Excellence in Psychiatry!

Values for good doctor-patient relationship, ethics and trust.
We serve children, adolescents, adults and seniors.

Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Addiction and other problems or illnesses.

How is the consultation with a psychiatrist?

Psychiatric consultation has many aspects in common with other medical specialties. The psychiatrist needs to collect a detailed patient history, including physical illness, lifestyle, personal and family relationships, work environment, leisure activities, etc., so it may take time. Psychic examination is done by careful observation of behavior, speech, mood, attention and other aspects from the moment the patient enters the office. Sometimes tests and questionnaires are needed to supplement the exam throughout consultations. Psychic examination is essential because the vast majority of psychiatric disorders are not visible through laboratory and imaging tests. Once the situation is diagnosed, proper treatment begins.

What does the psychiatrist treat?

Psychiatry is a medical specialty whose purpose is the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of various mental disorders, whether of organic or functional origin. Some diseases treated by psychiatrist are: depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, ADHD, among others. The main goal of this mental health professional is to relieve suffering by bringing mental well-being to their patients.

Do I need a psychiatrist?

Each medical specialty exists according to the different disorders that affect people’s health. Just as we need the ophthalmologist to treat eye disease, so we need the psychiatrist to treat brain disease. Brain diseases that affect psychiatry are those that affect psychic functions such as mood, will, perception, thinking, sense of orientation, pleasure, work ability and relationships, affection, memory, concentration, among others. Therefore, depression, sexual dysfunction, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia, anorexia nervosa, drug addiction, and emotional illness-related problems are problems treated by the psychiatrist. The idea of ​​linking psychiatry only to psychosis is totally wrong, because psychosis is just one of the many mental disorders diagnosed and treated by the psychiatrist.

What to do before your first appointment with the psychiatrist?

If you believe you have any emotional difficulties, behavioral changes, insomnia or other psychic difficulties, before consulting with a psychiatrist write down your symptoms and any medications you are using. On the day of the consultation, also bring your physical or mental health records and any medications you have used before (if applicable). The more information you provide to the psychiatrist, the better your assessment will be and the more he can help you. Take advantage of your first appointment to answer any questions regarding the diagnosis and treatments offered, so that there is no confusion before starting regular visits. With all this information, if a health professional ever advises you to look for a psychiatrist, you need not despair. It will be just another professional able to help you have a healthier life, physically and mentally.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is a psychiatric disorder whose main feature is obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced at some point as intrusive, undesirable, unpleasant, and that cause anxiety or discomfort in most people. Compulsions are observable, repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels obligated to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be strictly followed. Such a cycle of obsessions and compulsions can occupy considerable time in the patient’s life and undermine his activities and relationships, as well as bring much suffering and anguish.

Some symptoms are:

1. Thoughts, impulses or images that appear to the individual unwantedly (obsessions), causing anxiety and suffering;
2. The individual tries to ignore, suppress, or neutralize obsessions with another thought or action;
3. Repetitive behaviors (eg, hand washing, organizing, checking) or mental acts (eg, praying, telling or repeating words in silence) that the individual feels obligated to perform (compulsions);
4. Compulsions aim to prevent or reduce anxiety and suffering or to avoid some dreaded event or situation;
5. Compulsions are unrealistically related to obsessions or are clearly excessive or absurd for the individual;
6. Lose more than an hour a day with your compulsions and obsessions;
7. These are people who usually have a “cleanliness or organization craze”, an excessive need for symmetry and precision or perfectionism.

It is estimated to occur in 2 to 3% of the general population, and in adults it affects men and women equally, but with earlier onset in men. Although it can occur at any age, the average onset of symptoms is in late adolescence and early adulthood. Approximately 25% of cases occur before age 14. Treatment most often requires the use of medication associated with psychotherapy and changes in lifestyle.

