What is psychiatry?

Psychiatry is the medical specialty dedicated to the understanding, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of mental illness. Psychiatric pathologies result from the combination of a vulnerable biological and/or genetic terrain and triggering factors such as stress, illness or addictions. These disorders, which can be permanent or transient, affect one in five people each year, from children (child psychiatry) to the elderly (gerontopsychiatry).

When and how to find a psychiatrist

Psychological suffering is a good reason to seek help from mental health professionals. Depending on the disorder and the patient’s request, psychological monitoring by a psychologist or a psychiatrist can suffice. This may be combined with the administration of “psychotropic” drugs (antidepressants, anxiolytics, etc.) if deemed useful by the doctor , GP or specialist.

When behavioural problems (compulsive disorders, agitation, aggressiveness, withdrawal, etc.) and/or cognitive disorders (memory problems, problems concentrating, etc.) that affect interaction between an individual and their environment become apparent, it is often the individual’s relatives who react first. Depending on the patient’s condition, consultation with a psychiatrist can take place in a private practice, a hospital’s psychiatric unit, a public mental health facility (EPSM, CSM, CMP, CMP, CMPP, etc.) or in a hospital A&E department in the case of a meltdown. If deemed necessary by the doctor, the patient may then be hospitalised, ex officio or at the request of a third party (HDT). 

Through its partnership with Doctoconsult, Elsan offers telepsychiatry for patients needing it after childbirth. Teleconsultations are reimbursed by Social Security.

Which disorders does psychiatrist treat?

As well as treating the most common mental illnesses (schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorders, autism, etc.), a psychiatrist also deals with:

• Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)
• Personality disorders
• Attention deficit disorder
• Sleep disorders
• Neurocognitive disorders - related to dementia or stress/trauma
• Anxiety disorders (OCD, phobias)
• Addictions and disorders related to drug and alcohol use.

Treatment can combine psychotherapy sessions (psychoanalysis, brief therapy, hypnosis, cognitive-behavioural therapy, etc.), therapeutic workshops (in day hospitals, as well), drugs or even more sophisticated techniques (neurostimulation).