PSYCHIATRY

The combination of being in a fine physical, social and mental state is described as “wellbeing”. Mental wellbeing, on the other hand, describes a state in which life holds meaning and purpose, positive and negative perceptions are balanced, personal growth takes place, life is enjoyed, and one is optimistic, confident and independent. A problem in one or more of these areas is bound to impact the others, eventually disturbing one’s overall and mental wellbeing.

Faculty members, psychiatrists and clinical psychologists at our department of psychiatry concentrate on wellbeing, and serve individuals, who are evaluated as a physical, social and mental whole.

Our experienced and knowledgeable team diagnose, treat and follow up on psychiatric disorders in a polyclinic setting. What is more, the department responds to requests for consultation from other wards at the hospital in order to ensure patients’ wellbeing. Currently our hospital does not have an inpatient psychiatry ward. The department of psychiatry takes part in academic studies conducted under the roof of Koç University’s School of Medicine while also contributing to education of future healthcare professionals. Psychiatry specialists at Koç University Hospital offer diagnostic, treatment and follow-up services in all fields of psychiatry.

Fields of the Department of Psychiatry

Our primary fields of work include the following:

Depression and other mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Stress-related disorders
Mental trauma and dissociative disorders
Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
Sexual functional disorders
Autism spectrum disorders
Attention deficiency, hyperactivity disorder and psychiatry conditions accompanying other diseases

Practices/Applications of the Department of Psychiatry

Cognitive behavioral therapy
Support psychotherapy
Dynamic psychotherapy
Sequential trauma psychotherapy
Sexual therapy
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
Couple and parental therapy, parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT)

Psychotherapeutic approaches such as the ones listed above are practiced, and pharmacological treatment may also be utilized as needed. If deemed necessary, psychological assessment tests like neurophysiological test battery are conducted by our clinical psychologist as well.

Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry

It is quite easy to tell that your child is sick when they have a fever or are coughing. They will not be so cheerful either. So we know when to bring to the a doctor and get them the treatment they need. Psychological problems, however, tend to be subtle and may not be noticed so easily. Research shows that almost one out of every five children has a psychological problem negatively affecting their childhood and adolescence. Such disorders have a negative impact on your child’s cognitive social and sometimes even physical development, barring them from realizing their true potentials. Psychological issues progress more slowly and surface later on. Little girls usually bottle up their problems inside their rich inner worlds. It may therefore be difficult to differentiate problems like these from social anxieties, academic hassles or peer troubles. Boys, on the other hand, may manifest their dismay in the form of restlessness, bad temper and contentiousness in hopes of attracting attention. It is important to be responsive to our children’s needs and not refrain from getting help to solve their problems.

As a transition from childhood to adulthood and a period of being biologically and psychologically “stuck in between”, adolescence is pretty much a rough time for both adolescents and their parents. The most notable brush strokes are made at this time to ensure a seamless completion of intellectual development. Even though it comes with a flurry of storms, adolescence is also full of opportunities. An adolescent raised in a safe environment with the support of appropriate and enthusing stimuli join the society as a confident individual with a sound personal infrastructure. Parents, teachers and physicians can assist adolescents in going through this period of time more comfortably. First of all, it is essential to acknowledge that temper, contradiction, emotional bursts, risky behavior and impulsiveness are normal to a certain extent for adolescents, who are still in the process of resuming their hormonal and neurochemical development and forming their own identity by coming out of the cocoon knit around them by their parents. It matters at this time that we nurture their capability of making decisions, enable them to develop skills, meet their pursuits of thrill with positive and enjoyable activities, support their peer and friendship relations from a distance, protect them from harmful substances and alcohol, and assist them in coping with stress. Note that it is also quite normal for us to feel inadequate while trying to support adolescents with regard to their psychological issues. You may find yourself helpless particularly when it comes to issues like depression and anxiety disorder, academic woes, peer conflicts and behavioral problems. Adolescents often avoid opening up to their parents or other people around them about depression. Consulting the opinion of a specialist can facilitate things for both parents and adolescents in such cases.

It is not very easy to diagnose psychiatric problems of children and adolescents; it requires comprehensive diagnostic evaluations covering their families, school and all other circles they come into contact with in their lives.

Common Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders

Anxiety disorders
Attention deficiency and hyperactivity disorder
Behavior and impulse control disorders
Adaptation disorders (inability to adapt to family-related or peripheral changes)
Learning disorders
Childhood depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Tic disorders
Autism spectrum disorder (widespread developmental disorder)
Intellectual deficiencies

Treatment of psychological problems takes time and effort, and first and foremost requires formation of a treatment team. This team should be led by the child themselves and include parents and our specialists as assistants.

Various methods are utilized to approach children and evaluate clinical response at our clinic.