This policy explains how content on PsychiatryWeb.com is made. We think readers, especially readers looking for health information, deserve to know exactly who is behind a page and how it was produced. See also About PsychiatryWeb.
How we choose topics
We choose topics based on common questions people have about mental health: the main conditions and treatments, what to expect when seeking care, and everyday topics such as sleep, stress, loneliness and grief. We favor subjects where reliable public health information exists and can be explained clearly. We do not choose topics, or change what we say about a topic, because of advertiser interest.
How we research
Pages are researched from reputable, publicly available sources. The organizations we rely on most include:
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and other U.S. National Institutes of Health pages, including MedlinePlus
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- American Psychiatric Association (psychiatry.org)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD
- Other recognized health bodies and patient organizations, such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the International OCD Foundation, CHADD, Mayo Clinic and the UK National Health Service (NHS)
- Peer-reviewed research, linked through PubMed or the publisher where we cite individual studies
Where possible we prefer systematic reviews, clinical guidelines and statements from major health organizations over single studies. Each article and condition page ends with a Sources section listing the references used for that page, and we check that each link works when the page is reviewed. When a claim is uncertain, mixed or based on limited evidence, we try to say so rather than overstate it.
How pages are written, including AI assistance
We use AI-assisted writing tools to help prepare first drafts. Those drafts are not published as-is: the Editorial Team checks the key factual claims, statistics and treatment descriptions against the sources listed on the page, corrects or removes anything the sources do not support, and edits for clarity, tone and stigma-free language. AI tools can make mistakes, which is why this checking step matters, and why we ask readers to tell us when we get something wrong.
What we do not claim
PsychiatryWeb is not written by doctors, and our pages are not medically or clinically reviewed. We do not claim professional credentials for our authors, and we do not publish invented author names. Pages are published under the name "PsychiatryWeb Editorial Team". Our content is general education, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment; please read our Medical Disclaimer and speak with a qualified health professional about your own situation.
Dates and updates
Every article and condition page shows a Last reviewed date: the most recent date the Editorial Team checked the page's key claims against its listed sources. Articles also show the date they were first published. If health guidance changes, if a source is updated, or if we find an error, we revise the page and update its date. Minor wording changes may not change the date; substantive changes always do.
Advertising and independence
The site is funded by advertising, including Google AdSense. Advertising is kept separate from editorial decisions: advertisers cannot pay for, preview or change our content, and ads do not imply endorsement. We do not accept payment to feature a product, service or treatment in an article.
Corrections and feedback
If you believe something on PsychiatryWeb is inaccurate, out of date or unclear, please email help@psychiatryweb.com or use our contact page, and tell us the page and what you think should change, ideally with a source. We review every correction request; when an error is confirmed we fix it promptly and update the page's review date. We cannot answer personal medical questions.
Call or text 988 in the US, any time, free and confidential. For immediate danger call 911. More resources are on our Find Help page.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified health professional about your situation. See our full disclaimer.