General Psychiatry

Mental health and physical activity are correlated as it is the mind that controls the body. Mental illness or psychiatric illness can affect everything about your body’s health including appetite, sleep, digestion, etc. If a person finds difficulty in any of these despite a healthy lifestyle, he must consult a General Psychiatrist for mental health care. When maintaining their physical health, people focus on things like diet and exercise. However, it is important to remember that mental health also has a significant impact on our physical well-being. General psychiatry is often cited as part of the treatment plan or patient care for a wide array of mental health concerns. 

What is General Psychiatry?

As a field of psychiatry, General Psychiatry involves the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. However, it also encompasses the handling of psychiatric disorders that may not fit into a specific diagnosis. Through effective psychiatric care and methods such as psychological therapies, General Psychiatry addresses the impact these challenges have on daily functioning and overall well-being. In addition, this speciality often helps to distinguish between symptoms related to a mental health disorder and traits that inherently make up someone’s personality. As such, General Psychiatry plays a crucial role in the broader field of psychiatry by providing comprehensive and individualized care for patient health. 

Why do we need Mental Health Professionals?

When it comes to mental health, only qualified professionals have the necessary training and skills to effectively treat disorders. Unlike traditional therapy alone, psychiatric treatment often involves a comprehensive approach, including physical examination and potential medication intervention. Additionally, these professionals have specialized knowledge in the field of psychiatry and know how to differentiate between mental illness and impaired brain functions, or neurological disorders. And while therapy is important for resolving cognitive psychology, a trained psychiatrist also considers biological factors and overall well-being through positive psychology techniques. Ultimately, seeking treatment from a qualified mental health professional is crucial for successfully managing and treating psychological disorders.

What are the mental illnesses treated by a General Psychiatrist?

A General Psychiatrist needs the skills and additional training to treat a wide range of mental illnesses, including but not limited to anxiety disorders, depressive illness, bipolar disorders, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. Our approach incorporates aspects of social psychology and clinical presentation in order to provide personalized, holistic care for the patient’s health. Additionally, we are able to prescribe necessary medications and offer therapy and clinical services as needed. With our broad understanding of mental health issues and diverse treatment options, we are well-equipped to address the complex needs of my patients and help them on their journey towards healing and wellness.

Here is a list of mental illnesses that a general psychiatrist can cure.

Depression

Depression is a mental illness where the person loses interest in daily activities and has no enthusiasm for life. This impairs his lifestyle, relationships, occupation, activities, etc. Depressive illness symptoms include chronic fatigue, isolation, restlessness, lack of sleep and appetite, etc. Some may even have suicidal thoughts due to guilt and hopeless feelings.

The prevalence of depression can be broad ranging from low-grade depression or dysthymia to severe or chronic major depression. Other forms of this mental disease include seasonal, post-partum, pre-menstrual, and psychotic depression. A General Psychiatrist treats depressive symptoms through psychotherapy, medicines, and other psychological interventions.

Anxiety Disorders

People who have anxiety disorder are tense and restless and show signs of panic and fear. Trembling, excessive sweating and increased heartbeat are the other affective symptoms of anxiety. If left untreated, anxiety may lead to severe complications like depression or suicide. A Mental Health Professional treats the adverse effects of anxiety symptoms using medication, psychotherapy, CBT – cognitive behaviour therapy, etc.

Bipolar Disorders

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder where the person experiences extreme mood fluctuations ranging from depression to mania. There are 3 types of bipolar disorder- bipolar I, II, and cyclothymic disorder. An imbalance of chemicals in the brain causes this mental illness. Treatment for bipolar disorders includes medication, psychotherapy and ECT-electroconvulsive therapy.

Phobia

Phobia is a psychiatric condition where the person has an extreme fear of something. Unlike anxiety, the phobia has a specific cause. Phobia is of different types from fear of insects and crowded spaces to fear of heights, etc. Symptoms of phobia include shortness of breath, dizziness, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea, etc.  Phobia clinical care treatment includes the use of psychiatric drugs and CBT.

OCD- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Persons with OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder have both obsessions and compulsions. They have obsessions which is an uncontrollable fear about something.  Some examples of OCD are repeated washing, counting, locking doors, checking, etc. Some of these symptoms have a high risk of infection and have to be addressed immediately.

OCD is treated in a psychiatric clinic with the use of psychiatric drugs and with CBT. If left untreated, OCD can result in severe mental health issues like anxiety, and depression.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness characterised by delusions, phobias, hallucinations, etc. The patient’s speech is incoherent and his thinking is disoriented. This mental illness impairs the physical activity and cognitive thinking of the patient. Treatment for schizophrenia includes the use of antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, and stabilizers to combat mood disorders.

Panic Attack

A panic attack is a sudden occurrence of acute fear in a person without any reason. It can happen at any time without warning, even while asleep or at work, or while driving. Symptoms of a panic attack include headache, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, trembling, sweating, etc. Treatment from a general psychiatry specialist may include CBT, psychotherapy, medication, and exposure treatment.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD is often mistakenly perceived as a personality flaw or weakness, but it is important to remember that this disorder has a strong biological component. Additionally, while PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced trauma, certain populations such as military personnel or sexual assault survivors are at higher risk due to their exposure to repeated traumatic events. It is crucial that we continue to educate ourselves on the reality of PTSD and provide adequate support and resources for those who struggle with it.

In conclusion, experienced mental health care professionals are a must to help people combat and cure the affective symptoms of mental disorders in daily life. Don’t suffer in silence! – seek the support and mental health services you need to begin your journey toward wellness.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, help is available at Dr. Sagnik Mukherjee’s best psychiatric clinic in Kolkata, West Bengal. Dr Sagnik Mukherjee also treats mental health disorders for elderly patients through geriatric psychiatry and adult psychiatry services.

Appointments can be made by calling Dr. Sagnik Mukherjee at 98313 13020 or visiting the clinic’s location at 19x/1 Dum Dum Road in Kolkata, West Bengal. Online consultations for psychiatric services can also be arranged upon request.