
What kind of Doctor treats mental illness?
These professionals are medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of mental, emotional, or behavioral problems. A psychiatrist can prescribe medications. They may hold therapy sessions or work with non-medical therapists to treat you.
What does a psychiatrist do for mental health?
Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who is a specialist in dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders. Like all medical doctors, he or she can prescribe medication. A psychiatrist may or may not provide non-medical therapies such as "talk therapy.".
What are the different types of mental health doctors?
Types of Mental Health Doctors. General practitioners/PCPs and family practitioners can be either medical doctors (MDs) or doctors of osteopathy (DOs). While both are doctors of medicine, DOs take a more holistic approach to medical treatment than do MDs, who tend to focus on specific illnesses.
What kind of Doctor specializes in diseases and disorders of the body?
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the internal organs and related body systems Neurologist a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the nervous system Obstetrician

Who is the psychologist who believes that memories are the cause of emotional distress?
They can be psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers by training. These professionals follow Sigmund Freud' s theories and other more modern theories that are based on the idea that painful childhood memories in your unconscious mind are the cause of emotional troubles.
How to schedule a therapist appointment?
Before you schedule that first appointment, you may want to research and ask about a potential therapist's: 1 Treatment approach and philosophy 2 Specialization by age group or particular disorder 3 Education, years in practice, licenses, and professional associations 4 Fees, lengths of sessions, insurance coverage, policies around missed appointments, and office hours 5 Availability in case of an emergency
What is the goal of unconscious behavior therapy?
The goal of treatment is to make you aware of unconscious things so you can recognize patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are no longer related to or useful for what's going on in your life now.
Where do psychiatrists work?
Some are full-time medical researchers, many see patients in private medical practices, consult liaison psychiatrists see patients in hospital settings where psychiatric and other medical conditions interact.
What is a pediatric psychiatric psychiatrist?
Pediatric psychiatry is the area of the profession working with children in addressing psychological problems. Psychiatrists specializing in geriatric psychiatry work with the elderly and are called geriatric psychiatrists or geropsychiatrists.
What is the best degree for psychiatry in India?
In India, an MBBS degree is the basic qualification needed to do Psychiatry. After completing MBBS (including internship) one can attend various PG Medical Entrance Exams and take MD in psychiatry which is a 3-year course. Diploma Course in Psychiatry or DNB Psychiatry can also be taken to become a Psychiatrist.
What is BNNP in sports psychiatry?
The United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties in the United States offers certification and fellowship program accreditation in the subspecialty ' Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry ' (BNNP) - which is open to both neurologists and psychiatrists.
What is the assessment process of a psychiatrist?
As part of the clinical assessment process, psychiatrists may employ a mental status examination; a physical examination; brain imaging such as a computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET) scan; and blood testing. Psychiatrists use pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, ...
How long does it take to become an adolescent psychiatrist?
To become an adolescent psychiatrist, one has to do an extra specialization period of 2 more years. In short, this means that it takes at least 10.5 years of study to become a psychiatrist which can go up to 12.5 years if one becomes a children's and adolescent psychiatrist.
How long does it take to become a psychiatric resident?
In the U.S. and Canada one must first attain the degree of M.D. or D.O., followed by practice as a psychiatric resident for another four years (five years in Canada). This extended period involves comprehensive training in psychiatric diagnosis, psychopharmacology, medical care issues, and psychotherapies. All accredited psychiatry residencies in the United States require proficiency in cognitive-behavioral, brief, psychodynamic, and supportive psychotherapies. Psychiatry residents are required to complete at least four post-graduate months of internal medicine or pediatrics, plus a minimum of two months of neurology during their first year of residency, referred to as an "internship". After completing their training, psychiatrists are eligible to take a specialty board examination to become board-certified. The total amount of time required to complete educational and training requirements in the field of psychiatry in the United States is twelve years after high school. Subspecialists in child and adolescent psychiatry are required to complete a two-year fellowship program, the first year of which can run concurrently with the fourth year of the general psychiatry residency program. This adds one to two years of training.
What is the branch of medicine that specializes in mental health?
