What is a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D.) who has completed education and training in general medicine, with additional specialized training in psychiatry and neurology. A psychiatrist’s educational background and medical training include an undergraduate college degree, four years of medical school, and four years of specialized training in psychiatry. A board-certified psychiatrist is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. A psychiatrist can provide treatment for psychiatric illnesses, which may involve the use of medication and individual therapy. As an MD, a psychiatrist can prescribe medication as well as make any necessary medication adjustments.
Psychiatrists are physicians (M.D. or D.O.) who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses. They complete medical school and pass the same courses and licensing exams as other physicians. As part of their evaluation of patients, psychiatrists are one of only a few mental health professionals who may prescribe psychiatric medications, conduct physical examinations, order and interpret laboratory tests and may order brain imaging studies such as MRI and CT scans. If you are taking psychiatric medications (for depression, anxiety, mood swings, insomnia…), psychiatrists have the medical background to explain to you the risks and benefits of those medications and any potential interactions with other medications you are taking. For example, there are medications that can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills or medications that may be harmful to the fetus if you are pregnant.
A Psychiatrist is a doctor who specialises in mental health problems and is trained to deal with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders. A consultant psychiatrist is a doctor who has reached a senior position in terms of qualifications, treating people, training other doctors and helping to organize and run services. (see Royal College of Psychiatrists).
A psychiatrist is a physician (M.D.) who also specializes in the treatment of mental illness or emotional distress. Psychiatrists are trained to understand the relationship between physical and emotional problems, and they are able to prescribe medication for the treatment of mental health problems. Training to become a psychiatrist is similar to the length of time after college required to become a psychologist (7 to 8 years after college). Psychiatrists complete medical school and a 4-year residency in psychiatry. Although psychiatrists are trained to deliver therapy/counseling services as well as pharmacotherapy (i.e., medication), most people choose to see psychiatrists if they want to have their mental health problems addressed through medication. Often psychiatrists and psychologists (or other mental health practitioners) work together, with consent from the client, to alleviate the distress of that client. In these situations, the psychiatrist addresses the mental health issues
