What are the pros and cons of being a psychiatrist?

The average psychiatrist makes a median salary of $234,144 a year. Some psychiatrists who have gained years of experience, additional education, additional certifications, and special skills have the potential to average $287,212 a year.

Earning an income like this can afford you many finer things in life and is definitely one of the biggest advantages of being a psychiatrist.

Recently there has been a shift toward mental health. This makes the field of psychiatry and the need for psychiatrists even more pertinent. In fact, by 2030 there is projected to be a shortage, of psychiatrists due to decreased entrance into the field and increased retirement. As a psychiatrist, you always can find work.

Most psychiatrists can schedule patients during a time that works for them. This will allow you to have control over how you wish to organize your day. One of the significant benefits of pursuing a career as a psychiatrist is that you can open up a private practice.

The difficulty in becoming a psychiatrist comes down to the amount of school and training needed to qualify for the position. A psychiatrist, unlike other therapists, must complete medical school and residency training. You must also pass a state-certified exam to become a licensed practicing psychiatrist.

As a psychiatrist you work with mentally ill patients, which can lead to extremely emotional sessions. This can lead to burnout and secondary trauma response.

There is also the potential for lawsuits, which can jeopardize your career. The most common reasons for lawsuits are misdiagnosis, a prescription error, and exploitation of the doctor-patient relationship. Feeling like you could be the subject of a lawsuit at any point is arguably one of the biggest disadvantages of working as a psychiatrist.