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects ...
Why do psychiatrists do psychological tests?
Because they are physicians, psychiatrists can order or perform a full range of medical laboratory and psychological tests which, combined with discussions with patients, help provide a picture of a patient's physical and mental state. Their education and clinical training equip them to understand the complex relationship between emotional and other medical illnesses and the relationships with genetics and family history, to evaluate medical and psychological data, to make a diagnosis, and to work with patients to develop treatment plans.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A psychiatrist is able to conduct psychotherapy and prescribe medications and other medical treatments. A psychologist usually has an advanced degree, most commonly in clinical psychology, and often has extensive training in research or clinical practice.
What is the treatment for depression?
Psychiatrists often prescribe medications in combination with psychotherapy. Other treatments are also sometimes used. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a medical treatment that involves applying electrical currents to the brain, is used most often to treat severe depression that has not responded to other treatments.
How often do psychiatrists have to be recertified?
They must be re-certified every 10 years.
How long does it take to become a psychiatrist?
To become a psychiatrist, a person must complete medical school and take a written examination for a state license to practice medicine, and then complete four years of psychiatry residency. The first year of residency training is typically in a hospital working with patients with a wide range of medical illnesses.
How do psychiatric medications affect the brain?
While the precise mechanism of action of psychiatric medications is not fully understood, they may beneficially modulate chemical signaling and communication within the brain, which may reduce some symptoms of psychiatric disorders .
What is the factor in deciding which mental health doctor to see?
An additional factor in deciding which type of mental health doctor to see is insurance. Different insurance companies will accept different providers, which means that, unfortunately, a decision is often made by an insurance company.
What are the different types of mental health doctors?
Under this umbrella are specific types of doctors, including. psychiatrists. psychopharmacologists.
What is a psychopharmacologist?
Psychopharmacologists are specialists in psychiatric medication and medication management. General practitioners/PCPs and family practitioners can be either medical doctors (MDs) or doctors of osteopathy (DOs).
What is a psychiatrist?
medical doctors. doctors of osteopathy. general practitioners/primary care providers (sometimes called PCPs) family practitioners. Psychiatrists are medical professionals with the most comprehensive understanding of the human brain/mind.
What is a medical doctor?
A medical doctor is a professional who has attained a high level of education, built experience through residency, and become licensed to diagnose and treat illness, both physical and mental. All medical doctors have at least basic training in recognizing, diagnosing, and treating mental illness. No matter the type of mental health doctor, it's ...
What kind of doctor do psychologists refer to?
When further medical attention or prescription medication is required, a psychologist will refer a patient to a psychiatrist. You will want to choose a specialist who is experienced and with whom you feel comfortable. You may consult with more than one doctor before deciding on the specialist who is right for you.
What kind of doctor can help with bipolar?
What kind of doctor can help treat bipolar disorder? A doctor skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar and other mental health disorders may be a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who is a specialist in dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders.
What to do if you think someone has bipolar disorder?
If you think that you or someone you know has bipolar disorder, the next step is finding a doctor who can help you. Here's how. A doctor makes the diagnosis of bipolar disorder based on information an individual provides, such as symptoms they have experienced.
What is a psychoanalyst?
Psychoanalyst: One who practices psychoanalysis, a therapy which attempts to overcome repression and release energy for healthy, normal living. This therapy usually entails free association and dream analysis conducted over long periods of time in order to get to the sources of unconscious impulses.
Can you consult with more than one doctor?
You may consult with more than one doctor before deciding on the specialist who is right for you. Your primary care or family doctor can often recommend a mental health specialist experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. Gluck, S. (2008, October 22).
Can a psychiatrist prescribe medication?
Like all medical doctors, he or she can prescribe medication. A psychiatrist may or may not provide non-medical therapies such as "talk therapy.". In diseases such as bipolar disorder, it is often the case that the formal diagnosis and treatment plan will be made by a psychiatrist so that medication can be prescribed.
What is the name of the doctor who treats non-surgical diseases of the nervous system?
