Psychiatry
What happens duringyour appointments
During your first appointment, your psychiatrist will carry out an initial assessment. They'll look at both your mental and physical health, and may ask:
- about the problem that brought you to see them
- general questions about your life and thoughts
- to carry out a simple physical examination, such as checking your blood pressure for example, before prescribing certain medications
- to get information from other sources, such as your GP, relatives and social workers
After assessing your condition, the psychiatrist may prescribe medication or recommend other treatments, such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) .
The number of times you need to see a psychiatrist and the length of each appointment will depend on your circumstances.
A psychiatrist may continue to manage your treatment or they may refer you to other community mental health services in your area. These services work in small units or clinics and aim tohelp people manage their illness so they can lead a normal life within the community.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about the difference between psychiatry and psychology, and find out about the conditions psychiatrists may treat, how to get an appointment, and what your appointments may involve.
What conditionscan psychiatrists treat?
Mental health conditions that may be diagnosed and treated by a psychiatrist include: Generalised anxiety disorder phobias obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) post-traumatic stress disorde
Getting an appointment with a psychiatrist
You'll usually need a referral from your GP or another doctor to see a psychiatrist on the NHS. Your GP may refer you directly to a psychiatrist or to a member of a local mental health team, who can
What happens duringyour appointments
During your first appointment, your psychiatrist will carry out an initial assessment. They'll look at both your mental and physical health, and may ask: about the problem that brought you to see th
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