When to contact a child psychiatrist. How to protect children from going to psychiatrists

Of course, every mother, every father loves and accepts their child for who he is. Any baby is the best, most beautiful, and smartest for its parents. We all want the child to grow up healthy, strong, so that he mental capacity meet all age requirements so that your son or daughter does well in school, enters a university and achieves success in life. That is why every caring mother, every loving father strives to develop the abilities and all the inclinations of the baby as actively as possible. If a child likes to draw, parents send him to an art school, a girl who has dancing skills is enrolled in a dance club, etc. However, just developing the baby’s abilities is not enough; you need to closely monitor his health, observe all changes in behavior in order to notice any deviations in time. However, there are situations when parents are overly concerned about the health of their child. Such mothers and fathers tend to find non-existent problems in their children. And this is due, first of all, to how little we know about child psychology and health.

You should always remember that any childhood illness, especially any psychological disorder, is quite easy to correct, but you need to diagnose it in time. But parents are often unable to do this. This means that if any suspicion arises, it is necessary to urgently consultation with a psychiatrist who can diagnose all deviations. If you have just recently become parents, you need to carefully monitor your baby. This is especially true for those mothers whose pregnancy was complicated by any diseases.

If a child begins to hold his head up late, sits up late on his own, does not start walking for too long, does not want to talk at an already conscious age, you should contact a neurologist and psychiatrist. This also applies to those children who sleep very poorly, often wake up and cry in the middle of the night. A talented pediatrician with extensive experience can determine the cause himself, but he certainly will not ask questions about the family climate, the relationships of the parents, but the cause of the child’s anxiety may lie precisely in these relationships.

Older children should also be supervised by their parents. A child psychiatrist will help them if the child cannot sit in one place for some time, if he cannot concentrate on one task or subject. If a rather older child cannot understand what should be done when a task involves several actions in a row, how to organize his activity, this is also alarm signal, and also a reason to contact a pediatric specialist. Parents whose children show increased aggressiveness should be especially careful. They cannot be in a children's group, they take away toys from other children, fight, sort things out, or simply quarrel for no particular reason.

There are often situations when a previously calm baby suddenly becomes completely uncontrollable, snaps at his parents, does not listen to them and does not fulfill any requests. In this case, parents should immediately visit a specialist who will conduct all the necessary tests, detect the problem, and give advice on how to eliminate it. After all, if you take it seriously, most of these situations are associated with the incorrect behavior of adults around the child.

If you notice all the problems in the baby’s development in time, it is quite possible to correct everything to such an extent that later neither you, nor especially your child, will remember that any deviations took place. Under no circumstances should you be afraid to visit a child psychiatrist. Don't think that his diagnosis is a death sentence. If you strictly follow all his recommendations, the disease will be defeated.

The child lags behind his peers in psycho-speech or motor development. It is important to remember that if you have consulted a speech therapist and a delay has been diagnosed speech development(OND of any degree), stuttering, dysarthria, multiple defects in sound pronunciation - then this is already a reason to consult a doctor child psychiatrist or a neurologist to find out the causes of speech disorders.

Upon entering kindergarten or school, difficulties arose with adaptation, behavior, and academic performance; complaints were received from educators and teachers. There are different situations, including a biased attitude towards the child on the part of caregivers and teaching adults, but one way or another this state of affairs negatively affects the psycho-emotional state of the child, and it is better to sort everything out with the help of a specialist, without being afraid of the very fact of seeking help from a doctor with the prefix "psycho" in the title.

The child is already more than 3 years old, and he still often pees at night, sleeps in diapers or soils his panties. The child is about 2-2.5 years old, but he has not learned to go to the potty or the process of potty training is associated with some noticeable difficulties, causing fear and expressed protest in the child. Difficulties with physiological functions (eg frequent urination during the day, fear of going to the toilet in a public place, the well-known “bear disease” - the urge to defecate, liquefied stools in the background emotional stress) without a known somatic (physical) cause is also a reason to consult a child psychiatrist.

One of the most common problems in Russia is late breastfeeding, when breastfeeding lasts more than 1.3 -1.5 years. A common misconception, including among pediatricians, sounds something like this: “the longer you feed, the better.” Unfortunately, for the absence colds, deep sleep at night after the next feeding, the already matured baby in the future has to pay with a variety of neuroses and adaptation disorders. Therefore, if you are having problems weaning your baby over a year old, consult not only your pediatrician, but also child psychotherapist.

Along with the protracted breastfeeding located co-sleeping with a child over one year old.

It is very difficult to cover the entire range of problems that require the attention of a child psychiatrist (psychotherapist) in one article, so I will list a number of symptoms that are extremely important to pay attention to as early as possible:

• Withdrawal, unusual preferences in food, clothing, stereotypical movements (shaking hands, swaying), lack of interest in other children.
• Tics and/or vocalisms. Blinking, twitching of facial muscles, coughing, “huffing” (as if there is a sore throat all the time), any sounds involuntarily uttered by the child.
• Sleepwalking, sleep talking, sleep disturbances, night terrors.

Medical specialists

Children's medical surveillance programs

Take care of your baby! Choose a medical supervision program for your child!

Has he just recently appeared in your life? Or have you been together for a long time? It does not matter. What really matters is that you love each other! Take care of your baby from the first days of his life. Let childhood illnesses not darken the joy of your communication. Choose a pediatric medical observation program for your child!

Everything must happen on time: observation, treatment, vaccinations, tests, massage... The child constantly requires attention, and sometimes mom and dad simply cannot keep track of all the activities and procedures that the baby needs. For every age and every child you need individual approach and an individual medical plan. That's why we created Children's Health Monitoring Programs for Children different ages. Parents will be calm and children will be healthy! Choose a medical monitoring program for your child and don't worry about anything else! .

Dear visitors! If you have not found the answer to your question, ask our doctor in the Question to the Doctor section. Pediatric practice specialists answer your questions medical center Inpromed.

Psychiatrist- is a specialist with higher medical education who specializes in the treatment of mental disorders. A mental disorder is a group of symptoms and changes in behavior caused by a disorder of the psyche and causing mental suffering in a person.

All specialists whose profession title contains the particle “psycho” are engaged in the study and elimination of mental disharmony. From the point of view of psychiatrists, the brain is responsible for a person’s mental balance, however, unlike neurologists, psychiatrists look at the brain not as an organ that has its own departments that regulate other organs, but as an analyzer of reality.

The branch of medicine that a psychiatrist studies is called “Psychiatry”, which is translated from Greek as “treatment of the soul” ( psyche - soul, iatreia - treatment). This area of ​​medicine is common to psychiatrists and psychotherapists. However, the psychotherapist deals with those problems that can be solved with the help of psychotherapy - one of the areas in the treatment of mental disorders ( includes non-drug methods).

