Psychiatrist (Caryn)
A psychiatrist is a medical physician whose expertise lies in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses. Psychiatrists are uniquely qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological disturbance. Their medical education has given them a full working knowledge of the many causes for a patient’s feelings and symptoms. Armed with this understanding, psychiatrists can make a complete, accurate diagnosis and then recommend or provide treatment. They can also prescribe medications as a primary or supplementary method of treatment, distinguishing them from other mental health professionals.Before entering medical school, psychiatrists must take required college courses in the biological and physical sciences, in addition to recommended liberal arts classes. Once in medical school, the curriculum is fairly standardized in the first two years and includes chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, psychiatry, and neuroscience. In the final two years, students are assigned medical “clerkships” where they train with physicians within at least five different areas of specialization (including psychiatry). Upon graduation from medical school, students will take both state and national licensing exams, and spend their first year of residency treating hospitalized patients with various medical conditions. Physicians looking to become psychiatrists will train for three additional years within a psychiatric residency, where they specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, psychotherapy, and medication management.
References:
http://www.psych.org/
http://www.healthyminds.org/whatisapsychiatrist.cfm