Seeing a Psychiatrist

Going to see a psychiatrist can seem different from seeing any other kind of medical specialist, but the experience can actually be very similar. Your psychiatrist is a fully qualified doctor who will ask about your health, prescribe medication and talk to you about your health and wellbeing.

What is a Psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist is a highly trained medical specialist who focuses on mental health. Your psychiatrist will be a fully qualified doctor who has experience diagnosing and treating all kinds of disorders. The doctor will be able to discuss your symptoms with you and advise on the best approach for managing them. Since the psychiatrist is medically qualified, they will be able to prescribe medication if it is needed as part of your care.

When to See a Psychiatrist

You can see a psychiatrist if you are concerned about any aspect of your mental health. It can be a good idea to see a psychiatrist to talk about any symptoms that affect your mental health and wellbeing, especially if they are affecting your work or everyday activities. Taking care of your mental wellbeing is just as important as looking after your physical health.

You can see a psychiatrist about:

• Anxiety, depression or other emotional concerns
• Problems with food, phobias or other issues that are affecting your day to day life
• Stress or worry relating to work, health or other aspects of your life
• Symptoms that could be caused by a mental disorder such as OCD or schizophrenia
• Help tackling an addiction
• Support during a difficult period or when you need someone to talk to

How Your Psychiatrist Can Help

Seeing a psychiatrist is similar to consulting any other medical specialist. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and general health, discuss the diagnosis with you, and advise on treatment. Depending on your needs, the specialist may:

• Prescribe medication to help manage your symptoms
• Ask you to come back to talk to them regularly
• Suggest therapy such as CBT to help you to manage symptoms or behaviours you want to change
• Recommend a support group
• Advise you on other forms of support that are available to help you