A psychotherapist is consulted in cases where the patient is fully aware of his condition as a disorder and can consciously control it. The psychiatrist is treating severe violations mental disorders that are dangerous both for the patient and for the people around him and require the use of medications.

It is important to know that a psychiatrist can also be a psychotherapist, that is, apply psychotherapy methods in the treatment of diseases.

There are two more specialists who deal with the human psyche - a psychoanalyst and a psychologist. They differ from a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, first of all, in that they have a higher education in the humanities ( psychological, less often - pedagogical), that is, they are not doctors. A psychoanalyst uses psychoanalysis as a method of treatment, that is, he “heals with words,” talking with a person and analyzing the causes of mental disorders. A psychologist analyzes problems in relationships between people, teaches how to communicate with oneself and with the world around us.

Among psychiatrists you can find the following specialized specialists:

• psychiatrist-narcologist- a doctor who treats patients with drug addiction, alcoholism and substance abuse ( All types of addiction are manifested by one or another mental disorder);
• child psychiatrist- deals with mental development disorders and other disorders in children ( for example autism);
• adolescent psychiatrist- treats mental problems that arise or begin to manifest themselves in adolescence;
• psychiatrist-gerontologist- deals with mental disorders in older people;
• psychiatrist-criminologist- studies the mental state of people who have committed a crime;
• psychiatrist-suicidologist- works with patients who have suicidal tendencies or thoughts about it;
• psychiatrist-somnologist- deals with mental disorders that manifest themselves as sleep disturbances;
• neuropsychiatrist- a neurologist who treats brain diseases that cause mental disorders;
• epileptologist is a psychiatrist or neurologist who deals with in-depth study, diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy.

The psychiatrist works in the following institutions:

• psychiatric clinics;
• psychoneurological dispensaries;
• drug treatment clinics;
• clinics;
• research centers.

What does a psychiatrist do?

A psychiatrist is involved in identifying, treating and preventing mental disorders. Psyche is the property of the brain to reflect reality or reality, that is, a person’s ability to pass through his emotions and consciousness everything that happens around him. Through mental perception a person interacts with the outside world. If interaction with the world is disrupted, then mental disorders arise. At the same time, some congenital and hereditary conditions ( dementia, personality disorders) do not provide the opportunity to fully interact with the world around a person.

The psyche consists of the following processes:

• cognition- ability to perceive the world (through sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch), think and remember;
• emotions- attitude to the surrounding world and what is happening around;
• volitional processes- include human desires, facial expressions, attention and other processes that make up human behavior.

Currently, in psychiatry, instead of the terms “disease” and “illness,” the concept “mental disorder” is used. The disease status has been retained by those pathologies that have been most studied and develop as a result of structural changes in the organ that is responsible for the human psyche, that is, in the brain ( doctors call such pathologies organic).

In English-language literature, mental disorder is referred to as “mental disorder,” and “mental” means “produced in the mind.” Thus, it turns out that in the West, mental disorder is equated with mental disorder, and not peace of mind. However, the mind is a purely intellectual concept, and the soul is a philosophical one. That is why, when mental activity is disrupted, it is difficult to explain what exactly and where it “hurts” ( they used to say that a person had lost his mind or that a person’s “soul hurt”).

Psychiatrists categorize mental disorders according to their type, that is, they take into account their depth, relationship with stress, degree of personality disorder, behavioral changes and ability to live in society.

All mental disorders can be divided into the following three groups:

• Borderline disorders- neuroses and personality disorders. In these conditions, a person is able to live normally in society, he does not lose self-awareness, that is, the ability to evaluate himself and his condition, and the cause of such disorders is associated with stress, and the symptoms are mild.
• Psychotic disorders- include three severe and most studied mental pathologies, namely schizophrenia, epilepsy and affective disorders. These diseases impair a person’s ability to evaluate himself and control his behavior, and a person becomes dangerous to society if his work is connected with the lives of other people. Such disorders are little dependent on stress, and the symptoms are clearly and clearly expressed.
• Dementia ( dementia) and oligophrenia ( mental retardation) - disorders that are characterized by a person’s inability to learn new things or the loss of this ability, while social adaptation. Stress is not the cause of these disorders; the main role belongs to structural damage to the brain or its congenital ( genetically determined) underdevelopment.

Borderline disorders Both psychiatrists and psychotherapists deal with psychotic disorders - psychiatrists, and dementia and oligophrenia - psychiatrists and neurologists ( psychoneurologists).

The responsibilities of a psychiatrist include:

• identification of persons with mental disorders;
• identification of healthy individuals who have risk factors for developing mental disorders;
• accurate diagnosis mental disorder and identifying its cause;
• prescription of treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients with mental disorders;
• conducting a medical examination ( assessment of capacity and mental health);
• preventive examinations of certain population groups ( students, elderly people working in production with harmful substances, military);
• hospitalization especially severe patients (voluntarily or compulsorily).

A psychiatrist treats the following mental disorders:

• neurotic disorders ( neurosis);
• psychopathy ( personality disorders);
• psychomotor disorders;
• clouding of consciousness;
• memory impairment;
• schizophrenia;
• epilepsy;
• affective mood disorders ( mania, depression);
• manic-depressive syndrome;
• cyclothymia;
• dementia ( dementia);
• oligophrenia ( mental underdevelopment);
• autism;
• sleep disturbance.

A psychiatrist also deals with mental disorders in the following diseases:

• illnesses internal organs (somatic diseases);
• alcoholism;
• drug addiction and substance abuse;
• infectious diseases;
• brain infection;
• intoxication with drugs or industrial poisons;
• traumatic brain injuries;
• brain tumors.

Neurosis ( neurotic disorders)

Neuroses ( psychogenic diseases, psychogenic) is a group of mental disorders in which the brain is not structurally affected, but functions in a state of excitement due to the fact that the psyche cannot adapt to new conditions of interaction with the outside world. Symptoms of neurotic disorders resemble those of fever ( sweating, trembling, palpitations and other symptoms) or in case of dysfunction of any organ ( diarrhea, arrhythmias, visual impairment and more).

Neurosis has the following main criteria:

• begins under the influence of mental trauma;
• manifests itself vegetative symptoms (dysfunction of internal organs);
• disappearance of symptoms when psychological trauma is eliminated.

In general, neurotic disorders are in the sphere of activity of a psychotherapist rather than a psychiatrist, although the latter can also treat them in cases of severe mental disorders.

