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Psychiatry

A Psychiatrist is a medically qualified doctor who deals with mental illness, as well as the interaction between physical and mental illness. Psychiatrists look after patients with mental health problems such as depression, bipolar affective disorder, anxiety disorders, learning disabilities, eating disorders, schizophrenia, dementia, and drug and alcohol abuse. Most psychiatric diagnoses are made on the basis of a full history and mental state and physical examination. Management of these disorders involves a combination of measures, such as medication, psychological counselling, improving home environments and social networks, and occasionally physical treatment such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Psychiatrists work in a number of different settings including both psychiatric and general hospitals, in the community, residential centres, nursing homes and in prisons. Psychiatrists also work with a number of different professionals as part of a team that might include clinical psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, and occupational therapists.

Psychiatry is comprised of six main specialties. General Psychiatry has a further three subspecialties. There is information on the following branches of Psychiatry on the specialty pages:

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Forensic Psychiatry
General Adult Psychiatry
Old Age Psychiatry
Psychiatry of Learning Disability
Medical Psychotherapy

The subspecialties of General Adult Psychiatry are as follows:

Addictions Psychiatry
Liaison Psychiatry
Rehabilitation Psychiatry

Training Pathway

Specialist training in Psychiatry is six years. This involves three years of core psychiatry training (CT1-CT3) and three years of higher training (ST4-ST6). During core training, trainees gain experience in the different areas of Psychiatric practice through four or six month training posts. This includes a minimum of twelve months in General Psychiatry and experience in at least three other psychiatric specialties. Trainees will also take the Membership exams of the Royal College of Psychiatrists at this time.

During higher training, trainees specialise in one of the six Psychiatric specialities. Three 12 month posts are generally undertaken and reflect the specialty chosen by the trainee. Upon successful completion, trainees are awarded a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and are entered on the GMC Specialist Register as well as being eligible to apply for consultant posts.