A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health disorders. They are trained to assess both the psychological and physical aspects of mental health conditions and can prescribe medications when needed.

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and provide medical interventions for mental health disorders.
• Psychologists have advanced degrees (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology and specialize in therapy, counseling, and psychological testing but do not prescribe medication.
• Therapists or Counselors provide talk therapy but may not have the same level of medical or psychological training as psychiatrists or psychologists.

You may benefit from seeing a psychiatrist if you experience:

• Persistent anxiety, depression, or mood swings.
• Suicidal thoughts or self-harm tendencies.
• Hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia.
• Severe stress or panic attacks.
• Mental health conditions that require medication management, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression.

Psychiatrists treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including:

• Depression and anxiety disorders.
• Bipolar disorder.
• Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Sleep disorders.
• Substance use disorders.

A psychiatrist conducts a thorough evaluation, which may include:

• Medical and psychiatric history review.
• Psychological assessments.
• Laboratory tests (if needed) to rule out physical conditions.
• Discussions about symptoms, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.