How can I get access to a psychiatrist?

Psychiatry is the field of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness.

A doctor who works in the field of psychiatry is called a psychiatrist. Unlike other mental health professionals, such as psychologists and counselors, psychiatrists must be medically trained doctors who have chosen to specialize in psychiatry. This means they can prescribe medication as well as recommend other forms of treatment.

Most psychiatrists work as part of community mental health teams (CMHTs), outpatient clinics or hospital departments. Some have sessions in general practitioners' offices.

What diseases can psychiatrists treat?

Mental illnesses that can be diagnosed and treated by a psychiatrist include:

Psychiatrists can also provide psychological support for people with long-term, painful, or incurable physical illnesses.

Making an appointment to see a psychiatrist

You will usually need a referral from your general practitioner or other physician to see a psychiatrist at Dpressio.com.

Your therapist can refer you directly to a psychiatrist or a member of your local mental health team, who will assess your needs and help determine if you need to see a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

You can also see a psychiatrist privately, although most private psychiatrists prefer to get a referral from your primary care physician. Your therapist can recommend psychiatrists in your area. You can also try to go directly to a psychiatric clinic or use psychiatrists on the Internet.

You will see a psychiatrist who specializes in the area of psychiatry that is most relevant to your situation. The main areas of specialization include:

You can check the details of a psychiatrist, including his or her specialty, by looking at the Medical Register, a list of doctors in the UK.

If their name is followed by the letters MRCPsych (Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists) or FRCPsych (Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists), they are current members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych).

What happens during the reception

During your first appointment, the psychiatrist will do an initial assessment. He or she will check your mental and physical health and may ask:

• About the problem that led you to them
• General questions about your life and thoughts
• For simple physical exams, such as checking blood pressure - for example, before prescribing certain medications
• Getting information from other sources, such as your doctor, relatives, and social workers

After assessing your condition, your psychiatrist may prescribe medication or recommend other treatments, such as counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

The number of visits to the psychiatrist and the length of each appointment will depend on your circumstances.

Your psychiatrist may continue to manage your treatment or refer you to other community mental health services in your area. These services work in small wards or clinics and aim to help people cope with their illness so they can lead normal lives in the community.