Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are qualified medical doctors who diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioural disorders, and prescribe medications and treatment to promote or restore good health.

Treatment methods used by psychiatrists can be physical, psychological or involve medication, or may be a combination of these approaches. While psychiatrists often use medical psychotherapy to assist patients in understanding the basis of his or her problems and to work with the patient in finding a solution, psychiatrists typically prescribe medications, with the aim of removing symptoms, altering the course of illnesses and to return patients to a normal life. In some instances medications can be life saving, for example, in a case of a severe depressive illness. Psychiatrists are highly experienced in prescribing and monitoring these medications.

To practice within Australia, psychiatrists must have studied medicine at university, undertake extensive training in psychiatry, and have membership with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) or the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

This information was taken from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists website. For more information about Psychiatrists, please visit their website.

To look for psychiatrists practicing in your area, please click here.