psychiatrist

psychiatrist — noun

1. a doctor qualified in both general medicine and the treatment of mental health c

1.nounB2
Definition

a doctor qualified in both general medicine and the treatment of mental health conditions that affect how a person thinks, feels, or behaves

Example

Joaquín sees a psychiatrist every two weeks to manage his depression.

collocation: see a psychiatrist — regular visits for ongoing treatment

The psychiatrist recommended that Mira try talk therapy before starting medication.

recommend + therapy / medication — treatment options offered by a psychiatrist

Common collocations
  • see a psychiatrist
  • consult a psychiatrist
  • visit a psychiatrist
  • child psychiatrist
  • forensic psychiatrist
  • clinical psychiatrist
  • treating psychiatrist
Synonyms
  • psychotherapist

    broader term; includes psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and social workers who provide talk therapy

  • shrink

    informal slang; can sound disrespectful in serious or professional settings

  • analyst

    short for psychoanalyst, a specialist trained in Freudian or Jungian analysis

Grammar Patterns

see/consult a psychiatrist

a child/forensic psychiatrist

Usage Note

Distinguish from psychologist: a psychiatrist is a licensed medical doctor (MD) who can prescribe medication, whereas a psychologist usually holds a doctoral degree in psychology and provides therapy without prescribing drugs.

Common Mistakes

My psychologist prescribed antidepressants for me.
My psychiatrist prescribed antidepressants for me.
Only a psychiatrist, as a medical doctor, can legally prescribe medication in most countries.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, and therapist all refer to mental health professionals, but their training and scope differ. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who can prescribe medication and treat the biological side of mental illness. A psychologist holds a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD) and specializes in assessment and talk therapy but cannot prescribe medicine in most places. Psychotherapist is a broader term for anyone trained in talk therapy, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Therapist is the most general label and may refer to a professional in mental health, physical rehabilitation (physiotherapist), or speech therapy. In everyday conversation, see a psychiatrist if you need medication; see a psychologist or therapist for ongoing counselling without drugs.

psychiatrist ↗psychologist ↗psychotherapisttherapist ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • psychiatrist appointment
  • psychiatrist office
  • psychiatrist referral

Phrases

  • see a psychiatrist
  • consult a psychiatrist
  • referred to a psychiatrist

Etymology

GreekGermanEnglish

Psychiatrist was formed in the late 1800s from two Greek roots: 'psyche' (mind, soul, breath) and 'iatros' (healer, physician). The word literally means 'mind healer' or 'doctor of the mind'. It entered English as a direct borrowing through German psychiatric literature in the 19th century.