Definition: Psychiatry

Etymology

First attested in 1846. From French psychiatrie, from Medieval Latin psychiatria. Surface analysis, psych- +‎ -iatry.

Noun

psychiatry (usually uncountable, plural psychiatries)

1. (medicine) The branch of medicine that focuses on mental and behavioral health by subjectively diagnosing, treating, or preventing mental disorders (mental illnesses) and behavioral conditions.

Derived terms

• psychiatric
• psychiatrist

Related terms

• psyche
• psychology
• psychopathology

Credits

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