Medical specialists who work as psychiatrists have an important duty to help patients who suffer from disorders. Mental Health Channel defines a psychiatrist as one who commonly orders diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, use psychotherapy and help patients and their families cope with stress. They are trained to combat mental, emotional and behavioral afflictions and work with psychologists, social workers and primary care physicians.

Misconceptions of Psychiatrists

Many people associate psychiatrists with psychologists. Although they treat similar illnesses, research and diagnose disorders and practice psychotherapy, they are different. Psychiatrists can prescribe drugs to treat illnesses while a psychologist cannot. Psychiatrists do not always treat patients who suffer from severe mental illnesses. They also perform job duties doing medication management and medical evaluations.

How can a Psychiatrist be blamed for Malpractice

There are many ways psychiatrists can be blamed for medical malpractice. Many may think that evil hypnosis or bad counseling may be the culprits. However, the job duties of a psychiatrist are more demanding than hypnosis and counseling. According to PubMed Central, some of the reasons psychiatrists can be sued for medical malpractice are:

• Altering a patient’s record after an unfavorable event or crisis

• Failure to document what medications were ordered, why the medication was ordered, and if there were changes to the medication prescribed

• Failure to take appropriate steps when dangerous patients identify the party as a potential victim as required by law

• Allowing suicidal behaviors in patients to become lost without following up

• Ignoring steps in a client-patient termination process

• Becoming involved in a sexual relationship with the patient

• Failure to appropriately respond to family members’ concerns about a patient with suicidal behaviors because the psychiatrist does not have an authorization from the patient to release information on treatment


False Memory Syndrome Foundation has an example on their site. In 1995, Lynn Carl filed an $18 million lawsuit on her psychiatrist. In the lawsuit, Lynn claimed she developed over 500 personalities to cope with false memories. She said she was never warned about the reliability of test results stemming from psychotherapy and hypnosis. Her two children were also hypnotized and mind programmed to believe their past memories consisted of them raping, robbing, selling drugs, murdering individuals and cannibalism.

The psychiatrist was found liable for implanting false memories of sexual abuse in a satanic state. The judge later awarded her $5.8 million.

At Rasansky Law Firm, we are committed to being an advocate for individuals who suffer from medical malpractice from a psychiatrist. If you feel you or a loved one is a victim of medical malpractice from a psychiatrist, do not hesitate to fill out our free case evaluation form. Our Dallas medical malpractice attorneys will gladly review the facts of your situation.

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