Psychiatry in Romania

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 Romania?

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 Romania 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 Romania 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 Romania

Introduction

Situated at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, Romania is a country of contrasts. From its medieval towns and castles, nature, and wildlife, to its rich cultural heritage and amazing food, this country continues to amaze its visitors. In recent years, Romania has become a flourishing medical tourism destination. Due to its low prices, well-trained medical staff, highly skilled doctors, and amazing medical centers, the country attracts an ever-increasing number of international medical tourists. Dental work is the number one reason medical tourists travel to this country, closely followed by cosmetic surgeries. Most medical tourists come from other European countries, such as the UK, Germany, other Western European countries, and the US.

Popular Cities and Regions in Romania

Almost every city in Romania has its fair share of amazing tourist attractions and skilled specialists. The most popular one is the capital of the country, Bucharest. This dynamic city boasts excellent museums, trendy cafes, and beautiful parks. Tourists usually flock to the Palace of Parliament, the Statue of Emperor Trajan, Cişmigiu Garden, the Romanian Athenaeum, and the Museum of the Romanian Peasant. Besides Bucharest, one of the most popular cities in the country is Brasov which is located in Transylvania; tourists usually come to this city as their base for trips to “Dracula’s castle.” The city is filled with charming medieval streets, great hiking spots, and a beautiful historic center. The second-largest city in Romania, Cluj-Napoca, is also famous for its bohemian cafes, amazing medical centers, and music festivals. 

Transport in Romania

Henri Coandă International Airport is the busiest airport in Romania. It serves flights to various major cities in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Getting around Romania with domestic flights is fast, but can be expensive. The most common way to travel is by bus and maxi taxi (minibus), which reaches even the smallest towns. 

Visas in Romania

While Romania is not yet part of the Schengen Area, the country’s visa policy is based on the Schengen acquis. Therefore, citizens of 62 countries, including the US and Australia, can visit and stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa. Citizens of other countries will need a visa to enter. Those who already have a Schengen visa may enter the country.

Weather in Romania

Spring from March to May has fairly mild temperatures and pleasant weather. Summer, starting from June to August, is usually dry, sunny and sweltering. Autumn comes in September and ends in November. It brings enjoyable temperatures, but it is also the rainy season in the country. Winter, from December to February, can get quite cold and harsh with frequent snowfall. 

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: The currency is the Romanian leu (RON). 1 USD is approx. 4.7 RON.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs can be found in major cities and smaller towns. Credit cards are widely accepted in restaurants and hotels. Tipping is expected in restaurants, hotels, etc. 
3. Local Language: There are several spoken languages in Romania. However, Romanian is the most spoken language. English is also spoken by around 31% of the population.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Romania is a secular state with no state religion. However, Christianity is the biggest religion. Islam, Paganism, and other religions are also present.
5. Public Holidays: New Year’s Day, Descent of the Holy Spirit, National Day, and Christmas Day are some of the most celebrated public holidays.