Psychiatrists

A psychiatrist is a doctor who has qualified as a specialist in psychiatry. If you want to be a psychiatrist, you must first qualify as a doctor. Like all other doctors, you must then work in various departments and wards in order to learn surgery, medicine, etc.

Only then can you start training to become a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is therefore both a doctor and a specialist in mental illness and has an understanding of both the medicinal and psychotherapeutic treatment of mental illnesses.

What is psychiatry?
Psychiatry is the medical speciality which deals with mental illnesses. Psychiatry interfaces with and exchanges knowledge with many other disciplines, including neurology, psychology, medicine and social medicine.

Psychiatry uses knowledge of
• the function and diseases of the nervous system
• mental development, mental processes and illnesses
• the importance of social factors for health and illness

Among other things, psychiatrists deal with
• anxiety disorders
• depression
• social phobias
• compulsive symptoms
• abuse
• pain syndromes
insomnia
• eating disorders
• psychosomatic disorders
• psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia

Psychiatrists expand their knowledge and experience of the various types of medicine and effects and psychotherapy through courses, seminars and practical experience.

Medicine or psychotherapy
Most practising psychiatrists choose a combination of consultation sessions (psychotherapy) and medicine (psychoactive drugs).

You do not have to take medicine when you are receiving treatment from a practising psychiatrist. In many cases, a combination of medication and psychotherapy will be the most effective treatment for your depression. The management of your illness should take place as a collaboration between yourself and your psychiatrist.

There are many different methods within psychotherapeutic treatment. Practising psychiatrists will choose the most appropriate method on the basis of their fundamental attitude and background.

The psychiatrist will offer psychotherapeutic treatment in the following ways:
• individually
• in groups
• as couple therapy
• as family therapy

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 GP may want to start treating you himself or herself until you can get an appointment. If you need an urgent appointment you may need to see a doctor via the community crisis team or at an Emergency Department.