Is it a good idea to take psychology classes?

[M. Yeby]

Hi everyone,
I'm new here and currently, a post-baccalaureate student taking my prerequisites for medical school. I've made the decision to go into Psychiatry, so my question is this; would it be a good idea for me to take psychology courses in addition to the science I am taking? I know I can ask an advisor, but they've never been to medical school, so they're not much help.

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[itsthat1guy]

If you want to take a psychology class them do it.but don't think it will necessarily make you a better psychiatrist or something

 

[Radon XP]

Your intro psych class is going to have pretty much nothing to do with you going into/understanding psychiatry. It'd be a good idea to take it if you're taking the new MCAT, though.

 

[WillburCobb]

Yes, but I'm biased. Also there will be a social science section on the new MCAT.

 

[aspirantmed]

It's a good idea for anyone interested in medicine to take coursework in psychology; the psychosocial elements of illness are incredibly important and generally under-addressed in medical training. I'm not sure that it would make you a better psychiatrist, as the gap between baccalaureate psychology coursework and specialization in psychiatry is huge. I'd even question your fixation on psychiatry and wonder why you aren't looking more broadly at other specialties this early in your medical career.

 

[WhittyPsyche]

I agree with @WilburCobb but again I am also biased. However, there are practical applications. Psych courses such as biological basis of behavior/intro to neuroscience/ neurocognitive science and the list goes on are helpful for even psychiatry. Classes geared towards the practice of psychology will go through the training, practices and cases of counseling psychologist, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. Most of the current texts provide students with views of the three professions so they can focus in on their interests. The neuroscience courses cover neuropharmacology, etiology, and treatment of the mental disorders psychiatrists treat. If you go to the department website of the school there will likely be a list of biological psychology courses if they have formally divided the 5 themes, sometimes categorized under the mind/brain. I think taking courses in the biological theme is definitely helpful.

 

[M. Yeby]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Zelda840]

Another biased vote for yes! I'm a neuroscience major and really enjoyed all the psych classes.