A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry and is certified in treating mental illness.^[1] As part of their evaluation of the patient, psychiatrists are one of only a few mental health professionals who may prescribe psychiatric medication, conduct physical examinations, order and interpret laboratory tests and electroencephalograms, and may order brain imaging studies such as computed tomography or computed axial tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography scanning.^[1][2] Psychiatrist may refer to: A psychiatrist; a physician who specializes in psychiatry and is certified in treating mental illness. ... For other uses, see Doctor. ... An MRI scan of a human brain and head. ... A mental illness or mental disorder refers to one of many mental health conditions characterized by distress, impaired cognitive functioning, atypical behavior, emotional dysregulation, and/or maladaptive behavior. ... A mental health professional is a person who offers services for the purpose of improving an individuals mental health and/or researches in the field of mental health. ... Psychopharmacology is the study of the effects of any psychoactive drug that acts upon the mind by affecting brain chemistry. ... “EEG” redirects here. ... negron305 Cat scan redirects here. ... “MRI” redirects here. ... Image of a typical positron emission tomography (PET) facility Positron emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine medical imaging technique which produces a three-dimensional image or map of functional processes in the body. ...

Psychiatry in the professional world

Psychiatrists are doctors of medicine or osteopathy and are certified in treating mental illness using the biomedical approach to mental disorders.^[3] Psychiatrists may also go through significant training to conduct psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, and/or cognitive behavioral therapy, but it is their medical training that differentiates them from other mental health professionals.^[3] For the chemical substances known as medicines, see medication. ... This article is about a type of complementary medicine practiced worldwide. ... A mental illness or mental disorder refers to one of many mental health conditions characterized by distress, impaired cognitive functioning, atypical behavior, emotional dysregulation, and/or maladaptive behavior. ... Psychotherapy is an interpersonal, relational intervention used by trained psychotherapists to aid clients in problems of living. ... Today psychoanalysis comprises several interlocking theories concerning the functioning of the mind. ... This article is about Becks Cognitive Therapy. ...

Subspecialties

The field of psychiatry itself can be divided into various subspecialties.^[4] These include:

• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Adult psychiatry
• Geriatric psychiatry
• Learning disability
• Behavioral medicine
• Consultation-liaison psychiatry
• Emergency psychiatry
• Addiction psychiatry
• Forensic psychiatry
• Combined Internal Medicine and Psychiatry (Med-Psych)
• Combined Family Medicine and Psychiatry
• Combined Neurology and Psychiatry
• Combined Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry

Some psychiatric practitioners specialize in helping certain age groups; child and adolescent psychiatrists work with children and teenagers in addressing psychological problems.^[4] Those who work with the elderly are called geriatric psychiatrists or geropsychiatrists.^[4] Those who practice psychiatry in the workplace are called industrial psychiatrists in the US (occupational psychology is the name used for the most similar discipline in the UK).^[4] Psychiatrists working in the courtroom and reporting to the judge and jury, in both criminal and civil court cases, are called forensic psychiatrists, who also treat mentally disordered offenders and other patients whose condition is such that they have to be treated in secure units.^[4][5] A branch of psychiatry that specialises in work with children, teenagers, and their families. ... Geriatric psychiatry, also known as geropsychiatry or psychiatry of old age, is a subspecialty of psychiatry dealing with the study, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders in humans with old age. ... This article is about the use of the term in the United States and Canada. ... Behavioral medicine is an interdisciplinary field of medicine concerned with the development and integration of psychosocial, behavioral and biomedical knowledge relevant to health and illness. ... Liaison psychiatry, also known as consultative psychiatry or consultation-liaison psychiatry is the branch of psychiatry that specialises in the interface between other medical specialties and psychiatry, and concerns itself with patients with problems in both physical and mental health, as well as patients who may report physical symptoms as... Emergency psychiatry is a branch of psychiatry and emergency medicine designed to respond to emergencies requiring psychiatric intervention. ... Forensic psychiatry is a subspeciality of psychiatry. ... Doctors of internal medicine (internists) are medical specialists who focus on adult medicine and have had special study and training focusing on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases. ... A general practitioner (GP) or family physician (FP) is a physician who provides primary care. ... Neurology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. ... Industrial and organizational psychology (also known as I/O psychology, work psychology, work and organizational psychology, W-O psychology, occupational psychology, personnel psychology or talent assessment) concerns the application of psychological theories, research methods, and intervention strategies to workplace issues. ... Forensic psychiatry is a subspeciality of psychiatry. ...

