Should general practitioners be allowed to prescribe psychiatric medications?

Question

I have gotten prescriptions for antidepressants and ADHD meds in the past from GPs, but I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, if you have already been diagnosed with a mental disorder by a qualified professional, it's handy to be able to get a prescription from a GP you already know and trust. However, I can't help but think that GPs usually specialize in physical ailments rather than psychological ones, so I wonder how often GPs prescribe the wrong psychiatric medication to their patients.

Answer 1

If you already have a diagnosis and prescription from a psychiatrist, then a competent GP should be able to hand out renewals. But that should not replace ongoing supervision, review and, possibly, therapy from mental health professionals.

Answer 2

Many GPs have an aptitude for psychiatry. The number of psycho pharmacological agents is small. Many GP s therefore can manage psychiatric ailments.

Answer 3

yes , the are able to prescribe any medicine.

i think it would be best to get a psych to weigh in on the decision. nothing wrong with getting anothers drs opinion. be careful not to offend the gp.

Answer 4

You have to keep in mind that (1) they have some training, and it isn't as if they're working completely in the dark (2) as with any other situation, they're able to treat competently to a certain level, and will refer to a specialist when needed, and (3) there simply aren't enough psychiatrists to fill the need.

Answer 5

Most people prescribed psych meds should not be on them.

What we are having is a marketing based explosion of mental illness lables being applied to normal people. The practice is Sorcery.

Answer 6

It doesnt seem right for a GP to proscribe meds in an area he has no knowledge of ie. psychiatry