Do you know what psychiatry is? What does it do? In this article, in addition to answering these questions, we will explain to you what are the 9 types of psychiatrists that exist. That is to say, what subspecialties exist within this medical specialty.
Each of these types of psychiatrists is in charge of treating a certain type of patients and disorders. We will explain the characteristics of each subspecialty and what the work of each one of them consists of.
- Recommended article: “The 10 most recognized psychiatrists in Spain”.
What is psychiatry and what is it responsible for?
Psychiatry is a specialty of medicine that studies and treats mental illnesses (mental disorders). (mental disorders). These disorders may have a genetic or neurological origin. Thus, psychiatry professionals aim to prevent, evaluate, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate people suffering from mental disorders.
These problems include disorders such as: schizophrenia, addictions, bipolar disorder, depression, impulse control disorders, etc.
In order to achieve the patient’s recovery or improvement, this type of professionals mainly use medication, being frequent the use of antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, anticonvulsants, etc. (i.e. psychotropic drugs).
The aim is to enhance the patient’s autonomy, improve his or her quality of life and promote adaptation to his or her disorder. Thus, sometimes the intervention has to address also the family and the patient’s environment (this includes institutions).
The 9 types of psychiatrists (and what illnesses each one treats)
How many types of psychiatrists would you say exist? In this article we talk about 9 types of psychiatrists.. We explain exactly what their specialty is, what group/s they treat and what their work consists of.
1. Child and adolescent psychiatrists
These types of psychiatrists specialize in the child and adolescent population, i.e., children and adolescents (up to the age of 18), children and adolescents (up to 18 years of age).. This population is especially important and susceptible, since it is in childhood and adolescence that many of the disorders treatable by psychiatry appear.
Psychiatrists specializing in this sector of the population are in contact with the legal guardians of these boys and girls (who are generally the parents), as well as with their schools, centers, etc.
The disorders or alterations usually treated by these types of psychiatrists are: mental disorders in general (e.g. early onset schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD [Attention Deficit Disorder], bipolar disorder, OCD [Obsessive Compulsive Disorder], childhood or adolescent onset depression, substance abuse disorders, different Syndromes [e.g. Fragile X Syndrome]), etc.
2. Adult psychiatrist
The second type of psychiatrist is the adult psychiatrist.. He/she treats disorders like the previous ones but in this case in the adult population (i.e., 18 years of age and older).
One could say that this is “general” psychiatry. Thus, these professionals are in charge of treating and medicating people with different severe mental disorders. They usually work in hospitals, health care centers, private clinics, etc.
3. Geriatric psychiatrist
The third type of psychiatrist is in charge of treating the elderly population (i.e., the elderly population). (i.e. the elderly or geriatric population). Thus, they may work, for example, in nursing homes and other institutions where a mental health professional is needed.
When people reach old age, they undergo major changes in their emotional well-being and psyche; there may be numerous illnesses that affect their abilities, such as dementia.
In addition, these are people who have lived through many stages and have gone through many moments, such as aging itself, the feeling of loneliness, the death of loved ones, etc. All this can mean an added suffering to treat (not always to medicate).
4. Psychiatrist specializing in addictions
Another specialized field within psychiatry is addictions psychiatry.. These professionals are in charge of treating the different addictions and addictive disorders of people. Addictions can be to different psychoactive substances (e.g. alcohol, heroin, cocaine…), as well as to pathological gambling, sex, shopping, etc.
Addiction problems of various kinds are becoming more and more frequent in the population, whether young or adult. It is a serious problem that affects all spheres of the individual’s life, including, logically, his or her mental health.
5. Neuropsychiatrist
The neuropsychiatrist is another of the types of psychiatrists we can find in mental health.. Neuropsychiatry is a discipline in charge of studying and treating the different alterations and disorders related to the nervous system (i.e. the brain and spinal cord).
This includes cerebrovascular alterations, stroke, cognitive impairment, dementia, cranioencephalic traumas, etc.
6. Eating disorders psychiatrist (ED)
In this case this is the professional specializing in eating disorders.. These include anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, etc. EDs are always accompanied by significant psychopathological disturbances, which can lead these people to injure themselves or attempt to end their lives.
This is therefore a population that requires psychiatric care and medical treatment (psychopharmacological), which is often essential.
7. Psychiatrist specialized in sexuality
The next type of psychiatrist is a psychiatrist specializing in sexuality.. They are in charge of treating sexual dysfunctions and paraphilias, as well as other problems derived from sexuality itself.
The most frequent problems they usually treat are: premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, anorgasmia, hypoactive sexual desire disorder, aversion to sex, sex addiction, etc.
8. Consultation psychiatrist
This type of psychiatrist, also called liaison psychiatrist, is in charge of treating problems arising from hospitalization or from a medical or mental illness..
These include, for example: the experience of an illness (whether temporary, chronic, terminal, etc.), adherence to medical treatment, feelings of depression, anxiety or stress, etc.
9. Emergency psychiatrist
Emergency psychiatrists, although they may also have some of the above specializations, are responsible for dealing with emergency situations.. These include psychotic outbreaks, suicidal ideation, substance abuse emergencies, etc.