On Psychiatry

What is a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a licensed medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Training includes an undergraduate degree, four years of medical school, and at least four years of psychiatric residency (five years for child, geriatric and other specialty psychiatrists). This intensive medical training prepares psychiatrists to attend to the biological, psychological and social aspects of mental disorders. Psychiatrists treat a broad range of mental health problems across the life cycle‹from children to senior citizens. Treatment may include hospital or clinic work with individuals, their families, groups and consulting to primary care or other physicians.