Psychiatry is one of the oldest medical specialty areas. The professional organization known as the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has been in existence for over 150 years. Learn more about a career as a psychiatrist in this brief overview.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that specializes in the treatment of mental disorders. Psychiatrists are sometimes confused with psychologists, and while there are many similarities between the two professions, there are also many important differences.
Because psychiatrists hold a medical degree and are trained in the practice of psychiatry, they are one of the few professionals in the mental health field able to prescribe medications to treat psychological disorders. Much like a general practice physician, a psychiatrist may also perform physical exams and order diagnostic tests in addition to practicing psychotherapy.
Psychiatrists may also work as part of a mental health team, often consulting with primary care physicians, social workers, and psychologists.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook offers the following description:
"Psychiatrists are the primary mental health-care givers. They assess and treat mental illnesses through a combination of psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, hospitalization, and medication. Psychotherapy involves regular discussions with patients about their problems; the psychiatrist helps them find solutions through changes in their behavioral patterns, the exploration of their past experiences, or group and family therapy sessions. Psychoanalysis involves long-term psychotherapy and counseling for patients. In many cases, medications are administered to correct chemical imbalances that cause emotional problems."
There are a number of different specialty areas in psychiatry. Some different types of specialized psychiatrists include:
In order to become a psychiatrist, a person must have either a M.D. or D.O. degree from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy. In addition to this, a four year residency must be completed with at least three of these years specifically in the practice of psychiatry.
After completing this residency, prospective psychiatrists must then pass a written and oral examination. The written exam lasts a full day and covers basic science, clinical psychiatry, and specialty areas within psychiatry. The oral segment of the exam is designed to assess skills in real settings through actual observation of an examination and patient history with a client.
Once the exam has been completed, the individual is then eligible to apply for board certification. This certification is granted through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Once a psychiatrist has been granted board certification, he or she may practice legally anywhere in the United States. However, this certification must be renewed every ten years.
Learn more about this process in this step-by-step guide to becoming a psychiatrist.
Typically, it takes about eight years of post-undergraduate study in order to become a board-certified psychiatrist.
The educational timeline for becoming a psychiatrist looks much like this:
So, if you include the time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree, most students are looking at spending at least 12 years in school and training to become a psychiatrist. If you are interested in becoming certified in a sub-specialty area, you may have to complete a fellowship that could take an additional one to two years of post-residency work.
Psychiatrists are often self-employed and run their own mental health practices. However, many psychiatrists also work at hospitals, mental health clinics, government offices, and universities. According to ExploreHealthCareers.org, psychiatrists typically spend about 60-percent of their time working directly with patients. Other duties may include teaching, consultation, research, and administration.
Day-to-day duties can vary depending on a psychiatrist’s specialty area and employment sector. For example, a psychiatrist working in a psychiatric hospital might spend much of his or her time assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients suffering from acute mental disorders. A psychiatrist working in a private practice with a group of other psychiatrists or physicians might spend part of the day consulting with colleagues, performing psychotherapy, meeting and evaluating new clients, completing paperwork, and consulting with other members of a mental health treatment team.
While psychiatrists and psychologists are similar in many ways, there are also some important differences of which you should be aware. First, psychiatrists have a medical degree and psychologists have a doctorate-level degree in psychology. Psychiatrists are also able to prescribe medications, while psychologists cannot in most states. If you are interested in working in the mental health field, but are not sure which profession is right for you, then be sure to check out this article that further explores some of the differences between psychiatrists and psychologists.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for psychiatrists is expected to grow at a rate faster than the average through the next decade. The increased demand for health care professionals as well as the increased awareness of mental health issues is expected to spur the demand for highly skilled psychiatrists.
A report by the Graduate Medical Education National Advisory Committeedescribed psychiatry as a specialty in which there was a shortage, indicating a need for more psychiatrists in the future. The report also suggested that child psychiatrists and geriatric psychiatrists would be in the greatest demand.
Students interested in this field should be aware that competition is very high, so it is important to maintain top grades in order to get into medical school.
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the average annual salary for a psychiatrist for the year 2009 was $163,660. Those who were employed in the offices of physicians had an average salary of $154,650 per year. Those employed in outpatient care centers made an average of $190,340 per year.