ADHD

ADHD is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, restlessness, and impulsivity. It occurs in 5% of children and 2.5% of adults. It is more frequent in males. It is usually diagnosed early in school life as it can present learning difficulties and sometimes in relationships with other children. Hyperactivity tends to improve in adolescence and adulthood, but many will remain inattentive, impulsive, and difficult to plan. Contrary to what is reported in the media, ADHD symptoms have been described since the 1900s, and children are described as uninhibited, impulsive and hyperactive. Only in 1955 would the first medication for the treatment of these children, methylphenidate, emerge. Treatment most often requires the use of medication. The most used and most effective drugs are psychostimulants, which when well indicated and used with the psychiatrist accompaniment do not have great chances of causing dependence. In contrast, ADHD treatment reduces impulsive behavior and therefore the risk of youth becoming involved in drug use, illicit activities and risky sexual behaviors.

Some symptoms are:

1. Do not pay attention to details and err by mistake;
2. Has difficulty maintaining concentration on activities;
3. Do not listen when they speak directly to you (“head in the moon world”);
4. is disorganized;
5. Does not persist in tasks that require continued mental effort;
6. It is forgotten;
7. Has difficulty following instructions and / or completing tasks;
8. Lose things necessary for tasks and activities;
9. Restless with hands and feet and has difficulty sitting;
10. Talks too much;
11. Interrupts, intrudes on others’ conversations or games;
12. Is noisy to play or have fun;
13. Has difficulty waiting for his turn;
14. Responds in advance.

DEPRESSION

Depressive Disorder is the most common psychiatric disease in the world and has a multifactorial origin, that is, it depends on genetic, neurochemical, environmental factors, trauma, developmental adaptations and hormonal variations. It can affect anyone, regardless of income, age, education, race, gender, success or beauty.

Depression is characterized by:

1. Depressed mood (sadness) and/or loss of interest and pleasure in daily activities;
2. lack of energy;
3. changes in sleep;
4. Increase or decrease in appetite;
5. lack of concentration;
6. Presence of negative thoughts, sometimes with death content, may or may not have planning and suicidal attempts.

Depending on the symptoms, depression is considered mild, moderate or severe and may be disabling. A World Health Organization projection study predicts that depression will be the largest cause of disability in the world by 2020. It is very important to know that there is bipolar disorder depression, which although very similar to depression of depressive disorders, has different drug treatment and psychotherapy. Misdiagnosis can worsen symptoms, so the importance of seeking a psychiatrist to make the diagnosis.

SCHIZOPHRENIA

The disease is classified within psychotic disorders, in which there is a distortion in the interpretation of reality (delirium) and / or sensory alterations (auditory, visual, tactile hallucinations, etc.). Treatment requires the use of continuous medication associated with changes in lifestyle and family support. Most of the time, occupational therapy and psychological support will be required for the patient as well as the caregivers. Much of the difficulty of treatment is due to the fact that the patient does not recognize as ill and does not accept taking the medication. At this time, the family is responsible for administering the medicine and ensuring its correct use to avoid hospitalization or worsening of symptoms.

Some symptoms are:

1. Delusions: The individual believes, for example, that he is being persecuted or cursed, that he has inserted a chip in his head, or that he is filming all his actions.
2. Hallucinations: The most common are auditory hallucinations in which voices threaten, command, laugh or swear;
3. disorganized speech;
4. Blunt affect (few facial expressions, giving the feeling that it is apathetic);
5. Difficulties in attention, memory and reasoning;
6. Impairment of the ability to plan and execute your activities on your own;
7. social isolation;
8. Impairment of self-care ability;
9. Little initiative.

EKIP Clinic

The disease affects about 1% of the population and usually begins in late adolescence. In males the disorder usually appears earlier (between 10 and 25 years) than in females (between 25 and 35 years). Psychiatry is the medical specialty responsible for treating mental illness, that is, those that affect behavior and feelings. Mental disorders can affect any age group and the faster the diagnosis is the easier and more effective the treatment.

Emil Kraepelin

Creator of modern psychiatry. (02/05/1856 – 10/07/1926) – Developed a new diagnostic system, arguing that psychiatric diseases are caused by genetic and biological disorders.