What motivates people to start psychiatric treatment?

Whether to see a psychiatrist is a personal decision, and it can be hard to know if it’s the right time. There’s no single answer to whether you “should” see a psychiatrist. Some people may choose to see a psychiatrist when they have mild symptoms, while others may wait until their symptoms become more severe or persistent.

It’s understandable to feel confused about it. You might wonder if your symptoms are serious enough to need psychiatric care. It can help to know the most common reasons why people seek out psychiatric providers and understand what’s driving you to consider medication.

Issues and symptoms psychiatrists treat

Psychiatrists are mental health professionals who can prescribe medication. You might see a psychiatrist instead of a therapist if you’re looking to treat a mental health condition using medication — either in addition to or instead of therapy.

Some examples of mental health conditions that psychiatrists can treat include:

• Depressive disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Schizophrenia

Medication may not be as helpful for other mental health conditions, like personality disorders. But psychiatrists can still be part of your treatment plan — especially if you live with co-occurring conditions.

Psychiatrists can also help support you if you live with a neurodevelopmental condition like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is most commonly addressed with medication.

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Practical and emotional reasons to seek psychiatric care

Just because these mental health conditions can be treated with medication doesn’t mean that everyone who lives with them chooses to go this route. Whether you want to consider medication as part of your treatment plan is completely up to you.

Some common motivating factors and goals that people have when they decide to see a psychiatrist include:

• Relief from suffering: One of the most common reasons to seek psychiatric care is to get some relief. Mental health conditions can be very hard to live with. When your symptoms feel overwhelming or unbearable, you might reach a point where you need more support to function or get through the day.
• Improved quality of life: Maybe you’ve been surviving but not really living. You want to enjoy your life again — to feel like yourself. Medication can significantly improve quality of life.
• Stronger relationships: Mental health symptoms can affect how you connect with others. Some people decide to get psychiatric care because they want to be more present in their relationships.
• More stability and productivity: If your mental health is getting in the way of your job, goals, or ability to keep up with everyday tasks, that might be your sign to take the next step.
• External reasons: Sometimes, a therapist or primary care doctor might recommend that you see a psychiatrist. In other cases, the motivation might come from your family, your partner, or even the legal system. 

Sometimes, people try other treatment methods, like therapy, for a long time before finally deciding to see a psychiatrist. You might reach a breaking point with your symptoms and feel like you need to take the next step in your treatment. 

There might be a triggering event that brings you to make this decision. For example, maybe you’ve been hospitalized for mental health symptoms or had a major panic attack.

Self-reflection can help you decide

Again, there’s no “should” when it comes to deciding to see a psychiatrist. The decision is personal and completely up to you. That said, it’s important to do some self-reflection. This can help you better understand what you hope to gain by seeing a psychiatrist.

Some questions you can use to practice self-reflection include:

• What symptoms have been bothering you the most?
• Have these symptoms worsened over time?
• What have you already tried to help yourself feel better, and how effective was it?
• Are you open to trying medication — even if you’re nervous about it?
• How is your mental health affecting your work, relationships, or goals?
• Is your current treatment plan giving you the results you want?
• What would a better version of your life look like?
• How would you hope to feel if you try medication? How would you know it’s working?

Find care with Rula

Whatever your motivating reasons, the decision to seek psychiatric care is yours — and only yours — to make. Medication has been shown to be safe and effective for many different mental health conditions, but you have the right to make the choice that’s right for you.

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

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