-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-08-031930.txt : 20080520
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-08-031930.hdr.sgml : 20080520
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080520203512
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-08-031930
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080520
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080520
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080520

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PSYCHIATRIC SOLUTIONS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000829608
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-SPECIALTY OUTPATIENT FACILITIES, NEC [8093]
		IRS NUMBER:				232491707
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		113 SEABOARD LANE
		STREET 2:		SUITE C-100
		CITY:			FRANKLIN
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		615-312-5700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		113 SEABOARD LANE
		STREET 2:		SUITE C-100
		CITY:			FRANKLIN
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37067

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PMR CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ZARON CAPITAL INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19891116

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Howard Christopher L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001337573

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20488
		FILM NUMBER:		08850367

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		615-312-5700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		840 CRESCENT CENTRE DRIVE, SUITE 460
		CITY:			FRANKLIN
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37067
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bna13563_bna01ch.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-20</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000829608</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PSYCHIATRIC SOLUTIONS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PSYS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001337573</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Howard Christopher L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6640 CAROTHERS PARKWAY, SUITE 500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FRANKLIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37067</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, General Counsel &amp; Sec</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>29.00</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-20</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>37500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-02-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>37500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>37500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option grant was approved by the Compensation Committee of Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.'s Board of Directors on February 25, 2008, subject to stockholder approval of an amendment to the Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of authorized shares available under the plan. Stockholder approval of the amendment was obtained on May 20, 2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">9,375 options vest on each of February 25, 2009, February 25, 2010, February 25, 2011 and February 25, 2012.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Christopher L. Howard</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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