Psychiatry...

......is not a walk in the park.

It's actually a lot of work. And i don't really mean the usual memorize everything from the textbook kind. This is a different sort of hard work.

First, you have to learn to be sensitive towards the patient's problems, however crazy they may seem to you. Then, you have to show empathy, act concerned even when you're not. And finally you have to be sensible when interviewing, asking the right questions at the right time with the right tone of voice and the right facial expression.

To me, it's like being an arts student in a drama class instead of an aspiring doctor in a mock consultation. Not an easy task when you haven't got the proper training. But fear not my fellow doctors-to-be~~ For i have prepared a somewhat useful guide (based on my own experiences) for when you are in that crucial moment when taking a psychiatric history from a patient.

1. A patient who comes into hospital after an attempted suicide:

You can start off the interview with the normal introduction. Next you ask him why he's in hospital. When he tells you that he had tried hanging himself in the garage 2 days ago, the next thing not to ask him is:

"And did you by any chance succeed in your attempt?"

(d'oh???)

2. A manic patient

Always have a firm grip of your mobile. Manic patients will steal your phone if you ever let it out of sight. Oh, and don't wear rings, they'll pester you about marriage and engagements and stuff.

3. A patient who is psychotic

If her name is Edel, by all means just keep your distance. She can be awfully aggressive, and she spits in your face when she talks.

4. Autistic kids

Don't even bother. They don't realize you exist.

This list is not exhaustive. I've got a few other useful tips from my time in the psychiatry department but I won't scare you off by writing them down. Anyway, happy psycho-ing~~

p/s: I've added word verification for commenting. The spams were starting to get annoying.