding the best bipolar disorder psychiatrist nearest to you is possible.
As you explore your options, know that having the support of a loved one can be really beneficial. This can make your experience a lot smoother and hassle-free. Further, choosing to shift between practitioners is completely valid and normal. The goal of psychiatric treatment is to ensure recovery, hence keeping your comfort as a priority is essential.
Why Cadabams?
With over three decades of experience, Cadabams strives to deliver quality mental health care for all. Regardless of the psychiatric condition, our experts trained in the latest treatment modalities aim to design customizable and holistic treatment plans that help manage symptoms while also improving your overall well-being.
Facilities & Services within Cadabams.
Our experts offer multiple treatment options that cater to your needs. These include:
- Outpatient services: Our expert professionals offer consultations for a wide range of mental health disorders.
- Rehabilitation: In-patient care that involves a holistic treatment approach while collaborating with fellow residents.
- Emergency care: Hospitalization in the case of emergencies involves round-the-clock supervision and care.
Confidentiality.
The foundation of any professional-client relationship is trust. This refers to maintaining confidentiality. Our experts are held to the highest standards of confidentiality, that is, they are prohibited from sharing personal information about the client unless and until it is absolutely needed. For instance, if the condition can cause serious and irreversible harm to themselves or those around them.
FAQs
Can Psychiatrists Cure Bipolar Disorder?
With specific treatment techniques and medications, psychiatrists can help the individual manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
However, their goal is not limited to this. Along with symptom management, they aim to improve the quality of life and well-being of their client.
Can Psychiatrists Do Counseling?
The main focus for psychiatrists is determining the physiological and psychological aspects of the condition to prescribe and manage medications. The techniques of counseling are practiced by a clinical psychologist, therapist, or counselor.
However, this does not entirely entail that psychiatrists are not in a position to apply counseling strategies.
Are All Mental Disorders Treated by Psychiatrists?
Psychiatrists are qualified in treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions. However, specific conditions that may be on the lower end of severity may not require immediate or regular psychiatric intervention.
How Does a Psychiatrist Treat Bipolar Disorder?
Treatment for bipolar disorder begins with a comprehensive diagnosis and intervention plan. A bipolar disorder psychiatrist will initially administer a set of physiological and psychological tests to determine the nature and severity of the condition. Based on the assessment, specific therapeutic techniques or modalities (cognitive behavioral therapy, rational emotive behavioral therapy, electro-convulsive therapy) and medications may be recommended.
How Does a Psychiatrist Diagnose Bipolar Disorder?
A specific set of physiological and psychological tools are used to assess and diagnose the symptoms of bipolar disorder. The professional may also use mood charts to determine the frequency of mood fluctuations.
Further, questions on insight/judgment, medical history, educational background, and more may be considered.
Finally, determining the condition would also entail understanding the family history in terms of both medical and psychiatric illnesses.
How to Consult a Bipolar Disorder Psychiatrist Online?
You can book an online consultation with our psychiatrists through the website. This video consultation will allow you to address your concerns in the comfort of your own home.
However, for the first consultation, we recommend going for an in-person session as this will help build a strong professional-client relationship.
What Are Some Subspecialties of Psychiatry?
The training and expertise that psychiatrists possess can be applied to different subspecialists including:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Addiction Psychiatry
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Reproductive Psychiatry
- Family Psychiatry
- Public and Community Psychiatry