Why People Go to a Psychiatrist?
by Lauro Amezcua-Patino, MD, FAPA and Vincent Perez-Mazzola
In my thirty plus years of practice, I have rarely had a patient simply wake up and decide to come to my psychiatric office. More typically they are forced into my domain.
Whether coerced or threatened by a family member, significant other, or by circumstance (sometimes tragic); they end up in front of me. Sadly, a good portion of them ends up speaking with me from a hospital bed or from behind a plexiglass window while incarcerated. Why is this so?
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and acceptance of the importance of mental health. Despite this progress, many people still hesitate to seek help from mental health professionals due to stigma or misconceptions about psychiatric care. Understanding why people go to a psychiatrist can shed light on these professionals’ vital role in our well-being.
Understanding Mental Health
Understanding mental health is essential for recognizing its significance in our lives and promoting holistic well-being. Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, act, and interact with others. It plays a crucial role in determining our overall quality of life, affecting every aspect of our daily functioning, relationships, and ability to cope with challenges. The components of mental health are:
Emotional Well-being: Emotional well-being refers to the ability to understand, express, and manage our emotions effectively. It involves recognizing and coping with a range of emotions, from happiness and joy to sadness, anger, and fear, in a healthy and constructive manner. Emotional well-being enables us to maintain emotional balance, resilience, and adaptability, even in the face of adversity or stressful situations.
Psychological Well-being: Psychological well-being encompasses our cognitive abilities, thought patterns, beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions about ourselves, others, and the world around us. It includes factors such as self-esteem, self-efficacy, optimism, and a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Psychological well-being contributes to our mental clarity, problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and overall cognitive functioning.
Social Well-being: Social well-being relates to our interpersonal relationships, social connections, communication skills, and sense of belonging and community. It involves building and maintaining healthy relationships, establishing meaningful connections with others, and engaging in social activities that promote mutual support, collaboration, and belongingness. Social well-being enhances our sense of connection, empathy, cooperation, and social support, which are essential for our emotional and psychological health.
Factors Influencing Mental Health
Biological Factors: Biological factors, such as genetics, brain chemistry, hormones, and physical health conditions, can significantly influence our mental health. Imbalances in neurotransmitters, hormonal changes, and underlying medical conditions can contribute to the development of mental health disorders, affecting mood, behavior, and cognitive functioning.
Environmental Factors: Environmental factors, including our living conditions, upbringing, exposure to stressors, trauma, and access to resources and support systems, play a pivotal role in shaping our mental health. Positive environments that foster safety, stability, nurturing relationships, and opportunities for growth and development can promote mental well-being, while adverse or stressful environments can increase the risk of mental health issues.
Psychosocial Factors: Psychosocial factors, such as life experiences, socioeconomic status, cultural background, social norms, and societal expectations, also influence our mental health. Life transitions, significant life events, discrimination, stigma, and societal pressures can impact our emotional and psychological well-being, affecting our self-esteem, identity, and ability to cope with challenges.
Importance of Mental Health Awareness: Understanding mental health is crucial for promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging early intervention and support. By raising awareness about the importance of mental health, we can foster a culture that values mental well-being, promotes open conversations, and encourages individuals to seek help, support, and resources when needed.
Common Reasons for Seeking Psychiatric Help
Seeking psychiatric help is a personal and often transformative decision that individuals make to address various mental health concerns, challenges, and life circumstances. The reasons for seeking psychiatric care are diverse and multifaceted, reflecting the complex nature of mental health and the unique experiences of everyone. Below are some common reasons why people turn to psychiatrists for help.
Mental Health Disorders:
Depression — Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities. Individuals with depression may also experience changes in appetite, sleep patterns, energy levels, and concentration. A psychiatrist can diagnose depression, provide treatment recommendations, and offer therapeutic interventions to help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Anxiety Disorders — Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias, involve excessive worry, fear, or nervousness that can significantly impact daily functioning. Psychiatrists can evaluate symptoms, recommend appropriate treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, or a combination of both, and provide strategies to cope with anxiety effectively.
Bipolar Disorder — Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, including episodes of mania (elevated mood) and depression (low mood). Psychiatrists play a crucial role in diagnosing bipolar disorder, managing medication, and providing therapeutic support to help individuals stabilize their mood, manage symptoms, and lead fulfilling lives.
Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders — Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders involve disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotions, and behavior. These disorders can be complex and challenging to manage, requiring specialized psychiatric care, including medication management, psychotherapy, and supportive interventions to help individuals manage symptoms, improve cognitive functioning, and enhance quality of life.
Emotional Distress:
Grief and Loss — Experiencing the loss of a loved one can be devastating and lead to intense grief, sadness, and emotional pain. Psychiatrists can provide support, guidance, and coping strategies to help individuals navigate the grieving process, find meaning, and work towards healing and acceptance.
