Are Psychiatrists Doctors?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Psychiatrists treat mental illness with therapy and prescription medications.

Requirements

• People pursuing a career in psychiatry must earn a bachelor's degree, graduate from medical school and work at least four years as a resident. Physicians apply for a psychiatry license after completing their residency.

Misconceptions

• Psychiatrists are sometimes confused with psychologists, who also treat people with mental illness. As of 2010, most states do not allow psychologists to prescribe drugs, except for Louisiana and New Mexico, according to WebMD. Psychologists usually do not hold medical school degrees.

Salary

• In 2008, psychiatrists earned an average income of $154,050, according to The College Board.

Fun Fact

• The suffix "-iatry" derives from the Greek word "iatreia," which means "healing," and translates to "medical treatment." The word psychiatry literally means "the medical treatment of the psyche."