A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological and behavioral health conditions. Psychiatrists utilize a variety of means in helping their patients, including talk or psychotherapy, prescription medications, light therapy, and other forms of medical and psychological assistance. The goal of psychiatry is to accurately diagnose mental and emotional disorders, and to provide tools for their effective management and control.

Psychiatrists are extensively educated, completing four years of medical or osteopathic school, a residency in psychiatric medicine, and additional years of training in their specialty. Prior to practicing, they are licensed and board-certified by professional governing bodies. They maintain certification throughout their careers with supplemental training and testing.

What Does a Psychiatrist Do?

Psychiatrists diagnose and treat a wide range of psychological, emotional, and behavioral symptoms and conditions, including:

• Alcoholism and substance use disorders
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Depression and bipolar disorders
• Dementia and related conditions
• Eating disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Panic and anxiety disorders
• Personality disorders
• Phobias
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Sleep disorders

They accomplish this through doctor-patient interaction, conducting physical exams, ordering medical and psychological tests, developing treatment protocols, and performing specialized diagnostic procedures. The latter are typically done to rule out possible medical causes for what otherwise present as psychological or behavioral conditions. Psychiatrists use The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-5-TR, as a basis for evaluating psychiatric conditions and designing therapeutic responses.

Psychiatrists are found in private-office, hospital, and governmental settings. Many are also involved in university-based research programs.

What Types of Psychiatrists Are There?

Psychiatrists are trained in one or more specialties:

• Addiction psychiatry: A specialization in the diagnosis and treatment of substance-use disorders, including alcoholism.
• Child and adolescent psychiatry: A focus on psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents.
• Emergency psychiatry: Expertise in managing the psychological aspects of crisis situations, including psychotic episodes, violent interactions, and potential suicide cases.
• Forensic psychiatry: Training in the legal ramifications of mental illness, as applied in court testimony and psychological evaluations of people standing trial.
• Geriatric psychiatry: A focus on patients 65 years or older, typically for age-related conditions such as dementia or depression.
• Consultation-liaison psychiatry: Collaborative use of psychiatry as one facet of medical diagnosis and treatment.

When Should You See a Psychiatrist?

You should seek psychological help if you experience the symptoms commonly associated with an emotional or behavioral condition:

• Chronic anxiety or panic attacks
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty controlling emotions
• Habitual drinking or drug use
• Hallucinations
• Inability to focus thoughts
• Obsessive thought patterns
• Self-harm
• Severe or persistent depression
• Suicidal thoughts or planning

Many persons with these symptoms begin by seeing a counselor or psychologist. In more serious cases, especially those with a medical component, you might be referred to a psychiatrist by a first-in-line mental-health provider.

If you are in immediate danger or having thoughts of harming yourself or others, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

What Can I Expect at My Visit to a Psychiatrist?

On your first visit to a psychiatrist, they will ask about your symptoms, documenting them as part of your medical record. They will conduct a physical exam, and, when appropriate, order lab tests as well. You will likely undergo a psychological evaluation. There will be more emphasis on verbal communication — talking, in other words — than is typical in most medical appointments. It may take more than one visit with a psychiatrist for them to arrive at a diagnosis and to develop a treatment plan.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors, so treatment may involve both medical and psychological components. Common psychiatric therapies include:

• Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy)
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
• Brain-stimulation therapies
• Light therapy
• Prescription medications

Prescription medications include antidepressants, hypnotics, sedatives, and mood stabilizers.

If you’re experiencing symptoms or have a family medical history that concerns you, the Baptist Health behavioral health team is ready to serve. Learn more about our behavioral health services, or call our Behavioral Health Resource Connection hotline at 1.800.395.4435.

If you don’t have a Baptist Health provider, you can find one in our provider directory.

Psychiatrist FAQs

Do I need to see a psychiatrist?

Whether you need to see a psychiatrist depends on a number of factors, some of which only you can answer. Do you have symptoms that are associated with a psychological or behavioral disorder? Are these symptoms serious and persistent enough to warrant treatment by a medical professional? Have you exhausted the interim steps that you can take to manage whatever it is that concerns you (for example, changes in personal behavior or counsel from a trusted friend or family member)? If you’re uncertain about what to do, you might speak with your primary care physician for further guidance.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in emotional and behavioral issues. In addition to overseeing psychological testing and treatment, they can conduct physical exams, order laboratory tests, and prescribe medications. A psychologist also has a doctorate (PhD or PsyD), most often in clinical psychology, but is not a medical doctor. Psychologists specialize in behavioral and related therapies, such as talk therapy, without the medical component.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist?

A therapist is a mental health professional, typically with a master’s degree in psychology or a related area of study. Along with counselors, therapists are often the first-in-line providers of mental-health services, prior to psychologists or psychiatrists. Psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in emotional and behavioral disorders. They typically manage the most complex psychological or behavioral conditions, especially those with a medical component.