Psychiatry

Psychiatry is one of the lucrative professional careers, which deals with the mental, emotional and behavioural disorders in a person. Often, mental and psychosomatic problems arise in patients with various surgical, medical and gynaecological cases. Psychology is the systematic study of human behaviour in all its aspects, the study of the human mind as an individual and a part of society.

Psychiatrists are the professionals who look after patients with mental problems, such as depression and schizophrenia. Treatments are made on the basis of counseling and then on the basis of medicines.

To become a psychiatrist, one should attend the medical school and receive an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree, after the MBBS. One could also do a Diploma in Psychiatric medicine (DPM) from a recognized educational institute to become a qualified psychiatrist. After completing graduation/post-graduation in Psychology, one can also take admission in M.D. (Psychiatry).

Courses & Eligibility

Doctors who have successfully completed the entire MBBS programme of study are eligible for specialization in psychiatry. 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. There are various institutions offering these courses in psychiatry.

Besides the MD and the DPM, there is a third option for study. The National Board of Examinations conducts a programme called Diploma of National Board Exam (DNB). The DNB is considered to be equivalent to a MD degree.

The academic curriculum for the MD programme includes psychology, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of the brain, neurology and neurosurgery. Special aspects of psychology such as child psychiatry, community psychiatry, social psychiatry, forensic psychiatry and preventive psychiatry are also taught in the programme. The course also includes practical training at mental hospitals.

Career Prospects

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 counseling, 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.

Psychiatrists are of great demand in today’s fast-paced life. The mental tension and stress arising from modern lifestyles are common among rich people. In these cases the role of a psychiatrist becomes vital. They are appointed in government and private hospitals, clinics and health institutes. They can also start private practice at home or by opening their own clinics. However, the earnings are more in private practice as compared to a job at any hospital/clinic.

Pay-Package

Psychiatrists find employments in hospitals, nursing homes, polyclinic, health centers, medical colleges and research institutions. The pay-package varies from one organization to the other. In government hospitals Psychiatrists are offered the same salary as offered to other specialist doctors. The salary ranges between Rs.15, 000 –Rs.20, 000 per month. In private hospitals the pay-package is slightly high but in private practice through self employment can provide you the best earnings.

The institutes offering courses in Psychiatry and related fields are as below:

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
• Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur
• Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
• B. M. Institute of Mental Health, Ahmedabad
• Central Institute of Psychiatry
  Ranchi, Jharkhand
  Website: http://cipranchi.nic.in/
  Courses Offered: MD (Psychiatry), Diploma in Psychological Medicine (DPM), Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing, MPhil programs
• Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College
  Vellore 632 004, Tamil Nadu, India
  Email psych1@cmcvellore.ac.in
  Website: http://www.cmch-vellore.edu/
• Lady Hardinge Medical College
  Bhagat Singh Road, Pin - 110001
  New Delhi
  Phone: 23343984
• National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)
  Hosur Road, Bangalore - 560029, India
  Telephone: 91-080-26995001/5002, 26564140, 26561811, 26565822
  Fax: 91-080-26564830
  Email:dnn@nimhans.kar.nic.in
  Website: http://www.nimhans.kar.nic.in
  Courses Offered: MD Degree in Psychiatry, Diploma in Psychiatry (DPM), M.Phil. in Mental Health & Social Psychology, M.Phil. in Psychiatric Social Work, M.Phil. in Neurophysiology, M.Phil. in Biophysics, M.Phil. in Neurosciences, M.Sc. in Psychiatric Nursing, Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing (DPN)
• Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER)
  Sector-12, Chandigarh, Pin- 160 012, India
  Phone: 0091-172-2755569, 2756565
  Website:http://pgimer.nic.in/
  Course (s) Offered: MD Psychiatry
• All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  Haji Ali, K. Khadye Marg,
  Mahalaxmi
  Mumbai, Maharashtra
  India – 400034
  Telephone: 91-22-24964331 / 32 / 40 / 41, 91-22-24935035
  Fax: 91-22-24962737
  GRAM: REHABCENTRE
  Email: aiipmr@vsnl.com
  Website: http://aiipmr.gov.in/

For list of medical colleges in various states, UTs and major cities in India, click on the names given below:

Colleges in major cities

Delhi	Bangalore	Chennai	Hyderabad
Kolkata	Ahmedabad	Pune	Mumbai

Colleges in various states

Haryana	Himachal Pradesh	Jammu & Kashmir	Punjab
Rajasthan	Uttaranchal	Chandigarh	Andhra Pradesh
Karnataka	Kerala	Pondicherry	Tamil Nadu
Bihar	Orissa	West Bengal	Goa
Gujarat	Maharashtra	Manipur	Sikkim
Tripura	Chhattisgarh	Jharkhand	Madhya Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh