Psychiatry

Psychiatry

Occupation
Names	Physician
Pronunciation
Occupation type
Activity sectors	Medicine
Specialty
Competencies
Education required	*Doctor of Medicine (MD) Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS/MBChB) Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine (Psychiatry) Higher Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery (Psychiatry) Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery Diploma in Clinical Psychiatry

Psychiatry is a medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and understanding of mental disorders. These disorders can affect mood, behavior, cognition, and perceptions, impacting an individual's ability to function and quality of life.

Overview

As a branch of medicine, Psychiatry is concerned with patients who may present with a complex array of symptoms that require a nuanced approach to diagnosis and treatment. The field works to alleviate mental and emotional suffering in patients and aims to provide a path towards recovery and improved mental health.

Diagnostic Process

The initial psychiatric assessment typically includes a thorough case history and mental status examination. Additional diagnostic tools may include:

• Physical examinations to rule out other medical conditions
• Psychological tests to assess specific cognitive or emotional domains
• Laboratory tests to provide supporting data
• Neuroimaging or other neurophysiological studies in certain cases

Mental disorders are diagnosed according to established manuals including:

• The International Classification of Diseases (ICD), by the WHO
• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), by the APA

The DSM's latest edition, DSM-5, incorporates the latest research and clinical experience into its diagnostic criteria.

Treatment Approaches

Treatment in Psychiatry may include a combination of:

• Psychotropic medication: Such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers
• Psychotherapy: Including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or group therapy
• Other modalities like assertive community treatment and community reinforcement
• Interventions for substance abuse and supported employment

Treatment settings can vary from inpatient facilities to outpatient clinics, with decisions based on the severity of the disorder and the patient's needs.

Interdisciplinary Research

Research in Psychiatry is conducted on an interdisciplinary basis, often in collaboration with:

• Epidemiologists
• Nurses
• Social workers
• Occupational therapists
• Clinical psychologists

List of Psychiatrists (USA)

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

US territories

• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• District of Columbia

See Also

• Mental Health
• Clinical Psychology
• Neurology
• Social Psychiatry
• Psychotherapy

The following are antidepressant subclasses and drugs

MAO Inhibitors Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine

SNRIs Duloxetine, Levomilnacipran, Venlafaxine

SSRIs Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Vilazodone, Vortioxetine

Tricyclics Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Doxepin, Imipramine, Nortriptyline, Protriptyline, Trimipramine

Miscellaneous Bupropion, Flibanserin, Mirtazapine, Nefazodone, Trazodone