Psychiatry

Psychiatry is a medical field concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental health conditions. 

Unlike other mental health professionals, such as psychologists and counsellors, psychiatrists must be medically qualified doctors who have chosen to specialise in psychiatry. This means they can prescribe medication as well as recommend other forms of treatment. 

Child and adolescent psychiatrists treat children and young people up to the age of 18 with a range of mental health conditions such as 

• neuro-developmental problems arising in childhood
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 
• autism and learning disability 
• tic disorders 
• emotional and behavioural problems
• disruptive behaviour 
• feeding and toileting difficulties 
• depression 
• anxiety and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) 
• response to trauma or life adjustment (such as domestic violence and divorce) 
• attachment disorders 
• other significant mental health problems
• eating disorders 
• psychosis 
• self-harm and attempted suicide 

A psychiatrist may work alongside a patient’s family and carers, their schoolteachers and other specialists such as paediatricians. They provide advice, often delivering their expertise to other professionals rather than the patient themselves.  

They can also be responsible for advocating for children and young people. A Child and adolescent psychiatrist will have an understanding of legal frameworks, educational provision and safeguarding.