psychiatrist?

Question

i'd really like to become a psychiatrist. how would i become one, and what are the advantages and disadvantages. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE FROM A WEB PAGE, I'D RATHER GET AN OPINION FROM A REAL PSYCHIATRIST

Answer 1

In order to become a psychiatrist you must:
1. Earn an undergraduate degree as well as complete a pre-med program of study (2 Biology's with lab; 2 Physics with lab; 2 Inorganic chem's with lab; 2 organic chem's with lab; Biochem with lab; Microbiology; Math thru calculus). Your G.P.A. should be commanding (at least 3.5 or above). Make time for volunteering and other extracurricular activities...it shows you are capable of managing your time efficently. Finally, take the MCAT's and score 30 or above to be competetive.

2.Apply to, get accepted at, attend, and graduate from a medical school. Earn fantastic scores on all preclinical/clinical/ and standardized tests, as you will need to impress other physicians when applying for residency. Avoid a D.O. degree, pursue an M.D., as there is still a stigma against D.O.'s in psychiatrics.

3. Obtain a general residency (several years) and then a psychiatric residency (several more). Long hours, low pay, and kissing butt! Do it well, your future depends on it.

4. You are now free to select a path in psychiatrics that most appeals to you.

3 Advantages:
1. Unlike any counsellor or clinical psychologist, you will have the opportunity to prescribe medicine as an applied treatment.

2. You will have a medical school education, and if you find a waining interest in psychiatry during your clinical rotations or residency, you'll have opportunity to change your path, but remain in medicine.

3. There is the opportunity to make significantly more money as a psychiatrist, when compared with clinical psychologists, licensed or regestered counsellors, or others in the mental health field.

3 Disadvantages:
1. You will have to pay for your medical school education. Medical schools will run you around $200,000 (including room & board), while a student applying for a clinical or experimental psychology graduate program will likely recieve, upon their acceptance, a full tuition waiver and stipend to support their room & board.

2. Malpractice insurance. Here in the United States this is a requirement for all practicing physicians, and the cost is enough to make your eyes fall out of their head!

3. While clinical psychologists have an opportunity to work 1-1 with clients for extended periods of time, a psychiatrist working in a clinical setting may have many unfamiliar patients cross their path on a regular basis, and also may be forced (due to time constraints) to diagnose and treat a patient after extremely limited exposure.

Answer 2

Basically it is 4 yrs of college, 4 yrs of medical school and 4 yrs of residency. Let me tell you something first, only go in this field if your have a natural interest, DO NOT do it for the money.My cousin who is currently a in medical school, its his last, said that 70% of his buddies dropped out of medical school, because it was highly complicated for them. Getting into medical school is high competitive, believe a 3.5 is considered an "average" gpa, so study hard in college and try to get at least 4.0, since most of the people trying to get in will have a 4.0 and high MCAT scores.



Advantages: Rewarding work, great pay

Disadvantages: Long hours, hard work.med school is extremely expensive, and you'll need malpractice insurance , which is really high.

If you have anymore questions you could just email and also get advice from my couson who is also persuing this field.

Answer 3

Would you take an opinion from a real nutcase(certifiable alcoholic, ADD, survivor of abuse...) instead? I feel that psychiatry is over used today. I realize there is some call for it but in my opinion psychology and spiritality is a nicer way to help people.

Answer 4

go to an asylum....first hand information is the best:):) and i am sure u'll need the pshychiatrist at the earliest!1