Psychiatrist in Dubai. Introduction
Psychiatrist is a medical doctor specialized in psychiatry who treats mental health illnesses. Psychiatric disorders are pathological changes in thinking, mood, energy level, emotions, memory, and behaviour.
Unlike psychologists, who predominantly engage in psychotherapeutic conversations with their patients, a psychiatrist prescribes medication.
Some psychiatric illnesses such as burn out are treatable within weeks or maximum months; in other cases, like bipolar disorder or psychosis, the psychiatric treatment lasts years to life-long.
Psychiatrist in Dubai. Working in Multicultural Society
Dubai is a big metropolis with very unique character. It’s a melting pot and home to people from over hundred countries. Working as a psychiatrist in Dubai is not only challenging but also fascinating. Dubai’s uniqueness is the peaceful coexistence of people with various cultural, religious and social backgrounds.
Moving to Dubai from Germany the author of this article was wondering how the cultural mixture influences the course of psychiatric illnesses. The other question was, whether the problems leading to psychiatric illnesses are different, and if the disorders do express in different way. The answer to these questions was surprising. Despite such diversities the mental health illnesses and their root causes are identical. People from different corners of the globe suffer of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, psychosis or bipolar disorder presenting the same symptoms requiring the same methods of treatment.
Psychiatric Medication in Dubai
The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy for recreational drugs or medicine with potential of abuse. Import, transport, buying, selling, or possessing psychiatric substances in the UAE, unless legally prescribed, is illegal.
Psychiatric medication in Dubai is under meticulous supervision of the authorities. The entire psychiatric medication is either full- or semi-controlled. To the full controlled (Class A) medication belong narcotic medication, used in treatment of ADHD and antianxiety medication, for examples benzodiazepines. The semi-controlled medication (class B) encloses antidepressants and neuroleptics.
Traveler entering UAE and carrying psychiatric medication (Classes A and B) should approve the medication using the MOH portal.
The maximum amount of psychiatric medication shouldn’t exceed three months quantity. The person travelling with such medication should carry with him:
- the original prescription (or its certified copy) from his home country.
- the medical report authenticated by the relevant health authority confirming the legal use of this medication for treatment purposes.
Traveler carrying class A and B medication must carry the prescription and the medical report authenticated by the relevant health authority.
Regular, non-psychiatric medication doesn’t require such documents. The maximum quantity of such medication is six months’ supply.
Who Can Prescribe Controlled Medication in Dubai?
Psychiatric medication (class A and B) is available in the UAE and can be prescribed only by psychiatrists.
Few years ago, UAE implemented a digital system using Emirates-ID for issuing prescriptions for psychiatric medication.
Prescription System for Psychiatric Medication in Dubai and UAE
For local Emiratis and UAE residents, medication can only be prescribed digitally using an Emirates ID. In contrast, if you’re a non-UAE resident visiting Dubai for treatment, psychiatrists can utilize your passport data to issue such digital prescription.
The psychiatric medication can be prescribed upon entering the ID into the card reader and logging into the server of Ministry of Health. The psychiatrist must enter patient’s name, diagnosis, type and amount of the prescribed medication. In the pharmacy the pharmacist again enters the Emirates ID into card reader, logs into the MOH server and releases the prescribed medication.
Depending on their qualifications the psychiatrists can prescribe different amount of medication. Dubai Health Authority acknowledges two levels of psychiatric education: more experienced “consultants in psychiatry” and the less experienced “specialists in psychiatry”. Consultants are eligible to prescribe in Dubai medication for 4 weeks, whereas specialist only 2 weeks supply.
The European Guidelines for Psychiatric Education
Psychiatry is a medical specialty attainable upon completing medical studies, which in Europe typically last 6 years. After such studies, the physician engages for 5 years residency to become a psychiatrist.
The German curriculum for psychiatry last 5 years and requires one year of training in neurology. Alongside the medical training, the German curriculum mandates additional training in psychotherapy.
Can Psychiatrist in Dubai Do Psychotherapy?
Not every psychiatrist is eligible to offer psychotherapy. The same counts for graduates of psychology. In the western countries a qualified psychotherapist needs several years of training with hundreds of hours of theory and supervised psychotherapy. The supervision can be provided only by an experienced certified psychotherapist. The training in the psychotherapy ends with a state examination.
In 1994 the German Medical Chamber implemented mandatory psychotherapy training for every “trainee” psychiatrist. After passing the state examination the candidate obtains the license as “Specialist in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy”. The medical doctor participating in such curriculum has the option to choose the psychotherapeutic method. The most common schools are the behavioural psychotherapy and the psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Psychiatric Disorders Treated at CHMC in Dubai
At CHMC we diagnose, treat and prevent the entire spectrum of psychiatric disorders. The most common mental health disorders we deal with are depressions, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, ADHD, OCD, PTSD and more.
Steps of Psychiatric Diagnostics and Treatment at CHMC in Dubai
The process of psychiatric treatment at our psychiatric clinic in Dubai involves three stages: evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. This meticulous evaluation lays the groundwork for accurate diagnosis, which is essential for developing an effective treatment plan. The first step is the verbal conversation with the patient.
