Psychiatrists deal with mental health. They will often combine a broad general caseload alongside an area of special expertise and research. Our understanding of how the mind works and the causes of dysfunction still has a long way to go. This is an area of fundamental importance to very large numbers of people.
Within the specialty of psychiatry, there are a number of sub-specialties, each requiring their own Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST).
Mental illness is extremely common - far more prevalent than most people realise. Research suggests that 1 person in 4 will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year. This kind of illness therefore ranks alongside cardiovascular disorders and cancer as one of the nation's biggest health problems. Mental health problems can take many forms including depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, anxieties, phobias, drug and alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and dementia.
Many of us may already have experience of mental health problems; we may have a relative, friend or partner suffering from depression, or who has had to deal with the effects of bereavement, marital difficulties, misuse of drugs or alcohol, or take responsibility for old people suffering from memory loss, or children with painful emotional problems. These are issues which could affect any one of us.
Career prospects are excellent with a good choice of consultant posts on offer. There is enormous variety within psychiatry. I could be treating people suffering from numerous mental health problems including:
Within the specialty of psychiatry, there are a number of sub-specialties, each requiring their own Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST).
Mental illness is extremely common - far more prevalent than most people realise. Research suggests that 1 person in 4 will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year. This kind of illness therefore ranks alongside cardiovascular disorders and cancer as one of the nation's biggest health problems. Mental health problems can take many forms including depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, anxieties, phobias, drug and alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and dementia.
Many of us may already have experience of mental health problems; we may have a relative, friend or partner suffering from depression, or who has had to deal with the effects of bereavement, marital difficulties, misuse of drugs or alcohol, or take responsibility for old people suffering from memory loss, or children with painful emotional problems. These are issues which could affect any one of us.
Career prospects are excellent with a good choice of consultant posts on offer. There is enormous variety within psychiatry. I could be treating people suffering from numerous mental health problems including:
- schizophrenia
- mania
- depression
- learning disabilities
- alcoholism or drug addiction
- eating disorders
- phobias, such as fear of heights or open spaces
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- anxiety
- personality disorders
- marital or family problems
- bereavement
- memory impairment
- Alzheimer's Disease
- the mental health problems of children and teenagers
- criminal proceedings and Court appearances