What is a Psychiatrist?

About Psychiatrists

A psychiatrist provides diagnosis and treatment of mental illness affecting people of all ages, specializing in conditions and disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,) bereavement, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, sleep disorders, sexual disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.

Treatment under a Psychiatrist can involve both mental and physical examinations as well as the use of brain imaging such as computerized tomography(CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, and blood tests. Psychiatrists can also prescribe medication if deemed required for patient treatment.

Psychiatrists and mental health physicians specialize in further sub-specialties within the field of psychology such as psychopharmacology, psychotherapy and psychiatric genetics, sleep medicine, pain medicine, child psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, as well as forensic psychiatry and addiction psychiatry.

Psychiatrists work in conjunction with other medical specialists including consulting with Family Doctors / General Practitioners, Addiction Medicine doctors, Neurologists, Psychologists as well as social workers and education professionals.

Useful Resources

Canada

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

Ontario

Quebec

Newfoundland and Labrador

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia