Preventive Psychiatry
WHAT IS PREVENTIVE PSYCHIATRY?
Preventive psychiatry focuses on identifying and reducing risk factors for mental health conditions before they become severe.
It includes:
Screening for early signs of depression and anxiety
Reviewing sleep, stress, and lifestyle habits
Discussing family history and genetic risk
Supporting patients during high-risk periods (postpartum, perimenopause, major life transitions)
Strengthening protective factors like exercise, social connection, and purpose
What this looks like for patients:
Annual visits with a psychiatrist for primary prevention
Meeting with a psychiatrist as soon as symptoms appear, before they become difficult
Not waiting til life gets hard to reach out for care