Outline of psychiatry

Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems.

Definition

Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, study, and treatment of mental disorders. These include various maladaptations related to mood, behavior, cognition, and perceptions. Initial psychiatric assessment of a person typically begins with a case history and mental status examination.

History

The history of psychiatry as a medical specialty can be traced back to the middle of the 19th century, but its roots extend to the ancient world. The word psychiatry was first coined by the German physician Johann Christian Reil in 1808.

Branches of Psychiatry

There are several branches of psychiatry, each focused on different aspects of mental health. These include:

• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Geriatric psychiatry
• Forensic psychiatry
• Addiction psychiatry
• Neuropsychiatry
• Social psychiatry
• Cross-cultural psychiatry

Treatment

Psychiatric treatments have changed over the past several decades. In the past, psychiatric patients were often hospitalized for six months or more, with some cases involving hospitalization for many years. Today in most developed countries, people receiving psychiatric treatment are more likely to be seen as outpatients.

See also

• Psychology
• Psychotherapy
• Mental health
• Mental disorder
• Psychiatric medication

References

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