So you want to be a Psychiatrist

Given the current state of our world, mental health has been such an important topic of conversation. Mental illness impacts people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. In Canada, one in five people will experience a problem with their mental health in any given year. When we are faced with these problems, we would likely speak to a psychiatrist for help. In this blog, you’ll develop an understanding of what psychiatrists do, and how you can become one!

Psychiatry

Psychiatrists are healthcare professionals who are responsible for the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients facing mental disorders. Unlike other fields of medicine, psychiatry requires significant differentiation of patient treatment depending on a variety of factors.

Psychiatrists are qualified to treat various mental health conditions. The most common ones include anxiety disorders, bipolar, depression, ADHD, schizophrenia and PTSD. In order to properly and accurately diagnose illnesses, psychiatrists will use psychological tests and one-on-one evaluations. Physical tests can sometimes be helpful in ruling out causes of symptoms, however, due to the nature of this field, the expertise of the psychiatrist is instrumental in diagnosis and treatment.

Pathway Requirements

Before deciding if you want to go into psychiatry, a self-analysis is recommended. Psychiatrists need to have a certain skill set in order to be successful. They need to be observant, compassionate and investigative. This occupation also requires you to remain patient and calm in difficult situations where a patient may become verbally or physically aggressive. If you think you fit this criterion, then buckle up and prepare to undergo approximately 12 years of medical training.

Following high school, you will need to get a bachelor’s degree. While your degree doesn’t need to be related to medicine, it is recommended that you take courses that are related to your intended future field of study. This will be beneficial because if you wish to continue along the medical path, you’ll need to take the MCAT. After obtaining your bachelor’s degree and passing the MCAT, you will attend a medical school for four years to receive your MD or DO degree. Upon completion of medical school, you’ll be headed into a psychiatric residency where you’ll spend the next 4 years of your life. If you choose to further specialize in something like adolescent or forensic psychiatry, additional training is required. The final step before employment would be to complete the necessary board certifications to begin your journey as a licensed psychiatrist.

Work Conditions & Outlook

The work environments of a psychiatrist are very diverse. Psychiatrists can be employed at hospitals, clinics, mental health institutions and even correctional facilities. In a typical work week, psychiatrists work approximately 40–50 hours a week but this depends on the environment in which they work. Psychiatrists have an expected occupational growth rate of 11% between 2016 and 2026. The average annual salary of a psychiatrist in Canada is estimated at around $240,000. This estimate changes depending on experience, where an entry-level average salary is around $160,000 and a senior-level salary is averaged at $320,000.

Psychology vs. Psychiatry

A common misunderstanding is the difference between psychology and psychiatry. The titles sound similar and are therefore often used interchangeably, but there is an important distinction. Psychiatrists have a medical degree and they will use therapies and medications to treat their patients. Psychologists, on the other hand, have advanced degrees (PhDs or PsyDs) and act as consultants who use a series of therapies such as talk therapy, psychotherapy or CBT to help improve the mental condition of their patients. Only psychiatrists are allowed to prescribe medication because they are medically licensed. Regardless, these healthcare professionals will always attempt to use therapy as a method of treatment before resorting to the use of medications.

Sources:

• https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/psychiatrist/
• https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/what-is-the-difference-between-a-psychologist-and-a-psychiatrist
• https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/psychiatrist/canada
• https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/psychiatrist/
• https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/psychiatry

About the Writer

Saif Andani is a grade 11 IB student at Erindale Secondary School. He is a passionate learner who enjoys all things STEM. Outside of school, he works as an Assistant Teacher for the Spirit of Math program where he assists in eighth-grade classes. He has taken on leadership roles by getting involved in his school’s DECA club and by starting a successful MEDLIFE chapter at his school. In his free time, he enjoys swimming and biking with his twin brother and binge-watching TV shows on Netflix! You can follow him on Instagram @saifaandani or connect with him on LinkedIn.