The 9 types of psychiatrists (and how each one works)

Do you know what psychiatry is? What is it in charge of? In this article, in addition to answering these questions, we will explain what are the 9 types of psychiatrists that exist. That is, what subspecialties exist within this medical specialty.

Each of these types of psychiatrists is responsible for 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.

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What is psychiatry and what is it responsible for?

Psychiatry is a specialty of medicine in charge of studying and treating mental illnesses (mental disorders). These disorders can have a genetic or neurological origin. Thus, the objective of psychiatric professionals is to prevent, evaluate, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate people who suffer from mental problems.

These problems include disorders such as: schizophrenia, addictions, bipolar disorder, depression, impulse control disorders, etc.

To achieve the recovery or improvement of the patient, this type of professionals mainly uses the medication, being frequent the use of antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, anticonvulsants, etc. (i.e. psychotropic drugs).

What is sought is to enhance the autonomy of the patient, improve their quality of life and promote adaptation to their disorder. In this way, sometimes the intervention has to also target the patient's family and environment (this includes institutions).

The 9 types of psychiatrists (and what diseases each treats)

How many types of psychiatrists would you say there are? In this article we talk about 9 types of psychiatrists. We explain what exactly their specialty is, what group / s they serve and what their work consists of.

1. Child and adolescent psychiatrist

These types of psychiatrists are specialized in the child and adolescent population; namely, in children and adolescents (up to 18 years of age). This population is especially important and susceptible, since it is in childhood and adolescence when many of the disorders treatable by psychiatry appear.

Psychiatrists specialized in this sector of the population are in contact with tutors legal status of these boys and girls (who are generally the parents), in addition to their schools, centers, etc.

The disorders or alterations that these types of psychiatrists usually treat are: mental disorders in general (for example schizophrenia of early onset, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD [Attention Deficit Disorder], bipolar disorder, OCD [Obsessive disorder Compulsive], depression of onset in childhood or adolescence, substance abuse disorders, different Syndromes [for example the Syndrome of Fragile X]), etc.

2. Adult psychiatrist

The second of the types of psychiatrists is the adult psychiatrist. It treats disorders like the previous ones but in this case in the adult population (that is, from the age of 18).

You could say that this is "general" psychiatry. Thus, these professionals are in charge of treating and medicating people with different serious mental disorders. They usually work in hospitals, health centers, private clinics, etc.

3. Geriatric psychiatrist

The third of the types of psychiatrists is in charge of treating the elderly population (ie the elderly or geriatric population). Thus, they can work for example in residences and in other institutions where a mental health professional is necessary.

When people reach the third age, they undergo important changes in their emotional well-being and in their psyche; Many diseases can appear that affect their abilities, such as dementia.

In addition, they are people who have lived through many stages and who have gone through many moments, such as aging itself, the feeling of loneliness, the death of loved ones, etc. All this can suppose an added suffering to them to treat (that not always to medicate).

4. Addiction specialist psychiatrist

Another specialized field within psychiatry is addiction psychiatry. These and these professionals are in charge of treating the different addictions and addictive disorders of people. Addictions can be to different psychoactive substances (for example, alcohol, heroin, cocaine ...), and also to pathological gambling, sex, shopping, etc.

Addiction problems of different kinds are becoming more and more frequent in the population, be it young or adult. It is a serious problem that affects all spheres of an individual's life, logically including their mental health.

5. Neuropsychiatrist

The neuropsychiatrist is another of the types of psychiatrists that we can find in mental health. Neuropsychiatry consists of a discipline in charge of studying and treating the different alterations and disorders related to the nervous system (that is, the brain and the spinal cord).

This includes cerebrovascular disorders, stroke, cognitive impairments, dementias, head trauma, etc.

6. Eating Disorder Psychiatrist (ED)

In this case, It is the professional specialized in eating disorders. These include anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder, etc. Eating disorders are always accompanied by significant psychopathological alterations, which can lead these people to injure themselves or to try to end their life.

It is therefore a population that requires psychiatric care and medical (psychopharmacological) treatment, which is usually essential.

7. Psychiatrist specialized in sexuality

The next of the types of psychiatrists is the one specialized 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, erection disorder, anorgasmia, hypoactive sexual desire disorder, aversion to sex, sex addiction, etc.

8. Consultation psychiatrist

This type of psychiatrist, also called a liaison psychiatrist, is in charge of treating problems arising from being hospitalized or suffering from a medical or mental illness.

These include, for example: the experience of a disease (whether temporary, chronic, terminal ...), 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 in charge of dealing with emergency situations. These include psychotic outbreaks, suicidal ideations, drug use emergencies, etc.

Bibliographic references

• Alarcón, R.D., Mazzotti, G. and Nicolini, H. (2012). Psychiatry. Pan American Health Organization. 3rd Ed. Washington, D.C

• Castillero, O. (2018). The 8 types of psychiatrists. Psychology and Mind.

• Restrepo, G., Bayona, H., Urrego, R., Oleas, S. and Restrepo, U. (2008). Clinical psychiatry. Diagnosis and treatment in children, adolescents and adults. 3rd Ed. Editorial Médica Panamericana.