Other psychiatrists and mental health professionals in the field of psychiatry may also specialize in psychopharmacology, neuropsychiatry, eating disorders, psychosomatics, and early psychosis intervention.^[4][5] Psychopharmacology is the study of the effects of any psychoactive drug that acts upon the mind by affecting brain chemistry. ... Neuropsychiatry is the branch of medicine dealing with mental disorders attributable to diseases of the nervous system. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Psychosis is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state often described as involving a loss of contact with reality. Stedmans Medical Dictionary defines psychosis as a severe mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration...

Professional requirements

Typically the requirements to become a psychiatrist are substantial but differ from country to country.^[4][6]

In the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and other parts of the world, one must pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, or a "first MB."^[4] These degrees are often abbreviated MB BChir, MB BCh, MB ChB, BM BS, or MB BS. Following this, the individual will act as a "foundation programme trainee" for two additional years.^[4] The foundation programme allows students to experience the different specialties of medicine, as well as learn important attributes and qualities of becoming a doctor.^[4] Upon completion, a student can apply for training to specialize in psychiatry.^[4] Following acceptance, this specialized training will last for about 6 years.^[4] After training is successfully completed, the individual can apply for a consultant post and start a career as a licensed psychiatrist.^[4] Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, or in Latin Medicinæ Baccalaureus et Baccalaureus Chirurgiæ (abbreviated MB BChir, MB BCh, MB ChB, BM BS, MB BS etc. ...

In the United States and Canada one must first complete their Bachelor's degree.^[6] Students may typically decide any major of their choice, however they must enroll in specific courses, usually outlined in a pre-medical program.^[6] One must then apply to and attend 4 years of medical school in order to earn their MD or DO and to complete their medical education.^[6] Following this, the individual must practice as a psychiatric resident for another four years (five years in Canada). Psychiatry residents are often required to complete at least four post-graduate months of internal medicine or pediatrics and two months of neurology during the first year.^[6] After completing their training, psychiatrists take written and then oral board examinations.^[6] The total amount of time required to complete post-baccalaureate work in the field of psychiatry in the United States is typically 8 to 9 years. A bachelors degree is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years. ... A pre-medical Degree is one preparing for medical school. ... Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas, USA. A medical school or faculty of medicine is a tertiary educational institution or part of such an institution that teaches medicine. ... Doctor of Medicine (M.D. or MD, from the Latin Medicinae Doctor meaning Teacher of Medicine,) is an academic degree for medical doctors. ... The current version of the article or section is written like a magazine article instead of the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia. ... Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas, USA. Medical education in the United States includes educational activities involved in the education and training of medical doctors in the United States, from entry-level training through to continuing education of qualified specialists. ... Residency is a stage of postgraduate medical training in North America and leads to eligibility for board certification in a primary care or referral specialty. ...

See also

An MRI scan of a human brain and head. ... A mental health professional is a person who offers services for the purpose of improving an individuals mental health and/or researches in the field of mental health. ... A mental illness or mental disorder refers to one of many mental health conditions characterized by distress, impaired cognitive functioning, atypical behavior, emotional dysregulation, and/or maladaptive behavior. ... Mental health is a term used to describe either a level of cognitive or emotional wellbeing or an absence of mental illness. ... For the chemical substances known as medicines, see medication. ... Psychological science redirects here. ... The Greek letter Psi is often used as a symbol of psychology. ... A psychologist is an expert in psychology, the systematic investigation of the human mind, including behavior, cognition, and affect. ... Categories: | | ... This list includes notable psychiatrists. ...

