Psychiatrist is a party game with the guessing fun of "Who Am I?"and the revealing nature of "Truth Or Dare". This game is most fun when the people involved are free to share anything that might come up¹ and is best for ages 14 and up. Understand that once you know the secret of the game, you may no longer play the part of the Psychiatrist, so if you know a party is coming up with this game featured you may not want to read the rest of the article.

Explaining the Game

First, choose a psychiatrist. This should be someone comfortable in front of crowds, an easy going friend who [optimally] knows at least one of the other players rather well². At birthday parties, try to use the person-of-honor³. You, as the person who knows the rules, will serve as "Emcee." Encourage the rest of the players to arrange themselves in a circle of sorts (it doesn't have to be perfect). You will take the psychiatrist into a secluded area, out of earshot of the rest of the players and explain to hir this:

"You're a psychiatrist and this is anonymous group therapy. We all have the same problem, and it's your job to diagnose us. Remember this is a party game, and the problem is something everyone can pick up on in a matter of a few moments⁴. For the fun of the players, the more probing the questions are, they'll thank you for it. As this is 'anonymous' group therapy, there are two questions off limits: what is your name, and what are you wearing. If you have any questions during the game, or a guess as to the problem, please address me as "Emcee", or I'll answer as a patient. Got it? Now wait here for a few mintues while I get the group out there together."

Excuse yourself and leave the psychiatrist in solitude. Gather the group together and explain:

"Okay, guys, we're in group therapy, and it's the job of the psychiatrist to guess what our problem is. Please listen closely, and ask all your questions now, because once s/he's out here, you're on your own. The problem we have is: we all think we're the person to our right⁵. [pause as everyone looks to their right and blushes a bit]. Now, you may not be best friends with this person, and you might be asked questions that you don't know the answer to. Make them up, and try to sound as natural as possible. Don't pause, glance sideways for backup, or say "I don't know" to questions like "Where'd you go to school?" If it were you, you'd be able to answer these questions easily. So make it up. Now, if the person answering for you makes something up and it's wrong, you say, "Psychiatrist!" Everyone will get up and change chairs. Now, you are sitting next to someone else, so therefore you are someone else,and someone else is answering for you. Make sure you take a moment to calibrate yourself. Take a moment to run a short example, preferably with people who've played the game before.

Now, the questions make get a little personal. Don't worry, but try not to flinch and say "Psychiatrist" just because you don't want anyone to know the answer. I did warn you this was a bit like Truth or Dare. If you have any questions or get confused during the game, address me as Emcee and I'll take you out and explain things to you again. Lastly, don't give hints, and don't answer questions addressed to the Emcee. That's breaking character and can be confusing. If the game is dragging I'll give hir some hints."

Getting The Game Underway

Go back and give the Psychiatrist one last chance to ask questions. Bring them out and let the questioning begin. The first time a "patient" calls "Psychiatrist", be prepared to explain what happened to the Psychiatrist, whom you didn't warn.

"What you saw is a symptom of our disease. It's like a sneeze--when you sneeze, it's not the sneeze that's the problem, but it's part of the cold."

The game will go on, and your psychiatrist will (probably) get frustrated. Some hints you can give:

Solving the Puzzle

Hints are usually good once every 15 minutes or so, further together as the game goes on. Give the Psych a time limit (45 mins to an hour and half) in which to guess, and as that time approaches, get more obvious with your clues. If your Psych isn't making any guesses, ask them if they have a guess, and encourage them to think out loud. A lot of times they get it but think they're wrong or they're only off by a little bit (ie, they know the patients are answering for someone else in the room but they don't know who). Encourage them when they're on the right track and guide them if they aren't.

When the Psych makes the right guess, make sure you congratulate them a lot. It can be very frustrating and they might have felt pretty stupid along the way. Offer at the next party to play again and let them be a patient, or maybe even let *them* pick who the next Psychiatrist will be.

This game may seem complicated but it's been a hit every time.