Dr. Walter Smith, MD

Dr. Walter Smith, MD is a Psychiatrist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Psychiatric care at his clinic in Panama City, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458, Dr. Smith understands the vital role of preventive mental healthcare. General Psychiatrists are your primary partners in preventive mental healthcare, diagnosing and managing mental health disorders through medication and therapy, preventing relapse through proactive long-term care plans, coordinating crucial screenings, and fostering overall wellness to empower your journey to lasting mental health. He serves individuals of all ages, committed to creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health.

Dr. Walter Smith, MD is a psychiatrist in Panama City, FL. Dr. Smith has extensive experience in Psychotic Disorders and Personality Disorders and is affiliated with HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital and Baptist Hospital. He is accepting telehealth appointments. His approach to care is rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, focused on creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health journey. Patients should call (850) 763-0017 to confirm if Dr. Smith is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Walter Smith provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Walter Smith is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Walter Smith can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Walter Smith provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Autism: Managing autism effectively through therapies and support can prevent social isolation and improve quality of life.
• Dissociative Disorder: Preventive care for dissociative disorders focuses on providing a supportive environment and developing coping mechanisms to reduce the chance of future dissociative episodes.
• Nondependent Marijuana Abuse: Early intervention for nondependent marijuana abuse can help you develop healthier coping mechanisms and prevent reliance on marijuana to manage stress or other challenges.
• Delusional Disorder: Delusional disorder is a serious mental health condition where a person holds unshakeable false beliefs, and early intervention with therapy can prevent these beliefs from significantly impacting their life.
• Phobia: A phobia is an overwhelming and irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that can significantly impact your daily life, so early intervention and treatment can prevent it from worsening.
• Binge Eating Disorder: By managing binge eating disorder through therapy and potentially medication, individuals can prevent relapses and significantly improve their quality of life, fostering healthier eating habits and self-image.
• Nondependent Opioid Abuse: Preventing problems associated with opioid misuse doesn't just mean avoiding physical dependence; it involves recognizing and addressing nondependent patterns of use to reduce risks of long-term harm.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD, if left untreated, can lead to chronic mental health challenges. Early diagnosis and treatment, including therapy and medication, helps prevent these complications and promotes recovery.
• Schizophrenia: By prioritizing early intervention and ongoing care, we can help individuals with schizophrenia live fulfilling lives and prevent severe complications.
• Opioid Dependence: Managing opioid dependence effectively through medication and therapy prevents relapses and improves overall health and well-being in the long run.
• Drug and Alcohol Dependence: Regular health check-ups and early intervention strategies can help prevent drug and alcohol dependence from escalating into more serious issues.
• Panic Disorder: Understanding and managing panic disorder is crucial for preventing the development of more serious mental health complications and improving your overall well-being.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Walter Smith offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Alcohol or Substance Misuse Screening and Counseling: Protecting your well-being starts with knowing your risks: a simple screening for alcohol or substance misuse can help identify potential problems early and prevent serious complications.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps you identify and change negative thinking patterns and behaviors, empowering you to prevent future mental health challenges.
• Dementia or Depression Screening: Empower yourself with knowledge about your brain health through a simple screening for dementia and depression, facilitating early diagnosis and management.
• Family Psychotherapy: To prevent mental health issues from impacting the whole family, family psychotherapy helps identify and resolve dysfunctional family patterns that may trigger or sustain mental illness.
• Group Psychotherapy: Group therapy provides a safe space to share experiences, improve communication skills, and reduce the risk of relapse by learning from others.
• Psychiatric Evaluation: Proactively manage your mental health journey with a psychiatric evaluation; it's a critical tool for early detection and effective management of mental health conditions.
• Psychological Evaluation: A psychological evaluation helps proactively identify potential mental health concerns early on, allowing for timely intervention and preventing more serious issues down the road.
• Psychological Evaluations Prior to Bariatric Surgery: Taking a proactive step towards a healthier you, a psychological evaluation before bariatric surgery helps screen for potential mental health issues that may impact your surgery and recovery.
• Psychotherapy and Psychophysiological Therapy (incl. Biofeedback): Proactively manage your mental health journey with psychotherapy and psychophysiological therapies, which can pinpoint the root causes of your symptoms and teach you effective self-management strategies.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Psychiatrists in Florida.

Dr. Walter Smith is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• A family found comfort in early interventions, which helped them proactively address potential challenges and fostered a supportive environment for their child's development, reducing the risk of social isolation. This proactive approach allowed the family to focus on building essential life skills and strengthening their child's overall well-being.
• By proactively addressing potential triggers and developing coping strategies, a patient felt empowered to manage stress and significantly reduce the likelihood of future dissociative episodes, resulting in a more stable and fulfilling life.
• Recognizing early warning signs of potential marijuana misuse, a patient developed healthier coping strategies, reducing their reliance on marijuana and fostering greater well-being. This proactive approach allowed them to confidently navigate life's challenges without substance dependence.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Psychiatric care with Dr. Walter Smith:

What is a Psychiatrist, and how are they different from a Psychologist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in mental health. They can prescribe and manage medication, as well as provide therapy. Psychologists, on the other hand, are experts in psychotherapy and testing but cannot prescribe medication.

What can I expect during my first psychiatric evaluation with Dr. Walter Smith?

Your first visit with Dr. Smith will involve a comprehensive medical and psychiatric assessment. This will cover your medical history, symptoms, and life circumstances to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This is the first step in developing a holistic treatment plan, which may include medication, therapy, or both.

Do I have to take medication if I see a psychiatrist?

Dr. Smith will discuss all treatment options, including psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. Medication is a collaborative decision, recommended when it is the most effective tool for improving your quality of life and preventing symptoms from worsening.

How can medication help prevent a relapse of my depression or bipolar disorder?

Psychiatric medications, like antidepressants or mood stabilizers, work to correct chemical imbalances in the brain, creating a stable foundation for therapy and the use of coping skills. Consistent treatment is key to preventing future episodes.

How long will I need to be on psychiatric medication?

The length of time you need psychiatric medication is highly individualized and depends on your specific condition. For some, it may be short-term, while for others, it's a long-term management tool, similar to medication for chronic conditions. This is something we will discuss further with Dr. Smith.

What is involved in geriatric psychiatry?

Geriatric psychiatry is a specialized field focused on the mental health of older adults. It involves diagnosing and managing conditions like late-life depression, anxiety, and behavioral symptoms of dementia. Our team has extensive experience in safely prescribing medications for seniors, considering their often complex medication regimens.

Do you treat children and adolescents?

Dr. Smith's practice focuses on adult psychiatry.

How are panic attacks treated with medication?

Dr. Smith's practice uses a two-pronged approach: daily preventive medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks; and fast-acting anti-anxiety medications for acute episodes as needed.

1940 Harrison Ave
Panama City FL 32405
Phone: (850) 763-0017

Dr. Walter Smith, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1245664531

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Psychiatrists like Dr. Walter Smith are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your psychiatrist about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.