Interview Part 3: Treatment and Therapy

Welcome to a five-part interview series with Dr. Szymon Hyzak, a psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience at Long Island Psychiatric Services. In this blog, I've interview Dr. Hyzak as he shares his thoughts on treatments and ways to achieve optimal mental health. Each part includes three questions that help explain challenges and progresses happening in psychiatry today.

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Q1: What would you usually tell someone who is nervous about starting therapy?

Dr. Hyzak:

I reassure them that it's very natural to be nervous. Its a big step to start att any form of treatment. I prefer to keep things simple and answer their questions honestly. Most of the time individuals are just scared of the unknown, but become more at ease once they have an idea of how things are. The thing to do is take it one step at a time. It's not necessary to have all of the answers right away.

Q2: Is therapy actually useful to most people?

Dr. Hyzak:

Absolutely. Even individuals who do not have a serious mental illness can really benefit from speaking with someone one to one. Therapy provides you to think aloud and process difficulties with a professional. It’s really about helping people understand themselves more deeply and I’ve seen it make a real difference in many of my patients’ lives.

Q3: What's one little thing people can do to keep their mental health in check?

Dr. Hyzak:

Even small things, like keeping a regular routine or taking breaks during the day, can go a long way. Getting outdoors, staying connected with friends, or just reducing screen time. These are all small things but they add up. Mental health care is how we live day to day.

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In Part 3, Dr. Hyzak reminded us that even small actions can help better mental health. Whether it’s therapy, medication, or daily habits, what matters is finding what works for you.