Being a psychiatrist.

[Reverie.]

I was wondering what kind of qualifications and training I would need in order to become a psychiatrist. I really like the idea of one day being able to have a job where I can listen to people, analyse them and help them through hard times. I'm a good listener and I'm trustworthy, qualities I think are important. No two days would ever be the same..

Any help would be awesome!

[PSY]

Undergraduate, then medical school. So after high school, you're looking at about 12 more years of schooling.

Here are some websites you might want to check out:
http://education-portal.com/how_to_b...chiatrist.html
http://education-portal.com/articles...ifference.html

I would also highly recommend getting your hands on any books, articles, pamphlets, etc. that discuss psychiatry vs. psychology vs. therapy/counseling careers. =) You're young, so you still have plenty of time to figure out what you want to do in the years to come!

If you have any questions about PsyD degrees in particular, or the difference between clinical psychologist vs. marriage and family therapist, you're welcomed to PM me. =)

[Reverie.]

Thankyou. Wow, I have a lot of work to do

[Lizzie]

Don’t forget four years residency after med school.

[losing touch.]

Originally Posted by PSY

Undergraduate, then medical school. So after high school, you're looking at about 12 more years of schooling.

Here are some websites you might want to check out:
http://education-portal.com/how_to_b...chiatrist.html
http://education-portal.com/articles...ifference.html

I would also highly recommend getting your hands on any books, articles, pamphlets, etc. that discuss psychiatry vs. psychology vs. therapy/counseling careers. =) You're young, so you still have plenty of time to figure out what you want to do in the years to come!

If you have any questions about PsyD degrees in particular, or the difference between clinical psychologist vs. marriage and family therapist, you're welcomed to PM me. =)

not in the UK. you can do undergrad medicine here.

OP, you'd need a medical degree - then to specialise in psychiatry. but in the short term - you'll have to get A's at A level - in chemistry and others like bio and maths.

[moyshi239]

Hey Hollie,
To be a psychiatrist, like everyone has said before, it's probably going to be a lot of schooling. I'm guessing it's because a psychatrist is able to prescribe medications. If you're looking for other options with less schooling there are careers like a therapist (specialized or general), child and youth worker, social worker, developmental service worker, etc. Do a bit of research if you're interested in learning a bit more about those jobs .

I'd also say that along with schooling, you need to be healthy. So if you're dealing with anything at the moment, or need help with something, reach out to someone and get help for yourself. You need to be healthy in order to help others 100%.

Anyways, hope this helped! I'm in schooling for a career in this field, so if you have any questions, PM me and hopefully I can help you answer any questions you may have. Take care. :]

[her_beautiful_mistake]

Originally Posted by PSY

Undergraduate, then medical school. So after high school, you're looking at about 12 more years of schooling.

Here are some websites you might want to check out:
http://education-portal.com/how_to_b...chiatrist.html
http://education-portal.com/articles...ifference.html

I would also highly recommend getting your hands on any books, articles, pamphlets, etc. that discuss psychiatry vs. psychology vs. therapy/counseling careers. =) You're young, so you still have plenty of time to figure out what you want to do in the years to come!

If you have any questions about PsyD degrees in particular, or the difference between clinical psychologist vs. marriage and family therapist, you're welcomed to PM me. =)

This is wrong as she's in the UK. Also, she doesn't have plenty of time as if she wants to apply for medicine she needs to start making sure she's (a) getting the grades and (b) putting together the right kind of application now. Or yesterday. She's 15 so that's only around 2 years till she applies. Can't explain the level of competition.

You have to do a 5 year undergraduate medical degree, then 2 years foundation training, then you enter specialist psychiatric training which lasts on average 5 years.
Needless to say it's a pretty stressful route and it's a much better idea to concentrate more on whether or not you want to be a doctor, as most people will change their mind on their speciality during their training/med school.
I'm in medical school in the UK so let me know if you have any specific questions.. 75% of people get straight out rejections from everywhere they apply so it's a pretty stressful process!

Psychology is entirely different from psychiatry not only in the job it involves but (certainly in the UK) in terms of training, career progression and salary.

[PSY]

Originally Posted by losing touch.

not in the UK. you can do undergrad medicine here.

*headdesk* Thank you for pointing that out! The country you live in definitely makes a difference. =P

[her_beautiful_mistake]

Originally Posted by losing touch.

not in the UK. you can do undergrad medicine here.

OP, you'd need a medical degree - then to specialise in psychiatry. but in the short term - you'll have to get A's at A level - in chemistry and others like bio and maths.

Noooo you do not need maths! Haha sorry this is a massive stereotype around medicine that you need maths to get in and you don't anywhere. Biology + chemistry A level yes, and some require a 3rd science/maths (so physics/maths) but that's only Cambridge I think right now..

Just trying to break this myth

[losing touch.]

Originally Posted by her_beautiful_mistake

Noooo you do not need maths! Haha sorry this is a massive stereotype around medicine that you need maths to get in and you don't anywhere. Biology + chemistry A level yes, and some require a 3rd science/maths (so physics/maths) but that's only Cambridge I think right now..

Just trying to break this myth

yeah i know, sorry my wording was unclear. i meant the say that bio and maths would be good as well, with chemistry.

[The Morrigan]

I was thinking about doing this a while back but realised I'd never get the grades to get in but I did quite a bit of research on it and worked out that it'd take about 13 years of education/training to be fully qualified so that's something you might want to take into consideration.

Not sure if this number has changed since I looked, it was a couple of years ago.

http://www.connexions-direct.com/job...eContentID=344

That link might be helpful

[Reverie.]

Thanks for all this. I had my sixth form interview today and realised that I wouldn't enjoy alot of the sudying this will require, so I'm rethinking. I appreciate all the help you've posted though, otherwise I wouldn't have known any of this.