Title: Can a primary care doctor prescribe medicine for mental health issues or do they have to be a psychiatrist? | Yahoo Answers
Headings: Can a primary care doctor prescribe medicine for mental health issues or do they have to be a psychiatrist?
Can a primary care doctor prescribe medicine for mental health issues or do they have to be a psychiatrist?
8 Answers
Anonymous
Anonymous

Content: I would give you his number, but he skipped town last week. I will let you know when I see him again. ...Show more
Dee
1 decade ago
I've had some PCPs' who will prescribe anti depressants and anxiety drugs, but not anti psychotics, mood stabilizers or benzos. It really depends on the relationship the doctor has with the patient and how well they communicate. My doctor doesn't mind writing scripts for my medicine in between psych appts as long as he knows I'm following through with my T and Pdoc. Good luck and take care of you! ...Show more
jdphd
Lv 5
1 decade ago
a primary care doctor is able to prescribe medication for mental health concerns. however, not all primary care physicians are willing to do so for all of the patients they work with - if a doctor feels that a person they are seeing needs more specialized help with medication than he or she is able to provide, then that doctor will be ethically required to refer the patient to a psychiatrist with more expertise in mental health concerns and the medications used to treat them. think of it this way -- if you have high blood pressure, your primary care physician can give you medication to lower your blood pressure. the physician can give you advice about changing your diet or exercising more frequently to improve your overall health, which should, in turn, lower your blood pressure.