Neurosis includes the following syndromes:

• obsessive-compulsive disorder syndromes- anxiety-phobic syndrome, obsessive-convulsive syndrome, panic syndrome;
• hysterical syndromes- seizures, sensation disorders and pain ( senestopathy), speech disorders ( stuttering) and symptoms arising from diseases of internal organs.

Psychosis

Psychosis is the inability to distinguish reality from sensations that seem real ( This is the main difference between psychosis and neurosis). Psychosis is not independent disease, this is part of the manifestations of other mental disorders.

In psychosis, the patient experiences the following characteristic phenomena:

• hallucinations- a feeling of something that does not exist in reality ( sounds, images and so on);
• rave- incorrect conclusions and reasoning of the patient in which he believes.

Psychomotor disorders

Psychomotor disorders are movement disorders that are caused by an excited or depressed psyche.

Psychomotor disorders include:

• hypokinesia- slow movements or a small number of them;
• stupor- immobility, which is manifested by the absence of movements, thoughts and speech, while all these functions are not lost;
• catatonia - muscle spasms and various active movements the patient, which are often involuntary, look unnatural and arise against the background of mental overexcitation;
• seizure - attack of loss of consciousness with convulsions.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder ( psychosis), at which its split occurs, that is, the connection between different functions psyche is torn. At the same time, the patient’s personality changes, he becomes aggressive, pathologically withdrawn ( autism), almost devoid of emotions, at the same time, hallucinations and delusions appear.

Autism

Autism is a mental disorder that appears before the age of 3. Autism can occur due to various mental pathologies, while psychiatrists treat each syndrome separately.

The following symptoms are characteristic of autism:

• restriction of communication- disruption of communication processes with other people, patients avoid eye contact and touching;
• stereotypical movements- constantly repeating aimless movements various parts bodies;
• tendency towards monotony- the patient arranges objects in a strictly defined way, resists any changes in things that are familiar to him;
• limitation of interests- the patient’s interests can be limited to only one activity ( the same game or music);
• self-aggression- the patient’s actions are dangerous for him, for example, a child may bite himself;
• low intelligence- changes in intelligence can be expressed to varying degrees.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease in which spontaneous, that is, unprovoked, seizures are observed. However, the presence of seizures is not necessarily epilepsy, just as an epileptic attack is not necessarily seizures. Epilepsy can manifest itself in other ways, such as muscle twitching, smacking, visual hallucinations, behavioral changes, and strange, unconscious behavior.

Due to the variety of symptoms and frequent disputes between psychiatrists and neurologists about who should treat epilepsy, epileptologists have emerged who treat specifically epilepsy. An epileptologist can be either a psychiatrist or a neurologist. It is important that this specialist is well versed in both psychiatry and neurology.

Personality disorder ( psychopathy)

Psychopathy is a mental pathology in which a person’s personality disorder occurs and a disharmonious character is formed.

Psychopathy is not considered a disease, it is a congenital underdevelopment of the psyche that does not know how to do something, for example, compassion, take offense or forgive, while a person is practically unable to learn this.

Different from psychopathy are the so-called accentuated personalities, in which a person’s character has a pathological orientation ( accent), but this is not yet a disorder; it can be eliminated by education or self-education. If a pronounced personality disorder is acquired in nature, then this condition is designated as psychogenic personality development.

Affective disorders

Affect is an emotional reaction that is difficult to control and is reflected in a person’s behavior, in contrast to mood, which can be hidden and behavior inconsistent with feelings. Affective mood disorders are a disorder emotional state person in the form of a pathological, inadequate strong reaction or, conversely, in the form of a lack of reaction to the event.

Depression

Depression is a syndrome that refers to affective disorders and is caused by oppression mental activity.

Depression is characterized by a combination of the following three symptoms:

• yearning;
• slow pace of thinking ( lethargy);
• slowing down and decreasing motor activity.

Manic syndrome

Manic syndrome is the exact opposite of depression and occurs due to overexcitation of the psyche.

The following symptoms are characteristic of manic syndrome:

• inappropriate and excessive good mood;
• fast speech and active gestures;
• quick switching of thoughts based on emerging associations;
• tendency to overestimate one's capabilities ( megalomania");
• the desire for active, extreme, often life-threatening actions.

Manic-depressive psychosis or bipolar affective disorder is a syndrome characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania.

Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia ( cyclos - circle, thymos - soul) is a mild form of manic-depressive psychosis.

Memory impairment

Memory is the ability to accumulate, store and reproduce received information. Memory impairment itself is only a symptom that can be combined with other mental disorders ( schizophrenia, epilepsy, neurosis, psychosis).

Memory impairment may manifest itself:

• spontaneous influx of memories ( hypermnesia);
• memory impairment ( hypomnesia);
• loss of individual fragments from memory ( amnesia);
• distortion of existing memories ( paramnesia).

Darkening of consciousness

Consciousness is the ability of the psyche to concentrate attention, navigate in time and space, and also be aware of its “I”. A person in clear consciousness can correctly answer the questions “who are you?”, “where are you?”, “what is the date today?” The more objectively the psyche reflects reality, the clearer a person’s consciousness.

Clouding of consciousness can be manifested by the following syndromes:

• delirium ( rave) - disturbance of orientation in time and place, in which delusions and hallucinations occur, the patient experiences anxiety or fear;
• oneiroid ( dream) - the patient has a double orientation in time, space and his own personality, he is delusional, telling fantastic things, experiencing delight from hallucinations;
• amentia ( madness) - the patient is completely disoriented in space, in time and in his own personality, confusion or confusion arises, delusional ideas “pop up”, and the mood is changeable.

With all types of clouding of consciousness, the patient experiences amnesia, that is, the patient does not remember or does not remember well the period of disturbance of consciousness.

Sleep disturbance

Sleep disturbance may include inability to fall asleep, short nap (man wakes up in the middle of the night) or constant drowsiness. Sleep is disrupted in many mental disorders. Sleep disturbance is rarely considered as a pathology without a cause, that is, a primary disease. Depending on the underlying disease, sleep disorders can be dealt with by psychiatrists and psychotherapists, as well as neurologists.

A special type of sleep disorder is sleepwalking ( somnambulism) or sleepwalking. Sleep itself is not disturbed in this disease, a person sleeps soundly during night walks, but the reasons why the brain “sleeps” and the body is awake are also considered by specialists who study brain activity.

Mental retardation

Mental retardation or oligophrenia is a congenital or acquired mental underdevelopment before the age of 3. In this case, the function of intelligence suffers ( IQ).

