How to Become a Psychiatrist?

Several people face psychological challenges in their day-to-day life which makes it impossible for them to function in their life. Mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, compulsive aggression, panic disorders, schizophrenia, etc. are marked primarily by insufficient disorganization of emotions, mind, personality, and everyday psychological perceptions which cause noticeable grief and disabilities for the rest of their life.

But, with the increase in scientific approaches and methods, researchers and scientists have been able to control various mental disorders and are constantly working on developing new methods to treat patients. One of the most popular career paths in the medical health sector is Psychiatry.

What is a Psychiatrist?

“A psychiatrist is a medical doctor or physician who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues such as illness and emotional disorders.”

Psychiatrists can assess both the physical and psychological aspects of a psychological problem.

A career as a Psychiatrist entails the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illnesses. It is also a good field to study if you are particularly curious about how the mind works.

They address the patient’s mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.

The term “Psychiatrist” has Greek and Latin origins: “Psych” is a Greek word that means “breath, life, soul, spirit, or mind”, “Iatro” is Greek for a physician, and “ista or iste” is a Latin word that means “specialist”.

Must Read: Popular Courses for Psychiatry

Skills Required to Become a Psychiatrist

The certain skills required to become a psychiatrist are listed below:

• Patience and ability to understand people with different perspectives.
• Emotional stability
• Ability to listen
• Sympathy towards patients
• Good observation skills
• Good communication skills 
• Highly focused and determined personality
• Strong thinking skills
• Social and environmental awareness

Eligibility Criteria

Those wondering ‘How to Become a Psychiatrist?’ should consider the following criteria:

• Candidates must have completed their Class 12 level of education in the Science stream with Biology as one of the compulsory subjects from a recognised Indian Board, followed by an MBBS and then an MD.
• Applicants may also choose to pursue a diploma in Psychiatric Medicine (DPM) from a recognised educational institute.
• The MD programme lasts three years, while the diploma programme lasts two years. • In addition, the National Board of Examinations offers a Diploma of National Board Exam (DNB).
• This DNB is considered to be the equivalent of an MD degree.

Must Read: Difference Between MD and DM

Understanding the Course

Psychiatry is one of the most important branches of psychology which focuses on the study and treatment of mental illness, emotional behaviour and disorders. Students who want to pursue professional education in the field of Psychiatry can pursue various degrees and diploma courses which provide them with sufficient knowledge and skills to enter the industry and explore various job prospects at the global level. The courses provide students with various techniques and approaches which help them understand the challenges and concepts of the subject. There are several colleges offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma courses to prepare students with the required knowledge and skills. 

Diploma Courses

There are various diploma courses that students can pursue after class 12th, that provide them with an in-depth understanding of the field within a short span of time. Diploma courses can help students look for entry-level work opportunities in various firms. Here is a list of some of the diploma courses to pursue a career in Psychiatry:

• Diploma in Clinical and Community Psychology
• Diploma in Counselling Psychology
• Diploma in Psychiatric Medicine
• Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing
• Post Graduate Diploma in Psychiatry

Bachelor Degree Programs

Earning a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college can increase your chances of becoming a successful psychiatrist. Bachelor’s program provides students with in-depth knowledge of Psychiatry. The course provides students with a deep understanding of mental health, human behaviour and mental disorders which affect the social environment and social behaviour. Students are equipped with various methodologies and techniques to identify different mental disorders and provide sufficient treatment and diagnosis. There are several colleges offering bachelor’s degree programs in medical psychology. Here is a list of some bachelor’s degree programs:

• Bachelor in Clinical Research
• Bachelors in Psychology
• Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology
• Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology
• Bachelor of Science in Human Behavior

Masters Degree Programs

Pursuing a Master’s degree provides specialization, which helps students in finding suitable career opportunities according to their skillset and knowledge. Masters programs provide advanced knowledge with a deep understanding of various concepts such as elements of psychiatry, elements of mental health, treating, diagnosing and counselling patients with different mental health issues. The course provides students with methodologies and practices which help them in dealing with patients with different mental disorders. There are several colleges offering master’s degree programs in medical psychology that students can pursue. Here is a list of some master’s degree programs:

• Masters of Science in Psychiatry
• Masters in Mental Health
• Masters of Science in Psychiatric Nursing
• Masters of Science in Clinical Psychiatry
• Masters in Neuroscience
• Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology
• Masters of Science in Clinical Pharmacy
• Master of Science in Health Informatics

Must Read: MD Psychiatry

Top Universities to Study Psychology Abroad

The top universities to study psychology around the world are listed below:

• University of California
• University of Michigan
• University College London
• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• University of St. Andrews
• Harvard University 
• Yale University 
• Columbia University 
• Johns Hopkins University 
• Ludwig Maximilian University 
• ULM University 

Must Read: Courses after MBBS You Must Consider

How to Become a Psychiatrist?

The following are the ways which will help you to become a Psychiatrist:

Therapy for Substance Abuse

You will work with people who are dependent on substances like alcohol and drugs if you opt to specialise in substance abuse therapy. You will be in charge of treating these individuals one-on-one or in groups, creating recovery plans with their families, and preventing relapse. You could work in a centre for drug and alcohol recovery.

Psychiatry of Children and Adolescents

Children (under the age of 18) and their families are the focus of child and adolescent psychiatrists. To analyse the current issue and determine if it is genetic, physical, cognitive, educational, developmental, related to family, society, or peer pressure, the child and adolescent psychiatrist will do a diagnostic assessment.

Adults Psychiatry

Treatment of adult illnesses (those affecting adults over the age of 18) is the focus of this area of psychiatry. Diagnoses may include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, general psychiatry, addiction medicine, and any other conditions that lead to mental stress, depending on the diagnosis.

Psychosomatic medicine

In consultation-liaison psychiatry, commonly referred to as psychosomatic medicine, psychiatric symptoms and diseases are complexly diagnosed and treated. Psychiatrists who specialise in psychosomatic medicine offer advice to patients on emotional and psychological problems that have an impact on their health. They design care plans, order diagnostic testing, and write prescriptions for medications.

Emergency Psychiatry

The use of psychiatry in emergency settings is the subject of emergency psychiatry. Suicide attempts, depression, psychosis, substance misuse, and violence are a few examples of such circumstances. The treatment of patients who require intervention includes the stabilisation of disorders in a crisis, such as acute or long-term mental illnesses.

Geriatric Psychiatry

The study, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of emotional and mental illnesses in the elderly are the main goals of geriatric psychiatry. Dementia, anxiety, sadness, and schizophrenia are some of these illnesses. A treatment plan must be developed as the geriatric psychiatrist listens to and addresses the needs and concerns of older people.

Salary of a Psychiatrist

The average salary for this profession ranges between Rs. 123,252 and Rs. 1,957,428. This figure is determined by the number of years of experience in this field as well as the institute where you studied. Based on their experience, Psychiatrists in India earn the following salary package:

Years of Experience	Salary Package
Entry Level	INR 9.07 LPA
Early Career	INR 9.15 LPA
Mid Career	INR 10 LPA
Experienced	INR 12 LPA
Late Career	INR 15 LPA

Top Recruiting Firms in India

FAQs

We hope that this article on How to Become a Psychiatrist helped you with all the information needed to pursue a career in Psychiatry. Suppose you’re planning to pursue psychiatry courses or any other professional courses. In that case, our experts at Leverage Edu can assist you in deciding on a course that is best suited to your strengths.