“General adult psychiatry” sounds basic — but what makes it valuable is the depth of specialist expertise applied to the full range of adult mental health conditions. From major depression to complex medication management to coordinated care for treatment-resistant cases, general adult psychiatry is where most patients access psychiatric care.
The difference between competent general adult psychiatry and exceptional general adult psychiatry comes down to several factors: evaluation time, diagnostic accuracy, medication expertise, willingness to address complexity, and ongoing measurement-based care. This article walks through what that looks like.
What General Adult Psychiatry Covers
In Dr. Farkas’s practice, this includes evaluation and ongoing management of:
Mood disorders
- Major depression — including treatment-resistant cases
- Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
- Bipolar I and II
- Cyclothymia
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Seasonal affective disorder
Anxiety disorders
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias
- Agoraphobia
- Adult separation anxiety
OCD and related disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Hoarding disorder
Trauma-related conditions
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Complex PTSD
- Adjustment disorders
- Acute stress disorder
Neurodevelopmental
- Adult ADHD
- Sometimes autism spectrum (with appropriate referral for specialized evaluation when needed)
Other
- Sleep disorders related to psychiatric conditions
- Cognitive complaints
- Personality disorders (with coordinated therapy)
- Stable schizophrenia maintenance
What Quality General Psychiatry Looks Like
Thorough initial evaluation
60-90 minutes for new patients. Comprehensive psychiatric, medical, family, and social history. Mental status examination. Validated rating scales for baseline measurement.
Accurate diagnostic formulation
Differential diagnosis considered carefully — including bipolar, ADHD, trauma, and medical contributors that are frequently missed in rushed evaluations.
Individualized treatment planning
Medication choices matched to specific diagnosis, prior treatment history, side-effect priorities, and patient preferences. Therapy coordination when appropriate.
Measurement-based care
PHQ-9, GAD-7, and condition-specific scales used at each visit to track objective progress — not just clinical impression.
Active side-effect management
Side effects addressed rather than dismissed. Adjustments made when tolerability is suboptimal.
Willingness to deprescribe
Medications evaluated periodically — added when needed, tapered when no longer needed. The goal is the minimum effective regimen.
Coordinated care
Communication with primary care, therapy, and other providers when appropriate.
Source: American Psychiatric Association quality indicators and practice surveys.
When to See an Adult Psychiatrist
- Psychiatric symptoms significantly affecting your life
- Suspected need for medication management
- Existing treatment that isn’t working well
- Complex picture with multiple conditions
- Treatment-resistant symptoms
- Diagnostic uncertainty
- Wanting to optimize current medication regimen
- Need for specialist-level evaluation or second opinion
Insurance-pressured shortcuts
Many psychiatric practices have shortened evaluations, increased panel sizes, and reduced time per patient — producing suboptimal care for complex situations.
Specialist-level general care
Dr. Farkas provides general adult psychiatry with the thoroughness, expertise, and time it deserves.
Treatment that actually works
Patients receive accurate diagnoses, individualized treatment, and ongoing optimization — not just prescription management.
Common Questions About Adult Psychiatry
Do I need a referral?
No referral required to schedule with Dr. Farkas. If you’d like your PCP informed, that can be arranged with your consent.
Can you provide ongoing care or just consultation?
Both. Many patients establish ongoing care; others come for evaluation or second opinion and return to their primary provider.
Do you do therapy?
Dr. Farkas focuses on psychiatric medication management and evaluation. When therapy is appropriate, coordination with licensed therapists is part of the care plan. See our related articles on medication management and psychiatric evaluation.
How often will I be seen?
Varies by clinical need. Initially weekly to biweekly during stabilization, then monthly to quarterly for maintenance, and less frequently for stable patients.