Mental underdevelopment manifests itself:

• speech impairment;
• intellectual impairment ( thinking);
• self-care ability;
• ability to learn new things.

Dementia

Dementia is an acquired dementia that occurs in adulthood with serious illnesses brain, disrupting its structure ( such diseases are called organic).

Symptoms of dementia are:

• memory impairment, especially remembering new things;
• weak criticism of one's own behavior;
• disruption of the thinking process, including impairment of the ability to process received information;
• no signs of impaired consciousness;
• Hallucinations and delusions are possible.

Dementia is treated by both psychiatrists and neurologists. Psychiatrists treat patients with dementia if the symptoms of mental disorders are not the first priority ( hallucinations, delusional thoughts). A neurologist treats cases where the disease is associated with a disorder cerebral circulation, previous infection and other structural changes in the brain.

Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is a variant of dementia that has a more specific cause. Mental disorders in Alzheimer's disease occur due to amyloidosis. Amyloidosis is a disease that affects many organs, and a special type of protein, amyloid, is formed and accumulates in them, which gradually destroys cells.

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by recurrent, short-term episodes of memory loss. The patient may “forget”, leave the house, go in an unknown direction, not remembering his name, address, or year of birth. After such episodes, memory returns, but the disease progresses.

Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease - neurological disease, which is treated by a neurologist, however, due to the fact that with this pathology dementia and some other mental disorders often develop ( psychosis), psychiatrists are actively involved in her treatment. In addition, some drugs ( neuroleptics), prescribed by a psychiatrist, provide side effects, which resemble Parkinson's disease. The main symptom of Parkinson's disease is tremors or shaking different parts body and freezing in one position.

How is an appointment with a psychiatrist?

An appointment with a psychiatrist is not much different from an appointment with doctors of other specialties, but it has its own characteristics. Psychiatrist conducts comprehensive examination patient. This allows us to establish not only the presence of behavioral or emotional disorders, but also the connection of symptoms with some other disease.

The appointment with a psychiatrist takes place in several stages. To establish a diagnosis, clinical and paraclinical diagnostic methods are used. Clinical methods include interviewing the patient and examining him ( that is, those methods that are carried out by the doctor himself), and paraclinical - pathopsychological, instrumental and laboratory research. Clinical methods are the main ones, and paraclinical ones are auxiliary.

An examination by a psychiatrist includes the following stages:

• Conversation with the patient. A psychiatric examination is, first of all, a conversation with the patient. A psychiatrist asks a person questions about himself and the world around him, while simultaneously observing his reaction and behavior. The conversation between the psychiatrist and the patient necessarily takes place separately from his relatives. The purpose of the questioning is to find out the presence or absence of symptoms of mental disorders and assess their severity.
• History taking is the collection of data about a person’s life and health status. Psychiatric history can be subjective ( described from the patient's words) and objective ( version of relatives and friends about the patient’s condition). The purpose of collecting data is to indicate the time of onset of the disease, find out changes in the behavior and character of the patient, and establish the probable cause of the disorder ( stress, hereditary diseases, acquired diseases and more).
• Somatic examination- This general examination, which includes an assessment of the physique, skin and mucous membranes, listening to the lungs and heart, palpating the abdomen and other studies performed by the doctor general practice. The purpose of such an examination is to identify characteristic external signs somatic diseases, that is, diseases of internal organs ( Somatic diseases include all diseases except mental disorders and diseases of the genital organs). It would seem that diseases of internal organs should not be of interest to a psychiatrist, but this is not so. The well-known expression today “all diseases come from nerves” reflects only one side of the coin. The fact is that the relationship between internal organs and the psyche is a two-way street. Dysfunction of any organ affects the functioning of the brain, especially if the “failure” leads to accumulation in the body toxic substances. Therefore, it is important to find out which disorder arose first.
• Neurological examination- includes the study of reflexes, the reaction of the pupil to light, identification of imbalances, sensitivity and motor function muscles. The psychiatrist also evaluates the patient’s speech and hearing. Target neurological examination- identify or exclude structural change in the brain as a cause of mental disorders ( tumor, stroke, hemorrhage), as well as diseases that cause polyneuropathy, that is, damage to many or all nerve fibers in the body ( alcoholism, diabetes).
• Pathopsychological methods diagnostics are psychological tests ( pictures, tasks) or questionnaires ( collection of questions), which allow us to identify mental pathology.

During the examination, the psychiatrist pays attention to following features behavior:

• facial expressions;
• pose;
• gestures;
• movements of arms and legs;
• hair pulling;
• nervous tics;
• shiver;
• twitching;
• speech;
• neatness;
• mood;
• tendency to talk about suicide.

Using a psychiatric examination and pathopsychological tests, the psychiatrist determines the following:

• personality type- acquired mental properties or character of a person;
• constitutional predisposition- temperament ( innate property character), which determines a person’s propensity for certain mental disorders;
• mental condition- description of each mental function ( perception, emotions, memory and others);
• dangerous behavior- risk of causing harm to yourself or others.

When describing mental state The psychiatrist uses the concept of “level of mental disorder.” This means that the same disorder can occur with mild or pronounced manifestations.

Level of mental disorders

Index	Neurotic level ( non-psychotic)	Psychotic level
Assessment of events and situations (understanding of reality)	Saved, a person can assess his condition, understands that he has a disorder, and is also able to help himself.	It is broken, the person does not understand that he is sick and is not able to help himself.
Behavior	Adequate, not dangerous to others.	Inappropriate, antisocial.
Criticism	Saved but can be changed ( increased self-criticism).	Absent ( non-criticality).
Control of emotions and behavior	Preserved but limited ( depends on the situation).	Violated ( absent).
The emergence of “new” phenomena (hallucinations, delusions)	Usually absent.	Available.

It is important to know that neurosis and neurotic level of disorder ( as well as psychosis and psychotic level disorder) are not synonyms. Neurosis can be severe, that is, at a psychotic level, and psychosis can have mild symptoms neurotic level. Simply put, the level of mental distress reflects the severity of symptoms. If the symptoms are weakly expressed, this is a neurotic level, and if they are strong, this is a psychotic level.

Healthy people can also be referred to see a psychiatrist to rule out mental disorders. This examination is called a psychiatric examination.

You need to see a psychiatrist in the following cases:

• obtaining a driver's license;
• permission to carry weapons;
• employment;
• preventive examination in children of the first year of life;
• when admitting a child to kindergarten or school;
• upon admission to higher education educational institution;
• to assess the suitability of those called to undergo military service.

What problems do you see a psychiatrist for?

