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Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that studies, diagnoses, and treats mental illness and behavioral disorders. While all physicians will encounter patients with mental illnesses and any of them may treat it, psychiatrists specialize in these areas. They are more extensively trained in the differential diagnosis (the distinguishing of various forms) and treatment of mental illness. Given the advantage of the preliminary medical training as well as further specialist training, psychiatry when practised properly offers a truly holistic approach to patient care. Many other professionals also provide mental health care, such as psychologists, nurse practitioners, counselors, physician assistants, and social workers. In general only doctors, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants may prescribe mental health medication in the United States[1]. In some countries, mental health medication may only be prescribed by medical doctors.
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