Adult psychiatry is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of mental, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral disorders in individuals aged 18 and over. Adult psychiatry evaluates conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
In the NPİSTANBUL Adult Psychiatry Department, the mental health of adult patients is evaluated by psychiatry specialists. Psychiatric examination, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and, when necessary, other biological treatment methods may be utilized during the treatment process.
Which Conditions Does Adult Psychiatry Treat?
The adult psychiatry department deals with mental health issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, schizophrenia, adult ADHD, and eating disorders. These illnesses can affect a person's emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and social relationships in various ways. The psychiatrist determines the appropriate treatment process by evaluating the symptoms and the patient's history.
Depression and Mood Disorders
Depression is a mood disorder that can manifest as prolonged depressed mood, loss of interest, decreased energy, and difficulty with daily functioning. In bipolar disorder, aside from depressive episodes, periods of mania or hypomania characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, or distinct irritability may be observed. Diagnosis and treatment are planned according to the individual's symptoms and the course of the illness.
Anxiety and Panic Disorders
Anxiety disorders can present with intense or persistent anxiety that affects a person's daily life. In panic disorder, recurrent panic attacks, palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, and fear of losing control may occur. Generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and various phobias are also evaluated in the adult psychiatry department.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can manifest through repetitive thoughts that enter the mind involuntarily and behaviors performed to reduce the distress caused by these thoughts. Fear of contamination, repeated checking, and an excessive need for order are among the observable examples. Appropriate psychotherapy methods and, when necessary, pharmacotherapy can be used in treatment.
Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric illness that can affect thoughts, perception, emotion, and behavior. The individual may experience hearing voices that are not actually present, strong beliefs that do not align with reality, difficulty in thought organization, and withdrawal from social life. Since psychotic symptoms can also appear in different illnesses, detailed psychiatric evaluation and regular follow-up are important.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults
Adult ADHD can manifest as difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, trouble with time management, impulsivity, and, in some individuals, inner restlessness. Symptoms that begin in childhood may continue into adulthood. The diagnostic process evaluates the developmental history, the impact of symptoms across different areas of life, and other conditions that may cause similar complaints.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are mental illnesses that affect eating behavior and an individual's relationship with food, weight, or body image. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder fall into this group. Treatment may require the collaboration of psychiatry, psychotherapy, nutritional evaluation, and other medical branches when necessary.
What Are the Symptoms of Psychiatric Illnesses in Adults?
Psychiatric illnesses in adults can present with symptoms such as prolonged sadness, intense anxiety, sleep problems, difficulty with concentration, mood changes, and behavioral differences. The type and severity of symptoms vary depending on the illness. Complaints that affect daily life, work performance, or social relationships in particular need to be evaluated by a mental health professional.
The main psychiatric symptoms that can be observed in adults are:
- Prolonged Sadness and Lack of Motivation: Reduced ability to enjoy daily activities as before, depressed mood, and loss of motivation.
- Intense Anxiety and Worry: A constant feeling that something bad is going to happen, restlessness, and overthinking.
- Changes in Sleep Patterns: Difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking, or sleeping more than usual.
- Difficulty with Attention and Concentration: Inability to focus on work, forgetfulness, and trouble completing tasks.
- Mood Swings: Marked depression, irritability, or an unusual increase in energy.
- Social Withdrawal: Avoiding meeting family and friends, decreased interest in social activities.
- Changes in Appetite and Eating Habits: Marked increase or decrease in appetite, or difficulty controlling eating behavior.
- Difficulty in Assessing Reality: Hearing voices that others do not hear or developing beliefs that do not align with reality.
- Impairment in Daily Functioning: Difficulty fulfilling work, educational, self-care, or family responsibilities.
The presence of these symptoms alone does not mean a diagnosis of a psychiatric illness. Physical illnesses, medications used, and living conditions can also cause similar complaints.
If there is a thought of self-harm, a suicide plan, or an emergency situation that threatens a person's safety, the 112 Emergency Call Center should be called or the nearest emergency department should be visited.
How Is an Adult Psychiatry Examination Performed?
An adult psychiatry examination begins with listening to the individual's complaints, taking their life history, and evaluating their mental status. The psychiatrist reviews the onset, duration, impact on daily life of the symptoms, and previous treatments, if any. When necessary, the diagnostic process is supported by psychological tests, laboratory examinations, or the evaluation of other medical specialties.
The following topics are generally covered in a psychiatric examination:
- Learning the Reason for Consultation: It is discussed what complaints the individual is presenting with and how long they have been experiencing these problems.
- Medical and Psychiatric History: Previous illnesses, medications used, family history, and past treatments, if any, are evaluated.
- Mental Status Examination: Mood, thought content, speech, perception, attention, and other mental functions are examined.
- Evaluation of Daily Life: The effects of symptoms on work, family, social relationships, and self-care are investigated.