A neurologist, a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating non-surgical diseases of the nervous system. A neurosurgeon, a surgeon who specializes in managing diseases of the nervous system. A psychiatrist, a medical doctor that specializes in psychiatry, the branch of medicine that deals with the study, diagnosis, treatment, ...
What is the medical specialty of the nervous system?
They are the medical specialists of the nervous system. They include an anesthetist, a medical professional who is trained in administering anesthesia, and an anesthesiologist, a medical specialist that has completed an accredited residency program in ...
What is a neurosurgeon?
I said that a neurologist deals with non-surgical aspects of the nervous system because a neurosurgeon is a surgeon who specializes in managing diseases of the nervous system.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
It's important to contrast a psychiatrist versus a psychologist. A psychologist is a non-physician who is trained to perform psychological research, testing, and therapy, and , in most cases, does not have the ability to prescribe medication to a patient, unlike a psychiatrist. Lesson Summary.
What is the prefix for a psychiatrist?
The prefix 'psych-' refers to the 'mind.'. It's important to contrast a psychiatrist versus a psychologist.
What is an anesthesiologist?
An anesthesiologist is a medical specialist that has completed an accredited residency program in anesthesiology, one who administers or oversees the administration of anesthesia before, during, or after surgery.

Overview
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry, the branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, study, and treatment of mental disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors and evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental ailments or strictly mental issues. Sometimes a psychiatrist works within a multi-disciplinary team, which may comprise clinical psychologists, social worker…
Subspecialties
The field of psychiatry has many subspecialties that require additional (fellowship) training which are certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and require Maintenance of Certification Program (MOC) to continue. These include the following:
• Clinical neurophysiology
• Forensic psychiatry
Professional requirements
While requirements to become a psychiatrist differ from country to country, all require a medical degree.
In India, an MBBS degree is the basic qualification needed to do Psychiatry. After completing MBBS (including internship) one can attend various PG Medical Entrance Exams and take MD in psychiatry which is a 3-year course. Diploma Course in Psychiatry or DNB Psychiatry can also b…
See also
• List of psychiatrists
• List of fictional psychiatrists
Further reading
• American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89042-554-1. OCLC 830807378.
• Frances, Allen; First, Michael B. (1999). Your Mental Health: A Layman's Guide to the Psychiatrist's Bible. New York: Scribner. ISBN 978-0-684-83720-8. OCLC 605729701.
Summary
- Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological p...
Causes
- People seek psychiatric help for many reasons. The problems can be sudden, such as a panic attack, frightening hallucinations, thoughts of suicide, or hearing \"voices.\" Or they may be more long-term, such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or anxiousness that never seem to lift or problems functioning, causing everyday life to feel distorted or out of control.
Diagnosis
- Because they are physicians, psychiatrists can order or perform a full range of medical laboratory and psychological tests which, combined with discussions with patients, help provide a picture of a patient's physical and mental state. Their education and clinical training equip them to understand the complex relationship between emotional and other medical illnesses and the rel…
Treatment
- Psychiatrists use a variety of treatments including various forms of psychotherapy, medications, psychosocial interventions and other treatments (such as electroconvulsive therapy or ECT), depending on the needs of each patient. There are many forms of psychotherapy. There are psychotherapies that help patients change behaviors or thought patterns, psychotherapies that …
Overview
- Psychotherapy, sometimes called talk therapy, is a treatment that involves a talking relationship between a therapist and patient. It can be used to treat a broad variety of mental disorders and emotional difficulties. The goal of psychotherapy is to eliminate or control disabling or troubling symptoms so the patient can function better. Depending on the extent of the problem, treatmen…
Qualification
- To become a psychiatrist, a person must complete medical school and take a written examination for a state license to practice medicine, and then complete four years of psychiatry residency. The first year of residency training is typically in a hospital working with patients with a wide range of medical illnesses. The psychiatrist-in-training then spends at least three additional years learnin…
Scope
- A psychologist usually has an advanced degree, most commonly in clinical psychology, and often has extensive training in research or clinical practice. Psychologists treat mental disorders with psychotherapy and some specialize in psychological testing and evaluation.