psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They complete medical school, obtain a medical degree (MD or DO), and then undertake residency training in psychiatry, typically four years. Some physicians pursue fellowships for subspecialties such as child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, or psychotherapy-focused tracks. After residency, psychiatrists may seek board certification from national bodies and must maintain continuing medical education to practice.

Psychiatrists differ from other mental health professionals in that they are licensed physicians who can prescribe medications and order laboratory tests and brain-imaging studies. They conduct comprehensive assessments that integrate medical, developmental, and psychosocial factors, and they formulate diagnoses using standardized criteria. Treatment often combines pharmacotherapy with psychotherapeutic approaches, and may include somatic therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), or other neuromodulation techniques.

Psychiatrists work in a variety of settings, including inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, emergency departments, academic medical centers, and private practice. They collaborate with nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists to manage complex cases, coordinate care, and assess safety risks. The field emphasizes evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, and ethical considerations regarding autonomy, confidentiality, and stigma reduction. The goal is to alleviate symptoms, improve functioning, and support recovery across the lifespan.