Psychiatrist

Key points about psychiatrists

  • A psychiatrist is a doctor who specialises in mental health or psychiatry.
  • Some psychiatrists are more specialised and have more training in certain areas.
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A psychiatrist assesses, diagnoses and treats mental health conditions such as depression, eating disorders, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and addiction.

Some psychiatrists are more specialised and have more training in certain areas. These areas include:

  • child and adolescent psychiatry
  • mental health of mothers and babies
  • young adult psychiatry
  • old age psychiatry
  • addiction psychiatry
  • forensic psychiatry 
  • psychotherapy.

We all experience some ups and downs, sometimes feeling low and other times being happy. If you have ongoing distress and your ability to function is affected, you may have a mental illness. Talk to your GP or doctor first to find out whether you need to see a psychiatrist. 

A psychiatrist can help with a number of mental health conditions, including:

Your psychiatrist can provide treatments such as:

  • prescribing medications
  • referring you to a psychologist for psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), talking therapy or psychotherapy
  • carrying out procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

There are 3 main differences between a psychiatrist and a psychologist:

A psychiatrist: A psychologist:
  • is a doctor
  • can prescribe medications
  • provides treatments by referring you to a psychologist for psychological therapies.
  • is not a medical doctor
  • can't prescribe medications
  • provides treatments by carrying out psychological therapies such as CBT, interpersonal therapy, family therapy, psychotherapy or talking therapy. 

Psychotherapists and counsellors also offer psychological therapies such as CBT, interpersonal therapy, family therapy, psychotherapy or talking therapy. 

Usually, you can find a psychiatrist in hospitals, outpatient clinics, prisons, community mental health services or rehab centers. 

Talk to your GP or doctor about getting a referral to a psychiatrist. Or you can pay for a private service. 

A psychiatrist has to do at least 11 years of medical training and be registered with the Medical Council of NZ(external link) to work in New Zealand. Find out about different training options to become a psychiatrist on the Careers NZ website(external link)

What's a psychiatrist?(external link) Your Health In Mind, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists and psychologists: what's the difference?(external link) Your Health In Mind, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatry(external link) NHS, UK

References

  1. Psychiatrist(external link) Careers NZ
  2. What's a psychiatrist?(external link) Your Health In Mind, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
  3. Psychiatrists and psychologists: what's the difference?(external link) Your Health In Mind, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

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