Psychiatrist
Doctor Guru's Featured Psychiatrists in Singapore
Important Things to Know About your Psychiatrist
Do you know what a psychiatrist does? A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) with a degree not only in general medicine, but four years of postgraduate study in the field of psychiatry. The psychiatrist is a person capable, trained, and experienced in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, as well as substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and psychosis, just to name a few. Simply put, a psychiatrist is a trained physician who specializes in the field of psychiatry, or study of the mind. Psychiatrists are able to:
- Performing physical examinations
- Prescribe medications
- Order and interpret laboratory tests.
Psychiatrists specialize in different fields, including but not limited to:
- Addiction
- Child or adolescent psychiatry
- Learning disabilities
- Cognitive behaviors such as Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia
- Forensics (diagnosing and treating criminal offenders)
Education and Certification
Your psychiatrist must have received a degree as an M.D. or a D.O. from accredited schools, as well as completing required years of residency or postgraduate study, followed by three to four years specialization in psychiatry. Following completion of education, your psychiatrist must have passed an examination that may involve components of clinical science, psychiatric subspecialties, oral examinations, clinical skills, as well as written tests determining and assessing his or her capability of practicing in the field.
Psychiatrists seek certification from medical boards that focus on the field of psychiatry, which gives them a license to practice psychiatry in their country of origin. In many geographical areas, a psychiatrist must be recertified every ten years.
Choosing a Psychiatrist
When choosing a psychiatrist, it's important to choose a professional who specializes in the area in which you need help; for example, if you're looking for help with an addiction, choosing a psychiatrist that focuses on addiction therapies and treatments would be more beneficial than one who focuses on learning disabilities.
In many cases, your primary care provider will suggest an expert that will help you find the right psychiatrist to help you deal with your issues, whether it's depression, substance abuse, learning disabilities, mental illness, and so forth.
Choose a psychiatrist who is trained, and experienced in various approaches to treatment. Asked about his or her approach to issues similar to yours and determine whether such therapy or treatment may be beneficial based on your situation or issue.
Be aware that seeking help from a psychiatrist doesn't offer easy, quick and simple answers. Some treatments and therapies may take time such as weeks or months of therapy to get through an addiction, depression, anxiety or other mental health issues and problems.
In brief, ask your psychiatrist:
- What type of approach or services may be best used to treat your issues
- Ask about potential treatment goals – for you and your family
- What are his or her expectations regarding treatment or therapy - for example, will you be required to practice techniques or provide written "assignments" between sessions with the psychiatrist?
- How often will you meet with the psychiatrist?
- Is your treatment or therapy expected to be short-term or long-term in duration?
- Is your problem a psychological one?
The key to choosing a psychiatrist that will offer you the greatest benefits is to focus on finding a psychiatrist that specializes in what you need. This focus is key to finding an effective treatment plan that provides the quickest benefits toward your future mental health and wellness.
You can find a psychiatrist in Singapore's public or private hospitals, healthcare centres,managements associated with psychology or clinics.
View our other articles if you have pending queries on other types of specialists.