It can be hard to know when to reach out for help. People often wonder when they should go to the doctor or hospital for a physical ailment and when it might just be better to wait it out. But when we as a society have been conditioned to consider mental pain less “real,” it can be that much more challenging to validate our suffering and admit that we need to see a professional.
Sometimes it can help to have a guide. There are over 200 mental illnesses classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), and symptoms may vary. However, the following examples are all cases in which you might consider seeing a psychiatrist. First, however, let’s discuss what a psychiatrist can do for you.
What Does a Psychiatrist Do?
A psychiatrist can provide an assessment and diagnosis of any mental illnesses or disorders. They can then recommend and offer treatment — such as medication, therapy, or a combination of both. People will go to psychiatrists in order to get tested for different mental or emotional issues, or to ask if certain medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication might help them.
When To See a Psychiatrist
The question is when to recognize that you may need to be tested for a mental illness or disorder. With so much stigma around mental health, you may worry that “it’s all in your head” and therefore not significant. But your mental wellbeing plays into all aspects of your life, including work, relationships, and even your physical health.
If you notice any of these symptoms or indicators, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist.
Difficulty Managing and Controlling Your Emotions
Are you able to manage your emotions or are you controlled by them? It’s a wonderful thing to be passionate, but you may have noticed that your unruly emotions cause conflict in your relationships or make it difficult to focus throughout the day. If that’s the case, it may be more than simply being passionate. When your emotions are disruptive, it might be a good idea to schedule a consultation with a psychiatrist.
Family History of Mental Illness
Although no single gene has ever been pointed out as a hereditary sign of, say, depression, medical experts have seen signs of mental illness being more likely among families — such as with twins or between parents and children. This may be less genetics and more a matter of environment. You learn from your parents, which means you may pick up some behavioral issues or emotional regulation that you see from your parents.
If your family has a history of mental illness or substance abuse, it won’t hurt to contact a psychiatrist and schedule an assessment.
Difficulty Sleeping or Sleeping Too Much
When you are anxious or struggling with your emotions, you may find it difficult to keep to a regular sleep routine. Anxious, circling thoughts could keep you up at night and one symptom of depression is sleeping for too long due to strong feelings of fatigue and lethargy. Make note of your sleep patterns. Have they changed recently? Do you find your mind racing when you lay your head down on the pillow? This might be something a psychiatrist can help with.
Substance Use or Abuse
Drinking problems or drug addiction don’t typically come out of nowhere. Often instances of substance abuse are the result of the individual self-medicating, attempting to escape excess stress, anxiety, or emotional distress. If you’ve noticed that your drinking or substance use has gone up lately, reach out to a psychiatrist before it goes any further.
Major Stressors or Traumatic Events
It’s important to remember that needing to see a psychiatrist is not a failing on your part. Mental illness can occur for a number of reasons, and often it is caused by factors outside of your control. For instance, you may need mental health support after the death of a loved one, after a major trauma, or in the midst of a stressful situation. If you feel that everything is becoming a little too much, it might be a good time to see a psychiatrist.
Suicidal Thoughts
There are varying degrees of suicidal thoughts. The most intense, of course, are the thoughts in which you begin to actually make a plan to kill yourself. But suicide ideation can also be cause to see a psychiatrist. Suicide ideation involves thinking frequently about suicide or imagining how your loved ones’ lives would be better without you.
A psychiatrist can help you treat even mild suicide ideation and reduce the instances of those thoughts. If you believe you are actively a danger to yourself, you may need to reach out for urgent, emergency support.
Feelings of Distance or Dissociation
Have you ever noticed that you no longer feel like yourself? Maybe the hobbies and interests you once enjoyed no longer hold any appeal to you or you find yourself behaving in ways that you hate. You may simply feel that you’re in a prolonged “funk.” This could be a good reason to see a psychiatrist and get a mental health assessment.
Therapist Recommendation
On the other hand, you may be no stranger to receiving mental health support. In some cases, you may start with therapy. Over the course of your therapy, your therapist may recommend that you see a psychiatrist who can prescribe you medication to help mitigate the symptoms of your mental illness. Though therapists who are not psychiatrists cannot prescribe medication themselves, they are still mental health professionals who may be able to pick up on indicators that you may need extra help.
If your therapist refers you to a psychiatrist, it is a good idea to meet with that psychiatrist.
Get the Mental Health Support You Need From Rivia Mind
At Rivia Mind, we work with many skilled and compassionate psychiatrists who are here for you. There’s no need to worry about being judged or that you might be wasting the psychiatrist’s time. If you believe you need psychiatric support, contact Rivia Mind today to learn more or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
