What are some common tasks performed by psychiatrists?

Psychiatrists don’t just prescribe medication. Equipped with the skills to diagnose and treat major mental health conditions, psychiatrists also counsel patients, providing them with the support they need to overcome their problems.

A psychiatrist is a doctor who specialises in treating complex mental health conditions, especially illnesses that require medication or treatments. They are equipped with the skills to diagnose medical conditions and assess physical and mental factors of psychological disorders to provide a treatment plan.

The most common tasks performed by psychiatrists include:

– Prescribe medication to patients to help manage their symptoms.
– Devise treatment plans and therapy for patients with manageable symptoms.
– Exploring a patient’s history and experiences to understand their current state of mind and behaviours.
– Help patients understand and change their thought processes and behaviours.
– Collect medical information from patients, family members and other medical professionals to diagnose a patient accurately.
– Create a detailed record of a patient’s medical history to devise a suitable treatment plan.
– Gain insight into a patient’s physical condition by ordering laboratory or diagnostic tests.
– Provide patients with emotional support and coping strategies to manage their disorder.
– Provide the patients and their family members with information on the effect of their health condition and necessary treatment.

A psychiatrist’s job is not just to prescribe medication. They provide the support a patient requires, educating them on their illness, tips to cope with the symptoms, and talking them through their problems.

They also collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses and other medical professionals to understand a patient’s illness thoroughly before devising a treatment plan. As the psychiatrist interacts with the patient, they will check their progress regularly and adjust their treatment plan as required.

Medically reviewed by Dr Sunitha MBBS, DPM (NIMHANS), DNB

Dr Sunitha serves as the Chief Psychiatrist at Agan Health Trichy. She specialises in Adult Psychiatry, and her fields of interest include consultation liaison psychiatry and women's mental health. With over 15 years of experience in the field of mental healthcare, Dr Sunitha has been instrumental in positively transforming the lives of many in Tamil Nadu. She is also a consulting psychiatrist at some of the reputed mental health institutions in Tamil Nadu.