Adult psychiatry
Adult psychiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders in adults over the age of eighteen. These include mood disorders, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders and much, much more.
What is a psychiatrist?
Adult psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication to treat mental and emotional health problems in adults over the age of eighteen. Because of this, your psychiatrist will be able to evaluate your symptoms from a medical perspective and recommend medical treatment if needed. Psychologists and other therapists, meanwhile, will provide talk therapy treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy.
In many cases, you may seek treatment from both a psychiatrist and a therapist in order to address the full spectrum of your symptoms. In fact, research shows that for most mental health conditions, a combination of medications and psychotherapy give the best results.
What does an adult psychiatrist treat?
A psychiatrist can treat adults for a variety of mental and behavioral health conditions, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders (such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder)
- Mood disorders
- Psychotic disorders
Your course of treatment will depend on your symptoms and physiology, and your doctor may or may not prescribe medication.
Find an adult psychiatrist near you today
If you are in crisis and in need of immediate support
Please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or text the Crisis Text Line by texting HELLO to 741741