Symptoms of mental disorders can be detected in almost healthy man. The concept of “health” includes not only the absence of disease, but also the mentally comfortable state of a person, that is, the absence of difficult emotional experiences that make him suffer. Since mental health can be disturbed superficially and deeply, psychiatry is conventionally divided into major and minor. Minor psychiatry includes mental disorders in which a person is able to control himself and help himself. These disorders are usually treated by a psychotherapist or a psychiatrist who uses psychotherapy methods in his practice. “Big” psychiatry deals with the treatment of deeper mental disorders.

“Big” psychiatry includes pathologies in which there is at least one of the following symptoms:

• loss of connection with reality- the person does not understand where he is, what year it is ( can present his version of reality);
• disturbance of self-awareness- a person ceases to be aware of his “I” and can declare that he, for example, is a cat;
• "plus-symptoms"- these are “new” phenomena that are products of a sick psyche, for example, hallucinations, delusions or movement disorder (the psychiatrist calls such symptoms positive or productive);
• "minus symptoms"- loss of mental functions, for example, memory impairment or dementia ( psychiatrists designate such symptoms as negative or deficient).

Pathologies that should be addressed to a psychiatrist

Pathology	Main reasons	Pathology treatment method
Neurotic disorders (hysteria, fears, intrusive thoughts )	psycho-emotional overload; mental trauma; unexpressed emotions; constitutional predisposition.	psychotropic ( affecting the psyche) drugs; psychotherapy.
Psychoses (hallucinations, delusions)	alcohol intoxication; intoxication with drugs or toxic drugs; mental trauma; traumatic brain injury; infection; brain tumors; diseases of internal organs.	psychotropic drugs; electroconvulsive therapy; psychotherapy.
Personality disorders	the impact of adverse factors on the fetal brain; mistakes in education; genetic predisposition; alcoholism; drug addiction and substance abuse; infections; birth injuries; wrong upbringing.	psychotherapy; psychotropic drugs.
Schizophrenia	"slow" brain infections caused by prions ( protein infectious particles); drug addiction ( smoking marijuana).	psychotropic drugs; electroconvulsive therapy; insulin therapy; psychotherapy.
Affective disorders (depression, manic state)	genetic reasons; excess or deficiency of hormones caused by a violation of the nervous regulation of their formation ( neuroendocrine disorders ); depletion of stress coping mechanisms due to frequent psycho-emotional experiences; alcoholism; drug addiction and substance abuse; severe debilitating diseases of internal organs.	psychotropic drugs; electroconvulsive therapy; insulin therapy; vagus nerve stimulation psychotherapy; psychosurgery.
Psychomotor disorders (motor-emotional disorders)	stress; infections; intoxication; traumatic brain injuries; alcoholism; drug use and substance abuse.	psychotropic drugs; psychotherapy.
Darkening of consciousness	drug addiction; alcoholism; traumatic brain injury; infections; intoxication.	detoxification; psychotropic drugs.
Memory impairment	drug intoxication; alcohol intoxication; traumatic brain injury; severe stress; brain damage.	nootropics.
Epilepsy	hereditary predisposition; channelopathies - instability of ion channels of nerve cells, which ensure the process of transmission of nerve impulses; brain tumors; brain injuries; neuroinfections.	anticonvulsants; stimulation of the vagus nerve.
Oligophrenia	hereditary diseases; fetal brain damage during pregnancy; infections and traumatic brain injuries in children under 3 years of age.	psychotherapy; nootropics.
Dementia	brain injury; vascular diseases of the brain; brain tumors; infections; hereditary disease; amyloidosis ( deposition of a special protein called amyloid in the brain, which causes the destruction of neurons).	psychotropic drugs; surgery ( performed by neurosurgeons).
Autism	hereditary diseases; some external factors ( infections, intoxication).	psychotherapy; psychotropic drugs.
Sleep disturbance	physical and emotional stress; alcoholism; drug addiction; infectious diseases; diseases of internal organs; damage to cerebral vessels; brain damage.	psychotropic drugs; psychotherapy.

The diagnosis made by a psychiatrist consists of the main syndromes. For example, in the presence of hallucinations and depression, a diagnosis of “depressive-hallucinatory syndrome” is made. And there are many such options.

What kind of research does a psychiatrist do?

A psychiatrist prescribes instrumental and laboratory research methods not so much to make a diagnosis, but to find out the cause of mental disorders. A mental disorder may have functional causes, when the function of an organ is affected, but its structure remains unchanged, and organic reasons, in which brain tissue is damaged.

If found organic changes brain, then the treatment of mental disorders is carried out in parallel with an attempt to eliminate their cause. In addition, it is important to remember that a mental disorder can be a manifestation of another disease, for example, diseases of internal organs, infectious diseases. In most cases, however, there is no major changes it is not possible to detect any other “objective” cause in the brain, and then the psychiatrist begins to treat the manifestation of the disease, that is, its symptoms.