- Planning Necessary Examinations: In line with clinical needs, tests or consultations from other branches may be requested.
- Treatment and Follow-up Plan: Treatment options and the follow-up process appropriate for the individual are discussed in light of the obtained information.
The same tests are not applied to every patient in a psychiatry examination. Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical interview and psychiatric evaluation.
Which Tests Are Used in the Adult Psychiatry Department?
In the adult psychiatry department, psychological scales, personality assessments, attention and memory tests may be used to support clinical evaluation. Blood tests, brain imaging, or other medical examinations may be requested when deemed necessary. The choice of tests is made according to the individual's complaints and potential diagnosis; there is no single test that provides a definitive diagnosis for every psychiatric illness on its own.
The primary evaluation methods are:
- Psychological Assessment Scales: Can be used to examine the level of depression, anxiety, and other mental symptoms and to monitor changes.
- Personality Assessments: Can help examine personality traits and mental symptoms in more detail. Inventories such as the MMPI can be utilized when necessary.
- Neuropsychological Tests: Help evaluate difficulties related to attention, memory, learning, and executive functions.
- Blood and Laboratory Tests: May be requested in investigating thyroid diseases, vitamin deficiencies, and certain physical conditions, or in monitoring pharmacotherapy.
- Brain Imaging Methods: Methods such as MRI can be utilized if there is a suspicion of a neurological or structural illness.
- EEG and Other Neurophysiological Examinations: It may be necessary to examine the electrical activity of the brain in specific clinical situations.
NPİSTANBUL's current initial application content explains neuropsychological assessments, psychological inventories, laboratory tests, and neuroimaging methods when necessary. However, these examinations are not tests that every patient is required to undergo routinely.
Related content: What Is Done During the First Visit in Adults?
What Are the Treatment Methods in Adult Psychiatry?
Treatment methods in adult psychiatry include pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, brain stimulation methods in suitable patients, and psychosocial support. Treatment selection is made according to the type of psychiatric illness, the severity of symptoms, previous treatments, and the person's general health status. While outpatient follow-up is sufficient for some patients, hospitalization may be considered in situations requiring more intensive treatment.
Pharmacotherapy
Psychiatric medications can be used in the treatment of various illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and ADHD. Pharmacotherapy is not necessary for every patient. Which medication will be used, the duration of treatment, and how the follow-up will be carried out are determined by the psychiatrist's evaluation.
The main issues considered in pharmacotherapy are:
- Type of Illness: Medication selection is made according to the individual's diagnosis and the symptoms they experience.
- General Health Status: Concomitant illnesses, other medications used, and potential interactions are evaluated.
- Response to Treatment: Changes in symptoms and how well the individual tolerates the treatment are monitored.
- Monitoring of Side Effects: Undesirable effects that may arise during treatment are evaluated.
- Adjustment of Treatment: The medication dose or treatment plan is reconsidered by the physician when necessary.
Starting psychiatric medications without a doctor's recommendation, changing their dose, or stopping them abruptly can pose health risks.
Psychotherapy Methods
Psychotherapy is a treatment approach that addresses an individual's mental problems, emotions and thoughts, behavioral habits, and difficulties through structured interviews. It can be used in depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, and other psychiatric conditions. The type of psychotherapy and the application process are determined according to the individual's needs.
The main psychotherapy approaches used in adult psychiatry are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Enables the addressing of thought and behavior patterns associated with mental problems.
- Individual Psychotherapy: Work is done on the individual's psychological difficulties, life experiences, and coping mechanisms.
- Group Therapy: Can allow individuals facing similar problems to receive support in a structured therapy environment.
- Family and Couples Therapy: Communication problems in relationships and the effects of mental illnesses on family life can be addressed.
- Supportive Psychotherapy: Aims to strengthen the individual's coping with current difficulties, daily functionality, and social support.
Psychotherapy can be applied alone or, when deemed necessary, together with other treatment methods.
Brain Stimulation and Biological Treatment Methods
Brain stimulation and biological treatments are medical methods that can be used as a result of clinical evaluation in certain psychiatric illnesses. They may come to the agenda especially in some severe cases or conditions that do not respond adequately to previous treatments. It cannot be said that these methods have the same effect in every psychiatric illness; suitability, indications, and potential risks must be evaluated by the physician.
Among the methods included in NPİSTANBUL's current service content are the following:
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS/rTMS): It is a non-invasive method aimed at affecting neural activity in certain regions of the brain with magnetic stimulation. It can be evaluated by the physician in specific clinical situations.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): It is a treatment method applied under appropriate medical conditions and anesthesia, especially in certain severe psychiatric illnesses.
- Phototherapy (Light Therapy): It is a method based on controlled light application that can be evaluated especially in certain seasonal mood problems.
