I wannabe a psychiatrist!

**omlette** · 10-01-2009, 08:53 PM

I wana do psychiatry too!!! I'm currently loving my psychology degree, and I've wanted to do med since I was 12 lol, the plan was always to do it one day... I'm thinking either regular psychiatry, or paeds psychiatry (have discovered my inner love of children recently). I think for me the big issue will be "why psychiatry and why not clinical psychology?" especially as the clinical psychologist's role is becoming more and more on a par with that of the psychiatrist.

**Britney** · 10-01-2009, 08:57 PM

I think my main reason for not wanting to do clinical psychology is because psychiatrists are medical doctors, and as a nurse in training I know all to well how frustrating it is not knowing what I need to know, if you know what I mean. Clinical Psychologists, are highly qualified people, but I want to be in the position where I can prescribe e.t.c What about you? x

**omlette** · 11-01-2009, 10:11 PM

Haha now if only I had a clue... mines much more superficial: wanted to do med since I was 12, maybe slightly wavered off the path at somepoint during my degree, only to be firmly put back on my original trajectory by an impromptu careers talk by one of our lecturers: a clinical phd is waaaaaaaaay more competitive than medicine by the sounds of things. As far as I've been lead to believe though the role of the clinical psychologist is increasing to the extent in some places where the only difference is being able to prescribe chemical medication, a lot of psychologists these days are trained in non-pharmaceutical treatments and diagnosis etc.

**Britney** · 12-01-2009, 03:08 PM

Wow, now that is interesting, I didnt know that!

Do you have msn, pm if you do hun.

Britney x

**giella** · 13-01-2009, 06:43 AM

The thing is, the shrinks you see on tv? Most of those are playing the role of a clinical psychologist, not a medical doctor. They've earned their right to be called doctor because they have a PhD.
Now I spent a lot of time with a therapist and the kind of relationship that is forged between psychologist and client is amazing. It's the kind of relationship where you really see results from the input and teaching that is given to the client/patient. Undoubtedly it is a rewarding career, being a talk therapist. I believe that this kind of therapy, were it more gettable on the NHS, would be far more effective in terms of long term benefit than the prescription of drugs in most cases.
Psychiatrists do get to form similar relationships and practice the same kinds of therapy that psychologists do. They also treat the physical symptoms of the disease as well and it must be very rewarding work. But a lot of their role concerns the diagnosis and monitoring of patients, whilst a psychologist is getting in up to his elbows in trying to sort out the actual problem.
I'm seriously considering that as my backup option, as I can't help but think it's something I would find really rewarding. Maybe if I'm applying again next year I'll throw in an application to experimental psychology at a really top notch university as my fifth option and see what happens. Kinda wish I'd thought of that this year. Would have been interesting.

**Britney** · 14-01-2009, 03:10 PM

Hi giella,

Have you seen this link on the Royal college of psychiatrists website..

Careers Info for UGs

I too have the same dilemma as you regarding the psychology vs psychiatry so does omelette by the looks of things.

I guess im worried that if I make an application for something so specialised ill miss out on all the other oppurtunities medicine may offer. Im sure there are specialities I havent even heard of..

If I didnt get into medicine, id probably do something in psychology along the way, its very fascinating.

I reccomend Victor Frankl's book. " a man in search of meaning " a holocaust survivor who is also a psychiatrist. Excellent book.

Britney x

**giella** · 14-01-2009, 03:24 PM

Aw thanks Britney. I think I did look at that link a while ago as it is really familiar looking, but I got a fresh look now.
I think, when applying, it's good that you can have a specific interest in something. I'm really interested in mental health and I think this would be a really interesting aspect of medicine to explore over the course of a career. Part of my reason for wanting to do medicine is to learn about the brain, mental health etc in a more comprehensive way than I've ever had an opportunity to do before.
That's the rub really. I want to know everything. Psychiatrists are physicians too and I don't think I would want to stop at just the brain and the mind, which a psychologist does. The way we're starting to realise that everything is relative makes me remember the psychology that I have done in the past and made me realise that it would be frustrating to limit my study to that small part of a person which I did understand.
Thanks for the book title btw. I think we have that in our house somewhere. I recognise it.

**Britney** · 14-01-2009, 03:31 PM

You have an excellent way with words Giella, you said what I was trying to say!

I feel that with doing psychology we may limit our options somewhat..who knows what may happen "round the corner". We may change our minds..

During the medicine course, we may change our minds and decide something else is for us. Least, we have the oppurtunity.

Peads also interests me as well, also im not sure if you have looked at some psychiatry journals but the authors ( obviously psychiatrists ) write some brilliant articles all linked to the kind of stuff I am interested in. i.e domestic violence and its effect on children e.t.c

It just gets me all excited thinking about it. lol. It would be great if I could intercalate the degree, in neurology e.t.c That way when the time comes to apply for ST, your application is relevant. Also, neurology is interesting regardless of what you apply for..

Britney x

**giella** · 14-01-2009, 09:19 PM

Do you think psychologists are more concerned with restoring mental health, whilst psychiatrists are more concerned with treating mental disease?
I'm trying to figure out the difference in roles really. It's an interview question I'm potentially setting myself up for an interview question I see myself walking into if I mention an interest in mental health.
Any thoughts?

**ben_** · 15-01-2009, 12:13 AM

I talked about psychiatry in my recent interview - perhaps a little too much. Definitely something I would be interested in; although I must admit that my interest was first piqued by the social criticism of it I read during my humanities degree. Which may not be the correct way to approach things...