Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry, the branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, study, and treatment of mental disorders. Psychiatrists use a variety of treatments – including various forms of psychotherapy, medications and even hospitalization – to help people manage conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and more severe disorders such as schizophrenia.
Child Psychiatrist
A child psychiatrist is a trained doctor specializing in the mental health of children and adolescents, diagnosing and treating problems related to emotional, behavioral and developmental concerns. They develop a view of the child’s mental health, accounting for biological, psychological and social elements, that can be used to craft thorough treatment packages involving therapy or medication — or a mix of the two.
What they do
- Diagnose and treat
- Assess a child's need
- Create treatment plan
- Collaborate with families
When to Consult a Child Psychiatrist
Consider seeking help when a child shows symptoms like:
- Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or lack of motivation
- Severe anxiety, panic attacks, or phobias
- Difficulty coping with daily responsibilities
- Extreme mood changes, irritability, or aggression
- Difficulty concentrating or social withdrawal
- Changes in eating or sleep habits
Child Doctor
A child doctor, who is also called pediatrician, is a specialized health care provider that handles the health of babies, children and adolescents to young adults. They monitor a child's growth and development, give children vaccinations and diagnose and treat childhood illnesses and injuries. A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood, with a special emphasis on care for babies, children and adolescents.
Colleges and Universities
Colleges offering courses in child psychiatry, more precisely known as child and adolescent psychiatry, are typically medical institutions. Examples include the National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, which offers a DM in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
If you come from other fields, some diploma courses or certification do exist in child and adolescent psychiatry varying between around 5k for (admin fees) to 3.50 lakhs depending on your institution and course model.
Medical colleges for DM in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru
- Other medical colleges: Are not limited to child psychiatry but involve faculty and academic programs that have child and adolescent psychiatry.” These include institutions such as Madurai Medical College and JIPMER.
Universities offering diploma and other related courses
- Osmania University
- Amity University
- University of Madras
- Delhi University
- Punjab University
MBBS and MD
To specialize as a child psychiatrist you need to pass an MBBS degree course; then a post-graduate training where you can opt for D.P.M. or M.D. in psychiatry, which is of 3 years; and if required final optional further one year to become a fellow In that case, you are also eligible after second year fellowship. In this master course, you’ll learn how to assess and diagnose mental health issues in kids.
Educational Pathway
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| MBBS | A 5.5-year undergraduate medical degree that covers all aspects of human anatomy, physiology, and medicine, including a 1-year internship. |
| MD in Psychiatry | A 3 year postgraduate course focusing on disorders, mental health and treatments. |
| DNB in Psychiatry | A 3 year postgraduate course is considered equivalent to MD. |
| Specialized training in child Psychiatry | This is the final and crucial step for child psychiatrists. It involves a fellowship or a dedicated program in child and adolescent psychiatry to gain expertise in this specific area of medicine. |
Skills and Salary
Key skills include strong communication, empathy, and analytical abilities.
- Interpersonal and communication skills.
- Empathy
- Analytical and research skills
- Management skills
Salaries vary by experience and location.
| Level | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (1-3) | approximately ₹19,45,702 per year. |
| Senior level (8 or more) | average salary is around ₹37,15,853 annually. |
| Average | approximately ₹30,65,975 per year. |
FAQ'S
Q1. How to become a Psychiatrist after 12th?
Ans. To become a psychiatrist after 12th grade, you have to go for science stream in your 12th (PCM/PCB), then qualify the NEET-UG exam to get an MBBS seat. Once you have done your 5.5 years MBBS degree (which includes one year internship), to get admission into postgraduate branches like MD Psychiatry or DNB Psychiatry, and pass the NEET-PG exam.
Q2. What qualifications are required to become a psychiatrist?
Ans. To become a psychiatrist, you will have to obtain a bachelor’s degree before attending medical school in order to receive your M.D. or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy). And then, after receiving your degree from a med school, you would have to complete a multi-year psychiatry residency program.
Q3. How to become a child psychologist after graduation in India?
Ans. After masters, you could opt for specific training like MPhil in Rehabilitation Psychology/ any RCI approved Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology along with internships.
Q4. What does a child psychiatrist do?
Ans. Child Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders of children and adolescents. They can order medications and therapy, collaborate with families, schools and other specialists to develop treatment plans for conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, anxiety and depression.