Brain stimulation methods do not replace standard psychiatric examination or the medication and psychotherapy approaches used in all patients. The decision for application is made by taking into account clinical necessity, current scientific evidence, and the individual characteristics of the patient.
Outpatient and Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment
Psychiatric treatment can be carried out on an outpatient basis or with hospitalization, according to the individual's health status and needs. Many mental illnesses can be monitored through regular outpatient clinic examinations and psychotherapy sessions. However, inpatient psychiatric treatment can be considered in situations requiring severe symptoms, serious safety risks, or close medical follow-up.
- Outpatient Psychiatric Treatment: Conducting examination, treatment, and control interviews without the need for the individual to stay in the hospital.
- Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment: Performing treatment and observation in a hospital environment for patients whose clinical condition requires it.
- Treatment Adjustment: Monitoring the course of symptoms and the response given to applied treatments.
- Discharge and Follow-up Planning: Determining necessary outpatient clinic controls and support studies after hospital treatment.
The necessity of hospitalization is decided by the psychiatrist in line with the clinical evaluation and relevant medical criteria.
When Should You See an Adult Psychiatry Doctor?
If prolonged sadness, intense anxiety, recurrent panic attacks, sleep problems, concentration difficulties, or pronounced behavioral changes affect daily life, an adult psychiatry doctor should be consulted. When the effects of mental symptoms on work, family, and social life increase, it is important not to delay the evaluation. It is not necessary to wait for complaints to worsen.
A psychiatric evaluation may be particularly appropriate in the following situations:
- Persistent Sadness and Lack of Motivation: The continuation of depressed mood, loss of interest, and decreased energy.
- Intense Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Experiencing anxiety that makes daily life difficult or recurrent panic symptoms.
- Marked Mood Swings: Observing periods of unusual agitation, excessive energy, irritability, or depression.
- Obsessive Thoughts and Behaviors: Unwanted thoughts or repetitive behaviors disrupting daily life.
- Attention and Concentration Problems: Experiencing marked difficulty in maintaining work, education, or daily responsibilities.
- Sleep and Appetite Problems: Changes in sleep or eating patterns lasting a long time and affecting functionality.
- Changes in Reality Perception: Hearing voices that others do not perceive or the emergence of strong beliefs that do not align with reality.
- Decrease in Daily Functionality: Marked impairment in self-care, family relationships, work, or social life.
If there is an urgent safety risk directed at oneself or others, a routine psychiatry appointment should not be awaited, and emergency health services should be applied to.
NPİSTANBUL Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry Department
NPİSTANBUL Hospital Adult Psychiatry Department provides services aimed at the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of mental illnesses in individuals aged 18 and over. Psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and relevant healthcare professionals can collaborate in the evaluation and treatment process according to the patient's needs. The department offers outpatient psychiatry follow-up, psychotherapy, and inpatient treatment options when necessary.
Our Adult Psychiatry Doctors
The evaluation and treatment of mental illnesses in the NPİSTANBUL Hospital Adult Psychiatry Department are carried out by psychiatrists. Psychiatrists are physicians who have received specialty training in the field of mental health and diseases following their medical education.
The treatment team on the hospital's current Adult Psychiatry page includes the following physicians:
- Prof. Dr. K. Nevzat Tarhan
- Prof. Dr. Hüsnü Erkmen
- Prof. Dr. Sermin Kesebir
- Prof. Dr. Gül Eryılmaz
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sinem Zeynep Metin
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceylan Ergül Arslan
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erman Şentürk
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Semra Baripoğlu
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Mert Sinan Bingöl
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Alptekin Çetin
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Elvan Çiftçi
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Firdevs Seyfe Şen
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Nihal Taştekin
These names are a part of the staff visible on the page. Physicians' current duty, work, and appointment information must be checked before publication.
For all staff: NPİSTANBUL Medical Staff
Multidisciplinary Treatment and Follow-up
In some psychiatric illnesses, treatment may not be limited to a psychiatry examination alone. The joint evaluation of an individual's mental, physical, and social needs may require the collaboration of different specialty areas. At NPİSTANBUL Hospital, in accordance with clinical necessity, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and other relevant healthcare professionals can carry out a joint follow-up process.
Within the scope of the multidisciplinary approach, the following fields can be utilized:
- Psychiatry: Diagnosis, pharmacotherapy, medical evaluation, and clinical follow-up.
- Clinical Psychology: Psychological evaluation and appropriate psychotherapy applications.
- Neurology: Relevant specialty evaluation in situations where neurological causes need to be investigated.
- Occupational Therapy: Studies aimed at supporting daily life activities and functionality.
- Social Work: Evaluation of problems affecting the individual's family, work, and social life and referral to necessary supports.
- Other Medical Branches: Evaluation and treatment of concomitant physical illnesses.
The scope of multidisciplinary services is determined according to the clinical requirements of each patient.