Tests ordered by a psychiatrist

Study	What pathologies does it detect?	How is it carried out?
Instrumental methods research
Electroencephalography (EEG)	epilepsy; autism; substance abuse ( taking tranquilizers); vascular diseases brain ( stroke); brain metabolic disorder ( metabolic encephalopathy); dementia; Alzheimer's disease; brain tumors; traumatic brain injury; increase .	Active electrodes attached to a cap are applied to the scalp, which record the bioelectrical activity of the brain in the form of waves of different amplitudes. Inactive electrodes ( to compare data) placed on the earlobes. To detect epilepsy, an electrode can be inserted through the nose. To identify hidden disorders, stress tests are carried out - the patient is given medicine to drink, flashes of light and sounds are turned on, and they are asked to complete tasks. Sometimes the study is carried out during sleep or during the day ( EEG monitoring). The procedure does not require special preparation. Hair must be clean, without hairspray or hair gel. Before the procedure, medications that may affect the results of the study are usually discontinued.
Rheoencephalography	cerebral vascular damage).	The principle of operation of the method differs from EEG in that rheoencephalography records the electrical current that appears when the brain vessels are filled with blood during each pulse wave. Thus, you can get an idea of ​​the tone of the brain vessels, their elasticity and blood filling. The electrodes are attached to a rubber band, which is worn like a headband. The headband should go over the eyebrows and ears. Two electrodes on each side are placed above the eyebrows, behind the ears and in the occipital region. Hair is collected with hairpins on the head so that it does not fall on the electrodes.
Echoencephalography	stroke; cerebrovascular accident; Parkinson's disease; brain tumors; encephalopathy ( non-inflammatory brain damage).	The examination is carried out with the patient lying or sitting. The ultrasound sensor is placed on the right and left sides in the temporal region, after applying gel to the area for better sliding of the sensor. Ultrasound tends to be reflected from tissues with different densities. The reflected signal is picked up by the same sensor that sent it, after which the signal is transmitted to the monitor in the form of a curve. The curve has peaks that correspond to the density of the area in the brain that reflects the ultrasound signal.
Dopplerography		Dopplerography is ultrasonic method diagnostics, which allows you to examine blood flow in the vessels. To examine the blood vessels of the brain, an ultrasound sensor is placed over a specific area cerebral vessels, namely in the area of ​​the temple, back of the head, eyes. In addition, to identify circulatory disorders in the brain, it is necessary to examine the vessels of the neck, which carry blood to the intracranial vessels.
Craniography	traumatic brain injury; brain tumors.	Craniography is X-ray examination skull bones without the use of contrast agents. The examination is carried out in a sitting or lying position.
Angiography	cerebrovascular diseases; brain tumors.	Cerebral angiography is a procedure for “staining” the arteries that enter the brain. This is achieved by injecting a contrast agent into the vessels. After contrasting the arteries, they become visible on x-ray.
CT scan (CT)	schizophrenia; epilepsy; a brain tumor; stroke; dementia; Alzheimer's disease; oligophrenia.	During a computed tomography ( CT) the patient lies down on the diagnostic table, the movement of which inside the tomograph is regulated by the radiologist performing the diagnostic examination. In addition, the tomograph itself moves, which makes it possible to obtain sections of the part being examined, which, after computer processing, allow the doctor to obtain a picture of the brain. To “color” the blood vessels of the brain, a contrast agent is injected intravenously.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)	epilepsy; atrophic, degenerative brain disease; Alzheimer's disease; stroke; a brain tumor.	During an MRI, the patient lies down on a diagnostic table, which, just like during a CT scan, is moved inside the round tomograph tunnel. All metal objects are first removed, the patient puts on headphones or earplugs ( during MRI comes loud noise ), and a so-called coil is installed over the area under study.
Positron emission tomography (PAT)	schizophrenia; cerebrovascular accident ( stroke); epilepsy; Alzheimer's disease; brain tumors.	The method allows you to study metabolism in the brain. The patient is given intravenous radioactive isotopes, which are associated with the main substances involved in cell metabolism ( water, carbon dioxide, deoxyglucose and others). The person being examined is placed on the diagnostic table and a gamma camera is brought closer, which perceives radiation emanating from radiological drugs. As a result, a schematic image of the brain is obtained, on which the places where isotopes accumulate are indicated in a certain color.
Puncture spinal cord	neuroinfections ( brain inflammation); cerebral hemorrhage ( hemorrhagic stroke ); brain tumors.	Puncture ( puncture) of the spinal cord is carried out in lumbar region spine to receive cerebrospinal fluid. This liquid is sent to the laboratory to study its composition if there is a suspicion of damage to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
Laboratory methods research
Blood, urine and stool tests	somatic diseases ( diseases of internal organs); endocrine disorders.	All tests are taken in the morning. A blood test is taken on an empty stomach. Before collecting urine, the external genitalia are toileted. Blood is taken from a vein so that there is enough for a general blood test and biochemical blood test, including a test for hormones.
Blood test for infections	acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ( AIDS);	A blood test can detect antibodies to certain pathogens that can cause mental disorders.
Genetic tests	hereditary causes oligophrenia; epilepsy; schizophrenia; Alzheimer's disease; mental retardation ( for example, Down syndrome and other chromosomal diseases).	For genetic analysis, blood is taken from a vein or a swab from the oral mucosa ( cheeks).
Skin allergy tests	infectious diseases causing mental disorders ( brucellosis, tuberculosis); neuroses ( itchy skin).	By using skin tests detect allergization of the body in relation to the causative agents of certain infections. To identify allergies using a syringe or scarifier ( skin piercing tool) into the skin of the forearm ( With inside ) introduce known allergens ( proteins that cause allergies). After 2 days, the result is assessed by the size of the lump that appears at the injection site. In addition, these tests make it possible to distinguish nervous itching from allergic itching.
Tests for presence in blood, urine and saliva narcotic substances	drug addiction.	Blood, urine or saliva is applied to the test strip. The type of color change or the appearance of stripes determines whether there is a narcotic substance in the body.
Analysis for the presence of alcohol in exhaled air	alcohol intoxication.	The person is asked to exhale into a tube of a special device that calculates the amount of alcohol in the body.

Many studies are difficult to conduct if a person has severe disorder mental health, since he cannot control his behavior and follow the doctor’s recommendations during diagnostic procedure. Sometimes the study is carried out after the administration of drugs that calm the psyche and relax the patient’s muscles.

The psychiatrist prescribes lab tests for the following purposes:

• exclusion or confirmation of diseases of internal organs, especially the liver and kidneys, as the cause of mental disorders;
• choice of treatment options;
• assessment of the effectiveness of the treatment;
• monitoring the patient’s condition during treatment.

Before starting treatment, women must be given a pregnancy test, since many medications have adverse influence for the fruit. Elderly patients undergo an electrocardiogram before prescribing medications ( ECG) .

What methods does a psychiatrist treat?

Despite the widespread belief that mental disorders are incurable pathologies, most mental disorders are easily treatable. The treatment prescribed by a psychiatrist is always individual. That is, unlike other diseases for which treatment templates have been developed, mental disorders turned out to be so different in each person that it was not possible to fit them to a common size ( despite the fact that Western experts are trying to do this). In general, due to the difficulties of studying the causes of mental disorders, in psychiatry it is customary to treat syndromes, that is, in addition to the main complaint ( for example, depression), a psychiatrist can identify other disorders, after which it will become clear what kind of syndrome it is ( for example, manic-depressive) and how to treat it.

We can say that psychiatry is that branch of medicine where a doctor can provide symptomatic treatment ( unlike other medical disciplines). The choice of drug and its dose is always individual, and the psychiatrist strives to prescribe one drug in the minimum effective dose.

If the mental disorder is a symptom of another disease ( pathology of the brain, internal organs), then treatment is carried out jointly with other specialists ( neurosurgeon, therapist, neurologist).

