What is psychiatry?
Psychiatry is the medical specialty which deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders. The most common method of psychiatric treatment nowadays involves a combination of
psychotherapy and psychiatric medication. Psychiatrists may work closely with other doctors in order to treat their patients, and treatment may be either on an outpatient or inpatient basis.
Which subspecialties are included under psychiatry?
Psychiatry has many subspecialties, which vary from country to country. Generally, in the UK, the subspecialties are classified as follows:
- General adult psychiatry, treating those between 18 and 65 years of age
- Social and community psychiatry, managing people in the wider community so they are able to remain in their own homes
- Old age psychiatry, treating those above the age of 65 (generally)
- Child and adolescent psychiatry, working with under 18s and focusing on disorders which may occur during a child’s development
- Liaison psychiatry, a hospital based service working closely with the A&E department and the inpatient wards
- Forensic psychiatry, a service based either in a hospital, in a prison, or in the wider community, dealing with disorders in offenders
- Addiction psychiatry, focusing on drug and alcohol misuse, or other addictions such as gambling
- Psychotherapy, a talking therapy based area of psychiatry
- Learning disability, focusing on genetic and acquired mental disorders
What kind of conditions does a psychiatrist treat?
While many doctors (such as your GP) are able to diagnose mental disorders and prescribe treatment, and there are many medical professionals working in the field of mental health, psychiatrists are qualified doctors with specialist experience in the treatment and prevention of mental health conditions. There are many mental health conditions that a psychiatrist can diagnose and treat, but some of the more commonly experienced ones include:
When should I see a psychiatrist?
An ongoing mental condition can be treated and monitored by a psychiatrist if you are already aware of the condition itself. However, in order to see a psychiatrist for the first time, generally people are referred through their GP or from another doctor. Psychiatrists work closely with other specialists in many cases, and you may be referred following treatment with another doctor, such as a gastroenterologist or a
psychologist.
How can I find a psychiatrist in London?
If you wish to look for a psychiatrist in London privately, you can ask your GP for advice if you are happy to go through them. However, if you would prefer to make the decision and find the ideal doctor for you, you can use our site to find the right psychiatrist in London. Simply enter either the specialty (psychiatry), or the pathology (e.g anorexia) and select the area you live in. Choose your insurance policy if you have one, and our website will filter doctors based on their areas of expertise, location, and the insurance companies they accept. Alternatively, if you would like specific advice on finding your ideal doctor, you can call our Customer Care Department on +442039652999.
