Knowing when to see a psychiatrist is tricky!
Navigating the mental health field can feel overwhelming and challenging. Many patients ask themselves, “Isn’t this just normal life? Doesn’t everyone feel like this?” A lot of people may feel like they just need to “tough it out” or “get over it”. Today’s blog post aims to clarify what is and what is not “normal”. By the end, you should feel more confident knowing when to see a psychiatrist.
What Is “Normal?”
Isn’t this the million dollar question? Truth is, there is no “normal”. We all experience life differently. We all have bad days and good days. Deciding when to see a psychiatrist may come down to deciding what is and what is not “normal” for you as an individual.
For more information related to our treatment process, please check out our FAQ Page
Table of Contents
- What is “normal”?
- What are my options?
- What does InnerVision Psychiatry offer?
What is “Normal”?
The Million Dollar Question
The truth is, everyone has different versions of normal. When deciding what is and what isn’t normal, you have to ask yourself these questions. Do you “normally” not want to get out of bed in the morning? Have you “normally” not wanted to partake in activities you used to enjoy? Is it “normally” hard to get good quality sleep at night? Are even the most basic tasks “normally” hard to concentrate on? Do you “normally” have daily thoughts of suicide?
If this is NOT how you “normally” feel then the answer to the question when to see a psychiatrist, is NOW! These are common symptoms of major depression. While we all may experience these difficulties at one time or another, experiencing them all at the same time for months on end does not have to be “normal”.
What If I’m Not Depressed
If you’re not depressed, there still may be other times to decide when to see a psychiatrist. For instance, if you have been struggling with symptoms of crippling anxiety, it may be time to see a psychiatrist. These symptoms include restlessness, feeling keyed up or on edge, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances. Individually, some of these symptoms may be “normal” for short periods of time. But if you experience these symptoms all together for >6 months, you may be struggling with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
What If I’m Not Depressed or Anxious
The decision of when to see a psychiatrist should not just hinge of feelings of depression or anxiety. Psychiatrists can also help with symptoms of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), PTSD, eating disorders and a multitude of other syndromes. Ultimately, the decision of when to see a psychiatrist comes down to personal preference. If you are tried of struggling and don’t want to feel stuck in this new “normal”, it may be time to see a psychiatrist.
What Are My Options?
Navigating the choices
If you have decided when to see a psychiatrist, you’ll then have to find one that is right for you. Most psychiatrists specialize in traditional medication management using (SSRIs, SNRIs, etc). For some patients, these medications work great and help them with their mental health struggles. These medications are taken daily, and based on the longevity and severity of symptoms, they are also sometimes prescribed indefinitely.
When medications either don’t work, don’t work enough, or cause too many side effects, you’ll want to look for other treatment options. These include modalities such as TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation), ECT (electroconvulsive therapy or “shock treatments”), Spravato (esketamine nasal spray), or IV ketamine.
What Does InnerVision Psychiatry Offer?
IV Ketamine
Through our combined experience treating thousands of patients, Dr. Chamakalayil and I have seen the limitations of psychiatric medications far too frequently. This is why we founded InnerVision Psychiatry. Our clinic specializes in IV ketamine treatments for those struggling with depression, PTSD and anxiety. We feel the evidence is strong and the results we have seen so far have been incredible.
IV ketamine provides rapid acting and sustained relief. Some patients describe their results as feeling like they have a new lease on life. For many, it can mean a new meaning for the “normal” they once knew. If the answer to your question of when to see a psychiatrist is “Right now!” give us a call at (813) 428-5420 and let us help you Rewrite Your Story!
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend to see a psychiatrist if your symptoms become too difficult to bear, or if traditional self-help methods have been unsuccessful.
Psychiatrists are specialized physicians who treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, and other mental health conditions.
Psychiatrists can try a variety of treatment modalities including medications, psychotherapy, TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation), ECT (electroconvulsive therapy or “shock treatments”), Spravato (esketamine nasal spray), or IV ketamine.
InnerVision Psychiatry offers IV ketamine treatments for depression, PTSD and anxiety. You can read more about our treatment process here