Main disorders and treatments in psychiatry

Pathology	Treatment method	Mechanism therapeutic effect	Approximate duration of treatment
Neurotic disorders (neurosis)	Tranquilizers	Tranquilizers inhibit brain structures that regulate a person's emotional reactions, without affecting other parts of the brain.	Usually drug treatment prescribed during periods of exacerbation, and in the psyche ( medications must be taken for at least 2 weeks).
	Nootropics	Nootropic drugs improve metabolism and bioenergetic processes in nerve cells.
	Antidepressants	Antidepressants prevent the destruction of monoamines ( dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin), which are responsible for a good mood.
	Psychotherapy	Psychotherapy for neuroses is aimed at consciously changing attitudes, that is, a person’s reaction to a traumatic situation, since in the absence stress cause no symptoms occur.	Therapy continues until the effect is achieved.
Psychoses	Neuroleptics (antipsychotic drugs)	Neuroleptics relieve psychomotor agitation ( hallucinations, delusions, movement disorders), blocking receptors ( nerve endings) sensitive to the neurotransmitter dopamine ( substance that transmits nerve impulses).	The duration of taking medications and courses of psychotherapy is determined by the cause. If it is caused by intoxication, then the drugs are discontinued after the condition has stabilized. For psychosis, which is an independent disease ( for example, schizophrenia), medications are taken constantly.
	Psychotherapy	For psychoses caused by alcoholism or drug addiction, psychotherapy is aimed at eliminating those psychological problems that forced a person to seek positive emotions in alcohol and drugs, and also teaches them to “switch” to other joys of life.
Depression	Antidepressants	Antidepressants promote the accumulation of neurotransmitters ( dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine), which normalizes the depressed activity of the mood center.	For severe depression, medications may be prescribed for a long time ( 2 - 3 years).
	Tranquilizers	Tranquilizers have a calming effect, relieve anxiety and convulsions, due to an increase in inhibitory reactions in the brain.
	Electroconvulsive therapy	The principle of therapeutic action - impact electric current on the brain in order to cause convulsions throughout the body. This exposure is thought to trigger the release of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, which support a positive mood.	There are 2 sessions every week, the total number of sessions is no more than 12.
	Vagus nerve stimulation	When the vagus nerve is stimulated, it sends impulses to the center of the brain that controls mood.	Once the device is implanted under the skin, it operates on a built-in battery for up to 3 to 5 years.
	Psychosurgery	By using high temperatures or gamma radiation destroys connections between the frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures. It is in the frontal lobe that the centers that shape mood are located.	-
	Psychotherapy	Psychotherapy is carried out during treatment. The therapeutic effect of psychotherapy appears after a person realizes the reasons that led him to depression.	For depression, it is carried out while taking medicines. The duration and type of psychotherapy are determined individually ( if there is an effect, therapy is continued).
Manic syndrome	Tranquilizers	Tranquilizers have a calming effect, relieve anxiety and convulsions.	The drugs are used for permanent basis under the supervision of a doctor ( at least 3 - 5 years).
	Normotimics	Normotimics are mood stabilizers. On the one hand, mood stabilizers increase the amount of inhibitory substance GABA ( gamma-aminobutyric acid), reducing the excitability of the brain, and on the other hand, help normalize the level of dopamine, which is responsible for maintaining mood.
	Neuroleptics	Antipsychotics block dopamine receptors, regulating mood. The therapeutic effect is manifested in the normalization of mental activity and the removal of an overexcited state.
	Electroconvulsive therapy	It is believed that the effect of electric current on the brain causes it to “shake up” and restore the sensitivity of brain receptors to neurotransmitters.	There are 2 sessions per week, the total number of sessions is no more than 12.
Psychopathy (personality disorders)	Psychotherapy	It is the main method of treating psychopathy, but only in cases where the patient is aware of his disharmonious character and wants to change. In this case, the main effect ( self-acceptance and behavior change) are obtained through self-hypnosis and conversation with a doctor. In severe cases, hypnosis is used.	It takes a long time.
	Drug treatment	Drug treatment is carried out psychotropic drugs (tranquilizers, antidepressants, neuroleptics, mood stabilizers) in order to smooth out the most striking manifestations ( neurosis, depression, mania and others).	Usually conducted in courses ( a few months) during exacerbation of the disease, less often prescribed for a long time ( up to 1 year).
Darkening of consciousness	Detoxification	Allows you to neutralize and remove toxic products from the body, especially during alcohol or drug intoxication.	Treatment for clouding of consciousness is carried out in a hospital setting, usually within 10 - 14 days ( simultaneously treat the underlying cause).
	Neuroleptics	Neuroleptics normalize psychomotor ( emotional and motor) disorder due to overexcitation, “return” a person to reality.
Schizophrenia	Neuroleptics (antipsychotic drugs)	Neuroleptics “cut off” nerve impulses, which cause the appearance of psychotic disorders, while the psyche ceases to create hallucinations, and motor excitation is eliminated.	The drug is taken for at least 4 to 6 weeks to determine its effectiveness, after which the drug is prescribed at the optimal dose on an ongoing basis ( maintenance therapy).
	Electroconvulsive therapy	The effect of electric current on the brain causes it to “reboot,” after which the patient’s psyche begins to work “from scratch.”	Therapy is carried out in short courses.
	Insulin therapy	The principle of therapy is based on the injection of enough insulin to induce coma, but the mechanism of action of this method is still unknown. Insulin therapy is used if there is no effect of medications and for recent onset schizophrenia.	Therapy is carried out in courses.
	Psychotherapy	The mechanism of action of psychotherapy for schizophrenia is based on changing the patient’s attitude towards his hallucinations, that is, it helps to abstract at the moment of their appearance, make them disappear, or simply stop being afraid.	This method is carried out after stabilization of the patient’s condition for a long time.
Epilepsy	Anticonvulsants (anticonvulsants, antiepileptic drugs)	The anticonvulsant effect is achieved by reducing seizure activity ( increasing the threshold of excitability) of the brain, thus brain cells become less sensitive to spontaneous nerve discharges.	The duration of treatment with antiepileptic drugs depends on the risk of recurrence seizures. If the risk level is low, treatment can be discontinued if there have been no attacks for 2 years, with high risk- after 5 years.
	Vagus nerve stimulation	The impulses that the vagus nerve sends to the brain can stop an epileptic seizure.	Once the device is implanted under the skin, it runs on a built-in battery for 3 to 5 years.
Dementia, Alzheimer's disease	Cholinergic replacement therapy	The mechanism of action is based on the restoration of acetylcholine deficiency in the brain, which is responsible for functions such as intelligence, memory, and speech.	Treatment is carried out for a long time ( effectiveness is assessed after 6 months while taking medications).
	Glutamate receptor blockers	Blocking glutamate receptors prevents further damage to nerve cells that occurs under the influence of glutamate, a brain-stimulating substance.
Mental retardation (mental underdevelopment)	Nootropics	The drugs improve metabolism in nerve cells, as a result the brain perceives better new information, that is, the ability to learn increases.	Use for a long time.
	Psychotherapy	The mechanism of action is that during the education of a child with mental retardation ( in a playful way) create a comfortable state for him, which is achieved by constant encouragement of what he does, regardless of the results. Thus, the child learns to explore the world without discomfort.	For children with mental retardation form an individual schedule of classes that need to be carried out over a long period of time and regularly.
Autism	Psychotherapy	It is the main treatment for autism. The mechanism of action is to influence the psyche with words, activities, support, which gradually helps him eliminate personality defects and adapt.	Most effective when childhood autism. Various development and training programs have been created for children, which are carried out in different stages mental development.
	Nootropics	Nootropics allow the brain to function at full capacity due to its beneficial effects on metabolic processes in him.	The need for behavior correction with the help of drugs is determined depending on the duration and severity of autism.
	Neuroleptics	Eliminate aggressive excited state.
Sleep disturbance	Tranquilizers	Tranquilizers help calm a "restless mind", with more high doses have a hypnotic effect.	Used in short courses during exacerbation of neurotic and mental disorders.
	Antidepressants	Antidepressants are effective if the cause of sleep disturbance is a depressed, depressed state of mind.	They can be prescribed by a doctor in short or long courses, depending on the severity of the condition and the cause.
	Psychotherapy	With the help of psychotherapy, it is possible to relax, solve problems that prevent you from falling asleep or, conversely, activate consciousness in case of pathological drowsiness ( occupational therapy).	For neurotic disorders, it effectively helps to cope with sleep disorders. The number of sessions is set individually.
Memory impairment	Nootropics	Nootropics improve the ability to remember new incoming information.	Used for a long time ( a few months).

