Frequently Asked Questions:
Psychiatry as a Career:
1. What kind of degrees must you have to become a psychiatrist?
You should have a bachelor's degree from college (B.A.
or B.S.), although it is not mandatory that you do; and a medical degree
(M.D.) from medical school. Then you should complete a psychiatry residency
training program.
2. How many years of school does it take?
Usually 4 for college, 4 for medical and 4 for residency
training. However, this is not absolutely the case for every individual.
If you complete the minimum required credits to apply to medical school,
with a high grade point average, and score in the upper range of the Medical
College Admissions Test (MCAT), you may be accepted early to medical school.
Most medical schools require 4 years to complete, but not all. Some
may grant early graduation if residency training requirements are met.
Finally, residency training program length may vary from site to site.
3. What high school courses should you take to get ready for this
career?
Science and math -- as much as you can!
4. What kind of classes do you have to take in college?
Sciences, especially biology, zoology, physiology, physics, chemistry. Genetics
is very helpful, as is comparative anatomy. You should have math through
the calculus. These classes will prepare you to go through medical
school. Courses in psychology in high school or college may be helpful
in determining your interest in psychiatry.
5. What kind of additional training do you need to have?
You may take a fellowship for a year or two beyond your residency. There
are many different types of sub-specialty fellowships in psychiatry, such
as Forensic Psychiatry, Child Psychiatry or Geriatric Psychiatry.
6. What is the minimum experience you must have to be a
Psychiatrist?
You should complete a 4-year psychiatry residency training program following
medical school in order to be eligible to take the examination to become
certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
7. What is your salary range?
That depends on where you work and what hours. A local, county, state or
federal institution often will pay a salary with benefits. Private practice
tends to make more income, but you have no benefits, such as vacation or
health insurance.
8. What is the work environment like?
That again depends on where you choose to work: a hospital, out-patient clinic,
private practice, or combination.
9. Is your job interesting, why?
Very interesting -- Just when you think you've heard everything, someone
comes along with a new problem that you never could have imagined!
10. What are the hours/schedule?
Psychiatry is somewhat less demanding than other medical specialties. Psychiatry
can be a 9-to-5 job, once you have completed your residency training, if
you practice with others who can share on-call with you. But you
should always try to be available by telephone for emergencies.
11. What are the benefits?
Benefits such as vacation time, sick leave, malpractice liability and health
insurance are usually offered by institutions that hire you for a salary.
Private practice offers the benefit of higher hourly income, usually.
Private practice also allows you to design your own schedule and limit
or expand your patient caseload.
12. What are the necessary skills?
The ability to listen and to keep boundaries between yourself and your patients
is essential. It is not good to get involved with your patients in any way
other than to listen, suggest, and prescribe medication, if indicated.
Socializing outside of the doctor-patient relationship is highly
discouraged, as it is usually detrimental to the patient, and can result
in severe consequences for the practitioner.
13. What type of person do you need to be to do this job?
That's a hard question. One who is able to sort things out from a distance,
have a strong interest in people, but be able to keep one's perspective and
not take patients' problems home.
14. What are the rewards of doing this job?
There is a tremendous satisfaction in helping people. Good income, generally,
as well. It is great to have financial security, but it is indescribably
rewarding to hear someone say, "You've helped me so much, I can't thank you
enough..."
15. What kind of license/certification do you need?
It is not mandatory that you are certified by the American Board of Psychiatry
and Neurology to obtain work as a psychiatrist, but many institutions are
requiring it now in order to join their staff. You must have completed
medical school and received a Medical Degree (M. D.) before applying for
a license to practice Medicine in any state. That generally requires
passing a state licensing exam, and a national exam such as the Federal Licensure
Exam (FLEX).
16. Is this occupation in high demand?
Very high. There are many positions for Board-certified or Board-eligible
psychiatrists around the country which go unfilled. Certain regional
governments may even offer full coverage of expenses, including malpractice
insurance and office expenses to attract a psychiatrist to their area. In
other areas, such as larger metropolitan cities, there is an abundance of
practitioners.
17. What is the dress code?
Some psychiatrists prefer the casual look, and may even wear jeans, sandals,
or other casual clothes. Others prefer to appear more formal, and may
wear a suit and tie, or dresses /suits with skirts and heels. It is
easier to maintain one's professional distance, in my opinion, in the more
formal attire. However, some professionals feel that the more casual
look is friendlier and less threatening to patients who may otherwise have
trouble expressing themselves.
Finding a Psychiatrist or
Other Therapist:
Often one's own physician -- Internal Medicine, Family Practitioner,
Obstetrician or Pediatrician -- can make a referral to a psychiatrist.
If a psychiatrist does not feel that medication is indicated, he may
refer you to a psychologist, psychiatric social worker, or psychiatric nurse
practitioner. Many of these therapists can do excellent psychotherapy.
If there is a University Medical Center -- a hospital affiliated with a medical
school -- nearby, that is a good place to look for a psychiatrist or
psychotherapist. If there is no univesity medical center in your area,
you might check out your local County resources. Often they have good providers
and may be less expensive. You can check for a county mental health
clinic in the yellow pages under "Clinics, Mental Health" or under your County
Government Offices in the white pages.
Getting Help for a Friend/ Relative/ Co-Worker/
or Other:
It is very difficult to deal with a mentally ill family member, or other
close acquaintance. Sometimes it seems as though they are deliberately
manipulating everyone around them. They may be depressed and confused
about what they want or should do. If they are paranoid, they may not
trust anyone, even those whom they know love and care about them.
If they will not consider going to a psychiatrist, sometimes it is less
threatening to suggest taking them to see their primary care medical doctor
-- Internist or Family Practitioner. They can be hospitalized, if
necessary, and a psychiatric consultant called in.
One excellent resource affiliation is the National Alliance
for the Mentally Ill (N.A.M.I.) This group was started by the parents
of seriously mentally ill adult children. They can offer a great deal
of support and information.
For a friend or relative who is abusing drugs or alcohol, the Al-Anon groups
are an excellent resource. Once again, you can look up Alcoholics Anonymous
or Narcotics Anonymous in the white pages of your phone book. Other
resources for Substance Abuse on the internet are
listed below, with links to Directories and
Helplines.
My Psychiatrist/ Therapist is not helping me:
If you feel that you are not getting the help you need, the best course is
to seek a second opinion. Be sure that the therapist you locate is
licensed by their professional licensing board. Each state usually
has its own licensing board. Check the section on
Finding a Psychiatrist or Other Therapist to
locate a professional for a second opinion.
Links to Other Helpful Resources on the
Internet:
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
American Psychiatric Association
Dept. of Health and Human Services
-
http://www.mentalhealth.org/
National Women's Health Information Center
American Medical Women's Association
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services
Administration
Directories of Service Providers
and Referral Helplines
-
http://www.samhsa.gov/look3.htm
Bipolar Disorders in Children
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http://www.mhsource.com/pt/p960531.html
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http://bipolarparents.virtualave.net/resources.html
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http://www.klis.com/chandler/pamphlet/bipolar/bipolarpamphlet.htmLinks for
Loss of Children
Loss of Child
-
http://www.compassionatefriends.org/
-
http://www.penparents.org/reachout/help.shtml
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http://www.misschildren.org/
-
http://emptyarms.org/
American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (and other Forensic links)
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http://www.aapl.org/
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http://www.abfp.com/board.html
