A career as a psychiatrist can be fulfilling because it allows you to help others and improve their quality of life. These professionals use their skills to help them actively listen to their patients, understand what they’re experiencing and create improvement plans for them. If you’re interested in becoming a psychiatrist, understanding all the educational and clinical requirements for this position can ensure you have the qualifications to excel in this field.
In this article, we explain what a psychiatrist does, reveal their average salary, explore how you can become a psychiatrist and answer some common questions about this career.
What does a psychiatrist do?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who treats mental illnesses, mood disorders, addiction and other mental health problems. They treat patients using a range of methods, such as psychoanalysis, counseling and medication. During treatment, a psychiatrist monitors a patient’s behavior by talking to them regularly to assess their mental state and progress.
Other duties and responsibilities of a psychiatrist include:
- Conducting initial patient assessments
- Taking detailed medical histories
- Diagnosing patients based on symptoms and prior medical treatment
- Treating psychiatric problems
- Explaining treatment plans to patients and their families
- Prescribing medication on a conservative basis to treat verifiable mental health conditions and diseases
