Psychiatry
Our minds are constantly engaged, processing thoughts, emotions, and memories. But what happens when this delicate balance is disrupted by symptoms that affect our daily functioning? If you notice prolonged mood changes, persistent feelings of anxiety, memory issues, or sleep disorders, it may be time to seek help from a professional. The psychiatric team at PULS DEDINJE Internal Medicine Hospital is led by one of the most esteemed experts in the region, academician Prof. Dušica Lečić Toševski, a psychiatrist, making our hospital the ideal place for treating mental disorders.
Psychiatry is a field of medicine focused on understanding and treating mental disorders, often with a neurological basis. A psychiatrist is a doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating mental disorders that affect the brain and nervous system. Psychiatry stands out from other branches of medicine as it deals with conditions that affect both physical and mental health.
Symptoms That Indicate the Need to Visit a Psychiatrist
There are various symptoms and conditions that affect cognitive functions, emotions, behavior, and the ability to function daily, which may require the assistance of a psychiatrist. Some of the most common reasons why patients seek psychiatric help include:
- Persistent or prolonged sadness – feeling sad most days for several weeks.
- Loss of interest in activities – reduced or complete loss of interest in hobbies or activities once enjoyed.
- Constant anxiety or fear – persistent tension, restlessness, and feeling that something bad may happen.
- Insomnia or excessive sleepiness – sleep issues, including difficulty falling asleep or excessive sleeping.
- Appetite changes – sudden loss of appetite or excessive food intake.
- Irritability or unexplained outbursts of anger – sudden mood changes leading to anger or aggression.
- Concentration problems – difficulty focusing on tasks, forgetting information, or making decisions.
- Feeling of emptiness or meaninglessness – a sense that life lacks purpose and constant emotional emptiness.
- Suicidal thoughts – thoughts of suicide or planning suicide.
- Hallucinations – seeing, hearing, or feeling things that do not exist.
- Paranoia or unfounded fears – feeling that someone is watching or controlling you or that the world is dangerous without a clear reason.
- Social withdrawal – avoiding contact with family, friends, or social situations.
- Panic attacks – episodes of sudden anxiety, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or loss of control.
- Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or medications – inability to control substance use despite harmful consequences.
- Difficulty performing daily tasks – feeling that it’s hard or impossible to complete simple tasks such as work, household maintenance, or personal hygiene.
Conditions Treated by Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists diagnose and treat neurological diseases affecting mental health, mental illnesses with neurological foundations, and behavioral and cognitive disorders, covering a wide range of conditions:
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and other conditions causing the gradual decline of nerve cells in the brain. These conditions affect cognitive and motor functions, often leading to severe daily functioning issues.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries result from physical head injuries, which can cause various cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes. Psychiatrists help treat these consequences, especially when they affect the patient’s mental health.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Psychiatrists play a crucial role in treating psychological disorders often associated with epilepsy, such as anxiety and depression.
Mental Disorders Related to Neurological Conditions
Depression, anxiety, and psychoses are mental disorders often accompanying neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. Psychiatrists specialize in treating these mental complications, which is essential for improving patients’ quality of life
Cerebrovascular Diseases
Stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) fall under cerebrovascular diseases that disrupt blood flow to the brain. These conditions can cause long-term changes in mental functions, such as depression and memory problems, managed by psychiatrists.
Dementia
Dementia is a group of disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia, that lead to severe cognitive impairment. Psychiatrists help manage the symptoms of these conditions and support patients and their families.
Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders like narcolepsy and restless legs syndrome significantly impact patients’ mental health. Psychiatrists work on diagnosing and treating these disorders to improve patients’ overall condition and quality of life.
Genetic Disorders
Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, and other genetic disorders affect neurological and mental health. Psychiatrists work with patients to alleviate symptoms of these conditions through customized therapies and treatments.
Developmental Disorders
Developmental disorders, such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), have significant neurological components. Psychiatrists are essential in providing support to children and adults with these disorders through therapy and medication.
Treatment Methods in Psychiatry
A psychiatrist assesses a patient’s condition through thorough analysis, using various tools like interviews, neurological tests, and medical analyses. Based on the diagnosis, they propose an appropriate treatment plan.
Psychiatric treatments are often multidisciplinary, meaning they combine various approaches depending on the patient’s condition. Some key treatments in psychiatry include:
– Pharmacological Treatment: Psychiatrists may prescribe medications to help regulate chemical processes in the brain, significantly improving symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or concentration problems.
– Psychotherapy: Talk therapy is often a crucial part of treatment, helping patients recognize and process their thoughts and emotions.
– Rehabilitation Programs: For patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries, neurological diseases, or severe mental disorders, rehabilitation, including physical or occupational therapy, plays a significant role in restoring functionality.
Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Neurologist
Both psychiatrists and neurologists are doctors specialized in disorders related to the nervous system, but their areas of expertise and approaches differ. Psychiatrists are doctors who diagnose and treat mental disorders and conditions associated with behavior, emotions, and brain functions. They treat diseases like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, as well as cognitive and behavioral disorders caused by neurological conditions like dementia, stroke, or brain injuries. Psychiatrists focus on psychotherapy and pharmacological treatments to address these issues.
Neurologists, on the other hand, specialize in physical disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. They diagnose and treat conditions like epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, migraines, and stroke. Their diagnosis often involves using technological methods such as electroencephalography (EEG) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and treatments may include medications or, when necessary, surgical interventions.
While psychiatrists focus on the mental and emotional aspects of disorders, neurologists deal with the physical causes of neurological diseases.
Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors with a degree in medicine, specializing in diagnosing and treating psychological disorders related to the nervous system. As medical doctors, they can prescribe medications and conduct treatments involving pharmacotherapy for mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia. Psychiatrists use a combination of medication and psychotherapy in treating their patients.
Psychologists, on the other hand, are not doctors and do not have medical training. They are mental health experts with a degree in psychology, trained to diagnose and treat mental disorders using talk therapy (psychotherapy) and other psychological methods, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and counseling. Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists cannot prescribe medication but often work with psychiatrists when medical treatment is needed.
Thus, the difference lies in education, treatment approach, and the ability to prescribe medications.
Psychiatric Team at PULS DEDINJE Hospital
One of the key members of the psychiatric team at PULS DEDINJE Internal Medicine Hospital is academician Prof. Dušica Lećić Toševski, a specialist in psychiatry and a subspecialist in psychotherapy. Prof. Lećić Toševski is a prominent expert in psychiatry, a full member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, and a professor at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Medicine. Additionally, she is an honorary member of the World Psychiatric Association, a board member of the European Association of Emeritus Professors, and an international member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists of the United Kingdom.
Her extensive experience includes membership in the American and European Psychiatric Associations and the World Health Organization’s Working Group. She is also a member of the Royal Medical Board of HRH Princess Katarina Karađorđević and the International Academy of Sciences in Hong Kong. Prof. Lećić Toševski also leads the Psychiatry Association of the Balkans and Southeast Europe and the Serbian Psychiatric Association.
At PULS Dedinje, Prof. Lećić Toševski treats various mental disorders, including:
- Personality disorders
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety disorders
- Mood disorders.
Scheduling an Appointment with a Psychiatrist
Scheduling a consultation with our psychiatrist, academician Prof. Dušica Lećić Toševski, is easy and quick. At PULS Dedinje Hospital, we understand the importance of having access to appropriate support and care for your mental health, which is why we have made the appointment process as convenient as possible.
Your time is valuable, so we offer flexible scheduling to suit your needs. Schedule your consultation today by calling 011 755 5000 and take the first step toward a better tomorrow.