A psychiatrist is mainly focused on treating the mental, emotional, and behavioral health conditions of a person, but it goes beyond that. There are diverse branches of psychiatry that involve subspecialties converging into different paths and areas of specializations.
The main types of psychiatry include general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, addiction psychiatry and much more.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PSYCHIATRISTS?
The following are some of the most specialized fields in psychiatry:
General Psychiatrist
A general psychiatrist assesses and treats various mental health illnesses and conditions in adults.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
They focus on diagnosing, preventing and treating mental health conditions common in children and adolescents, mainly under 18 years old.
Geriatric Psychiatrist
A geriatric psychiatrist specializes in the mental health issues faced by older adults, including common conditions such as dementia, depression and Parkinson’s disease.
Addiction Psychiatrist
Their focus is on treating patients who are struggling with substance use disorders such as drug and alcohol addiction and related mental health illnesses, mostly working in rehab centers.
Neuropsychiatrist
A neuropsychiatrist, just as the name suggests, treats mental and emotional conditions associated with neurological diseases, brain injuries and the nervous system.
Perinatal Psychiatrist
They specialize in treating women who suffer from mental health concerns during pregnancy or after giving birth, such as those dealing with postpartum depression.
Occupational/Organizational Psychiatrist
An organizational psychiatrist works with several organizations to resolve workplace stress, burnout, demotivation, and decreased productivity, while focusing on improving overall behaviour.
Emergency Psychiatrist
They work with the emergency department/room where they tend to patients who may experience trauma or psychological distress and need immediate care.
Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist
These are consultant psychiatrists who work in a medical setting, examining and treating mental health conditions in patients.
Forensic Psychiatrist
They work with the legal system to identify and diagnose mental disorders or issues that help with cases or are called as a witness to expert testimony.