Psychiatry
Psychiatry is a medical field dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
Psychiatrists are medically qualified doctors who diagnose and treat patients with mental health disorders. Psychiatrists can also prescribe medication as well as recommend other forms of treatment.
Psychiatric disorders can also be caused by physical illness, and many patients with mental illness are at greater risk of developing physical illness. This is why psychiatrists are specialist medical doctors trained and skilled in recognising both mind and body symptoms.
Training
As this is such a specialised area, the training takes many years to complete. You must first study for a degree in medicine recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC), followed by two years of Foundation Training which all medical graduates are required to complete. You will then need to undertake 5 to 6 years of specialist psychiatric training.
When you have completed your training, you will receive your CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) and will be entered onto the GMC Specialist Register.
Specialities
- General Psychiatry
- Old Age Psychiatry
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Psychiatry of Learning Disability
- Medical Psychotherapy
Regulation
All medical doctors in the UK are legally required to be registered with the General Medical Council which is overseen by the Professional Standards Authority.
Professional body
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional body responsible for education and training, and setting and raising standards in psychiatry. The RCPsych offers resources, guidance, support and opportunities to play a role at the College.