Become Psychiatrist

Psychiatry

This medical specialty includes multiple sub-fields. Actually, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology offers certification in Psychiatry, Neurology, and Child Neurology, not to mention 14 sub-specialties! 

Psychiatrist career involves preventing, diagnosing and treating of mental, addictive, and emotional disorders. To be more specific, physicians in this medical specialty deal with

various psychotic disorders

mood disorders

anxiety disorders

substance-related disorders

sexual and gender identity disorders

adjustment disorders

Professionals are trained to understand the causes of mental problems, be it biologic, social, or psychological component. In addition, psychiatrist career involves dealing with families or other social groups that are facing communication problems, stress, crisis, etc. 

This medical specialty includes 14 sub-fields:

Addiction Psychiatry

Brain Injury Medicine

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Clinical Neurophysiology

Epilepsy

Forensic Psychiatry

Geriatric Psychiatry

Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Neuromuscular Medicine

Pain Medicine

Psychosomatic Medicine

Sleep Medicine

Vascular Neurology

Every medical sub-specialty within neurologist or psychiatrist career requires additional year or two of training. 

Education Required 

First of all, one should think about undergraduate degree. Many students deciding on psychiatrist career, choose a degree in biology or psychology. Still, you may choose any Bachelor's degree you want, the only requirement is courses in biology, chemistry, physics, advanced math. In general, education steps for psychiatrist career look as following:

Bachelor's degree

MCAT

Medical school and M.D. (D.O.)

Licensing Exams

Psychiatry Residency

Sub-specialty Fellowship (optional)

Certification

Residency program will take you four years, so general psychiatrist education takes around 12 years. 

Career and Salary Outlook

Psychiatrist career is considered by many students because of multiple job openings and bright perspectives. As for salary, US Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals median earnings of $174,170 per year. Salary.com shows even higher average pay for those who choose psychiatrist career - $193,071. 

Salary depends mostly on the setting where professionals choose to work. Many psychiatrists work within private settings, where earnings are way higher. As for location, which also influences salary numbers, top paying states, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, are Oregon, Minnesota, New Jersey, Kansas, and Indiana. 

Psychiatrist career requires not only extensive training, but also specific type of personality and skills. If you feel you are right person for this path, then choose the best medical school that will help you to fulfill your dreams and become a respectful professional.