Psychiatry in Izmir

Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that deals with the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. A medical doctor who specializes in this branch of medicine is called a psychiatrist and they can assess both the physical and mental aspects of all psychological issues. Psychiatrists are trained and qualified to:

• Make a diagnosis and develop a management plan
• Provide urgent care for a sudden mental illness
• Provide advice about lifestyle changes
• Provide advice and second opinions to other doctors and medical professionals
• Help manage a long-term mental health problem
• Work with patients individually, or with the patient and patient’s family, partner, or carers
• Refer patients to other medical professionals
• Admit patients to hospital if required
• Prescribe medications, such as antidepressants, stimulants, and mood stabilizers
• Perform procedures.

There are numerous procedures psychiatrists can use to diagnose and treat patients, these include, but are not limited to:

• Psychometric testing, including personality tests, intelligence tests, and neuropsychological tests
• Physical and laboratory testing, including full physical exams, neurological evaluations, laboratory tests (such as blood and urine tests), and neuroimaging techniques
• Psychotherapy
• Psychosocial interventions
• Electroconvulsive therapy.

Some common reasons why someone might see a psychiatrist include:

• Problem adjusting after major life changes
• Depression that does not go away
• Anxiety, fear, or worry
• Suicidal thinking
• Hurting themselves on purpose
• Thoughts of hurting other people
• Obsessional thinking
• Constant negative thoughts
• Feeling like people want to harm them or are after them
• Feeling jumpy or on edge
• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Addictive behaviors
• Memory problems
• Violence or emotional outburst
• Conditions that start in childhood, such as intellectual disability, autism, and childhood anxiety.

Examples of the mental health conditions that psychiatrists can diagnose and treat include anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia.

How Long Should I Stay in Izmir?

Psychiatric treatments are typically performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you should be able to leave the clinic or hospital immediately after the procedure, and leave Izmir the day after. If hospitalization is required, the average hospital stay is around 1 to 2 weeks. Since psychiatric treatment usually requires more than one appointment, you can choose to stay in Izmir for the whole treatment plan or to make multiple trips.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery from a mental health problem depends on your specific condition and the type of treatment you underwent. However, there is usually no recovery time needed after the psychiatric treatment itself. You can go back to your normal routine immediately. It is normal to feel overwhelmed or emotionally drained after a treatment session, so you can take a day off of work after your treatment if you need to.

What Aftercare is Required?

If your psychiatrist prescribes medications, make sure to take it as directed. Your psychiatrist may also advise you on making lifestyle changes. You may need to attend regular checkups with your psychiatrist, ranging from once a week to twice a year, depending on your specific condition and its severity. 

What's the Success Rate?

Psychiatry continues to develop and advance. A better understanding of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, as well as new technology, have helped psychiatrists to become better at diagnosing, preventing, treating, and managing mental health conditions. The quality of life of people with a mental health condition who go to psychiatrists and stick to their treatment plans have been proven to improve. While there is typically no serious risks to psychiatry treatment, it does have some side effects, such as feeling overwhelmed or emotional after treatment. 

Are there Alternatives?

In some cases, you should be able to see other mental health professionals, such as clinical psychologists and mental health counselors. 

Psychiatry in and around Izmir

About Izmir

Izmir is a Turkish metropolitan city and is the third-largest city and situated on the western coast. It is one of the more popular destinations that plays host to an increasing number of medical tourists. The city’s geographical location is one of its biggest advantages as for centuries; Izmir is a trading town on the Mediterranean.

Numerous international travelers journey away from their native land towards the vibrant city of Izmir, propelled by the quest for superior healthcare solutions either for their personal welfare or that of their kin. Their decision often revolves around the advanced and specialized medical treatment they desire, either being non-existent or scarce within their nation or the exorbitant price attached to such healthcare services becomes an overwhelming burden to bear within their homeland.

Today, Izmir is witnessing a significant upsurge in the influx of medical tourists. Analyzing the city's patient data tells us a compelling narrative of an increasing trend of visitors seeking specialized treatments such as dentistry, fertility, and psychiatry. Moreover, it is not just the routine healthcare services drawing them in, but also the availability of expert and advanced care for rare medical conditions, making Izmir an appealing choice.

