Top 10 Reasons to Study Psychiatry
A psychiatrist is a mental health professional who can diagnose, treat, and prevent mental health disorders. In addition, psychiatrists help treat mental health conditions like schizophrenia or depression. If you have good communication skills and are interested in helping people live a better life, this is just the career path for you.
In the past decade, demand for mental health services has seen a rise due to increased mental health issues while the stigma surrounding mental health conditions is declining. Unfortunately, the high demand has caused a gap in psychiatric care; there is a need to fill jobs as mental health practitioners. As a medical student or nurse, if you wish to pursue a career in psychiatry, there can be many convincing reasons.
Here are the top 10 motivators for you to Study Psychiatry:
Psychiatrists work flexible hours.
Unlike working in any other job in medicine, psychiatrists can work flexible hours. You can schedule your patients as per your routine and give enough time to your family. You don't have to be on call if you have a busy day at work and can reschedule your appointments with patients. Flexibility in working hours, leaves and control over your time is among the many perks of being a psychiatrist. You are often your boss and can decide how to schedule your appointments. You can choose your working hours or work in settings that provide flexibility.
Psychiatrists have an outstanding work-life balance.
As a medical practitioner, you are always ready for an imbalance in work and life. As a student, you learn to prepare yourself to work long hours and emergencies. Nurses, in particular, have long shifts and are always on call. Getting a psychiatry degree with online PMHNP programs can give them a comfortable work-life balance. There is a shortfall for mental health practitioners, including psychiatrist nurses and PMHNP prepares them to evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses.
A Rewarding Profession.
The most convincing reason to opt for a psychiatry program is that treating people provides fulfillment. Helping people with their mental health conditions and leading a better life gives you first-hand appreciation. As a counselor, you get to put a long-term impact on the patient's life which can feel rewarding. Psychiatrists help people fight fears and maintain healthy relationships; they help heal traumas or boost morale in an insecure individual. All these are life-changing circumstances for patients who are beyond grateful to a good psychiatrist; remedied patients are like bonuses for psychiatrists.
Variety of Opportunities.
Studying Psychiatry opens up a world of opportunities to work in diverse job settings. You can work at private clinics, hospitals, psychiatric clinics, medical centers at universities, nursing homes, community mental health centers, rehabilitation centers, emergency rooms, and much more. You can work and study, teach and even work on a project basis at school, trauma wards with post-war soldiers, etc. Psychiatrists are currently in demand worldwide, which gives them global opportunities.
They Invest in the Betterment of the Community.
The stigma attached to keeping quiet about mental health problems has caused years of unresolved mental health issues within societies. Each part of the world is suffering from a different mental health dilemma. It can be depression caused by financial debts, inflation, relationship issues, drug abuse, or PTSD. Mental health practitioners are well equipped with the skills to treat mental illnesses and drive a community of mentally fit individuals.
Attractive Compensation.
Mental health practitioners are paid well compared to doctors and nurses in general hospitals or clinics. Psychiatrists are high in demand and, to attract them to clinics or hospitals, they are offered handsome salaries along with benefits. Psychiatrists operate in various environments; they may work with outpatients, organizations, or hospitals. Each of these arrangements has its perks and pays well to Psychiatrist nurses and doctors.
Studying Psychiatry Leads to New Skills.
A degree in psychiatry can be helpful for every medical specialist; you learn skills that will make you a better doctor or nurse. In addition, you get to adopt skills such as empathy, good communication, relationship building, etc. each of these is a multidimensional skill that you can utilize to understand mental health patients and advocate for them. Cultivating a positive psychotherapeutic relationship with patients is necessary to work as a psychiatrist. If these skills do not come naturally, you can develop them with a psychiatry program and work experience.
The Need of the Hour.
As the stigma for mental health is diminishing, much research is taking place in neuroscience. Scientists are starting to comprehend the complexity of our brains and behavior. There is ongoing research on neurotransmitters and brain stimulation therapies. Research on drugs and mood disorders is constant while psychiatrists publish case studies that lead to more studies. All this requires more psychiatrists to make mental health approachable to everyone. Advancements in psychiatry can also positively affect the growth and sustainability of other medical disciplines.
On-The-Job Learning.
Every patient is different, even if they carry the same mental health condition providing you with abundant cases every day. A degree in psychiatry will prepare you to treat patients from different races, ethnic groups, and cultures. Your on-job medical knowledge will strengthen, you will get to do your research and publish case studies. You will keep updating your treatments and methods with newly available research making you a better mental health practitioner with time.
Specialization Opportunities.
Another good news for upcoming psychiatrists is that you can choose your specialization. Popular choices include adolescent psychiatry, elderly psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, crisis psychiatry, consultation psychiatry, mental retardation psychiatry, community psychiatry, military psychiatry, or psychiatric study. So whether you like working with children and diagnosing early mental health conditions, relationship counseling, or rehabilitation for teens, the choice is yours.
Conclusion
While a lot of dedication, commitment, and time goes into fulfilling the arduous work needed to become a psychiatrist, the perks are worth the challenge. Treating patients with mental health conditions can be fulfilling and motivate you to make strides and help those around you.