If you are struggling with mental health symptoms, you are not alone. According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), “more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.”[1]
There are several ways to treat a mental health condition. The first line of treatment is usually therapy, which allows you to work through your symptoms using healthy coping mechanisms and behavioral changes. That said, some symptoms require daily medication in combination with therapy.
If you believe you need medication to manage your mental health, you need to visit a psychiatrist. These mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose mental health conditions, create treatment plans, and prescribe medication.
Finding a psychiatrist near you can be difficult if you’ve never navigated mental health treatment before. Thankfully, there are a few different ways to go about this. You can contact your insurance to find an in-network provider, ask a doctor for a referral, or work directly with a mental health treatment facility like New Jersey Behavioral Health Center.
In this article, you will learn:
- What does a psychiatrist do?
- What are the benefits of receiving psychiatric treatment?
- How can you find a psychiatrist in New Jersey?
What is a Psychiatrist?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health disorders. They can diagnose mental health conditions, create long-term treatment plans, and prescribe medications to help you manage your symptoms.
The first time you visit a psychiatrist, you will undergo an in-depth assessment. If you have never been diagnosed with a mental health condition, you might need to complete several assessments to determine which diagnosis is correct for you. Additionally, it can take a few visits for a psychiatrist to correctly diagnose you, as some mental health conditions require long-term observation of symptoms.
Once the psychiatrist has pinned down what disorder you have, they will create a treatment plan based on your diagnosis, the severity of your symptoms, your medical history, and more. If your psychiatrist doesn’t believe you need medication, you’ll probably be referred to a therapist or psychologist. However, if your symptoms do require medication, they’ll send you home with a prescription.
Sometimes, it can take several tries before you find the right medication for you. Additionally, it can take several weeks for certain types of medications (like antidepressants) to begin providing benefits. In other words, be patient and trust the process when you are beginning a new medication.
What are the Benefits of Seeing a Psychiatrist?
If you are trying to decide whether psychiatry is necessary for you, it can be helpful to know the benefits that this type of mental health treatment can provide.
The main benefits of seeing a psychiatrist include:
- Receiving an expert assessment to determine what mental health condition you have
- Clarity stemming from understanding your symptoms and how your diagnosis affects your daily life
- Getting a personalized treatment plan based on your needs
- Referrals to inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment programs
- Getting stabilized on a medication that lessens the daily symptoms you experience
- Long-term medication management, monitoring, and the ability to make necessary adjustments when a medication is not working for you
- Improved overall quality of life due to a reduction in mental health symptoms from taking medication
While medication can greatly improve your life, increase your ability to maintain relationships, and make it easier to cope with a mental health condition, it might not be right for everyone. When you visit a psychiatrist, they will assess your symptoms to determine if medication is the right form of treatment for you.
How to Find a Psychiatrist in New Jersey
Once you’ve decided you want to receive treatment from a psychiatrist, you’ll have to do some research to find the right one for you.
The easiest ways to find a psychiatrist in Hillsborough include:
Contacting Your Insurance
Thankfully, most health insurance plans cover mental health treatment. If you have health benefits, call your provider and ask for a list of in-network psychiatrists. They will give you a list of the local psychiatrists that accept your insurance.
Asking for a Referral
If you do not have health insurance but see a doctor or a therapist regularly, you can ask them to refer you to a psychiatrist whom they trust. By going this route, you’ll know that the psychiatrist you are meeting with is reputable and respected by their peers in the medical community. Additionally, a healthcare provider who knows you well can make a referral based on your personality, needs, and goals for recovery.
Working With New Jersey Behavioral Health Center
Lastly, you can work directly with a mental health treatment program like New Jersey Behavioral Health Center. We offer a variety of outpatient mental health treatment programs that include psychiatry, medication management, individual therapy, group counseling, and more.
It is also important to note that we accept many major forms of health insurance. You can contact our admissions team to determine if your insurance is accepted at our facility.
Get Connected to a Psychiatrist in Hillsborough, New Jersey
If you or a loved one is suffering from mental health issues, it might be time to visit a psychiatrist. At New Jersey Behavioral Health, we offer top-rated psychiatry services on an outpatient basis. Our program is designed to help you learn how to manage your mental health condition in a manner that improves your overall quality of life.
Contact us today for more information on our psychiatry services in New Jersey.
References:
- The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH): Mental Illness