Dr. E. Anthony Allen
Information for Patients
1. What Is Psychiatry?
Psychiatry is a specialist branch of medicine concerned with helping patients and their families achieve mental and emotional well-being through the use of “existing therapy” counseling, psychotherapy, patient and family education and medication.
2. Why See a Psychiatrist?
It is just as important to see a psychiatrist about any Interpersonal, emotional and mental problem as it is to see any doctor about physical problems. Many people and families experience problems similar to yours. Such problems affect people in different ways. Some people get a stomach ulcer, or high blood pressure. Others get anxious and depressed or may have a “nervous breakdown”. These psychological symptoms often upset the person who is experiencing them and may interfere with the person’s ability to lead a satisfying life.
3. Who Sees a Psychiatrist?
Most of the patients seen in this office often do not have very severe symptoms, some have no symptoms at all. So you do not have to feel self conscious about seeing a psychiatrist. Symptoms are most often associated with stress, or burnout, anxiety, depression, sickness etc.. These often stem from marital and other family problems, problems at the work place and at school, problems in relating to people and other types of difficulties in adjustment to life and to one’s self. For those who have had a more severe illness due to a chemical imbalance it is quite possible to make a recovery, experience wellness and to function productively in society! On the Educational Topics page of this website you may access information on the various conditions that I treat.
4. Psychiatry Works!
No matter what your problems or symptoms are, you can be helped in some way. The effectiveness of your recovery will depend on four factors: 1. Understanding and accepting your challenging situation or your illness 2. A willingness to help yourself with your doctor’s assistance 3. Attending sessions regularly and taking your medication as prescribed 4. Letting your doctor know of any problems with psychotherapy, medications and the other services that you receive at the centre. It is good that you have decided to do something about your problem at this stage. This investment of time, effort and self-discipline in your therapy will enable you to make the type of adjustment to living that you wish.
Types of Treatment
i. Psychotherapy
Individual psychotherapy involves regularly scheduled sessions between the patient and a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric social worker, or psychiatric nurse.
iii. Referral to Self-Help & Support Groups
Self-help and support groups for people and families dealing with mental illnesses are becoming increasingly common. Although not led by a professional therapist, these groups may be therapeutic because members give each other ongoing support. These groups also are comforting because ill people learn that others have problems similar to theirs.
ii. Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation involves teaching people about their illness, how to treat it, and how to recognize signs of relapse so that they can get necessary treatment before their illness worsens or occurs again. Family psychoeducation includes teaching coping strategies and problem-solving skills to families (and friends) of people with mental illnesses to help them deal more effectively with their ill relative. Family psychoeducation reduces distress, confusion, and anxieties within the family, which may help the patient recover.
iv. Medications
Anyone can develop a mental illness—you, a family member, a friend, or a neighbour. Some disorders are mild; others are serious and long-lasting. These conditions can be diagnosed and treated. Most people can live better lives after treatment. For most persons psychotherapy may be enough to help them achieve wellness.
Stages of your Treatment
Psychiatry and psychotherapy begins with a Whole Person initial assessment, where an effort is made to work with you in determining the nature of your symptoms and problems and the best method of approach in coping with them. The initial assessment session would involve crisis intervention or early treatment for someone who is having distressing symptoms. Afterwards there will be ongoing follow-up treatment for Whole Person growth and maintenance of wellness. Therapy will include a wholistic treatment plan and regular Whole Person evaluation which will be discussed with you periodically.
i. Number of Interviews
ii. Crisis Intervention
In some cases, no further treatment is necessary after the initial assessment and crisis intervention, or, there may be one or two follow-up sessions if the problem is a mild one.
iii. Brief Psychotherapy
In most cases, therapy takes between four to ten interviews – usually about six. This works well for motivated persons willing to grow and learn about themselves.
iv. Long-Term Psychotherapy – Lasting for a Few Years
This may be needed where the problem is more lasting, especially in cases of personality problems and severe marital or family problems.
v. Long-Term Medication Management
If you are at risk for repeated nervous breakdowns, you may need to receive psychotherapy and medication long period of time or on an ongoing basis so as to prevent relapses.
The Contract
For short-term psychotherapy, a special contract can be established between yourself and your therapist as to treatment goals and number of sessions. This contract can be reviewed over time.