Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are doctors who specialise in treating mental illnesses.

Psychiatrists must first train as a doctor. They will then, like all other doctors, work on different wards to learn about surgery, medicine, etc.

After several years on different psychiatric and neurological wards they become a consultant.

A psychiatrist is therefore both a doctor and a specialist in psychiatric disorders. Psychiatrists know all about:

• The medical treatment of psychiatric disorders
• The use of psychotherapy for psychiatric disorders

What is psychiatry?

Psychiatry is the area of medicine that deals with psychiatric disorders. It borders and overlaps several other disciplines:

• Neurology
• Psychology
• Medicine
• Social medicine, etc.

What do psychiatrists treat?

A psychiatrist may treat you if you suffer from one of the following:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleeplessness
• Obsessions
• Post traumatic stress disorder
• Abuse (sexual/emotional/physical)
• Pain syndromes
• Social phobias and schizophrenia

Sleeplessness and anxiety are often a feature in cases of depression, social phobias, etc.

Psychiatric training?

There are two main advantages of going to a psychiatrist - he or she is both:

• A trained doctor
• Trained in psychotherapy

Courses, seminars and practical experience help psychiatrists to increase their knowledge and experience of the different types of medicine. They can also obtain new knowledge by taking part in medical projects.

What is psychiatric treatment?

Some psychiatrists offer psychotherapy in various forms:

• Individually
• In groups
• As couple therapy
• As family therapy

Most psychiatrists offer treatment as a combination of:

• Counselling (psychotherapy)
• Medication

Your psychiatrist will endeavour to make a diagnosis during your first consultation. On the basis of this diagnosis he or she will come up with a suitable treatment for you.

Medication or psychotherapy?

In many cases a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for depression, but ultimately, it is your decision whether to follow a psychiatrists recommendations.

Your treatment is a partnership between you and your psychiatrist.

Many different methods are used in psychotherapy - your psychiatrist will choose one on the basis of his or her approach and background.

Practical questions?

You are likely to have many questions if you are considering psychotherapy, including practical ones. Here we will try to answer the following questions:

• Do you need a referral?
• Where can you find a psychiatrist?
• What are the issues around patient confidentiality?

System of referral?

Go to your GP for a referral to a psychiatrist - your doctor will decide whether you need to be referred to a psychiatrist. Medicare requires a GP referal if you are to make a claim for visits to a psychiatrist.

You do not need a doctor's referral to see a GP who has special training in mental health.

Where can you find a psychiatrist?

Your GP can refer you to a psychiatrist.

If you would prefer to find a psychiatrist yourself or have had someone recommended to you, ask your doctor for a referral to that particular psychiatrist.

There is often a waiting list to see a psychiatrist. Given that some psychiatrists treat specific problems and psychological disorders it might be important for you to discuss with your doctor who you should see and how long it might be advisable to wait.

If the waiting list is very long, your doctor may want to start treating you himself or herself. If this works, you won't need to be referred. However, if it doesn't work, you may need to see a psychiatrist quickly. If you cannot get an appointment quickly you may need to see a doctor at the Community Mental Health Center or at an Accident Emergency Center.

Do psychiatrists have to follow patient confidentiality guidelines?

Like all doctors, psychiatrists have to follow patient confidentiality guidelines. This means that information may not be relayed to others unless you have given your consent first.

This duty may be waived in certain situations, e.g. if others' lives are in immediate danger or your safety is at risk.