Sophia Wiest

Miss Skirtich
11 December 2015
English 10: World Literature

Life as a Psychiatrist

One that wants to attain a career in the psychiatry field requires a wide range of skills,

willingly wants to help out their community, and earn a medical degree. One that acquires a wide

range of skills that includes communication, perception, organizational, and many more skills

and techniques (Joyner 1). Next discussion acts on discussing how psychiatrists serve our

communities by serving clients that suffer mental health issues. By observing their clients

behavior as well as their body language, the psychiatrist collects and examines the data. Then the

psychiatrist designs a plan of action to take for their clients. Finally, for psychiatrists to do this

career they are required to go to college between four to twelve years, which they can either

continue their degree, or move on and join the work force. Becoming a psychiatrist sets one up

for success in post-secondary life by possessing a vast range of skills, serving communities to

help maintain mental health, and attaining a medical degree.

There are three skills that hold the key components to being successful in the field of

psychiatry. Showing strong communication skills and attentiveness towards all the clients remain

essential (Narsrallah 1). In order for success, communication remains as the skill that one will

use the most. Not just in what they say, also in the clients actions, and what they think. Thats

how the skill of listening comes into play as a key concept. The field of psychiatry remains

complex and requires one to discuss with clients, and help them break through their issues

(Narsrallah 1). Even if ones results come out unsuccessful the first time, the process builds up

over time and results in finally overcoming their fears. Also possessing positive, well rounded

perception skills through non-judgmental tactics to resolve the clients fears as an individual acts
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as a necessity (Joyner 1). One retains not to judge their clients, even if their fears sound strange

at first. One deals with their fears as well as possible, and puts themselves in their clients shoes,

so they understand and empathize what their client lives through daily (Kokemuller 1). Attaining

excellent organizational skills to keep all clients records confidential, and in exceptional order

acts as another important factor in this career. Psychiatrists need to look professional as much as

possible so ones able to impress their clients so they return and continue to come back.

Psychiatrists want to make an impression on their clients, and prove to them that as a psychiatrist

one knows what they are talking about (Narsrallah 1).

Serving the community continues as a big part of the people that psychiatrists help out

with their fears and problems. Psychiatrists help patients with mental health problems, and any

fears that they need help overcoming (Kokemuller1). Psychiatrists also hold the approval that a

psychologist does not attain the skills to complete task. Psychiatrists hold the authority to give

out prescriptions to patients, meanwhile psychologists do not hold that authority. Some people

get confused between the two careers, because of their similarities. The main difference between

them states that psychiatrists continue school so that they possible reach a doctorate degree.

Psychologists gain a lower degree and remain unable to write prescriptions for their patients,

they only can help their patients through different skills and coping techniques they attained in

school (Miller 1). Psychiatrists help their clients break through their problems, after discussing

with their clients to figure out their fears or problems. During the first visit the psychiatrist

creates a plan of how they resolve and help out their clients, they will decide which techniques

they use, and see if they get results. Even though not always successful, psychiatrists do not give

up, they try new techniques and skills to try and get the breakthrough they hope for (Miller 1).
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Sometimes this process takes a very long time, so as a psychiatrists one needs to possess a lot of

patience (Joyner 1).

Psychiatrists usually major in psychiatry and minor in psychology, most likely one needs

a doctorate in psychiatry to get a good job quickly. The minimum degree in psychiatry is a

bachelors which takes four years, but every psychiatrist to hold a license no matter what degree

they receive. After one attains a bachelor degree they decide whether they want to continue their

studies and schooling to get a higher degree or graduate and move into the work force.

Psychiatrists not only work with their clients, they perform many more things too. For example,

they design care plans for their patients health, work with other doctors and physicians to

discuss what act best fits best for the patient, analyze data to determine what step to take next,

and submit reports to the government or mental health agencies (Nasrallah 1).

Lastly, in the field of Psychiatry one obtains all the skills that is needed along with the

degree for becoming one. This process in becoming a psychiatrist last long with receiving a

doctorate degree that takes at least twelve years. After school one intends to receive little or no

problems moving right into the work force, after attaining all the schooling required one could

get a job anywhere, or even get placed in a hospital if needed. Becoming a psychiatrist sets one

up for success in post-secondary life by possessing a vast range of skills, serve communities to

help maintain mental health, and attain an impeccable medical degree.

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Work Cites

Joyner, Jeffrey. "What Kind of Personal Skills Might a Psychiatrist Need?" Chron. Jeffrey

Joyner, n.d. Web

Narsrallah, Henry A., MD. "The Model Psychiatrist: 7 Domains of Excellence." Current

Psychiatry. Henry A. Nasrallah MD, 11 Nov. 2011. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

Miller, Dinah, MD. "What Makes a Good Psychiatrist?" Dinah Miller MD, 9 Jan. 2012. Web. 10

Dec. 2015.

Kokemuller, Neil MD. How to Become a Psychiatrist." Learn How to Become. N.p., n.d. Web.
10 Dec. 2015