Career in Psychiatry

What: Psychiatry as a special field of health care deals with the mental, emotional and behavioural disorders in a person. It explores the labyrinth of the human mind through the help of evidences and subtle techniques. A psychiatrist can differentiate between a mentally healthy person and a mentally sick one. Often, mental and psychosomatic problems arise in patients with various surgical, medical and gynaecological cases. He should peep into the psyche of patients and understand the cause of the deep rooted agonies, anxiety and depression and schizophrenia. Treatments are made on the basis of counselling and then on the basis of medicines.

Psychiatrists too begin with a diagnosis first and then follow it up with treatment, be it medication, counselling, psychotherapy or electrotherapy. They often work with other occupational therapists and social workers for the rehabilitation of patients. Through counselling, psychotherapy, and if required through the use of electric convulsive therapy (ECT) or tranquillisers, psychiatrists work on the patients. Where required, they work on desensitising patients, mainly through hypnosis.

The salary ranges between Rs.15, 000 –Rs.50, 000 per month. In private hospitals the pay-package is slightly higher than that of government one. Private practice through self-employment can provide the best earnings sources to psychiatrist. Private practitioners on one sitting may charge Rs.1000 or more per hour for counselling.

How: A candidate has to acquire an M.B.B.S degree from a medical college and appear for a post- graduate examination to study psychiatry as a subject of specialization. There are two options – they may either do a postgraduate course (MD) in psychiatry or a diploma in psychiatry (DPM). The MD course is of three years’ duration while the diploma course is of two years. Besides, one can also join the DNB course organized by the National Board of Examinations which is equivalent to an MD. The course also includes practical training at mental hospitals.

Where: Job opportunities for psychiatrists in India are immense. Psychiatrists can seek employment in regular hospitals as well as in mental hospitals. Many of them also work in rehabilitation centres to rehabilitate drug addicts, dipsomaniacs, juvenile delinquents and others with other occupational therapists and social workers. They are appointed in private hospitals, clinics and health institutes. They can also start private practice at home or by opening their own clinics. They can also work as a counsellor in schools, colleges, hospitals, courts, prison and even for NGOs and large scale industries. Others also have the option of choosing teaching this subject as a career.

Institutions:

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi;
• Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh;
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai;
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur;
• Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore;
• Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi