Approximately 22% of adults in the United States suffer from some sort of mental disorder, and psychiatrists are in great demand. Psychiatry is the fourth-largest medical specialty, and psychiatrists earn annual salaries that range from $150,000 to $250,000.
Becoming a Psychiatrist
All aspiring psychiatrists must earn medical degrees, and medical graduates must obtain state licenses to practice medicine.
After acquiring either M.D. or D.O. degrees, medical students enter residency programs in psychiatry. A residency includes four years of training, three years of which must be in psychiatry.
During the first year of residency training, doctors take care of patients with a wide range of medical illnesses. During the remaining three years, doctors learn to diagnose and treat mental illnesses.
At the end of their residencies, most psychiatrists take voluntary exams given by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) in order to become "board-certified" psychiatrists. The ABPN also offers certification in psychiatric subspecialties.
Psychiatric Subspecialties
Upon completion of their residencies, many psychiatrists pursue subspecialization programs. Most subspecialties require one-year fellowship studies; pediatrics and adolescent psychiatry both take two years to complete. Psychiatric subspecialty fellowships are available in child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and psychosomatic medicine.
In addition, advanced training is also available for the following informal subspecialties:
- consultation/liaison psychiatry
- community psychiatry
- administrative psychiatry
- emergency psychiatry
- research psychiatry
Because of shortages in the field, a large number of career opportunities are available for psychiatrists. Psychiatrists work at general hospitals, psychiatric clinics, university medical centers, nursing homes, prisons, schools and universities, military settings, rehabilitation centers, and private organizations. About half of the 45,000 qualified psychiatrists in the nation own private practices.
Characteristics of Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists must possess the following characteristics:
- intellectual abilities
- genuine interests in people and desires to help them
- emotional sensitivity and maturity
- patience
- understanding of personalities and characters
- tolerance for uncertainties
- good communication skills
