9 Compelling Reasons To Find A Local Psychiatrist

​In today’s fast-paced world, mental health is increasingly acknowledged as crucial to our overall well-being. Despite this, many people hesitate to seek help, often unsure of when it’s necessary. Consulting a local psychiatrist can be transformative, offering clarity and guidance. Let’s explore ten compelling reasons to consider utilizing the expertise of mental health professionals.

1. Persistent Emotional Distress

​While some emotional distress is an unavoidable part of life, prolonged feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, or hopelessness that hinder daily living should be addressed. These symptoms might indicate conditions like depression or anxiety disorders. A psychiatrist for anxiety or a psychiatrist for depression can assess your situation, provide a diagnosis, and tailor treatment options to your needs.
 
Many people believe that persistent emotional distress is just par for the course and something we simply have to live with. Let’s address that. Pretty much every person on this planet feels sad or anxious once in a while. For instance, perhaps you feel anxious about starting a new job or feel sad because you had a bad day, etc. All human beings can benefit from strategies that help us cope with occasional anxiety or sadness.
 
However, persistent chronic depression or anxiety that impacts your overall well-being needs to be addressed. Anxiety disorders and clinical depression can affect every aspect of your life and seeking professional help can truly make a huge difference.
 
Whether you are struggling with social anxiety, post-partum depression, seasonal depression or simply feel like you are constantly on edge (“a bundle of nerves”) or perhaps you feel empty and disconnected, speaking with a local psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist can help.

2. Changes in Sleep, Appetite or Energy Levels

​Altered sleep patterns, appetite, or persistent fatigue might suggest mental health issues such as depression or bipolar disorder. Psychiatrists are medical doctors as well as mental health experts, so they can identify the roots of these symptoms, addressing both physical health challenges and psychological aspects through appropriate treatments.
 
It can be helpful to determine if your issues are caused by a physical ailment, a mental health condition or perhaps a combination of these factors. Additionally, it’s important to note that physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach issues without medical explanations can be stress-related. A psychiatrist can diagnose these conditions and offer treatments to alleviate both physical and psychological discomfort.

3. Difficulty Functioning in Daily Life

​Overwhelming emotions or behaviors can disrupt your ability to function. If you're struggling at work, school, or in personal settings, a psychiatrist can provide medical and therapeutic solutions to restore balance and enhance quality of life.
 
For instance, for people with ADHD, the inability to manage daily stress or routines effectively can affect mental and physical health. This also can be true for those with depression or anxiety. When you find a psychiatrist, they can help determine which therapy strategies might be the best fit for you and, if needed, prescribe medication to manage stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, or mood-related issues.
 
Additionally, if you find yourself struggling with relationships, this also can stem from mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety or personality disorders. Frequent conflicts, withdrawal, or the inability to connect with loved ones due to emotional or behavioral challenges can make life very unpleasant but talking with a psychiatrist as well as a psychologist or therapist can help.

4. Recurring or Intrusive Thoughts

Constant worry, obsessive thoughts, or intrusive memories that disrupt your focus or peace of mind. These troublesome thoughts can signal a mental illness such as an anxiety disorder, post-partum depression or OCD. A psychiatrist can offer therapies (talk therapy, CBT, DBT, etc.) and medications to address these challenges as well as recommend types of therapies designed to help with these unpleasant, intrusive thoughts.

5. Extreme Mood Swings

Sudden shifts between highs (euphoria, excessive energy) and lows (sadness, lethargy) that feel uncontrollable or disruptive can indicate some type of bipolar disorder. A psychiatrist provides specialized care, offering therapies and medication to stabilize moods.
 
Many people mistakenly believe that bipolar disorder and similar mood disorders can be impossible to treat, but this is simply not true. Finding the right combination of therapy, lifestyle changes and medication can make a huge impact and allow you to live a happier, healthier life.

6. Struggles with Addiction or Substance Use

Using substances to cope can signal deeper issues. Addiction impacts mental and physical health, as well as relationships. We typically think of heading to a rehab facility or treatment center for addiction but meeting with a local psychiatrist can be an excellent option, as well.
 
An addiction psychiatrist specializes in treating addiction by uncovering its causes and suggesting various therapies to support recovery. Keep in mind, that many people suffering from addiction also suffer from issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD and other issues. An expert psychiatrist will diagnose all of these issues and develop a treatment plan that addresses whatever struggles you might be facing.

7. Struggling With Trauma

Whether you suffered from years of trauma or a specific traumatic event, you may need professional help to move past this trauma. Trauma-related psychiatric symptoms may include suffering from repeat intrusive thoughts or flashbacks regarding the trauma as well as heightened emotional reactions, such as being quick to anger or easily startled.
 
People with trauma might also practice avoidance behaviors such as avoiding people, places or situations that remind them of traumatic events. Additionally, you might find yourself dealing with persistent negative thoughts such as guilt or shame or perhaps you feel emotionally numb and disconnected from the world. All of this could be related to trauma.
 
As a psychiatrist for PTSD, I want to reassure you that there are many excellent treatment options for people with PTSD. Talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can be highly beneficial and provide you with many coping strategies. Options such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), exposure therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and medications all could be helpful as well.

8. Concerns About Cognitive Issues

Have you felt disorganized and unable to focus throughout your life? Do you constantly miss appointments or deadlines? Do you constantly procrastinate even though this can cause you some extreme stress? You may have Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD.
 
While many people associate ADHD with impulsive or risky behaviors, and these are certainly possible symptoms, many people with ADHD suffer from inattention and forgetfulness. And, many people, especially women, were not diagnosed in childhood.
 
The good news is that we have many excellent treatment options for ADHD, and an ADHD psychiatrist can provide you with a diagnosis, a treatment plan and possibly medications to help ease these symptoms. As an adult ADHD psychiatrist, I have worked with many adults to help them manage their symptoms and gain a better hold on all aspects of their lives.
 
Of course, I also meet with patients who suffer from cognitive issues that are not related to ADHD. For instance, changes in memory ability, difficulty concentrating or impaired decision-making can be caused by something other than ADHD.
 
For instance, this could be due to dementia, anxiety, depression or even trauma. As a medical doctor, I also know that this could be caused by issues such as thyroid problems or sleep disorders. If these types of symptoms are new changes, it is important to look at both your physical health as well as mental health.

9. Thoughts of Self-Harm or Harm to Others

If you are having thoughts of self-harm or harm to others, please call 988 immediately. This is the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline, and compassionate, trained professionals are available to help you 24/7.
 
Thoughts of self-harm or harming others require immediate intervention. Consulting a psychiatrist ensures safety and provides necessary support through crisis intervention, therapy, and medication. If you have been having these types of thoughts, please access care immediately. Again, if you are having a psychiatric emergency, please call 988. These thoughts can be so horrible to experience, but help is out there and people truly do care, so please reach out.

You Are Not Alone – Seek Treatment Today!

​Mental health is vital to our overall health, and professional help can be key to navigating life’s challenges. Whether facing emotional distress, life changes, physical symptoms, or severe issues like addiction or self-harm thoughts, a local psychiatrist can provide the support and treatment needed.
 
If you need to find a psychiatrist, I offer services as a psychiatrist in Thousand Oaks and also serve local communities such as Westlake Village, Simi Valley and other nearby locations. Whether you select my services or another provider, seeking help can be the first step toward a healthier, more balanced life. Remember, seeking help signifies strength and can lead to a more fulfilling life.