Expert: Bruce - 9/9/2006

Question
I want to be a psychiatrist specializing in eating disorder cases. My problem is that I don't know what I need to get there. I know I need a school that offers psychology, but where do I go from there? Do I need a school that offers pre-med as well? And then from there go to a school that has dietary classes? Going to more than one school is fine with me, and I'm expecting it. I just don't understand what majors and programs I should be looking for.

Thanks,
Kristen

Answer
Hi Kristen,

I'll pass along some info and I also have a couple of questions.

A psychiatrist is an MD with additional specialized training. So the path to that profession looks something like this:

4 years of college
3-4 Years of medical school
1 year residency
2-4 additional years of psychiatry training & residency

Most students go to medical school from a background in bio or chem, but it's not the only route. To take and succeed on the MCAT (medical college admission test - like an SAT) you need a cluster of courses: General biology I & II; General CHemistry I & II; Organic Chemistry (2 semesters);
Anatomy & physiology, General physics (2 semesters) and usually two semesters of calculus. This can be taken in the context of a science major, or you could major in something like psychology and pick up those courses as electives with good scheduling.  Many good colleges will offer majors in psych and these other areas.

You could also major in a science and take psychology classes as extras.

It is also possible to work with Eating Disorder patients in a counseling sitation. For example, most colleges have staff trained in this type of counseling. This would require a bachelors degree in psych or a related field and a masters degre in counseling. You could even add a PhD to that.

How much do you like science? You will need to really enjoy it to go all through medical school. If so, go for it by all means, but if not, you might want to think about the psych-counseling approach. Both are viable.  

Hope this helps. Eating disorders are a real issue among young women and its great that you want to get involved in helping out.

Bruce