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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001246164-03-000001.txt : 20030814
<SEC-HEADER>0001246164-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030814
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030814191330
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001246164-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030813
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030814

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ACACIA VENTURE PARTNERS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001119637
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20488
		FILM NUMBER:		03849244

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 CALIFORNIA STREET, SUITE 3160
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94011
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4154334200

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:			0430

	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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-08-13</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001119637</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ACACIA VENTURE PARTNERS</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ACACIA VENTURE PARTNERS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>101 CALIFORNIA STREET, SUITE 3160</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-08-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2945</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>11.839</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1529300</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-08-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>155</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>11.839</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>66469</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Owned of record by South Pointe Venture Partners, L.P. (&quot;South Pointe&quot;). All of the general partners of South Pointe are also all of the general partners of Acacia Management, L.P., the sole general partner of Acacia Venture Partners, L.P. (&quot;AVP&quot;).  AVP disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities owned of record by South Pointe, except to the extent of its pecuniary interests therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ C. Sage Givens, General Partner of Acacia Management, L.P., the sole general partner of Acacia Venture Partners, L.P.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-08-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----