Psychiatry is the study of mental disorders and their diagnosis, management and prevention. Psychiatrists have to first qualify as a medical doctor and then spend an additional 5 years of further training in order to qualify as a specialist.
Psychiatrists diagnose, treat and manage patients with conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, addictions and generalized anxiety disorder. They may admit patients into hospital or treat them as out patients.

When patients are a danger to themselves or others, a psychiatric assessment will determine whether the patient may be held involuntarily at a special psychiatric facility.
BO Sept 15