Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical doctor specializing in psychiatry: A psychiatrist is a physician who diagnoses, treats, and prevents mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They are qualified to prescribe medication and use various forms of psychotherapy.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She decided to see a psychiatrist to help manage her anxiety.
  • The psychiatrist prescribed medication and recommended weekly therapy sessions.
  • He is a renowned psychiatrist who has published many papers on depression.

Advanced Usage

• "Forensic psychiatrist": A psychiatrist who specializes in the intersection of mental health and the law, often assessing individuals for court cases.

  • The forensic psychiatrist provided an evaluation for the defendant's trial.

• "Child and adolescent psychiatrist": A psychiatrist who specializes in treating mental health disorders in children and teenagers.

  • The child psychiatrist used play therapy to connect with the young patient.

Variants and Related Words

• Psychiatry (n): The branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness.

  • She decided to specialize in psychiatry during medical school.

• Psychiatric (adj): Relating to psychiatry or mental illness.

  • The patient was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation.

Synonyms

• Psychotherapist: A broader term for a professional who treats mental disorders through talk therapy (note: not all psychotherapists are medical doctors).
• Shrink (informal/slang): A casual, sometimes derogatory, term for a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.

Related Phrases

• "To be in psychiatry": To work in the field of psychiatry.

  • After her residency, she will be in psychiatry.

• "Psychiatric evaluation/assessment": A formal process conducted by a psychiatrist to diagnose a mental health condition.

  • The court ordered a full psychiatric evaluation.

Related Idioms

• "To need one's head examined" (informal): An idiom suggesting someone is acting irrationally, humorously implying they should see a psychiatrist.
  • If you think that's a good idea, you need your head examined!

Noun

1. a physician who specializes in psychiatry