Psychiatry

Psychiatry is the medical field that helps people with mental health disorders understand and treat their condition using the most effective techniques. At Kema Health Services, patient-focused founder Josyane Kengni, PMHNP, and the other specialists use their specialized psychiatry expertise to help patients who struggle with depression, anxiety, and other disorders. Telehealth and office-based care are available. Call the Frederick, Maryland, office or book your appointment using online scheduling now.

What is psychiatry?

Psychiatry refers to the management of mental health disorders. It provides comprehensive care, including evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions that would cause debilitating issues if left untreated.

What conditions does psychiatry address?

Psychiatry addresses all types of mental health disorders, including:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Panic disorder
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Impulse control disorders, such as oppositional defiant disorder
• Mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder
• Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia
• Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Personality disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder

You don’t necessarily need a psychiatric diagnosis to get psychiatric care. Providers can also help patients deal with difficulties that don’t always qualify as mental health disorders. For example, relationship issues, grief, and stress. 

What is the difference between psychiatry and psychology?

Psychiatry is a branch of medicine. Only highly trained medical providers, including medical doctors and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, can administer psychiatric care. 

Psychiatric providers can offer psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and other types of talk therapy. They can also provide medication management, for example, prescribing and monitoring the use of antidepressants to treat mental health disorders.

In contrast, psychology providers are mental health experts, not medical doctors or specialized psychiatric nurse practitioners. Psychologists treat patients using psychotherapy but can’t write prescriptions or provide medication management like psychiatric specialists can.

How can psychiatry help me?

Psychiatric care helps you manage your mental health in a way that makes sense for you. The goal of psychiatric treatment is to relieve your troublesome symptoms, improve your daily functioning, and boost your quality of life. Most patients reach these goals through psychotherapy and medication management. 

Essentially, psychiatric care can help you face your troubles head-on, identify the best responses, and change how you think, allowing you to be the best version of yourself and leave the difficulties behind. 

Customized psychiatric care at Kema Health Services provides all these effects through in-office appointments and telehealth. If you’re dealing with sadness, anxiety, anger, or other negative feelings and thoughts, call the office or click the online scheduler to book your private consultation now.