References

Further reading

• American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR Fourth Edition. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Frances, A., & First, M. (1999). Your Mental Health: A Layman's Guide to the Psychiatrist's Bible. New York: Scribner.
• Hafner, H. (2002). Psychiatry as a profession. Nervenarzt, 73, 33.
• Stout, E. (1993). From the Other Side of the Couch: Candid Conversations with Psychiatrists and Psychologists. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press.

Notes

External links

• American Psychiatric Association - http://www.psych.org/
• Royal College of Psychiatrists - http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/
• It's a Brain Thing: Psychiatry Part 1 A Video Lecture

v • d • e Medicine > Psychiatry
Subspecialties	Behavioral medicine • Biological psychiatry • Child and adolescent psychiatry • Cross-cultural psychiatry • Emergency psychiatry • Forensic psychiatry • Geriatric psychiatry • Liaison psychiatry • Military psychiatry • Neuropsychiatry • Social psychiatry For the chemical substances known as medicines, see medication. ... An MRI scan of a human brain and head. ... Behavioral medicine is an interdisciplinary field of medicine concerned with the development and integration of psychosocial, behavioral and biomedical knowledge relevant to health and illness. ... Biological psychiatry, or biopsychiatry is an approach to psychiatry that aims to understand mental disorder in terms of the biological function of the nervous system. ... A branch of psychiatry that specialises in work with children, teenagers, and their families. ... Cross-cultural psychiatry is a branch of psychiatry concerned with the cultural and ethnic context of mental disorder and psychiatric services. ... Emergency psychiatry is a branch of psychiatry and emergency medicine designed to respond to emergencies requiring psychiatric intervention. ... Forensic psychiatry is a subspeciality of psychiatry. ... Geriatric psychiatry, also known as geropsychiatry or psychiatry of old age, is a subspecialty of psychiatry dealing with the study, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders in humans with old age. ... Liaison psychiatry, also known as consultative psychiatry or consultation-liaison psychiatry is the branch of psychiatry that specialises in the interface between other medical specialties and psychiatry, and concerns itself with patients with problems in both physical and mental health, as well as patients who may report physical symptoms as... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Neuropsychiatry is the branch of medicine dealing with mental disorders attributable to diseases of the nervous system. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...
Societies	American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology • American Psychiatric Association • Royal College of Psychiatrists Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology was founded in 1934 following conferences of committees appointed by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Neurological Association, and the then Section on Nervous and Mental Diseases of the American Medical Association. ... Due to the epidemic of medical errors, readers are cautioned to be aware that the American Psychiatric Association isnt immune to this. ... The Royal College of Psychiatrists has been in existence in some form since 1841. ...
Related topics	Neuroimaging • Neurophysiology • Psychiatrist • Psychopharmacology • Psychosurgery • Psychotherapy It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with functional neuroimaging. ... Neurophysiology is a part of physiology as a science, which is concerned with the study of the nervous system. ... Psychopharmacology is the study of the effects of any psychoactive drug that acts upon the mind by affecting brain chemistry. ... Psychosurgery is a term for surgeries of the brain involving procedures that modulate the performance of the brain, and thus effect changes in cognition, with the intent to treat or alleviate severe mental illness. ... Psychotherapy is an interpersonal, relational intervention used by trained psychotherapists to aid clients in problems of living. ...
Lists	List of psychiatrists • List of figures in psychiatry • List of physicians • List of psychiatric medications • List of psychiatric medications by condition treated • List of neurological disorders • List of psychotherapies• List of counseling topics This list includes notable psychiatrists. ... This is a list of notable figures who have been involved in the history of psychiatry. ... This is a list of famous physicians in history: °=Physicians famous for their role in advancement of medicine== Subramanyam Naidu Maripuri(Contemporary)-Introduced the techniqueof special radiograhic views in hip fractures* William Osler Abbott (1902-1943) - co-developed the Miller-Abbott tube Thomas Addis (1881–1949) — pioneered urine testing and... This is an alphabetical list of psychiatric medications used by psychiatrists to treat mental illness or distress. ... This is a list of psychiatric medications used by psychiatrists to treat mental illness or distress. ... This is a list of major and frequently observed neurological disorders (e. ... This is an alphabetical List of Psychotherapies. ... This is an List of counseling topics is incomplete list. ...