A Psychiatrist is a medically qualified doctor who specialises in supporting people with their mental wellbeing. Psychiatrists in the Essex Learning Disability Partnership work with other multidisciplinary team members to assess service users’ needs related to their:

• Mental Health

• Behaviours of concern

• Epilepsy

• Dementia

They work both in the specialist Community Learning Disability teams across the ELDP and also in our local Assessment and Treatment Units for people with a Learning Disability at Lexden Hospital and Byron Court.

• A Psychiatrist can help you worry less and feel happier.
• They might give you medicine to help you worry less or feel happier.
• They will check to see if you are feeling better with the medication and make sure you are not getting side effects.
• They will help you to get the best support by keeping your GP up-to-date and working with the rest of the Community Learning Disability Team.
• Your Psychiatrist might also help with developing care plans if you have needs related to behaviours of concern, epilepsy or dementia.

• It may be helpful to see a Psychiatrist in ELDP if you have experienced a decline in your mental health. You might be feeling worried or sad or be hearing voices.
• You might see a Psychiatrist if you take medication for your mental health.
• You might get support from a Psychiatrist if you have epilepsy or are having problems with your memory.
• If you see a Psychiatrist, they will want to talk with you and hear from you how you are feeling. At the end of the appointment there will be a discussion about what may be helpful and advice will be given to you.