Popular Areas in Izmir

On initial contact, as your plane touches the tarmac in Izmir, you may be beguiled into perceiving this city as just another tranquil, picturesque hamlet exhibiting a leisurely rhythm of life. It wouldn't take long, however, for you to realize that the serene facade conceals a teeming life of variety and vivacity, a couple of hours is all it takes to reveal the city's multifaceted persona.

As a historic and significant city of Turkey, it's really no surprise that tourists get swept away by the grand scale and richness of age-old landmarks and Ottoman structures found across Izmir.

One key attraction is the vibrant Izmir Agora open-air museum that sits in the city core. The first glimpse might trick you into believing the city grew around it. Bordered by scenic hills, bustling marketplaces, towering structures, luxury apartments, and a serene yet sandy-free coastline, this place truly comes alive.

Alsancak is the heart of the city and the safest place in the inner city for tourists with lots of shopping opportunities if you don't want to go to any of the big shopping malls, there are also several decent places for eating, although nothing too fancy as they are mostly café style place, the prices are also slightly higher than other parts of Izmir.

The closest beaches are 50 miles west of the city. There is an excellent choice of superb beaches such as Ilıca (a long wide beach of pale sand where the water is very warm due to under-sea thermal activity), and just a short distance from Çeşme itself, Altınkum (with much cooler water),

Weather and Climate in Izmir

Izmir enjoys the characteristic Mediterranean climate that one might anticipate. Winter days bring a chill to the air, while the summer season is heralded by bright, sunny days.

• The winter season is from December to mid of March. The average temperature ranges from 7-10 degrees centigrade and January is the coldest month. The wettest month is December with an average of 140mm of rain.
• Spring is from Mid-March to May. This is the best time of the year to visit Izmir. It is advisable to plan ahead for your trip and book your flights and hotel reservations. Since this is the most pleasant season in Izmir, hotel booking rates are its highest and it can be difficult to get a reservation.
• The summer season is from June to September. The season is hot and dry. Humidity is not too high because of the influence of the Mediterranean Sea. The maximum temperature recorded is around 40 degrees centigrade.
• Autumn season is warm at the beginning of September. There is a high chance of rain and snow towards the end of November.

Getting around in Izmir

Getting around Izmir is a breeze, with the majority of the transportation systems being government-operated and widely hailed as the most effective means of commute. Boasting cleanliness and disciplined planning, Izmir is a city designed for comfort. Strategically placed taxi stands can be found at major locations, ensuring swift public convenience.

The city's well-coordinated metro system is adept at connecting Izmir's northern and southern ends through two distinct lines, effectively covering a majority of the cityscape. There's even a railway station conveniently located at the airport. Known as the Izmir Metro, this transport service provides an exceptionally convenient link between the airport and the city. Not to be overlooked is the city's sea transportation; public ferries can whisk you across the waters at very fair prices.

Tourist Visas in Izmir

Visa requirements for Izmir, Turkey:

Citizens of 55 countries, including all countries in the European Union, do not require a visa to enter Izmir, Turkey. Citizens of these countries can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days without a visa.

Citizens of all other countries must obtain a visa before entering Turkey. Visas can be obtained online or at a Turkish embassy or consulate. The visa application process is relatively straightforward and takes about 20 minutes to complete. You will need to provide your passport information, travel dates, and contact information. You will also need to upload a digital photo of yourself.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email confirmation. You should then receive your visa within 5 to 10 business days.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Is the Turkish Lira. 100 US dollars will yield 582.82 Turkish liras. It is best to carry the local currency within the city even though a lot of establishments like shops and hotels will accept payments in Euros and Dollars.
2. Money and Payments: Most Businesses will accept all the major cards at Izmir. Some restaurants even accept Premier Dining passes. Tipping is prevalent at ten percent of the service charge.
3. Local language: Most of the population speaks Turkish and Kurdish. English is understood and basic forms of English will be conversed in. Turkish is compulsorily taught at school, also a high number of people also speak Arabic.
4. Culture and Religion: Turkey is a secular country and it has no official religion. Having said this, a massive 99 percent of the population identify themselves as Muslims. While the remaining 0.2 percents are Christians and 0.8 percent from other religions.
5. ​​​​​​​Public Holidays: Izmir celebrates the Gregorian New Year day and May Day with great enthusiasm. Government offices remain closed on other state holidays such as the Izmir Republic Day that falls on the 28th and 29th of October every year. 23rd of April is also an important date when Izmir celebrates its National Sovereignty Day and Children’s Day together.