3 answers
Jieun
Student
Khulna, Khulna Division, Bangladesh
2
Questions
Updated
1619 views
What to do to be a Psychiatrist? I'm on 12th grade...6 months and I'll finish high school...I wanted to be a Psychiatrist! But kinda confused...what to do..which college I should choose etc etc...can someone tell me step by step? Please Also suggest me some books about psychology
Career. College . Psychology
3 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hi Jieun, it's awesome that you're already dreaming of a career in psychiatry! Since you're finishing high school soon, here's a friendly map of the road or lemme say road map😏 to help you get started I hope!
Right now, focus on excelling in your science subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics because they’re the building blocks for any medical field. When you choose a college, look for ones with strong pre-med or health science programs that have a good reputation and offer the support you need for a medical track.
After college, you'll need to attend medical school to earn your MD or DO. Once you're in med school, you'll specialize in psychiatry during your residency (which usually lasts about four years). And that's when the journey really comes full circle—combining your passion for understanding the human mind with hands-on patient care.
While you're preparing academically, why not dive into some psychology books for a head start? A few favorites to consider are:
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, which offers fascinating insights into how our minds work.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, a powerful read on finding purpose even in tough times.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks, filled with intriguing case studies about the human brain.
These books not only boost your understanding of psychology but also make the journey super interesting!
Remember, it's a long road, but every step you take now brings you closer to becoming a psychiatrist. Enjoy your learning adventure, and best of luck with your future studies and career!🤗🥰
Right now, focus on excelling in your science subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics because they’re the building blocks for any medical field. When you choose a college, look for ones with strong pre-med or health science programs that have a good reputation and offer the support you need for a medical track.
After college, you'll need to attend medical school to earn your MD or DO. Once you're in med school, you'll specialize in psychiatry during your residency (which usually lasts about four years). And that's when the journey really comes full circle—combining your passion for understanding the human mind with hands-on patient care.
While you're preparing academically, why not dive into some psychology books for a head start? A few favorites to consider are:
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, which offers fascinating insights into how our minds work.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, a powerful read on finding purpose even in tough times.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks, filled with intriguing case studies about the human brain.
These books not only boost your understanding of psychology but also make the journey super interesting!
Remember, it's a long road, but every step you take now brings you closer to becoming a psychiatrist. Enjoy your learning adventure, and best of luck with your future studies and career!🤗🥰
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
Jieun
Dr. H, well done! You’ve painted a clear and inspiring roadmap for an aspiring psychiatrist, blending both the academic path and intellectual curiosity with those excellent book recommendations.
If I may add a small pearl of wisdom—beyond the textbooks and structured education, true mastery in psychiatry comes from understanding people in their raw, unfiltered reality. Volunteering in mental health clinics, engaging in deep conversations, and even observing human behavior in everyday life will serve as invaluable lessons. Medicine teaches the science, but life teaches the art.
Ach Nix
Thank you for your feedback and Love that insight, Sir Ach Nix! You’re so right—textbooks teach the science, but real-life experiences shape the art of psychiatry. Observing, listening, and truly understanding people is what makes a great psychiatrist. Appreciate your wisdom! 🔥✨
Dr H
That’s awesome, Jieun! Can’t wait to see you crush it—go make amazing things happen!
Dr H
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
488
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Jieun,
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. As a medical doctor, they can prescribe medication. A psycologist also works in mental health but uses non-medical therapies like talk therapy.
If you want to study psychology in Bangladesh, your road to being a psychiatrist involves going to medical school and getting your Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). It's a 5-year degree.
After that, you have to do a 1-year mandatory internship for practical training in different specialties.
Next, you need to get a postgraduate degree in psychiatry, i.e. study for a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Diplomate of National Board in Psychiatry (DNBP). During these 3 years you'll do coursework, clinical work and research.
After graduating from the postgraduate program, you'll do a residency in a psychiatric hospital to gain clinical experience.
Finally, you need to get registered and licensed with the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) to be able to practice.
I left some links for you below.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://rajuakon.com/becoming-a-psychiatrist-in-bangladesh/
https://bapbd.org/education_curricula.php
https://edurank.org/medicine/psychiatry/bd/
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. As a medical doctor, they can prescribe medication. A psycologist also works in mental health but uses non-medical therapies like talk therapy.
If you want to study psychology in Bangladesh, your road to being a psychiatrist involves going to medical school and getting your Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). It's a 5-year degree.
After that, you have to do a 1-year mandatory internship for practical training in different specialties.
Next, you need to get a postgraduate degree in psychiatry, i.e. study for a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Diplomate of National Board in Psychiatry (DNBP). During these 3 years you'll do coursework, clinical work and research.
