Psychiatry in Czech Republic

Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that deals with the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. A medical doctor who specializes in this branch of medicine is called a psychiatrist and they can assess both the physical and mental aspects of all psychological issues. Psychiatrists are trained and qualified to:

• Make a diagnosis and develop a management plan
• Provide urgent care for a sudden mental illness
• Provide advice about lifestyle changes
• Provide advice and second opinions to other doctors and medical professionals
• Help manage a long-term mental health problem
• Work with patients individually, or with the patient and patient’s family, partner, or carers
• Refer patients to other medical professionals
• Admit patients to hospital if required
• Prescribe medications, such as antidepressants, stimulants, and mood stabilizers
• Perform procedures.

There are numerous procedures psychiatrists can use to diagnose and treat patients, these include, but are not limited to:

• Psychometric testing, including personality tests, intelligence tests, and neuropsychological tests
• Physical and laboratory testing, including full physical exams, neurological evaluations, laboratory tests (such as blood and urine tests), and neuroimaging techniques
• Psychotherapy
• Psychosocial interventions
• Electroconvulsive therapy.

Some common reasons why someone might see a psychiatrist include:

• Problem adjusting after major life changes
• Depression that does not go away
• Anxiety, fear, or worry
• Suicidal thinking
• Hurting themselves on purpose
• Thoughts of hurting other people
• Obsessional thinking
• Constant negative thoughts
• Feeling like people want to harm them or are after them
• Feeling jumpy or on edge
• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Addictive behaviors
• Memory problems
• Violence or emotional outburst
• Conditions that start in childhood, such as intellectual disability, autism, and childhood anxiety.

Examples of the mental health conditions that psychiatrists can diagnose and treat include anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia.

How Long Should I Stay in Czech Republic?

Psychiatric treatments are typically performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you should be able to leave the clinic or hospital immediately after the procedure, and leave Czech Republic the day after. If hospitalization is required, the average hospital stay is around 1 to 2 weeks. Since psychiatric treatment usually requires more than one appointment, you can choose to stay in Czech Republic for the whole treatment plan or to make multiple trips.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery from a mental health problem depends on your specific condition and the type of treatment you underwent. However, there is usually no recovery time needed after the psychiatric treatment itself. You can go back to your normal routine immediately. It is normal to feel overwhelmed or emotionally drained after a treatment session, so you can take a day off of work after your treatment if you need to.

What Aftercare is Required?

If your psychiatrist prescribes medications, make sure to take it as directed. Your psychiatrist may also advise you on making lifestyle changes. You may need to attend regular checkups with your psychiatrist, ranging from once a week to twice a year, depending on your specific condition and its severity. 

What's the Success Rate?

Psychiatry continues to develop and advance. A better understanding of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, as well as new technology, have helped psychiatrists to become better at diagnosing, preventing, treating, and managing mental health conditions. The quality of life of people with a mental health condition who go to psychiatrists and stick to their treatment plans have been proven to improve. While there is typically no serious risks to psychiatry treatment, it does have some side effects, such as feeling overwhelmed or emotional after treatment. 

Are there Alternatives?

In some cases, you should be able to see other mental health professionals, such as clinical psychologists and mental health counselors. 

Psychiatry in and around Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe and it has a rich and eventful history, as well as amazing attractions. From medieval towns and magnificent castles to picturesque national parks and relaxing spa resorts, it has a lot to offer. The country also boasts top-quality healthcare and is emerging as a popular medical tourism destination. Medical procedures in the country are performed with the latest technology and techniques. The medical professionals are highly qualified, well trained, and internationally recognized. Besides, the cost of medical procedures in the country is extremely competitive. Medical tourists can make significant savings compared to most other countries in Europe. Cosmetic surgery is particularly popular among international medical tourists.

Popular Parts of Czech Republic

Prague is the capital and is popular for its fine dining, eccentric nightlife, and wonderfully preserved medieval buildings with Gothic architecture, such as Prague Castle, the 14th-century Charles Bridge, and the Astronomical Clock. Along with Prague, Ceský Krumlov and Brno are frequently visited by tourists as well.

Weather and Climate in the Czech Republic

Due to its location, the Czech Republic has a mostly temperate climate. Extreme weather is rare, but the summers can get hot and the winters cold. Summer starts in June and the days can be scorching hot. The average temperature is around 26°C, but in recent years, it tends to rise to 37°C. Winter, from November to March, can get rather cold. The average temperatures drop to around 2°C during the day and -2°C at night, with some snowfall and rain. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September – October) have beautiful weather.

Getting around in the Czech Republic

Václav Havel Airport Prague is the main airport where international visitors fly into and out of the Czech Republic. It serves numerous flights to many cities around Europe and Asia, including London, Moscow, Dubai, and Seoul. The Czech Republic has an affordable and reliable public transport system. Domestic flights are available, but rarely necessary. The rail network is affordable and very comprehensive, covering almost every city and town in the county. The bus also has extensive coverage throughout the country. Public transport within cities is also excellent. In major cities, you can opt for the metro, tram, bus, or trolleybuses. Taxis are widely available and are metered, but the fares are higher at night.

Tourist Visas in the Czech Republic

Nationals of all EU countries do not need a visa to visit and stay in the Czech Republic. The country is a part of the Schengen area, which means citizens of around 62 countries can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. These visa-exempt countries include Australia, Canada, the US, and South Korea. Citizens of other countries are required to apply for a visa before visiting the country. Those who want to receive medical care should obtain a Czech Republic Visa for Medical Purposes.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Czech Koruna/Czech Crown (CZK) is the currency of the Czech Republic. 1 USD is equivalent to 22.98 CZK. Note that the euro is not widely accepted in the country.​​​​​​
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widespread around the Czech Republic. Major credit cards, such as MasterCard and Visa, are accepted for many types of transactions, but you may need to pay in cash for smaller amounts. Tipping is expected, especially in restaurants. Tip at least 10% of the bill.
3. Local Language: The official and most commonly spoken language is Czech, but Slovak is widely spoken as well. Many people, particularly in major cities, can speak English and German.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Most of the population is religiously unaffiliated and does not believe in God. However, Christianity is the largest religion. Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Paganism are also practiced by a small percentage of the population.
5. Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, Liberation Day, Sts Cyril & Methodius Day, Jan Hus Day, Republic Day, and Czech Statehood Day are some of the most important public holidays in the Czech Republic.