Psychiatric

Definition

Psychiatric relates to the study and treatment of mental illness, emotional disturbance, and abnormal behavior.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /saɪˈkaɪətrɪk/
• Respelling: sy-KY-uh-trik (with "sy" as in "sigh," "KY" as in "sky," and "uh-trik" as in the combination of "uh" from "hut" and "trik" from "trick")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /saɪˈkaɪətrɪk/
• Respelling: sy-KY-uh-trik (similar to American English, with "sy" as in "sigh," "KY" as in "sky," and "uh-trik" as in the combination of "uh" from "hut" and "trik" from "trick")

In both dialects, "psychiatric" is pronounced with the primary stress on the second syllable, "KY." The pronunciation remains consistent across both American and British English, clearly articulating each part of the word with emphasis on the "KY" syllable.

Etymology

The term "psychiatric" is derived from the Greek words "psyche," meaning "mind" or "soul," and "iatrikos," which pertains to healing or medicine. Thus, "psychiatric" relates to the healing or medicine of the mind.

Derivatives

• Psychiatrist
• Psychiatry
• Psychiatrically
• Psychiatric nurse
• Psychiatric hospital

Synonyms

• Mental
• Psychological
• Psychopathological

Antonyms

• Physical
• Non-mental
• Organic

Usage

"Psychiatric" is often used in a medical context, referring to aspects of medicine that deal with mental disorders and their treatment. It can also be used more broadly to describe anything related to the mind or mental processes in a clinical sense.

Related Terms

• Mental health
• Psychotherapy
• Psychosis
• Neurosis
• Psychopharmacology

Detailed Definition

Adjective

• Pertaining to or used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders.
• Example: She was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation.

• Relating to the study of the nature, causes, and treatment of mental disorders.
• Example: His expertise lies in psychiatric research and innovations.

• Involving, or characteristic of mental illness or disorders.
• Example: The patient displayed several psychiatric symptoms, including hallucinations.