Psychiatry means ‘medical treatment of the soul’
Before getting started to know about the Psychiatrist, you can ask some questions to yourself: Can you maintain self-control under stress or duress?…..Do you like having people put their trust in you?
If your answer is yes, then Psychiatry probably is right for you.
“Psychiatry is the important branch of the medical profession that focused on the study and treatment of mental illness, emotional and behavioral disorders.”
In psychiatry, medical therapies are applied to attack the organic source of the disease.
The Psychiatry word was first coined in 1808 by the German physician Johann Christian Reil.
What is a Psychiatrist?
“A psychiatrist is a medical doctor or physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems that includes illness and emotional disorders.”
Psychiatrists are capable to assess both the physical and mental aspects of psychological problem.
Career in Psychiatrist involves prevention, diagnosis & treatment of mental illness. It is also a good field to pursue if you are particularly interested in knowing how the mind works.
They deal with the patients mental problems, such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.
The word Psychiatrist was Greek and Latin origin: “Psych” is a Greek word that means “breath, life, soul, spirit or mind”, “Iatro” is Greek for physician & “ista or iste” is a Latin word that means “specialist”.
Courses & Duration
What does it take to become a Psychiatrist?
To become a Psychiatrist, you have to complete a bachelor degree followed by specialize in psychiatry. You can also pursue a master course in psychiatry or a diploma course.
Also Check:
Beside master & diploma course, the National Board of Examinations organizes a course which is known as the Diploma of National Board Exam (DNB). It is considered to be equivalent to a MD degree.
Diploma Course:
- Diploma in Psychiatric Medicine (DPM)
- Diploma in Clinical & Community Psychology
- Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing
- Diploma in Counselling Psychology
- Post Graduate Diploma in Psychiatry
Bachelor Degree (usually 5 ½ years):
Master Degree (usually 3 years):
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Psychiatry
- Doctor of Medicine (DM) in Neuroradiology
Doctoral Courses:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Clinical Psychology
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Psychiatric Social Work
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Psychiatric Nursing
- Master of Philosophy (M.Phill) in Psychiatric Social Work
- Master of Philosophy (M.Phill) in Media and Social Psychology
Personal Skills required to become a Psychiatrist:
- Patience & understand people
- Ability to Listen
- Good communication skill
- Emotional stability
- Sympathy towards the patients
- Good Observation Skill
Specialisations of psychiatry:
- Addiction psychiatry
- Forensic psychiatry
- Adult Psychiatry
- Psychosomatic medicine
- Consultation-liaison psychiatry
- Emergency psychiatry
- Neuropsychiatry
- Geriatric psychiatry
- Cross-cultural psychiatry
- Child and adolescent psychiatry
Also Check:
Admission
How I get admission in Psychiatry course?
To get admission in Psychiatry course, students have to pass their HSC level examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. They can apply for the state, university & national level examination. After passing this entrance exam, students can pursue MBBS programme of 5 ½ years. Admission in MBBS course will be done through NEET 2024.
After doing 5 ½ years MBBS course, the candidate has an option to do Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Diploma in psychiatric medicine (DPM). You can also pursue a Diploma of National Board Exam (DNB) that is equivalent to MD degree. Some government college’s offers entrance exam such as AIIMS 2024, JIPMER 2024, CIP entrance exam & etc.
The Master course in Psychiatry takes 3 years to complete while the diploma course takes two years. In India, various colleges offer these courses in psychiatry. Some colleges are given here:
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
- Armed Forces Medical College, Pune
- Government Medical College, Amritsar
- Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi
Career & Jobs
Why should I train to be a psychiatrist?
Those have a psychiatry degree can expect good employment opportunities. The career of the Psychiatrist is increasing, because of the increasing mental tension and stress in the society. Psychiatry offers a wide range of job opportunities within its sub-specialties. There are lots of job opportunities for those students joining Psychiatry as a career in the present scenario.
The Psychiatrist can work according to their personal preference and area of sub-specialization. They can work with the private, public & government clinics & hospitals. Psychiatrists can seek employment in regular hospitals as well as in mental hospitals.
As a psychiatrist, you can work in the nursing homes, hospitals, health centers, polyclinic, medical colleges and research institutions.
Psychiatrists can also work with social workers and occupational therapists for the rehabilitation of their patients, helping them to resume their normal activities.
Many of them work as counselors in rehabilitation centers dealing with drug addiction, alcoholism, and mental problems.
Psychiatrists are free to set up their own private clinics.
Some of the job profiles of Psychiatrists are:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
- Forensic Psychiatrist
- Clinical Psychiatrist
- Staff Psychiatrist
- Prison Psychiatrist
- Behavioral Specialist
- Neuropsychiatrist
What Psychiatrists do?
- Prescribe medications to treat emotional, mental or behavioral disorders.
- Counsel patients during office visits.
- Prepare and submit case reports to government or mental health agencies.
- Examine diagnostic tests on patients to give information on general physical condition or mental disorder.
- Advise guardians, or significant others of patients’ conditions or treatment.
Salary & Pay Scale
How Much Does a Psychiatrist Earn?
As a psychiatrist, the starting salary can range between Rs. 20,000 to 25,000 per month. Depending on the area where you work & experience, the salary will vary from one organization to the other. In private sectors, the salary package is higher than the government sector.
After gaining experience & dedicated work, a psychiatrist can earn a salary package between Rs. 1 Lakh to 1.5 Lakh per month.
In abroad, psychiatrists can expect to earn a salary between $2 692 and $3 462 per week ($140 000 and $180 000 a year).
Books & Study Material
Here we have mentioned some popular books to study Psychiatrist:
Mind and its disorders by William Henry Butter Stoddart
It’s never too late to become a psychiatrist by Gianetta Rands, Sarah Stringer
In a House of Dreams and Glass: Becoming a Psychiatrist by Robert Klitzman
The Making of a Psychiatrist by David Viscott
The Making of a Modern Psychiatrist by Mark Warren’s
An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison
The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry by Jon Ronson
For more information about Psychiatrist, you can ask your query below.
Psychology is a very interesting subject. If you are interested in mind reading and knowing people, then this is the best course for you. The scope of this course is also quite a lot and if you want to pursue this course, then in my opinion, Quantum University will be a good option because the environment here is very affirmative for studies and the teachers here also help you in every situation. its located in Roorkee (uttrakhand). So I suggest you that if you are searching for a good college, then you should once research about Quantum University.
Hey sarvgyan,thanks a lot for this great piece of information. I wanted to pursue a psychiatry course and now i think i was made for it. Also thanks for sharing those great books
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Do I have to study day and night to become psychiatrist
I am a bsc nursing student. What should I doo to become a clinical psychiatrist? Is it possible??
Can I do a b.sci in Psychology from arts background and if so will it be useful to be psychiatrist?
I have completed b.sc chemistry and I want to do m.sc psychiatrist, is it possible and will I get job in this field after completing, since I didn’t do bachelors in it, will I get a proper job after completing
it will be a little tough for them ….but it’s possible…
Students those who have studied
Physics , chemistry and computer science in HSC can they opt to become a psychiatrist
I had completed my bachelor in physiotherapy now I want to do MD in physichatry can u apply for master in physichatry
id like to apply for the said course and is it payable and if yes how much for the course [ Masters Degree ]Psychiatrist.
would also like to know if not for the profession and certificate is there course of the same for better understanding of people and their behaviors and to help them out of the same for a yr or lesser ..
warm regards,
Micheal Roberts
I have completed my B.Com. So can i apply for psychiatrist??
What i have to do for it?
Suggest me names of psychiatric Doctor MBBS exam name