Is There Such A Thing As A Psychiatric Symptom?
In a recent conversation with a psychiatric nurse who repeatedly referred to psychiatric symptoms. Does it really mean "psychotic symptoms?"
I understand that psychiatrists treat patients who have both physiological and psychological (behavioral) symptoms, which is why a psychiatrist needs both a medical and a psychological study level.
Since hallucinations psychiatrists can be said to have evolved (or degenerated, depending on your point of view) to handle the cases involve only the manipulation of neurotransmitter imbalance which causes the psychotic symptoms (audio and visual delusions, obsessive / compulsive behavior, paranoia, etc.) Is it possible that the terms "psychotic symptoms" and "psychiatric symptoms" have become synonymous with? Is it also possible that the field of psychiatry has degenerated to the point that all they do is prescribe psychiatric drugs, which has become known as "medicine?"
Am I missing something?
Joe Conrad Said,
September 29, 2009 @ 3:15 am
Well you are asking several questions.
Psychotic symptoms refers to delusions and hallucinations not obsessive/compulsive disorder. Paranoia is a delusion. The false belief that people are out to harm you. Psychiatric symptoms is the broader category under which psychotic sx’s, depression, mania, anxiety, anorexia and many other conditions which are the focus of clinical attention are contained. Thus, the terms are not at all synonymous.
With respect to psychiatrists predominantly dispensing medication, you are correct. Most do not practice psychotherapy, which is a generic term that refers to any form of talk therapy. Years ago, psychiatrists were trained in psychoanalysis, a form of psychotherapy introduced by Freud. Over the years, there were various offshoots of this form of therapy. Then gradually with changes in managed care and lower reimbursement rates for its contracted members, psychiatrists have limited their practices to pharmacotherapy. However, psychiatrists do not only treat the severely mentally ill but also people suffering from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, etc.
But, yes the idea is that there is some dysregulation of brain chemistry and medication is introduced to correct this imbalance.
brie623 Said,
September 29, 2009 @ 3:22 am
There are other psychological symptoms ,besides psychosis, which are coded.
justbein Said,
September 29, 2009 @ 4:12 am
Your not missing anything and you are pretty close to being right.
REnate Said,
September 29, 2009 @ 4:42 am
I think she was probably referring to neurotic and psychotic symptoms. But I agree with you regarding the field of psychiatry.
shadedwi Said,
September 29, 2009 @ 5:19 am
Quite the contrary. I believe you ‘picked up’ something. I think her slip was showing! Seriously. And how right she was.
Dovey Said,
September 29, 2009 @ 6:13 am
A symptom, by definition, is a subjective experience. (Objective indicators of dysfunction are called “signs.”) So things like anxiety, depression, hallucinations, delusions, extreme anger, etc., etc., are psychiatric (i.e., behavioral/cognitive/emotional) symptoms. To me, the term “psychotic symptoms” would mean specifically those symptoms associated with psychosis. As for the rest of your question, I don’t get it.
Paul P Said,
September 29, 2009 @ 6:41 am
yup!!!