Today, telepsychiatry is revolutionizing the way we think of mental health care.
The rise of the internet has opened countless opportunities for those who live in rural areas to access the same quality of care as their urban counterparts.
In fact, telepsychiatry has proven especially beneficial for those suffering from mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
Not only can telepsychiatry connect patients with psychiatrists in far-reaching locations, it also allows psychiatrists to provide regular support between sessions without any additional travel time or costs associated with a traditional clinic visit.
In this blog post, we will be exploring a bit more in depth all the incredible benefits telepsychiatry provides for those dealing with mood disorders.
What Is Telepsychiatry?
Before we dive right into the benefits telepsychiatry can bring, it’s important to cover our bases.
What exactly is telepsychiatry?
Telepsychiatry is telemedicine’s answer to mental health care. It gives individuals access to psychiatrists from the comfort of their home, office or any other convenient location.
It utilizes telecommunication technologies such as video conferencing or phone calls to provide remote mental health care for individuals with mood disorders, stress, anxiety, and other psychiatric problems.
By using telepsychiatry, patients can access experienced psychiatrists almost anywhere in the world without having to leave home. With telepsychiatry, clinicians have managed to bridge the gap between face-to-face psychiatric treatments and true empathy without losing any of its effectiveness.
What Is a Mood Disorder?
In order for you to decide whether or not telepsychiatry is the right fit, let’s do a quick rundown of what a mood disorder is, and how it may appear in your own life.
A mood disorder is a mental health issue that can affect a person’s mood, thoughts, and behavior. It may cause them to experience drastic mood swings and difficulty carrying out simple tasks. Mood disorders can range from minor mood swings to major depressive disorders.
Unfortunately, it’s not always obvious that you’re dealing with a mood disorder, but there are some common signs to look out for.
If you find yourself:
- Frequently moody
- Easily irritable
- Short-tempered
- Going through cycles of low or high energy levels
- Feeling helpless or desperation
you could be struggling with a mood disorder.
Have you experienced drastic mood swings, changes in sleep patterns or appetite?
Perhaps you’re dealing with unexplained aches and pains; restlessness or sluggishness; difficulty concentrating; rushes of extreme emotions that fade quickly; increased risk-taking behavior; withdrawal from activities and people you used to enjoy… The list goes on.
All these could point to a mood disorder. If this is sounding familiar, it could be time to seek help.
The Top 5 Benefits of Using Telepsychiatry For Mood Disorders:
Telepsychiatry is giving those living with a mood disorder something to smile about – the opportunity to access mental healthcare from anywhere in the world.
Overall, this technology has made seeking help easier and more accessible than ever before. In many cases, it’s been the tipping point for people struggling with mood disorders to actually take the steps necessary to begin feeling better.
Mental health can be a complex and daunting journey, but telepsychiatry is here to make it easier- let’s take a look at the five amazing benefits this technology offers!
1. Increased Access to Care
Telepsychiatry has revolutionized mental health care and made it significantly more accessible.
By removing the barrier of physical distance, people suffering from mood disorders or other mental illnesses no longer have to worry about getting to an office location in order to get help.
Now they can connect with experienced psychiatrists remotely – all while experiencing convenience, cost-savings, and improved communication regulated by HIPAA compliant software.
This makes it easier than ever before for individuals to receive important mental health treatments that may otherwise have gone overlooked or treated inadequately. Telepsychiatry is proving to be a real game changer when it comes to accessing quality mental health care around the world.
2. Improved Outcomes
Studies have shown that telepsychiatry can improve outcomes for people with mood disorders. A study published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that people living with a mood disorder who received treatment via telepsychiatry had increased their quality of life, as well as further access to health care than those who did not.
By eliminating the need for a patient to travel to an in-person appointment, telepsychiatry expands the range of care available to mood disorder sufferers, creating greater opportunities for successful treatment.
Despite the fact that most mood disorder treatments require ongoing support, traditional in-person psychiatrist appointments can be difficult for patients to keep. With telepsychiatry, mood disorder sufferers have more control on their time, which gives them added flexibility that allows them to get the ongoing treatment that they need for improved outcomes.
Studies have shown an increased rate of successfully controlled mood disorders when telepsychiatry is implemented as part of a treatment plan and overall outcomes are highly likely to improve as a result.
3. Greater Convenience
Telepsychiatry is an incredible way to access mental health care, really taking the hassle out of receiving treatment for mood disorders.
With this technology, you can get essential help without having to worry about clashing with a hectic schedule – no need for childcare or time off work/school or annoying travel!
This is a huge benefit, not only for those with mood disorders who could benefit greatly from regular check-ins with their psychiatrist, but for anyone who needs and desires quick and easy access to mental health care without leaving their home.
With telepsychiatry, busy parents, caregivers, or those with obligations that must take priority can benefit from routine and convenient psychiatric appointments.
4. Increased Privacy and Confidentiality
Telepsychiatry provides a confidential way to seek mental health help—so you don’t have to worry about running into your neighbor or coworker at the office. With this convenient option, you can enjoy greater anonymity and privacy in the comfort of your own home.
Studies have shown that mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder can open individuals up to criticism from strangers, co-workers, or even family members.
Telepsychiatry allows a patient to talk with a mental health professional without fear of judgment or exposure. Ultimately, telepsychiatry seems like a win-win situation for mood disorder patients who need access to quality mental health care due to the anonymity and reliability it offers.
5. Cost-Effective Treatment Option
Telepsychiatry is becoming increasingly popular as an affordable and convenient way to seek out important mental health help.
It comes with several advantages that make it a cost-effective option when compared to traditional in-person therapy sessions, particularly when dealing with mood disorders such as depression or anxiety.
By using video chatting and other existing technology, patients can consult with psychiatrists without having to leave their homes, saving them on travel expenses, missed work days, and appointment costs.
Furthermore, there are no additional outlays for office visits or for supplies as most of the necessary tools are already available in the home or online. As such, telepsychiatry enables people who may not have been able to access traditional counseling services due to financial constraints to now receive quality mental health care at a fraction of the cost.
Is Telepsychiatry Right For Me?
Telepsychiatry offers people with mood disorders the perfect balance of convenience and care.
The ease of having mental health appointments over video or phone is invaluable; no more inconvenient doctor’s office visits during work hours, long lines and waiting rooms, or dealing with mass transit at rush hour.
With telepsychiatry, you are able to maintain daily routines and access the assistance you need from any location.
So if you’re dealing with mood issues, how do you know if telepsychiatry is right for you? Ask yourself: do I need help from a professional but feel challenged by an in-person visit? In this case, telepsychiatry could be the answer!
