“Can a psychiatrist help with my memory loss? ”

Start with her regular doctor. She may need to see a neurologist or a psychiatrist.

The psychiatric specialization that deals with that is called neuropsychiatry. A careful total evaluation (healthwise) is called for.

It most definitely would be able to provide significant help with the situation. Can you please provide me a little more detailed description of your memory loss. As to when did it begin?? Has it been getting worse?? If so, from a scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst and 1 being the less severe, can you describe its severity to me? Is this the first time it occured or has this happened before? Is the memory loss present at all times since it began? Is it triggered by particular events that you may identify? Is this the first time you asked a doctor about this concern? What have they told you? Please add any other questions or concerns you may have regarding this situation. I'm really glad to help.

See a geriatric psychiatrist. There are many causes of memory loss and there can be help.

Yes, a psychiatrist is an appropriate specialist to consult for your mother's memory loss. There can be many different causes of memory loss, and most of them can be treated by a psychiatrist. The most obvious one that comes to mind might be some sort of dementia. If she has dementia, then either a psychiatrist or a neurologist would be an appropriate treatment provider. However, conditions such as depression and anxiety can cause significant problems with memory, and those are best treated by psychiatrists. In addition, overuse of certain medications or alcohol can interfere with memory, and if your mother was to be reluctant to change her behavior pattern using these substances, a psychiatrist is better suited to work with her on the issue. There are certain more rare neurological conditions that can affect memory, but a psychiatrist would recognize these and make the appropriate referral.
The final answer is that you can start with either a psychiatrist or a neurologist, and either one will refer you to the other as needed. However, the odds are more likely that if you start with the psychiatrist, you will not have to go to a second doctor. In either case, it is best to double check with the physician before you make the appointment if they are willing to treat dementia if that should be the final diagnosis, as not all practitioners feel comfortable doing so. There is a specialty called geriatric psychiatry whose members are well-versed in treating anything that comes up in elderly populations. 
Jennifer Nagode, M.D., Ph.D. 

Yes, a psychiatrist can evaluate your mother for possible reasons causing memory loss. You may also start with your Primary Practitioner. You can also be referred to a memory clinic, if appropriate - often run by a psychiatric specialist or see a Geriatric Psychiatrist.

There are a multitude of possibilities including psychiatric, such as Depression or Dementia, which can be reversible early on if caused by nutritional deficiencies such as B12. There are many neurological and medical causes which any of the named practitioners can screen for: thyroid, cancer, insomnia, strokes, medications especially etc. I would start with my PCP, get some blood work and/or medical evaluations and mental health screening, then get appropriate referrals.

I would suggest start with a neurologist first - they can order brain imaging studies, if needed. Psychiatrists can also help manage, but I would start with a neurologist first to make sure they have ruled out reversible causes of memory loss.

Thanks
Prashant Gajwani, MD

Memory loss can be due to different causes. I recommend starting with your primary care provider for a full physical and baseline labs and request neurological consultation for additional in-depth evaluation.

Sure! Psychiatrist will help but lets get her seen by neurologist to get basic medical work up and neuro exam
All the best.

Maybe, as it depends on a particular psychiatrists training and experience and the details of your mother's history and symptoms. I have had more experience than most psychiatrists. Given the lack of details in the question, I can only give general suggestions. 1st make dietary changes: decrease carbs to get the A1c down below 5,3. One of the new names for Alzheimer's is type 3 diabetes. Add 4 or more tsps of virgin coconut oil mixed into food. Stop any statins, and actively raise cholesterol,if it's below 160. Avoid omega-6 oils & all hydrogenated fats, plus any brain excitatory substances, such as MSG. A brain SPECT would be helpful in many of these cases. Many psychological tests may be helpful with making a more exacting diagnose, but performing a screening MOCA, would be very helpful and easily given. It's important to be sure the patients memory problems aren't being caused or aggravated by a medication. Also poor kidney or liver function could be part of the cause. Several vitamin deficiencies, especially some of B vitamins. Psychotherapy & almost all Rx meds are not much help.

Geriatric Psychiatrist or neurologist both can be of help.

Any qualified psychiatrist should be able to help out in this case. More specifically, if you have access to a geriatric psychiatrist that would be even better.