Psychiatrists can treat a range of mental health conditions including major anxiety or depression, phobias and panic disorders, OCD and PTSD, seasonal affective disorder, postpartum depression, bipolar disorder and more.
They can prescribe antidepressants for certain mental health issues, according to the American Psychiatric Association, plus antipsychotic medications, sedatives, mood stabilizers and more.
It’s important to note, though, that medications like Xanax and benzodiazepines, defined as controlled substances by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), traditionally cannot be prescribed online because they could potentially become addictive or dangerous if misused.
Ask your provider anyway to be sure. Under the Ryan Haight Act of 2008, physicians cannot write prescriptions for controlled substances via telemedicine without the patient first undergoing an in-person visit, but that can change if the situation qualifies for certain emergency exemptions. Other provisional emergency exceptions may be made due to the pandemic.
What Is the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and Psychologist?
A psychiatrist is not the same as a psychologist, who typically deals with less severe mental conditions including mild anxiety and depression that might not require medication.
Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who are able to prescribe medication. Not all psychologists can prescribe medication, but both may incorporate other forms of treatment, like talk therapy, into a treatment plan.