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Word

psychiatric

adjective C1
/ˌsaɪ.kiˈæt.ɹɪk/

Meanings

adjective

Related to the medical field of psychiatry and mental health care.

psychiatric: Related to the medical field of psychiatry and mental health care.
adjective

Involving the diagnosis or treatment of mental health conditions by specialists.

psychiatric: Involving the diagnosis or treatment of mental health conditions by specialists.

Definition

Relating to the diagnosis, treatment, or study of mental health conditions.

Psychiatric means connected with psychiatry, the branch of medicine that deals with mental health. It is often used to describe hospitals, units, assessments, medications, or care provided by specialists. The word is usually formal and appears in clinical or academic contexts.

Examples

  • The hospital expanded its psychiatric unit to reduce waiting times for urgent referrals.
  • I found the psychiatric evaluation thorough, but the questions were more personal than I expected.
  • She requested psychiatric support at work after a prolonged period of severe stress.
  • They attended a psychiatric appointment together so they could agree on a practical care plan.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse psychiatric (medical mental health) with psychological (relating to the mind in general, not necessarily medical).