Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed with a disease such as breast cancer, are going through a divorce or are experiencing depression symptoms, you may be looking for mental health support. A local psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has taken specialized training in treating mental disorders. Common reasons someone may see a local psychiatrist include bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, suicidal ideation, anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphic disorder, autism or schizophrenia. Some patients choose to see a local psychologist, while others prefer to see a local psychiatrist who can prescribe medication in addition to psychotherapy (talk therapy) sessions. As a medical doctor, a local psychiatrist also has a solid understanding of the physical symptoms of your condition.

There are many different types of local psychiatrists, from those who focus on child and adolescent psychiatry to those who focus on dementia psychiatry. If you’d like to learn more about how a local psychiatrist might help you, start a conversation with your local family physician. You will likely need a referral from your local family physician or other medical provider before seeing a local psychiatrist.

There are many different mental health problems that can affect people of all ages. Unlike many physical diseases, mental health diseases can be difficult to diagnose. Seeing a local psychiatrist may help. 

Common Mental Health Problems

• Addiction may involve the use of alcohol, drugs, nicotine or gambling. People who struggle with addiction pursue the behaviour despite the consequences, in order to experience the high or euphoria it brings them.

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) causes people to have difficulty focusing or sitting still. Commonly diagnosed in children and teens, it also involves impulsive behaviour and hyperactivity.

• Anxiety disorder causes people to intermittently feel nervous, have a sense of impending doom or danger, sweat, hyperventilate or experience an elevated heart rate. Many people with anxiety disorder have panic attacks.

• Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, causes a periodic cycling of manic (heightened emotions and extreme activity) and depressive phases (sadness and lethargy).

• Depression refers to a number of conditions that negatively affect how you think, feel and act. Many people with depression lose interest in activities and withdraw from others.

• Eating disorders are defined by abnormal eating habits that negatively affect a person's health, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating and rumination disorder.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and chronic disorder that leads to uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts and behaviours. People with OCD feel an overwhelming urge to repeat these obsessions and compulsions.

• Schizophrenia is not as common as other mental disorders, but it can be chronic and severe. People with schizophrenia often have difficulty understanding reality, and may believe in conspiracies and/or be paranoid.

Your primary care provider is a good place to start if you or someone you love is dealing with mental health issues. He or she will be able to refer you to a mental health professional such as a psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor