Psychiatry is a branch of medical science which exists to study, prevent and treat mental disorders. The science of the clinical application of psychiatry has benn considered to be a bridge between the social world and those who are mentally ill. Both its' research and its' clinical application are considered interdisciplinary. Because of this, various subspecialties and theoretical approaches exist in psychiatric research and practice. Psychiatrists are doctors, and they can prescribe medications and order neurological...

Psychiatry is a branch of medical science which exists to study, prevent and treat mental disorders. The science of the clinical application of psychiatry has benn considered to be a bridge between the social world and those who are mentally ill. Both its' research and its' clinical application are considered interdisciplinary. Because of this, various subspecialties and theoretical approaches exist in psychiatric research and practice. Psychiatrists are doctors, and they can prescribe medications and order neurological and other tests for their patients.
Psychology is an an academic and applied discipline involving the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. Whichever branch of study you wish to pursue, it requires several years of university in the associate, graduate, and PhD academia field.

Oh, you're about to get a reality check.

The first, and maybe HARDEST thing you have to do, is DECIDE, for yourself, which of those you want.

Many people start off like you, wanting just to "help general people" but the way the educational system works, the better you know exactly...

Oh, you're about to get a reality check.

The first, and maybe HARDEST thing you have to do, is DECIDE, for yourself, which of those you want.

Many people start off like you, wanting just to "help general people" but the way the educational system works, the better you know exactly what population you want to deal with, and what type of work you want to do, the better.

For example: if you want to be a MEDICAL DOCTOR and prescribe medication and have a 15-20 minute session on average with a patient that just tells you mostly about their symptoms and how meds help or don't help, then you would want to be a PSYCHIATRIST.

If you want to not be a medical doctor and go to medical school, you will want to get a DOCTORATE, a PhD.

If you want to deal with SEVERE problems and mental health PATHOLOGY, you will more likely want to be a CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST. This is the most competitive degree for a psychologist, and you will deal with the hardest cases in practice, OR teach in a univeristy. The more competitive schools tend to look more for future researchers interested in an academic career, while the less competitive schools accept more people who want to practice psychology. The more competitive a school is, the more likely it is you will get FUNDING to attent, and the less competitive it is, the more money you will have to contribute, either by getting student loans or paying outright.

If you want to PRACTICE in the mental health field, that is, COUNSEL people with LIFE PROBLEMS and not severe mental illness, you will most likely want to get a PhD in Counseling Psychology or a PsyD. The PhD means that although there is emphasis on counseling people with life problems, research is also emphasized. More competitive Counseling Psychology PhD programs still want more students who want to go into research and academics, and less competitive programs take more students who want to practice. Just as with Clinical Psychology, more funding is found in more competitive, research oriented programs.

PsyD's cater mostly to people who want to practice, with little to no emphasis on research. They tend to provide the least funding and many people say PsyD's are not as competitive in the market. Many people who go for an MD or a PhD complain that too many schools turn out PsyD's, and that PsyD's flood the market and make it more difficult for people with a "real" degree to get an internship and compete for jobs.

The first thing you should study is English so you can fill out all the applications, but before that you have to get a BS, four year degree in physical or biological science. Then you have to get into medical school and there in your third year you can select psychiatry (note the correct spelling) as your speciality. This will add three years to the four of medical school, but the last year will be a "residency" you will do at a major hospital working 80 hours a week dealing with insane criminals and other su...

The first thing you should study is English so you can fill out all the applications, but before that you have to get a BS, four year degree in physical or biological science. Then you have to get into medical school and there in your third year you can select psychiatry (note the correct spelling) as your speciality. This will add three years to the four of medical school, but the last year will be a "residency" you will do at a major hospital working 80 hours a week dealing with insane criminals and other such violent nuts. If you survive that you will get a degree, but have to take a four day written test that will leave you in need of medical attention. You may have to take it several times to pass. After all that you will be 30 something and in debt for $300,000, but the banks will be eager to lend you money for an office that will cost another $500,000 so you will take a part-time job with the state again working with the criminally insane and in life threatening situations every day. Somewhere along the way you will have married a "princess" who loves shoes and buys them every other day. She will wonder why you cry yourself to sleep every night and be of no help.