What Is Neuropsychiatry? - Harley Therapy™ Blog

by Andrea M. Darcy

Confused as to what kind of psychiatrist you need? What is neuropsychiatry anyway, and can it help your issue?

What is neuropsychiatry?

The word is essentially what it sounds like — an approach that is a hybrid of neuroscience and psychiatry.

Neuropsychiatry combines an understanding of mental health disorders with one of brain and nervous system problems, and is seen as a sub speciality of general adult psychiatry.

What does neuropsychiatry help with?

Neuropsychiatry helps with two categories of clients.

First and foremost would be those who have damage to or disease of the nervous system, and it’s causing them difficulties with moods, thinking, and behaviour. A classic example is dementia, which then causes mood swings or depression.

The second category of clients would be those who have all the symptoms of a neurological issue, but doctors can’t find any cause. An example is conversion disorder (more on that below).

So what is a neuropsychiatrist?

A neuropsychiatrist trains to be a psychiatrist (medical school followed by a psychiatry degree), then goes on to do an additional MSc in neuropsychiatry.

This means that they know how to do all the assessments a general psychiatrist can do, but also how to read brain scans, and carry out things like computerised testing for brain issues.

As for what their job entails, they offer assessments, diagnosis, ongoing support and treatment, referrals to other necessary specialists, and prescribe medication. Some will also offer medico-legal reports.

What are neuropsychiatric disorders?

Sometimes you might see the term applied to mental health disorders in children that have a neurological link, such as:

• attention deficit disorder (ADHD)
• anger issues
• conduct disorder.

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