CHMC is utilizing the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, DSM 5. Diagnoses based on such guidelines are the “common language” by exchanging information between physicians.
1. Initial Psychiatric Interview
When patients seek our psychiatric services, we go beyond simply diagnosing disorders and discussing symptoms. Instead, we aim to foster a trusting relationship to address our patients’ needs holistically. In this evaluation phase, we explore the physiological and emotional aspects of mental illness, gathering information through comprehensive assessments and tests.
To get the necessary information about patient’s status we initiate a conversation. Here, we attempt to gain a low-threshold access to the patient to determine if professional help is necessary.
During this session, the patient describes his private and professional situation and his problems and symptoms. Central to our therapeutic approach and considering the multicultural aspect of psychiatric treatment in Dubai we try to understanding patients’ values, concerns, fears, and other life challenges. At CHMC such initial psychiatric interview typically lasts about 30 to 60 minutes.
2. In Depth Psychiatric Assessment at CHMC Dubai
Following the initial psychological evaluation, an in-depth psychiatric assessment follows. This assessment entails comprehensive psychiatric, physical, and neurological examinations, along with an analysis of diagnostic tests conducted in our clinic. The diagnostic procedures may vary based on the specific diagnosis. Typically, this includes an Electrocardiogram (ECG) and a series of laboratory tests. In some cases, additional measures such as EEG or MRI might be required. We conduct all necessary diagnostic tests either in the clinic or through our partners within DHCC. Such diagnostic procedures are crucial for ruling out underlying physical conditions and establishing a baseline for ongoing monitoring.
3. Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders at CHMC in Dubai
Armed with this understanding, they proceed to develop and implement personalized treatment plans, which may include medication, counselling, or a combination of both. This tailored approach acknowledges the unique needs and preferences of each individual, fostering a supportive environment for healing and growth.
Psychotherapy in Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders at CHMC in Dubai
Psychotherapy addresses a range of psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD and personality disorders. It delves into individual lives but also tackles crises in relationships. The primary aim of psychotherapy is to facilitate significant personal growth and transformation.
Psychotherapy employs various techniques, divided between behaviorism and psychodynamic approaches, though modern methods blend aspects of both. In contrast to public opinions psychotherapy isn’t a quick fix; it’s a process that requires time, often spanning at least a year. It involves bridging the gap between surface understanding and deeper needs, easing the tension between conscious awareness and inner desires.
Behavioral Therapy
In cases of disorders in thinking, feeling, acting, or experiencing, psychiatrists often resort to behavioral therapy. This treatment method is particularly helpful in cases of depression, phobias, panic attacks, eating disorders, and addictions. During therapy the psychiatrist/psychologist attempts to change certain habitual behaviour and reaction patterns.
In-Depth or Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy
Unlike behavioural psychotherapy, depth psychological therapy deals with the unconscious in order to find the underlying conflicts causing the disorder with its symptoms. Some conflicts are rooted in the childhood causing the illness in the mature age.
Systemic Psychotherapy
Here, the therapist attempts to recognize and remedy the patient’s mental problems considering the impact of their social environment. Working close with family and friends, patients learn how to positively change the behavioral patterns. Such sessions can take place in individual therapy as well as in couple or group therapies.
Working as Psychiatrist at CHMC in Dubai. Summary
A psychiatrist in Dubai like elsewhere specializes in the medical diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Psychiatrist’s primary responsibilities include diagnosing and treating various mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, phobias, OCD, ADHD, and behavioral disorders.
Specializing in the recognition, understanding, and treatment of psychiatric disorders our psychiatrist and psychologists focus on both, physical and mental origins of the illness. Before initiating treatment, we assess patient’s physical and psychological status. This involves taking patient history and defining psychological conditions using personal interview, physical examination and diagnostic measures like control of laboratory parameters, ECG and if necessary, also neuroimaging technics.
Medication plays an important role in psychiatric treatment. Various drugs, such as antidepressants for depression, antipsychotics for psychosis and benzodiazepines for anxiety disorders, are commonly used to suppress symptoms.
Another significant aspect of our work is documenting the treatment progress. We create detailed medical reports and accurately record the interventions, successes, and relapses. A trusting relationship with our patients is essential for sound judgment.
Our Psychiatric Clinic in Dubai
Dubai’s multicultural society is the major challenge to a psychiatrist who interacts with such subtitle fabric such as the human psyche which requires years of experience. Our clinic was one of the first outpatient clinics in the UAE. CHMC offers for 14 years high standard psychiatric and psychological services. We don’t employ rotating or visiting doctors. The high quality psychiatric and psychological care requires a constant presence of the specialists. At CHMC you will see on every visit the same psychiatrist and psychologist to form an enduring therapeutic relationship in which you will feel understood, valued and supported.
Psychiatric treatment last months to years. The bedrock of a therapeutic success is regular monitoring by the psychiatrist. In the initial phase, a higher frequency of psychiatric visits, usually once in 2 weeks, is necessary. After the symptoms have been suppressed, visits to a psychiatrist can be reduced in shifting the focus to the psychotherapy provided by our psychologists.