All You Need To Know About Psychiatry

We want to discuss the various professions in psychiatry jobs in Texas, areas of concern, the degree required, and naming some of the best institutes for pursuing the career. 

Introduction to Psychiatry:

The human mind is a very complex organ. While it possesses immense capabilities in terms of cognition and memory, it is also susceptible to breakdowns. For a long time, people with mental health disorders have faced a lot of stigmas and stereotypes. However, there has been a considerable shift towards providing help for people.  

Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health disorders. Psychiatrists work with other health professionals to diagnose and treat emotional and behavioral disorders, including depression, substance abuse disorders, anxiety, hallucinations, etc. Psychiatric professionals use many treatment methods such as psychotherapy and medication to help people.  

People can visit a psychiatrist for a number of issues. These include but are not limited to the following: changes in appetite and sleep patterns, inability to control emotions, sleep patterns, social withdrawal, poor performance in work or academics, excessive worry and sadness, frequent nightmares, erratic and extreme mood swings, or unexplained physical illness. There is no shame in seeking help for improving one’s mental health and everyone’s struggle is valid and real.  

Roles and Responsibilities of a Psychiatry:
 

The following are the roles and responsibilities of a psychiatrist: 

Work directly with patients suffering from clinical disorders 

Conduct assessments and maintain a history of patient’s mental and physical health, family background, socio-economic situation, and potential risk factors 

Record all interactions with the patient 

Suggest psychiatric treatment plans or medication for the patient, which will often involve a combination of medical, psychological, and social interventions  

Prescribe medication and monitor dosage regularly 

Possess excellent and updated knowledge on anatomy, physiology, psychology, and pharmacology to design effective interventions 

Be aware of the impact of social factors on mental health, and stay updated about mental health laws and regulations  

Work effectively with other health professionals such as psychologists, occupational therapists, psychiatric nurses, etc.  

Additional Skills with Dermatologists:
 

Apart from training at medical school, psychiatrists must cultivate the following skills for a successful practice: 

Be Empathetic and Compassionate during Treatment 

Psychiatrists need to demonstrate genuine care and compassion towards their patients while maintaining objectivity and professionalism during sessions. It is essential to create a warm and safe space that enables the patients to open up with trust.  

Objective and Critical Thinking  

Psychiatrists need good analytical and critical thinking abilities to help guide their patients. They also need to maintain objectivity and maintain rationality throughout the process.  

Constant Upskilling 

Many states require psychiatrists to stay updated about all developments in the field. There have been many advances in mental health and neurosciences, which has brought about significant change in treatment protocols and pharmacological options. Hence, states require psychiatrists to enroll in continuing education courses to stay updated and maintain their licensure. 

Current Required Educations for career:
 

There are four steps involved in becoming a licensed psychiatrist: 

I. Obtain a Bachelors’ Degree from an Accredited Institution 

It is better to obtain a degree in physical sciences or psychology to prepare yourself for medical school. Ensure that you have a strong background in biology or chemistry.  

II. Clear the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)[Text Wrapping Break]A passing MCAT score is required to enroll in medical school. Most schools accept a score of 511 out of 528 to be acceptable.  

III.  Complete Medical School 

You can choose to become an M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) at medical school. As a doctor who has completed M.D., you will be offering allopathic treatments for health disorders. D.Os offer treatment that looks at the body as an integrated entity and focuses on both medical and lifestyle perspectives. After medical school, you will have to complete a psychiatry residency, which will take up to four years.  

Obtain Licensure 

Every state requires psychiatrists to obtain a license before they can practice unsupervised. The requirements to obtain this licensure vary from state to state. Psychiatrists must also obtain certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and renew it every ten years.  

Career path for Psychiatrists:
 

The following are some of the most common career paths for psychiatrists:  

Addiction Medicine: This subspeciality deals with people diagnosed with substance abuse disorders. It involves the diagnosis, evaluation,  treatment, recovery, and prevention of people addicted to alcohol, nicotine, prescription drugs, and other narcotic substances 

Addiction Psychiatry: Psychiatrists working with substance abuse disorders specialize in treating people who misuse narcotics, alcohol, and other drugs. The treatment usually involves interventions designed using therapy and counseling and may also include medication.  

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Child and adolescent psychiatrists focus on diagnosing and treating disorders of mental and behavioral health issues in children and adolescents. They specialize in treating developmental disorders, learning difficulties, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. 

Forensic Psychiatry:  Forensic psychiatrists design interventions to improve individuals’ mental health in prisons and secure hospitals. They perform clinical work with both victims and perpetrators.  

Apart from the roles mentioned above, psychiatrists work in the following domains:  

Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry 

Brain Injury Medicine 

Geriatric Psychiatry 

Hospice and Palliative Medicine 

Sleep Medicine  

Employment Sector:
 

- Pay Scale as per the Experience 

The pay scale of a psychiatrist is quite good from the beginning. However, the location and the experience influence the earnings significantly. According to the 2019 Bureau of Labour Statistics report, a psychiatrist earns an average salary of $220,500. Psychiatrists working in government institutions earn the highest ($255,000). Other sectors that pay well are residential care facilities, outpatient care, and home healthcare services. Early career psychiatrists with less than a year of experience earn around $195,000. Practitioners with more experience (5-9 years) earn around $205,000. Experienced professionals with over 20 years of practice earn up to $237,000. 

- Top companies to work with 

The following are the top psychiatric organizations and hospitals in the USA: 

·       American Psychiatric Association (APA) 

·       Johns Hopkins Hospital 

·       McLean Centre 

·       Mayo Clinic 

·       Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital UCLA 

·       UCSF Medical Centre  

- Other Employment Opportunities 

Apart from working with private hospitals, dermatologists can find employment in the following set-ups:  

Government Hospitals 

Private Clinics 

Setting up a private practice 

Residential care facilities 

Home health environments 

Armed Forces Medical Services 

Rehabilitation centers 

Non- Governmental Organizations and Trusts 

Pro & Cons of the Profession:
 

There are pros and cons to being a psychiatrist. The educational and licensure process to become a psychiatrist is quite lengthy and highly competitive. It is also costly, and most students have a tough time managing their educational debt. The work hours are also very irregular, and overtime is a widespread phenomenon in the field. 
However, pursuing psychiatry will give you the flexibility and freedom to start your private practice. The job market of psychiatry is also constantly growing, particularly in low-income rural areas. There is a rising demand for mental health care professionals to treat issues like substance abuse disorders. The salary benefits are also great, with a constant potential for better earnings.