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 The Health Reform Specialist Psychiatrist

The economics of health care are often blamed on physician specialists. Many articles have been published in the media about the advantages of non-physician medical treatment. Many wonder if decades of specialized training could be compressed into a one year training program. What are the potential benefits for my patients if they see a psychiatrist? The myth that psychiatrists only have to be trained in the administration of medication has been perpetuated by insurance companies. Many people may be surprised to learn that psychiatrists are trained and supervised in many types of psychotherapy during their three-year residency. The former president of Psychiatrist Houston Society was my long-term supervisor during my residency. Can a non-specialist, with limited training, easily duplicate my skills as a psychiatrist? How can I advise my patients about new provider selections that are required by changes in their insurance reimbursements?

It is crucial for patients to first understand their diagnosis and what it means for their daily lives. Media and the herbal industry promote treatments that can treat depression, including massage and herbs. Advertisements don't distinguish between mild and serious depression. Mild depression may respond to distractions and other treatments might be available. Mild depression symptoms, by definition, are not disruptive to personal functioning. You may feel blue and depressed when you wake up. If you call a friend or go to work, the feeling will disappear. Sometimes, severe depression can cause a lack of energy, loss of appetite, difficulty focusing or concentration, and intrusive thoughts about suicide. It is easy to see the differences in severity and impact on daily functioning. The daily message is that regardless of whether or not there is a scientific basis for diagnosing the severity of depression, any intervention can be used to treat it.

Vogue Magazine's May 2009 issue featured the article "Pregnant Pause", which was a touching description of the daily struggles faced by subspecialists in reproductive psychiatry. A pregnant woman was described in the article as having eating phobias and strange obsessive thoughts that impeded her daily functioning. She was diagnosed with mild depression, and her primary care doctor treated her. The article highlighted the negative effects of antidepressant treatment during pregnancy. The article emphasized that the patient had a mild illness and that she was given incorrect information. Patients with severe illnesses often get their mental health care from people who have not received psychiatric training. The stigma surrounding psychiatry is widespread.

Many magazines that have a reputation for being trustworthy do not consider the severity of illnesses and offer potential treatments that may not be scientifically sound. When counseling patients about their treatment options, I am a psychiatrist who is an expert in reproductive health. The Pregnancy Decision Handbook for Women With Depression, an award-winning book that I wrote, is intended to provide information and help in developing individualized treatment plans. There are many treatment options available for women depending on the severity of their illness.

I answer patients' questions about potential Anxiety Doctors Houston providers by suggesting that they have an honest discussion about their illness. A psychiatrist should be consulted if you have a serious illness that affects your ability to function, has had to take medication for a long time, or is taking a different SSRI. The introduction of serotonin selective inhibitors (SSRIs), and Prozac were major advances in mental health treatment. However, if you've suffered from depression for twenty years, stabilization will be difficult unless you have the experience to manage treatments that aren't usually easy for less-trained health professionals.

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