Psychiatry

Which Diseases and Conditions Are Treated?

As in other Istanbul psychiatry clinics, our hospital deals with the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of mental illnesses. The main conditions successfully monitored and treated by our specialists include:

• Depression: A mood disorder characterized by persistent unhappiness, inability to enjoy life, loss of energy, and a depressed state. Depression treatment is one of the most common reasons for visiting our clinic.
• Anxiety Disorders: Uncontrollable, excessive worry, fear, and panic that negatively affect a person's daily life. Treatment for anxiety disorders significantly improves our patients' quality of life.
• Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness): A condition requiring long-term follow-up, characterized by alternating periods of extreme elation (mania) and severe depression.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): A condition involving unwanted, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) performed to reduce the distress caused by these thoughts.
• Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders: Thought disorders where the ability to evaluate reality is impaired, which may involve hallucinations and delusions, requiring regular medical support.
• Sleep Disorders: Problems such as chronic insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, or oversleeping, which directly affect mental health.
• Eating Disorders: Emotionally rooted eating irregularities such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating.
• Geriatric Psychiatry: Covers conditions that emerge in advanced age, such as dementia, behavioral disorders related to Alzheimer's disease, and geriatric depression.

Diagnostic Methods

Accurate diagnosis of psychiatric illnesses is the most important step in a successful treatment process. In our department, the diagnostic process begins with a comprehensive clinical psychiatric examination where the patient's complaints are listened to in detail. Your physician evaluates not only your current complaints but also your past life history, family medical history, and general medical condition.

When deemed necessary, various psychometric tests and scales may be applied to support the diagnosis and measure the severity of the illness. In addition, tests such as blood tests, hormone tests, or brain imaging methods (MRI, CT) may be requested to rule out physical or neurological diseases that could cause mental symptoms. This holistic approach ensures the creation of the most appropriate and safe treatment plan for the patient.

Treatment Methods and Applications

In our psychiatry department, personalized treatment plans are prepared according to each patient's needs and the nature of the illness. The main treatment methods applied are:

• Medication (Pharmacotherapy): The use of scientifically proven medications that help regulate chemical imbalances in the brain. Medication treatments are started under a physician's supervision, the dosage is adjusted, and they are discontinued under supervision. Medication compliance is critical for treatment success.
• Psychotherapeutic Approaches: Supportive consultations aimed at complementing medication, improving the patient's coping skills with the illness, and strengthening their thought processes.
• Lifestyle Changes and Guidance: Patients are guided on maintaining sleep hygiene, stress management techniques, and regulating daily life habits.

These methods applied in adult psychiatry aim to help the patient regain social and occupational functionality. For chronic illnesses, regular outpatient follow-ups are conducted to prevent flare-ups.

Technology and Team

The Psychiatry Department at BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi has an expert team that is experienced in its field and closely follows current scientific developments. Uzm. Dr. Halide RUSTAMLI, who serves in our department, has extensive clinical experience in diagnosing and treating adult mental health disorders. The relationship of trust established with our patients forms the cornerstone of our treatment process.

Thanks to our hospital's fully equipped infrastructure, rapid and effective multidisciplinary collaboration is provided with other medical units, such as neurology, internal medicine, or endocrinology, which may be needed during psychiatric evaluation. This way, our patients can safely access all the healthcare services they need from a single center.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Although mental distress may seem like normal situations everyone can experience from time to time, some symptoms make professional support necessary. If you are experiencing the following, it is of great importance for your health to consult a psychiatrist without delay:

• Experiencing persistent depression, sadness, and crying spells that last for weeks,
• Feeling intense anxiety, panic, and fear of death that prevent you from doing your daily tasks,
• Having difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently, or feeling the need to sleep excessively throughout the day,
• Having sudden and unexplained increases or decreases in your appetite,
• Having obsessive thoughts you cannot get out of your mind and repetitive movements you feel compelled to do to relieve them,
• Suspecting that people around you will harm you or thinking you hear voices that are not real,
• Having difficulty controlling your anger and experiencing sudden mood swings.

Appointment and Examination Process

Deciding to seek psychiatric support is the most important and courageous step in the healing process. From the moment you apply to our clinic, you are welcomed in a warm and understanding environment where your privacy is respected. During the first examination, our physician will listen to you in detail and share treatment options with you.

Do not postpone your mental health. To get support from Uzm. Dr. Halide RUSTAMLI and our experienced team, and to step into a healthy and peaceful life, you can easily book your appointment through our online appointment page or reach us 24/7 via our call center at 0850 811 34 00.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have graduated from medical school; they make medical diagnoses of illnesses and prescribe medication when necessary. Psychologists, on the other hand, are graduates of the psychology department of the faculty of arts and sciences and generally provide support to psychiatric treatment through therapy processes.

Are psychiatric medications addictive?

Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of psychiatric medications (especially antidepressants) are not addictive. Treatment is extremely safe when applied under the supervision of a specialist physician, at the prescribed doses and durations.

How long does the treatment process take?

The duration of psychiatric treatments varies depending on the type and severity of the illness and the person's response to treatment. While some mild conditions improve in a few months, chronic illnesses like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia may require longer-term, sometimes lifelong, follow-up.

What happens during a psychiatric examination?

The examination generally proceeds in the form of a mutual interview in a safe room where confidentiality is essential. Your physician determines the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment approach for you by listening to your complaints, life history, and general health status. It does not involve any physical intervention.