A 48-year-old member asked:
can a primary care doctor prescribe psychiatric meds?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Andrew Turrisi answered
Radiation Oncology 47 years experience
Yes: Using medicines requires knowledge of doses, indications, adverse effects, and interactions with other medicines.
5748 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali answered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Primary care: Sure they can. Main concerns over long-term continued prescribing is side-effects & possible liability issue.
5748 viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Anthony Vita answered
Specializes in Psychiatry
Yes: More antidepressant medications are prescribed by primary care physicians than by psychiatrists. Any licensed physician can prescribe any medication, with a few exceptions. Primary care physicians vary greatly in their comfort level and skill in prescribing such medications, especially when using lithium or antipsychotics.
3824 viewsAnswered Mar 28, 2018
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
What to do if you suspect you or a loved one may have a psychiatric disorder
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Christopher Nicora answered
Internal Medicine 24 years experience
See primary care: Please see your primary care physician for a general physical. Reversible causes of a mood disorder should be ruled out before seeing a psychiatrist. This can be done with a simple blood test.
6060 viewsReviewed May 12, 2019
A 32-year-old member asked:
What happens if one needs to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital, but they can't pay?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Jeffrey Weyeneth answered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Safety first: If someone has a serious psychiatric illness and needs inpatient care, they should be admiited and payment can be addressed later. A hospital can not legally deny admission based on inability to pay. Once admiited, the person could talk to a hospital social worker or financial specialist about payment options. Often, hospitals will write off indigent care or the state may absorb the costs.
6042 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 38-year-old member asked:
Could you tell me what happens when a suicidal person get admitted involuntarily into the psychiatric ward?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. John Moranville answered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
They live: Someone is admitted involuntarily when a mental health professional or law enforcement official decides the are in imminent danger of killing themselves. Each state has slightly different laws, but this usually means an observation period of 72 hours. During this time medication can only be used if the patient is in immediate risk without patient consent.
6040 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Why am I thinking about this now? Instead of sooner? Is there a psychiatric condition making me do this?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Alan Ali answered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Thinking: Depends on what you're thinking of !.
5748 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
ZA
A 29-year-old female asked:
Which hospitals in Durban are legally allowed to keep and treat psychiatric patients against their will until they're better?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Robert Kwok answered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Ask Benefits Person: The person in charge of insurance benefits at the insurance company may know which hospitals have Psychiatry Units. Otherwise, look online for Psychiatric Hospitals, and call each one. You have posted on HealthTap's free, public, informational forum for health questions. People post questions from all over the world. We volunteer doctors on HealthTap do not know about each user's local hospitals.
299 viewsAnswered Jul 13, 2018
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Mar 28, 2018
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits
$15 per month
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.