Psychiatry: what it is and who can benefit

by NAOMI COLEMAN, femail.co.uk

More people than ever are seeking counselling, known as the 'talking treatment' to help solve their emotional problems. But finding the right type of counselling to suit your particular needs can be a minefield.

A psychiatrist is a medically trained doctor who helps people with more severe mental illnesses, whereas psychology is a broad term covering four different types of psychotherapists who are not medically trained.

Here, we present a guide to the main types of counselling available, how they work, where to find them and who they're best for

PSYCHIATRY

What is it?

A psychiatrist has completed a full medical training and will have practised general medicine for at least one year. After this, they train in psychiatry for at least six years before becoming a consultant psychiatry, often based at a hospital.

What's involved?
A one-to-one session where the psychiatrist asks about the patient's family and personal history. A full medical assessment is made which aims to establish a psychiatric condition. During the sessions, the psychiatrist may prescribe drug treatment. The ultimate aim is to reduce the level of medication and find out the lowest dose required to treat the patient with minimum side effects.

If needed, the patient may be referred for further therapy, from a clinical psychologist or counsellor. In some cases, the psychiatrist may admit the patient to hospital for specialised psychiatric care. In rare cases, if a patient refuses to go to hospital and is considered to be a danger to himself or the public, the psychiatrist may admit them against their will. This is known as being 'sectioned'.

Who can benefit?
People with more serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, eating disorders, severe drug and alcohol addiction, or manic depression.

Who to contact?

Your GP will assess you and decide whether you need to see a psychiatrist under the NHS. If you wish to go private (sessions cost from £150 per hour, depending on where you live), you can contact the Royal College of Psychiatrists at www.rcpsych.ac.uk, or contact the Priory Clinic at www.prioryhealthcare.co.uk.

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