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The Truth About Psychiatry Jobs, The Hard Work And Dedication Needed To Become A Psychiatrist

March 9th, 2010

Choosing to go into the field of mental health requires someone that is committed, dedicated and most of all has an open mind. When thinking of psychiatry jobs many confuse the field of psychology with a psychiatrist. Though both specialize in the human mind there are differences in the two fields.

They both treat mental health issues that range from substance abuse with mental health issues to forensic and mental health related fields. A psychologist earning a PhD or a PsyD D is also considered a doctor; however, a psychiatrist has a medical degree. A psychiatrist may lean more towards viewing the problem as a medical issue where a psychologist may view the problem as a social one. They both can have the same view on a situation; it all depends on the practitioner. Both have the option of specializing in one of many fields.

When children are the primary clients, they are referred to as child psychologist or child psychiatrist. They have taken courses designed for the treatment of children as well as the families involved in a Childs life. This is a very important and popular choice among many; however, it is important to note that it is not only the child you will deal with. Those choosing this field have to be able to handle many situations that involve family members that may or may not have been a positive influence in the Childs life.

To have a specialization in sports psychology means the clients are somehow involved in sports, they could be players or coaches. Many of the clients seen in this field are seeking assistance with many different areas relating to their involvement with a sport. For example, it could a client that is having difficulties controlling a temper while playing or they could be having difficulties handling peer pressure. There are many different situations for the client to seek professional help.

Criminal or forensic specializations differ in the capacity to which the clinician is called upon. A criminal specialization is when the psychiatrist purpose is to analyze the specific behavior produced by an individual. They will attempt to get to the basic root of what influenced the behavior. Those working in forensics are more interested in helping to solve a case such as determining if a suspect claiming to be mental ill at the time of the crime, truly was acting out of brief or predisposing mental illness. They are often called upon as expert witnesses in court to give professional opinion as testimony.

Becoming a psychiatrist involves getting a tremendous amount of education. They start with a bachelors of science, followed by medical school for four years, then an internship and finally a residency. They are required to pass state board examinations in order to receive a license. After becoming licensed they are medical doctors and will have to complete various credit courses throughout each year.

They are medical doctors which mean they are entitled to prescribe medications. A psychologist, even with a doctorate degree cannot prescribe medications. Contrary to popular belief a psychiatrist will not generally write a prescription and send the patient away. They are still concerned with treating the problem for which the patient may need medications. As a general psychiatrist they will usually treat patients of all ages for a variety of mental illnesses.

To get psychiatry jobs is not a simple process. It takes many years of dedication from these men and women. They have gone through medical school along side of a family physician; they simply chose to specialize in the minds, brains and mental health of their patients as opposed to specializing in bones, surgery or family practice.

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