If you worked in this area, you could be based in hospitals, child guidance clinics, special schools or in the community, such as GP surgeries. You may also be involved in Court activities, if the young person breaks the law. This area of psychiatry is concerned with mentally ill people who break the law. Psychiatrists working with such people carry out their treatment in a variety of places which can include special hospitals or prisons. Some patients may be based in high security units such as Broadmoor.
Forensic psychiatry is very challenging, and a good knowledge of legal issues is essential.
A level head is also necessary, since you could be dealing with very disturbed people, and some of the stories you hear could be extremely upsetting. People with learning disabilities such as Down's Syndrome may also suffer from depression or anxiety, so psychiatrists working in this area need to be able to tell the difference between the various kinds of problems their patients may have. Learning disability teams, made up of psychiatrists, nurses, social workers etc. are based in special schools, hospitals, residential hostels and sheltered workshops. You could also work directly with people in their own homes. Old Age Psychiatry Psychiatrists working with old people treat mental health problems such as Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia.