Psychiatry Serivces
with Heredia Therapy Group
WHAT IS
PSYCHIATRY?
Psychiatry is a medical field focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
Psychiatrists are medical physicians with advanced training who address mental health conditions by looking at the whole picture—the patient’s physical and psychological state. This process may require evaluations, medical tests, psychotherapy, medication, and other interventions.
PSYCHIATRY INCLUDES
ADDITIONAL MEDICAL SUPPORT
Research shows that most mental health issues require a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Although therapy can help you learn essential skills and overcome some of life’s greatest hardships, sometimes your body needs some additional medical support in order to function well.
THERAPY & MEDICATION
You may experience crippling panic attacks, recurring symptoms of anxiety, or severe depression. You may suffer from hallucinations, have trouble focusing, or struggle with your body image to the point of self-harm. These signs may come out of the blue or could have been going on for a while, affecting all aspects of your life.
While some mental health conditions can be addressed with talk therapy, others may require a more integrative approach—combining therapy and medication.
Whether you are going through new and scary challenges or feel like there’s no way to heal your long-term pain, you deserve comprehensive care.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PSYCHIATRY & PSYCHOLOGY
Psychiatry training involves completing medical school and a residency program with a specialization in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are qualified physicians who can assess patients, provide psychotherapy, prescribe and monitor medication, and recommend other forms of treatment.
Psychology education involves advanced doctorate degrees such as Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Psychologists are licensed mental health professionals who can test, assess, and offer therapy services through various modalities. Psychologists typically cannot prescribe medication without specific certification.
Psychiatrists and psychologists often work together to give the most effective treatment to their patients—children, teens, and adults alike.
For example, you may take your child to a psychologist who reaches a diagnosis, provides therapy, and refers you to a psychiatrist to prescribe medication for your kid. Seeing one, the other, or both will depend on the specific condition and symptoms.
DO I NEED PSYCHIATRY?
Psychiatry is often used to treat severe or lasting mental health problems that may benefit from medication.
Some of the common mental health disorders and symptoms addressed with psychiatry include:
- Anxiety: Irritability, restlessness, constant worry or fear, and trouble sleeping.
- Depression: Hopelessness, deep sadness, low motivation, appetite or weight changes, and suicidal thoughts.
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Extreme inattention or trouble focusing, hyperactivity, and impulsive behaviors.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Distressing and lingering effects after a traumatic event (e.g., flashbacks, nightmares, moodiness, disturbing thoughts).
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions adopted to address them.
- Personality Disorders: Various conditions that cause unhealthy thinking and behavior patterns, which may be eccentric, unpredictable, and overly emotional. Some examples include paranoid personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and dependent personality disorder.
- Bipolar Disorder: Severe mood swings between episodes of depression (profound sadness, low mood) and episodes of mania (euphoria, high energy).
- Schizophrenia: Delusions, hallucinations, isolation, and difficulty distinguishing what’s real from what is not.
- Behavioral Issues and Anger: Outbursts, rage episodes, and other emotionally dysfunctional behaviors can also be addressed through psychopharmacology.
Some people struggle with unknown underlying problems or complex health histories, making it challenging to identify the root of the issue. In some of these cases, psychiatry can be an efficient route to diagnose and determine the best course of action. Yet, in others, psychotherapy may suffice.
Psychiatrists and psychologists often work together to give the most effective treatment to their patients—children, teens, and adults alike.
HOW CAN PSYCHIATRY HELP ME?
Psychiatry offers a safe space to explore your physical and mental health, identify your challenges, and learn how to address them. A psychiatrist can also collaborate with other health care professionals to prepare a customized treatment plan that will get you closer to your wellness goals.
Your psychiatrist may prescribe specific medication to treat your symptoms. This medication may help rebalance the chemicals or neurotransmitters in your brain to regulate your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Common medication prescribed by psychiatrists include:
- Antidepressants: Manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other issues.
- Anti-anxiety medications (sedatives, anxiolytics): Used to treat symptoms of anxiety disorders.
- Antipsychotic medications: Address psychotic symptoms (e.g., delusions and hallucinations), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression.
- Mood stabilizers: Treat bipolar disorder and mood instability caused by other conditions.
- Stimulants: Help increase attention and energy and are often used to treat ADHD
Discuss any prescribed medication in detail with your doctor before taking it. Make sure to ask questions and understand the instructions.
If you experience any issues or adverse reactions to the medication, reach out to your doctor immediately.
No one should have to wonder and worry alone. You and your child deserve answers – and we are here to make it happen.
HOW DOES PSYCHIATRY WORK AT HEREDIA THERAPY GROUP?
In total, assessments tend to take approximately a few weeks, as we deeply value testing accuracy and thoroughness. If you have questions about our Autism Assessments or would like to sign up today, send us a message! We’d love to hear from you.
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Areas Served:
Baldwin Park | El Monte | Whittier | Hacienda Heights | La Habra Heights | Rowland Heights | Walnut | Diamond Bar | West Covina | Montebello | La Puente | Lynwood | Norwalk | Pico Rivera | South Gate | Santa Fe Springs | Bell Gardens | Paramount | Lakewood | Cerritos | Compton | Huntington Park | and Surrounding Areas
To reach us by phone: (562).821.1491