What exactly do a psychiatrists do?

Question

I'm thinking about becoming a psychiatrists, but first I need a bit of information. Obviously, they sit and talk to people who need counseling, but I'd like to know more.

I want to know how long they go to school for it, how much the average pay is, are there different kinds of psychiatrists?, etc.

Pleeaaassee help!

Answer 1

You should be able to find this information in the Careers Department at your school.

Failing this, perhaps you could repost this question in Mental Health section. Best wishes. UK

Answer 2

A psychiatrist does many of the same things as a psychologist (talks to people to help them with their problems), but a psychiatrist also has the ability to prescribe medication – a psychologist doesn’t. A psychiatrist can give you antidepressants or other pills that affect your brain. Psychologists can’t do that, but they can refer people to psychiatrists if they think a patient needs medication.

However, if you want to be a psychiatrist you’ll need to go to medical school, and you won’t if you want to be a psychologist. Psychologists don't usually stay in school for nearly as long as psychiatrists. Psychiatrists usually make more money.

Answer 3

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has also studied psychology.

A psychologist is someone with a psychology degree

Psychotherapists, hypnotherapists etc typically have less training than a degree but this varies by country.

  

Answer 4

Psychiatrists help people with mental health problems. They have to have a doctor degree because they prescribe medication. If you really don't want to get a doctor degree, consider becoming a psychologist.

Answer 5

Psychiatrist's are MD's-Doctors that attend Medical School. So, after you get your UnderGrad Degree...4 years, you then have to apply to Med School, which is about 4 years, then go through your Residency.

Psychiatrist's diagnose and treat Mental Health Disorders/Psychiatric Disorders. They do not usually do therapy. Their focus is on diagnosing the patient, and prescribing Meds. The therapist does the counseling.

Pay is probably at least $100,000+.

No, there really aren't different kinds of Psychiatrists. But, you will find that some Psychiatrist's treat certain illnesses better than others. For instance, not all Psychiatrist's have the knowledge to treat PTSD effectively. They may know the basics, but they probably do not see a lot of patients with PTSD, and do not keep up with current research.