3 Holistic Approaches to Try When Working With a Psychiatrist
Working with a psychiatrist involves a collaborative partnership focused on your overall well-being. This approach views mental health through a whole-person lens, integrating various treatments to support your specific needs. Care is personalized, with a focus on safety and careful coordination between different therapeutic options and lifestyle adjustments. A psychiatrist can guide you through available treatments, helping you understand how each one functions within a comprehensive care plan.
Medication Management
A thorough psychiatric evaluation is the foundation of a sound treatment plan. This initial step involves a comprehensive review of your medical history, current symptoms, and personal goals. The objective is to build a complete picture of your health to inform any subsequent decisions. This structured approach enables precision in tailoring a plan that is tailored specifically to you.
When medications are part of the clinical care strategy, their responsible use is a primary focus. A psychiatrist works with you to identify a medication and dosage that aligns with the goal of mood stabilization. This process involves ongoing monitoring and regular check-ins. These appointments provide an opportunity to discuss your progress, address any side effects, and make adjustments as needed. The management of psychiatric medication is a dynamic and collaborative effort, designed to adapt to your changing needs and support your journey toward your health goals.
TMS Therapy
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment option available for certain mental health conditions. It is an FDA-cleared therapy for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and is often explored when other treatments, such as antidepressant medications, have not provided sufficient relief. It is a drug-free procedure that does not require anesthesia.
During a TMS session, targeted magnetic pulses are delivered to specific brain regions associated with mood regulation. These pulses are similar in strength to those used in an MRI. The treatment stimulates areas of the brain that may be underactive in people with depression. A typical session lasts between 19 and 37 minutes. This approach provides an additional avenue for care within a broader mental health strategy.
Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy is another treatment option administered in a supervised clinical setting for specific mental health conditions. It involves the use of ketamine, a medicine that works differently from traditional antidepressants by targeting distinct pathways in the brain related to mood and neuroplasticity. The therapy is provided under close medical supervision to monitor your response and manage any potential side effects.
During a monitored session, some individuals may experience short-term side effects, such as a mild sense of dissociation. These effects are temporary and can resolve shortly after the session concludes. The goal of this therapy is to create an opportunity for new neural connections to form, which may help alleviate symptoms associated with certain mood disorders.
Confer With a Psychiatrist
Developing a mental health treatment plan is an individualized process that requires professional guidance. When you confer with a psychiatrist, you can engage in a collaborative planning session to map out a path that aligns with your personal goals and values. A partnership with a qualified professional enables the creation of a personalized and structured plan tailored specifically to you.
