What to Expect From a Private Psychiatrist
The field of psychiatry is a fundamental medical discipline. After medical school graduates undertake two years of Foundation Training in a range of departments in hospitals, including the psychiatry department. They then do three years of specialization training, usually in three 12-month posts.
This includes the discussion of the most likely diagnosis and the treatment recommendations of a specialist in accordance with an integrated biopsychosocial model. They will also draft brief medical reports for your GP.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are trained medically and are specialists in diagnosing and treating mental health problems. Although they function similarly to psychologists, they also have a strong understanding of the biological elements of mental health and how this affects our behaviour. As a result psychiatrists are often able to prescribe medications to assist in the management of symptoms. They can also provide assistance and advice.
To become a psychiatrist you must hold an medical degree that is recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC). You may then opt to complete a two-year foundation program of general education prior to taking three years of core psychotherapy training. Then, you will finish a further three years of training in specialist psychotherapy.
In the UK, there are currently 21 psychiatry deaneries that provide a national recruitment service for core and specialist post-doctoral training. They are in charge of overseeing national recruitment, organising specialist training and maintaining standards. They also play an important role in the creation of mental health services.
Your GP can suggest a psychiatrist if you require one. You could be referred to a local mental health care team. The Royal College of Psychiatrists, the main UK support body for psychiatrists, is a good starting point. It lists psychiatrists that are registered to treat patients.
A private psychiatrist will assess your mental health in totality and, if necessary, provide you with an appropriate treatment plan. They can assess you face to face via internet or telephone. They can also write reports for your GP. They will be able to assist you in overcoming your symptoms and get back to living your life to the fullest.
If you're thinking of visiting a private psychiatric doctor, make sure to ask about their qualifications and experience. Look for a psychiatrist with an active GMC license and who is a Royal College of Psychiatrists member. Check if they accept insurance.
Assessments
In a first-time assessment in private, the psychiatrist will review your mental health thoroughly. This will involve detailed discussions about the current issues and an examination of your prior experiences. This will include the discussion of your personal and family history to better understand what is going on in the present. In certain instances, the psychiatrist may recommend blood tests or other medical tests in order to get more information about your symptoms and condition. They can be done through your GP or privately.
If the psychiatrist feels that you need more information they will refer you to a specialist who will conduct a second assessment for instance, psychotherapist, psychologist or counsellor. They can then provide you with therapy if they believe this is appropriate, or may recommend medication. You are invited to bring a friend or family member to this session to ask any questions you might have.
Psychiatrists will discuss your symptoms in depth and determine if they are caused by an illness or are caused by some other issue, like stress or alcohol. The evaluation will consider the impact that your problems are having on your day to day life, and how they impact your relationships and how you deal with everyday tasks. The psychiatrist will ask about your family, social activities and how your issues impact your work or school.
Liaison psychiatry services that assess patients in hospitals are inspected by PLAN and are expected to have an interview space that meets criteria for safely conducting high-risk assessments. PLAN has found this to be a difficult goal to achieve. There are numerous obstacles such as the fact that the assessment rooms are not an area of concern for hospital management, or the necessity to balance security requirements and a peaceful atmosphere. PLAN also found that some hospital liaison services for psychiatry struggle to comply with the National Suicide Prevention Strategy standards which stress the importance of having adequate facilities for assessing those at risk of suicidal thoughts.
Medical Investigations
Psychologists have been trained to identify and treat physical causes of mental disorders, which includes those that are usually physical. This means that they could need to carry out medical tests, such as blood tests or MRI scans. The psychiatrist will usually decide the type of test required after reviewing your symptoms and past history. The test results can confirm or rule out the root cause of your illness.
A psychiatrist may also choose to prescribe medication rather than conduct medical examinations. When taken correctly, medications can be extremely effective in treating psychiatric disorders. Occasionally, the psychiatrist will recommend you to a therapist who can provide specific therapy. Doctors will only refer you to a therapist in the event that the therapist is able to help.
The psychiatrist will usually schedule follow-up appointments that last for a half hour or even an hour, based on the complexity of your case. The psychiatrist will typically want to meet with you in person, however during the Covid-19 pandemic it was common for the first appointments to be made over the phone or via video. You can invite a friend or family member into the room for consultation, but this is not always necessary.
Your doctor may be able to arrange for an additional opinion from a psychiatrist within another NHS trust. It depends on if the trust was willing to offer it and if your local integrated health board (ICB) is willing to pay for the procedure. You might also be able to get assistance from an advocacy or mental health advocacy service.
Psychiatrists need a medical degree, and they must then work for two years as house officers for foundation in different hospitals. After that, they can apply for specialist training that is divided into 3 phases: basic psychiatry