AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Psychiatrists in Brooklyn NY
The Williamsburg Psychiatry Group, a psychiatry practice partnered with the Williamsburg Therapy Group, offers psychiatry services in Brooklyn to New York residents. Our full-time psychiatrists in Brooklyn provide consultation related to psychopharmacology options along with attentive ongoing medication management. Our providers devote the time to get to know each patient and provide comprehensive medical assessments. They do this so that they can make thoughtful recommendations about psychotropic medications unique to each patient.
What is psychiatry?
Psychiatry is a medical field focused on understanding and treating mental health issues. Psychopharmacology is the practice of using medications to help the mind, emotions, and behaviors.
These psychiatric conditions include:
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety
- Psychotic disorders
- Personality disorders
- Trauma-related disorders
- Substance abuse
- ADHD
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health and substance use disorders (SUD). Our psychiatrists are experts in providing both medical recommendations and psychotherapy. We offer treatment of a wide range of psychiatric conditions.
Should I see a psychiatrist or psychologist?
Choosing whether you want to see a psychiatrist or psychologist can depend on what is most beneficial to the individual. There are certain mental health disorders that are more easily treated with medication or therapy. No matter which area of treatment you pursue, each person on our team is superbly qualified to provide the highest and reliable quality of care. The only way to know for sure is to talk with your primary care physician or insurance. You can always contact us to help make the process easier for you or your loved one.
How do I know if I need to take psychotropic medication?
Research indicates that for many patients, a combination of therapy and psychotropic medication can be effective in treating a variety of mental health issues. Because each person’s needs are unique, our psychiatrists take time to carefully understand each patient’s background and respectfully listen to concerns and questions about using medication to manage symptoms.
Our psychiatrists also consider ways that therapy can complement medication use by helping the patient develop skills and find support to create a well-rounded treatment plan. Psychiatrists can also provide consultation and support that adjust to the patients evolving needs. For example, if a patient is interested in discussing whether they should stop taking a prescribed medication.
How long will I need to take psychotropic medication?
There are several types of psychotropic medications that are used for a variety of reasons. This includes both short-term relief from mental health symptoms, longer-term stabilization, and improvement of mood. Depending on the patient’s diagnosis and preferences for psychotropic medications as part of their treatment plan, medication management can range from a few weeks to several years. No matter the time frame, our psychologists are committed to supporting your treatment through its duration.
Types of psychotropic medications
- Antidepressants are a class of medications that impact serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These are naturally-occurring chemicals called neurotransmitters that affect mood and other areas of functioning. These medications are often effective in managing depression and anxiety disorders.
- Mood stabilizers are another type of medication that is used to treat specific types of depression including bipolar disorder. Some medications of this type require regular blood tests to monitor and ensure that the medication is at appropriate levels in the body.
- Benzodiazepines are medications that help treat panic attacks and symptoms related to intense anxiety, including insomnia. Because these medications are short-acting (i.e., they have a stronger effect in a shorter amount of time), they are categorized as controlled substances. They also benefit from close monitoring to lower the risk of addiction.
- Stimulants are medications used to treat attention difficulties, including both inattentiveness and hyperactivity characteristic of ADHD diagnoses.
- Antipsychotic medications are used to treat different types of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. They can also be used to improve treatments for bipolar and depressive disorders.
What are the benefits of psychotropic medications?
Psychotropic medications can provide increased effectiveness in managing mental health symptoms. Certain medications can also help with decreasing triggers and cravings for people struggling with substance use. We believe that these benefits are more achievable when providers are attentive and responsive to each individual’s mental health needs and treatment goals.
Common benefits from psychotropic medications include:
- Improved mood
- Less extreme ups and downs
- Increased ability to focus and organize
- Calming anxiety
- Lowering the intensity of disruptive thoughts.
How do I find a psychiatrist?
Williamsburg Therapy Group is prepared to do everything in our power to help you reach a better and healthier life. If you are a patient in New York City and would like psychiatric consultation and medication management, schedule an appointment with us today at one of our Brooklyn-based offices. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to learn more about our psychiatrists.