psychiatrist
seye-KEYE-uh-trihst
Psychiatrist (noun) means a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness, often able to prescribe medication. Example: “Her psychiatrist adjusted her medication after the follow-up appointment.”
noun
1
A medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness, often able to prescribe medication.
"Her psychiatrist adjusted her medication after the follow-up appointment."
"My uncle trained for many years to become a psychiatrist."
"The psychiatrist listened carefully before suggesting a course of treatment."
How to use psychiatrist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA doctor trained in mental health who can prescribe medicine, unlike most psychologists.
Common mistake
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication; a psychologist typically cannot and focuses more on talk therapy.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
see a psychiatrist
child psychiatrist
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Word forms
- Plural
- psychiatrists
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Her _____ adjusted her medication after the follow-up appointment.
Etymology
From psychiatry plus the agent suffix -ist.
Synonyms
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mental health doctor
shrink
Related words
Rhymes for psychiatrist
See all rhymes for psychiatrist →Frequently asked questions
What does “psychiatrist” mean?
The word “psychiatrist” means a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness, often able to prescribe medication. In plain terms, a doctor trained in mental health who can prescribe medicine, unlike most psychologists.
How do you pronounce “psychiatrist”?
“Psychiatrist” is pronounced seye-KEYE-uh-trihst (/ˌsaɪˈkaɪ.ə.tɹɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “psychiatrist” in a sentence?
Here is “psychiatrist” used in a sentence: “Her psychiatrist adjusted her medication after the follow-up appointment.”
What part of speech is “psychiatrist”?
“Psychiatrist” is a noun.
Is “psychiatrist” a common word?
“Psychiatrist” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness and can prescribe medication, while a psychologist typically holds a doctoral degree in psychology and focuses on therapy and behavioral assessment without prescribing drugs. Because psychiatrists have medical training, they can address the biological aspects of mental illness alongside talk therapy.
When should you see a psychiatrist instead of a therapist?
You should see a psychiatrist when medication may be needed to treat a mental health condition, since psychiatrists are medical doctors qualified to prescribe and manage drugs. A therapist or counselor is often better suited for ongoing talk therapy without a medical diagnosis component.
Do psychiatrists only treat severe mental illness?
No, psychiatrists treat a wide range of conditions, from mild anxiety and depression to severe disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Their medical training allows them to manage both common and complex mental health issues.
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