What Does a Psychiatrist Do?
Psychiatrists play an essential role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with clinical mental illness.
Their role is multifaceted and spans both the preventative and curative. These medical doctors are well-versed in psychological conditions, the medications used in response to them, and are familiar with up-to-date therapeutic interventions (though they do not typically perform the therapies, themselves).
In this article, we'll examine this vital role in more detail and answer some of the most common questions about it.
Diagnosis
If you're feeling mentally unwell, you may first contact your GP. This might go one of two ways: either the GP will provide support, or if they think the patient's needs are more complex, they may refer the patient to a psychiatrist.
Within an initial appointment, a psychiatrist will ask the patient to discuss what they've been experiencing in as much detail as possible and gauge from the patient how their daily life is being or has been disrupted by the symptoms.
Depending on what they think is going on, the psychiatrist may conduct a more formal quantitative assessment and, at the end of the session, tell the patient what they believe they might be suffering from.
Psychiatrists typically work from either the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders, or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) depending on where in the world they’re based – here in the UK, the ICD is used.
Treatment
The next part of a psychiatrist's role is to recommend a course of treatment; this can include medication, like antidepressants or antipsychotics, therapy options, or a combination of the two. The psychiatrist will be responsible for the type and dosage of any medications prescribed and for monitoring any potential side effects the drug(s) used may have.
As mentioned at the start, while psychiatrists may also be trained in therapeutic interventions, they're unlikely to deliver them themselves. Instead, they're more likely to refer the patient to a psychologist or counsellor, and the patient will receive treatment with these professionals.
Psychiatrists determine whether patients need to see them for regular updates or as a one-off appointment. Often, it's the former. However, the frequency of the appointments will vary from clinician to clinician. It's not unusual to see a psychiatrist monthly or every six weeks.
Prevention
Psychiatrists help with the prevention of psychological conditions through several means, including primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. In terms of primary prevention, these professionals engage in public education, community engagement, training for early identification, and general advocacy.
Secondary prevention revolves around preventing milder symptoms from developing into mode severe disorders (whereas primary prevention relates to preventing symptoms or disorders from developing in the first place); screening tools, early intervention schemes, and family education can all be utilised.
Tertiary prevention can be thought of as measures taken to stop established mental disorders and psychological conditions from worsening further. These can include comprehensive treatment plans, rehabilitation services, regular monitoring, and the referral of patients to support groups.
What's the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and a Therapist?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who prescribe medications and treatment pathways for various mental conditions, like depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Therapists are most often psychologists or licensed counsellors and, unlike psychiatrists, are not permitted to prescribe medications.
Where Do You See a Psychiatrist?
Most psychiatrists work in outpatient clinics or hospital settings. They may also occasionally work in GP clinics.
Are there Different Types of Psychiatrists?
Yes, there are many different types of psychiatrists, including:
Forensic psychiatrists.
Child and Adolescent psychiatrists.
Geriatric psychiatrists.
Emergency psychiatrists.
Community psychiatrists
And more...
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