| Working in any mental health field requires a person to | | | | ultimate goal is to allow a person to have a good |
| make a commitment to helping people improve their | | | | quality of life and be as independent as possible. |
| quality of life. This can be done in a variety of settings | | | | Education is a big part of becoming a psychiatrist. It |
| with many different techniques. | | | | requires a strong background in biology and chemistry. |
| Psychiatrists do more than just sit and listen to people | | | | Psychiatrists are required to receive the same |
| talk, even though that is an important part. Because | | | | education as any physician. This involves a four year |
| they have education in medicine along with mental | | | | degree followed by four years of medical school. |
| health, they are able to look at all aspects of a | | | | Afterwards, a residency in the psychiatric field would |
| person's health. This allows them to be completely | | | | be required. |
| thorough when meeting their patient's needs. | | | | Strong interpersonal skills are necessary to be |
| Most of the time, psychiatrists will begin by sitting down | | | | successful in the psychiatric field. Not only is it |
| and having a conversation with the patient. From there | | | | necessary to have a good rapport with patients, but |
| they might order some lab work in order to rule out | | | | required for any type of interdisciplinary team. They |
| any physical ailments that will prevent progress with | | | | also need to be good listeners with the ability to not |
| improvement of their mental health. They also might do | | | | judge what they are hearing no matter how shocking. |
| other assessments to determine as much information | | | | The job outlook for psychiatrists is very positive and |
| as possible. At that point there are several different | | | | the number of jobs available is predicted to continue to |
| therapy options that a psychiatrist might choose. They | | | | increase. Jobs will be especially prevalent in rural areas |
| might suggest therapy either individually or in a group. | | | | and inner cities. In 2005, the average salary of |
| They also might recommend other therapies like | | | | psychiatrists just starting out was $173,922 and those |
| behavior modification or even prescription medications. | | | | with more experience had an average of annual |
| Psychiatrists can choose to specialize in many | | | | salary of $180,000. |
| different fields. Some choose to focus mostly on | | | | Psychiatry jobs provide an important service to people |
| children and adolescents while others prefer older | | | | who are in need. Because of their strong background |
| patients or issues that affect the geriatric population. | | | | they are able to treat physical and mental ailments that |
| Other fields include substance abuse or rehabilitation | | | | affect a person's mental health. There are many |
| therapy. Forensic psychiatry is another specialization | | | | options available in regards to where one can work. |
| that works with people that have mental disorders that | | | | For the right person, this field can be extremely |
| cause them to behave in a way unacceptable to | | | | rewarding. |
| society. No matter what specialization is chosen, the | | | | |