Trauma and PTSD — Traumatic events, such as accidents, natural disasters, or interpersonal violence, can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related disorders. Psychiatrists can assess trauma symptoms, offer trauma-informed care, and provide evidence-based treatments like trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help individuals process trauma, reduce symptoms, and regain a sense of safety and control.
Relationship Issues — Relationship challenges, conflicts, or transitions can cause emotional distress and interpersonal difficulties. Psychiatrists can offer individual or couples therapy to address relationship issues, improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relational bonds.
Medication Management:
Psychiatric Medication Evaluation and Monitoring — For individuals with mental health disorders, psychiatric medications may be prescribed as part of their treatment plan. Psychiatrists are specialized in evaluating the need for medication, prescribing appropriate medications, monitoring effectiveness, managing side effects, and adjusting treatments as necessary to optimize therapeutic outcomes.
Behavioral Issues:
ADHD and Behavioral Disorders — Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral disorders can affect children, adolescents, and adults, leading to challenges in attention, impulse control, and behavior. Psychiatrists can conduct comprehensive assessments, diagnose ADHD or behavioral disorders, and develop tailored treatment plans, including medication, behavioral interventions, and parent training, to help individuals manage symptoms and improve functioning.
Personal Growth and Self-Understanding:
Self-Exploration and Personal Development — Psychiatrists can also assist individuals who are interested in personal growth, self-exploration, and enhancing self-awareness. Through therapy, individuals can gain insights into their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and patterns, identify areas for growth and change, and develop skills and strategies to foster personal development, improve relationships, and enhance overall well-being.
The decision to seek psychiatric help is a brave and proactive step towards addressing mental health concerns, improving quality of life, and promoting overall well-being. Whether individuals are dealing with mental health disorders, emotional distress, medication management, behavioral issues, or seeking personal growth and self-understanding, psychiatrists offer specialized knowledge, expertise, and support to help individuals navigate their challenges, find healing, and achieve their therapeutic goals.
Breaking the Stigma
Despite the growing awareness of mental health, stigma still surrounds psychiatric care. Many people hesitate to seek help due to fear of judgment, shame, or misconceptions about mental illness and treatment. However, seeking help from a psychiatrist is a sign of strength, not weakness. It shows a willingness to prioritize one’s well-being and take proactive steps towards better mental health.
Understanding the Impact of Stigma: Stigma can have profound effects on individuals’ willingness to seek help, their self-esteem, and their overall well-being. It can prevent people from talking openly about their experiences, seeking timely treatment, or reaching out for support from friends, family, and professionals. The fear of judgment and misunderstanding can create a culture of silence, shame, and secrecy around mental health issues, further exacerbating feelings of isolation and alienation.
Challenging Misconceptions: To break the stigma, it is essential to challenge misconceptions and educate the public about mental health. Contrary to common beliefs, mental illness is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It is a medical condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, background, or socioeconomic status. Just as people seek medical help for physical ailments, it is equally important to seek help for mental health concerns without fear of judgment or discrimination.
Promoting Open Conversations: Promoting open conversations about mental health is a powerful way to break down stigma. By sharing personal stories, experiences, and insights, individuals can humanize mental health issues, demonstrate resilience, and inspire others to seek help. Encouraging empathy, understanding, and compassion can create a supportive environment where people feel safe to discuss their feelings, seek guidance, and access the resources they need.
Advocating for Policy Changes: Advocacy plays a vital role in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Supporting policies that prioritize mental health education, awareness, and access to care can help address systemic barriers and ensure that mental health services are accessible, affordable, and inclusive for all. By advocating for change at the community, institutional, and policy levels, we can create a more equitable and compassionate society where mental health is valued, understood, and prioritized.
Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and psychiatric care requires collective effort, education, and advocacy. By challenging misconceptions, promoting open conversations, and advocating for policy changes, we can create a culture that values mental health as an essential component of overall well-being.
Final Thoughts:
The decision to seek help from a psychiatrist is a significant step towards prioritizing mental health and well-being. It signifies an acknowledgment of challenges faced and a commitment to finding solutions, healing, and personal growth.
Psychiatrists are trained professionals dedicated to understanding the complexities of the human mind, emotions, and behaviors. They offer a safe and confidential space for individuals to express their feelings, explore their concerns, and work towards positive changes. Through personalized treatment plans, which may include therapy, medication management, and supportive interventions, psychiatrists empower individuals to regain control of their lives and achieve better mental health outcomes.
Seeking psychiatric care can have broader implications beyond individual well-being. It can positively impact relationships, work performance, and overall quality of life. By addressing mental health concerns proactively, individuals can enhance their resilience, coping skills, and ability to navigate life’s challenges effectively.
In the coming years, I hope to see more an more people seeking out help. Mental health is analogous to physical health. We all must manage our physical health daily. We sometime become ill. Even other times we find that we have a persistent syndrome that must be continually managed.