Have you ever wondered if you or your loved one should see a psychologist or a psychiatrist when faced with a mental disorder? We all know that for any sort of mental, emotional, or behavioral issue, a psychologist or a psychiatrist can help a lot. However, scores of people tend to mix up the two Psychologist vs Psychiatrist and find it hard to differentiate between them.
This article explains how and why a psychologist and a psychiatrist are different from each other. And who you should approach when your mental health is at stake.
Primarily, a psychiatrist and a psychologist are different from each other in the following ways:
– A psychiatrist is a medical doctor whereas a psychologist doesn’t seek that path. Additionally, a psychiatrist can prescribe medicines and other medical interventions for the patient, however, a psychologist cannot do that.
– The degrees and training of a psychologist and a psychiatrist are very different from each other.
– The conditions that get treated by a psychologist are limited while a psychiatrist has diverse and more complicated conditions to treat.
Even though both the psychiatrist and the psychologist are licensed practitioners, their methods of functioning are diverse and exclusive to their own fields. So, in order for you to fully comprehend their differences, let’s explore each one in further depth:
Psychologist vs Psychiatrist – The Difference in Training
Psychiatrists are medical experts having more than a decade of experience in their field of practice. They begin with a four-year medical degree which is followed by at least two years of training as a general practitioner. After completing this extensive training, they go on to complete another five years of specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Psychologists, on the other hand, complete six years of academic study and supervised practice related to emotional and mental health before becoming licensed to practice. They can pursue a Ph.D. in psychology to earn a Dr.’s title before their names. However, they cannot prescribe medicines with this degree.
The Difference in Approaches During Their Practice
Because of their medical expertise and background, psychiatrists are able to provide a wide choice of treatments that are tailored to the specific condition and what will work best for the patient. However, depending on the condition and symptoms, they may prescribe a mix of medications. Psychotherapy or “talk therapy” is also incorporated into the treatment. Some of the treatments psychiatrists offer include:
– medication including sedatives, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers
– general medical care, including checking your physical health and the effects of medication
– providing psychological treatments, i.e. psychotherapy
– brain stimulation therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
– performing tests to confirm the presence of a mental condition
Psychologists focus on providing psychological treatments. They primarily focus on talking to the patient in an empathetic and informed manner so that they can dig out the root cause of their issue.
Psychologists work wonders in treating depression, anxiety, and other behavioral issues. However, for severe mental disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, suicidal tendencies, and other extreme conditions, a psychiatrist will be the most suitable person for treatment.
Seeking an Appointment and Working Together
When it comes to getting an appointment with a psychiatrist, you need to first see a General Practitioner and get yourself referred to a psychiatrist, if required. Your GP will decide if you need to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist. However, you can approach the psychologist anytime and get yourself the needed therapy.
While a psychiatrist works in his or her clinic or a hospital, a psychologist, too, can work in their office or within a hospital. However, in many cases, they work together too. In a hospital setting, a psychiatrist and a psychologist could both see patients depending on their symptoms and conditions. This is decided by a General Practitioner. And when severe mental disorders are observed, the patients are straightaway referred to a psychiatrist who can prescribe medicines, refer to rehab, or propose for electroconvulsive therapy.
Likewise, a GP can refer a patient to a psychologist alone to get treatment for behavioral issues or for treating mental challenges. These issues can be anxiety, mild depression, Post-Traumatic Stress, etc. After several sessions with a psychologist and by following their advice and recommended pathway, a patient can bounce back to normalcy and lead a fulfilling life.
Psychologist vs Psychiatrist – Who Should You See?
Despite the fact that mental health is a widely discussed topic, many people still lack a comprehensive understanding of how to deal with specific concerns when a calamity strikes. So, if you are experiencing worry, tension, rage, despair, or any other troublesome feeling, reach out to your general practitioner and have yourself diagnosed first. If treatment with a psychiatrist is required, you would be sent to one. You would be referred to a psychologist, however, if the disorders are of a sort that may be resolved solely by psychotherapy.
If, on the other hand, you go to a psychologist and expect to receive effective treatment for severe issue, you might not receive it. Your psychologist will conduct a series of behavioral tests to determine the root of your problem, and if the problem is severe enough, he or she will recommend that you see a psychiatrist for additional treatment.
The Bottom-line
To sum up, it makes no difference what form of psychiatric assistance you receive. What counts most is how quickly you are diagnosed and then how diligently you adhere to your treatment regimen. Understand that whether you are seeing a psychiatrist or a psychologist, both are certified professionals who will make every effort to assist you in your emotional and mental recovery. So, if you are experiencing any emotional turmoil, don’t waste any time in seeking professional evaluation and therapy.
