How therapy can help with psychiatric treatment

6 minutes to read

Therapy and psychiatric treatment are different therapeutic processes, but they can complement each other, due to the specialized attention given to aspects of an individual’s mind and emotions. For this reason, understanding how the relationship between these two resources happens makes all the difference when it comes to mental health care.

Many people easily confuse the performance of a psychiatrist and a psychologist. This can be an obstacle to treating different diseases and having more mental balance. Therefore, the best thing to do is to start by understanding the differences between these professionals and how to identify the moment to ask for help.

In this post, better understand how therapy can help with psychiatric treatment and maintain mental health care.

What is the difference between psychology and psychiatry?

The difference between psychology and psychiatry is the focus of action. Both are areas that take care of psychological, emotional and mental aspects of an individual, however, they take different approaches.

Psychology is the science dedicated to the study of the mind. Therefore, it turns to human behavior in different situations and may have clinical application. This is the work that many psychologists follow when they dedicate themselves to psychotherapy.

Psychiatry is a medical field. Thus, a psychiatrist is a trained physician who has chosen this type of residency. This is the segment dedicated to the study of mental illnesses, personality disorders and disorders that affect the psychological state.

Thus, it is possible to see that, although they have a common point — which is to promote attention to mental health —, psychology and psychiatry are different areas, from training to performance.

Even the differences between psychiatry and psychology are important to observe how these areas complement each other. Therefore, it is possible to seek help from both professionals to have improvements in mental illness and in the search for quality of life.

When to start therapy?

Therapy can be sought for the most varied reasons. Currently, people usually go in search of a psychologist when they notice changes in behavior that begin to affect their daily lives.

Increased apathy, difficulty relating to other people, insecurities, stress, Burnout Syndrome and anxiety are examples of symptoms that make an individual seek help from a professional psychologist.

However, know that these are not the only reasons. Therapy is an excellent tool of self-knowledge. Thus, it can be sought even in the absence of atypical symptoms or behavioral changes.

It is possible to start therapy to understand yourself better, have a good personal development, seek professional guidance, among many other reasons.

When to seek help from a psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist, in turn, is responsible for prescribing the most appropriate treatments for disorders that affect the mind. Thus, it is interesting to seek this help in the presence of physical or psychological symptoms that indicate the onset or worsening of a mental illness.

Bipolar disorders, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, depression — these are all examples of mental health issues that can be treated with medication and psychiatric care. Along with this, there are a number of other disorders that require the proper diagnosis and treatment of a psychiatrist.

The ideal is to go in search of psychiatric help when observing the persistence for weeks of the following symptoms:

• deep sadness;
• loss of appetite;
• binge eating;
• apathy or difficulty taking interest in activities that were previously pleasurable;
• irritability;
• increased aggressiveness;
• irrational fear and anxiety in everyday tasks;
• sleep problems — increase or decrease;
• difficulty concentrating;
• feelings of agitation—especially with physical symptoms such as shaking, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sweating;
• violent thoughts against yourself or others;
• hyperconnectivity;
• emotional and mental overload — caused by too many negative thoughts.

What are the benefits of therapy for psychiatric treatment?

It is worth noting that psychotherapy is also a complementary resource to psychiatric treatment. In this way, it is possible to seek a psychiatrist and start monitoring with the psychologist.

Thus, while the doctor will help control the symptoms, the psychologist can provide support to identify the onset of the disease, understand the mental triggers that cause its worsening and find strategies to take care of mental health.

Learn more about the benefits of therapy for psychiatric treatment!

Increased Motivation

Therapy sessions are usually held weekly, which is beneficial for maintaining motivation in psychiatric treatment. In some cases, doctors may prescribe medications that, in the early days, cause a drop in disposition and mood — as is the case with some antidepressants.

Having psychological follow-up and returning to the psychiatrist in a timely manner — especially after starting the medication prescribed by the professional — is essential. In this way, it is possible to relieve symptoms, regulate the correct dose of medication and be confident in the results of the treatment.

Development of healthy habits

Monitoring with a psychologist is also important for developing healthier habits, which is fundamental for mental health care.

The professional can help to find activities that help to have more disposition, satisfaction with life and interest in taking better care of oneself. In this way, it is possible to support and complement all progress in psychiatric treatment.

mindset change

By doing psychotherapy, getting to know yourself better and starting healthier habits, it is possible to change your mindset. Pessimism gives way to a more realistic look, which helps to identify more positive points in everyday life — including psychiatric treatment.

In short, the work of a psychologist and a psychiatrist is different. However, both can complement each other and ensure that therapy is of great help in psychiatric treatment, promoting more mental and emotional balance.

Was this post helpful to you? Then, also read about the relationship between social media and mental health and how screens can affect well-being!

Technical review: Alexandre R. Marra, researcher at the Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein (IIEP) and permanent professor at the Graduate Program in Health Sciences at the Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein (FICSAE).