How to Treat Psychological Disorders

Treating a psychological disorder is a complicated and difficult task because such disorders present a vast spectrum of symptoms. A person can suffer with a disorder for months or even years without knowing what is actually wrong. If you suspect that you or a loved one has a psychological disorder, follow these steps to help you determine how to treat it.

Instructions

• 1

  Take a careful look at behavior. The first and best signal that a person is suffering from a psychological disorder is their actions. For example, if an ordinarily sociable person becomes isolated, this could indicate a problem. Alternatively, if a person is normally introspective and suddenly behaves outlandishly, there could be a problem. Map the behavior first.

• 2

  Conduct some research online or at your local library. A good first place to look is the "Merck Manual." This medical guide provides detailed descriptions and treatments for psychological disorders and is written in lay-terms so that the average reader can understand it.

• 3

  Assess the symptoms and contact a licensed professional psychiatrist. Though many people advise a psychologist for the treatment of mental health disorders, the best option is a psychiatrist because he has a more extensive medical background and can, in almost all cases, offer more meaningful solutions to the problems.

• 4

  Take prescription medications as prescribed. Most psychological disorders can be treated with drug therapy. The spectrum of choices is wide, but a psychiatrist can provide you with the right choice for your particular problem.

• 5

  Modify your lifestyle to help eliminate stress. Most psychological disorders are a result of stressors in the environment. These can be work or family-related. Or, they can result from traumatic events. In almost all cases, the introduction of exercise, meditation and stress-reduction techniques can assist the person suffering from the psychological disorder.