People use the services of a child psychiatrist much more often than one might imagine. This specialist diagnoses and treats mental and psycho-emotional diseases in children and adolescents. Scientists say child psychiatry is an unusual type medical practice, since working with children is a complex and sometimes unpredictable activity. There are a number of diseases for which consultation with a child psychiatrist is simply necessary. For example, if parents notice that the child has a developmental delay, both intellectually and in speech, or has impaired memory. Sometimes it is noticeable that the child cannot concentrate and is constantly distracted.

Sometimes the need for a visit to a child psychiatrist is indicated by such signs as hyperactivity or hypermobility of children, or the child may have increased fatigue, and low performance. Sleep disturbances often occur, the child becomes hysterical and aggressive, and has pathological fantasies. Among other signs indicating that the help of a child psychiatrist is needed, experts call increased anxiety and occurrence . The child is constantly in a low mood, he bites his nails, and may pull out hair. In some cases, enuresis is observed.

If parents decide to check the child’s mental health, then they should not emphasize this fact and explain to him in detail that the examination is caused by certain problems. It is necessary that children feel confident during the examination and do not show anxiety associated with a visit to the doctor. As is known, child psychiatry is very subtle matter, because in most cases the child cannot give the correct explanation for his feelings. Therefore, all responsibility falls on the child psychiatrist.

The child psychiatrist always gets along well with children and finds an approach to every child or teenager. Usually, during a conversation, the doctor asks in detail about what diseases the child suffered from and at what age this happened. Also of considerable importance is the issue of family lifestyle. If necessary, the patient is prescribed medication; as a rule, psychotherapeutic methods are also used. If necessary, a child psychiatrist makes recommendations to promote lifestyle changes.

In particular, a child psychiatrist has the ability to solve a number of important social problems. For example, a specialist transfers a child to a specialized school or preschool institution, where individual training is provided using special techniques. Including, the doctor can leave the child to study at same place, in a regular school, but is given an exemption from exams, and if necessary, a disability is issued. In some cases, children require additional research, which are paid. For example, electroencephalography, ultrasound examination brain, CT scan, and other types of diagnostics. The child psychiatrist may also refer the patient to another specialist.

You should know that the approach to each child is individual. Child psychiatry focuses on prevention and selection adequate therapy during treatment mental illness in children. Consultation with a child psychiatrist mainly not only corrects behavioral deviations, but also identifies hidden form mental disorder in adolescents. For this purpose, modern diagnostics, rehabilitation of emotional and behavioral disorders, elimination of symptoms caused by psychological factors, such as stuttering, tics, enuresis, and so on. Thanks to the specialized assistance of a child psychiatrist, pathologies are identified and a treatment plan is drawn up.

Nowadays, a child psychiatrist is well versed in modern diagnostics, preventive actions, as well as in the treatment of emotional and behavioral disorders, disorders of the child’s psyche. The doctor should be well aware of all the symptoms that occur with mental health problems in children. After an appropriate examination and conversation, the doctor chooses a specific method of influence, which is aimed at ridding the child of the disease and disorders.

As experts in this profile themselves believe, a child psychiatrist is obliged to comply with the main rules and principles of his medical activities. How indicators of the quality of a doctor’s work can be considered as much as possible precise positioning diagnosis, which does not take much time and is carried out in the shortest possible time. In particular, the child must be provided with professional, timely assistance, as well as the most effective therapy. It should be noted that paid reception a child psychiatrist always implies a strictly confidential form of any consultation, and all information about the patient is available only to the attending physician directly.

There are indications in which a child needs consultation with a specialist such as a child psychiatrist. Optimal correction depends on child psychiatry following states, confirming a mental disorder. First of all, these are violations in the intellectual sphere, in the presence of problems in the child’s communication with peers, in a children’s group, in many conditions that are characterized as obsessive. Also, a child psychiatrist corrects behavioral issues, phobias, and much more. The doctor makes a diagnosis general level child development, determines whether the child is ready to start school, determines the presence possible difficulties that can be prevented. A child psychiatrist consults teachers and parents so that they can properly provide favorable conditions for children's development.

The word "psychiatrist" is surrounded by myths, prejudices and fears. Especially if we are talking about a visit to a psychiatrist with your beloved child. He may have a runny nose, gastritis, pneumonia, at worst, but not “this”, not “mental”. They’ll treat you, they’ll kill you, then you won’t be accepted into a normal school... It’s strange that such dense ideas have survived to this day. The time of “punitive” psychiatry is long gone, but fears remain. Meanwhile, the role of a psychiatrist is to help, and not to label mental illness. You will leave a qualified psychiatrist-psychotherapist with a feeling of gratitude and great relief that the burden of your fears has been lifted.

Child psychiatry covers a wide range of problems, most of which are mild, temporary and treatable. If a child is too mobile, restless, hyperactive, a psychiatrist is at your service, he will help cope with the problem and improve the adaptation of such a child. Excitability, conflict, uncontrollability, and aggressiveness also require timely intervention from a doctor in order to prevent the borderline beyond which the child becomes an outcast among his peers.