After graduating from the postgraduate program, you'll do a residency in a psychiatric hospital to gain clinical experience.
Finally, you need to get registered and licensed with the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) to be able to practice.
I left some links for you below.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for your answer...also I'm thinking of going to Canada for study
Jieun
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
914
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hey Jieun!
I love your interest in Psychology, and it's quite incredible that you've also already set your sights on becoming a psychiatrist. Having such a clear goal in high school gives you a strong head start. Since you’re about six months away from graduation, now is the perfect time to start planning your path. Becoming a psychiatrist takes dedication, but if it’s something you’re passionate about, it will be worth the journey.
First, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree, which usually takes four years. There’s no specific major required, but most aspiring psychiatrists choose Psychology, Biology, Neuroscience, or Pre-Med since these cover the subjects needed for medical school. When choosing a college, look for universities with strong pre-med programs and good research or internship opportunities in psychology or neuroscience. While top schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins are well-known for pre-med, you don’t need to attend a famous university—just make sure the college you choose has strong science programs and good support for medical school preparation.
During your undergraduate years, focus on maintaining a high GPA, especially in science courses like chemistry, biology, and physics. It’s also important to gain experience in mental health settings by volunteering at hospitals, rehab centers, or crisis hotlines. Shadowing psychiatrists and joining psychology or pre-med clubs will also help you build connections and gain insight into the field. Toward the end of college, you’ll need to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), which is required for medical school admission.
After completing your bachelor’s degree, you’ll move on to medical school, which takes another four years. The first two years are mostly classroom learning, while the last two years involve working in hospitals during clinical rotations. Once you graduate from medical school, you’ll enter a psychiatry residency, which lasts about four years. This is where you’ll get hands-on training, working with real patients under supervision. After residency, you’ll need to pass licensing and board certification exams before you can officially work as a psychiatrist.
You can check out some of these great books. “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” by Oliver Sacks, a fascinating collection of neurological case studies. “The Psychopath Test” by Jon Ronson , an engaging and thought-provoking read about mental illness. “An Unquiet Mind” by Kay Redfield Jamison, this, offers a personal perspective from a psychiatrist who has bipolar disorder. “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman explores how our brains make decisions.
You’re on an exciting path, Jieun! Becoming a psychiatrist takes time and dedication, but if you take it step by step, you’ll get there. Keep working hard, stay curious, and don’t hesitate to reach out for advice along the way. You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
I love your interest in Psychology, and it's quite incredible that you've also already set your sights on becoming a psychiatrist. Having such a clear goal in high school gives you a strong head start. Since you’re about six months away from graduation, now is the perfect time to start planning your path. Becoming a psychiatrist takes dedication, but if it’s something you’re passionate about, it will be worth the journey.
First, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree, which usually takes four years. There’s no specific major required, but most aspiring psychiatrists choose Psychology, Biology, Neuroscience, or Pre-Med since these cover the subjects needed for medical school. When choosing a college, look for universities with strong pre-med programs and good research or internship opportunities in psychology or neuroscience. While top schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins are well-known for pre-med, you don’t need to attend a famous university—just make sure the college you choose has strong science programs and good support for medical school preparation.
During your undergraduate years, focus on maintaining a high GPA, especially in science courses like chemistry, biology, and physics. It’s also important to gain experience in mental health settings by volunteering at hospitals, rehab centers, or crisis hotlines. Shadowing psychiatrists and joining psychology or pre-med clubs will also help you build connections and gain insight into the field. Toward the end of college, you’ll need to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), which is required for medical school admission.
After completing your bachelor’s degree, you’ll move on to medical school, which takes another four years. The first two years are mostly classroom learning, while the last two years involve working in hospitals during clinical rotations. Once you graduate from medical school, you’ll enter a psychiatry residency, which lasts about four years. This is where you’ll get hands-on training, working with real patients under supervision. After residency, you’ll need to pass licensing and board certification exams before you can officially work as a psychiatrist.
You can check out some of these great books. “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” by Oliver Sacks, a fascinating collection of neurological case studies. “The Psychopath Test” by Jon Ronson , an engaging and thought-provoking read about mental illness. “An Unquiet Mind” by Kay Redfield Jamison, this, offers a personal perspective from a psychiatrist who has bipolar disorder. “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman explores how our brains make decisions.
You’re on an exciting path, Jieun! Becoming a psychiatrist takes time and dedication, but if you take it step by step, you’ll get there. Keep working hard, stay curious, and don’t hesitate to reach out for advice along the way. You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
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