A psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in mental health, the specialized branch of medical science dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses. They are known as the authority when it comes to mental illness, since they are trained and have a deep understanding of human behavior, affecting both the psychological and physical health of those they serve. There are several types of psychiatrists available, depending on the area of specialty that they choose to practice in, for example, psychiatrists specializing in forensic psychology and clinical neuro-psychological counseling. But in order to understand how a psychiatrist works, it is essential to break down what this profession consists of into its various sections.
A psychiatrist will work closely with patients in their private quarters to conduct interviews, observe their behavior, observe how they relax or respond to certain events, and create plans for treating these conditions and behaviors. It is in this process that the psychiatrist can Diagnose Mental Disorders. While many people believe a psychiatrist’s main role is making the diagnoses of a mental illness, it is far from being true. Most psychiatrists spend weeks interviewing patients, receiving reports, writing reports and presenting cases to their fellow psychiatrists in their department. In turn, all of this information is used to formulate an individualized diagnostic form, which is used by a psychiatrist in conjunction with other specialists, including psychologists and psychiatrists, to determine which type of mental illness is being experienced by a patient. This information is used in order to provide the best possible treatment available to someone who is suffering from mental illness.
In order to be able to diagnose mental health disorders, a psychiatrist must have a strong understanding of both the physiological and the psychological makeup of the human mind. Because the workings of the mind are so complex, it is not surprising that a psychiatrist has achieved a deep and profound understanding of how the brain functions. The complexity of the human brain has led psychiatrists to believe that there are multiple different types of disorders within it, each resulting in distinctive characteristics of behavior. For example, some people may suffer from a generalized anxiety disorder, while another person may have panic attacks. A psychiatrist will treat each of these disorders differently in accordance with the specifics of each individual case.