Mental health has become quite the buzzword lately, but let us be honest: many people still get a little uneasy when they hear the word psychiatrist. Maybe you imagine a stern doctor scribbling notes as you lie dramatically on a couch talking about your mother. Or perhaps you picture someone who only deals with “serious” mental health issues.
The truth, however, is far more interesting, practical, and dare I say, a little funny too. Visiting a doctor of psychiatry can be eye-opening in the best possible way, and not nearly as intimidating as television has led you to believe.
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The Myth of the Mysterious Mind Doctor
Ah yes, the psychiatrist: part scientist, part detective, and part mind magician (without the smoke machine). For years, pop culture has painted them as mysterious figures who can read your thoughts with a single raised eyebrow. In reality, they are medical doctors who specialize in understanding how the brain, body, and emotions all dance together.
During sessions with a psychiatrist, the psychiatrist will typically ask questions about your symptoms and medical history, and may conduct a physical examination or order additional tests or evaluations to help make a diagnosis.
They are not fortune tellers, nor do they keep a secret vault of embarrassing confessions. What they actually do is help people make sense of their thoughts, emotions, and patterns of behavior. If your brain feels like a tangled set of Christmas lights, they are the ones who help you find the right end to start untangling.
And while it might sound intimidating to talk about your feelings, a doctor of psychiatry’s office is one of the few places where you can speak openly without judgment. In fact, it might be the safest place to say, “I feel weird,” and have someone reply, “Good, let us explore that.”
Therapy Is Not Just for Crisis Moments
Many people think therapy or psychiatric help is a last resort, something you seek only when life has completely fallen apart.
Feeling nervous or anxious about your first therapy appointment? That’s completely normal. Watch the video to find out how to prepare for your first therapy session!
But that is like saying you should visit a dentist only when all your teeth have fallen out. Seeing a mental health professional can actually be one of the healthiest, smartest decisions you ever make, even when things are not catastrophic.
