When you suffer from anxiety or depression, going to an expert is suggested. However, if it is your first time, you may not know whether you have to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Before you make a decision, you have to know first the differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist including the treatment that they will provide for you.
The Differences Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist
Psychologists are mental health professionals who specialize in psychotherapy and counselling. They are not medical doctors so they are not able to prescribe medication. To be able to help patients understand the symptoms that they experience and learn how to manage them, psychologists use talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychologists usually have a doctoral degree and complete an internship. Now, how about psychiatrists?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have specialization in mental health. Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists are allowed not only to diagnose mental disorders and provide a range of treatments, but they are also allowed to prescribe medication such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, sedatives and anxiolytics and many more. Psychiatrists graduated from medical school and they have completed medical internship and residency. According to the American Psychiatric Association, Psychiatrists are able to assess both mental and physical aspects of psychological issues.
Treatment Provided by a Psychologists and a Psychiatrist
As explained above, psychologists and psychiatrists are different. Treatment that will be given by them to their patients are also different. When they try to diagnose the conditions of patients, they may use the same approach namely psychotherapy where they talk with patients about their problems. However, psychologists and psychiatrists give different treatment approaches to their patients.
Treatment which is offered by psychologists focus on thought and behavior. They also try to see patterns in the life of patients to find out the cause or things that can be a factor of their symptoms. They have a qualification to conduct psychotherapy, counselling, perform psychological testing and give treatment to patients with mental health issues.
Meanwhile, psychiatrists use a medical approach to treat their patients where they focus on biological aspects of mental illness. They use medication for treatment. Considering the medical history of patients is also done by psychiatrists. They also will monitor the effects of the depression, anxiety or other mental health issues that patients suffer from to their physical condition such as high blood pressure and problems with heart. In addition, the effects of medicines to the patient’s body will also be monitored such as blood sugar, sleep, blood pressure, weight, kidney function and many more. In addition, psychiatrists are also able to conduct psychotherapy.
Should I See a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist?
After reading the differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist above, now you may have an illustration about these professions and also how they will treat you. So, which one should I choose? Should I see a psychologist or a psychiatrist for my anxiety or depression? Actually, it depends on a number of factors such as the level of your depression or anxiety, treatment preferences and so on.
If you want to understand your thoughts and behavior more, it is better for you to see a psychologist. A psychologist will help you to overcome your problem and you may not need medication. A psychologist will use therapeutic methods for treatment to overcome behavioral aspects of depression such as DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). However, if your depression is at a severe level such as severe anxiety, severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or any other severe mental disorders and you think that you need medication, it is recommended for you to see a psychiatrist because a psychiatrist will prescribe medication that is suitable for your condition. A psychiatrist may offer medication and also overcome biological issues that you experience such as hormone levels which are released in your brain that can be a factor of depression.
In some cases, seeing both of them can be a good decision. By seeing a psychologist, you will be offered regular therapy sessions and then by seeing a psychiatrist, you will be treated with medication.
Whatever specialist that you want to see first, the important thing when you see a specialist is that you have to make sure that they have a lot of experience in treating depression and anxiety and they can make you comfortable during your treatment. The American Psychological Association even shows that an important thing in finding a psychologist for a patient is comfortability.
If you are still confused where you have to go, these things may be able to help you to consider.
- You can go to a psychologist if you want to talk with them about what you feel and what you go through.
- You can go to a psychiatrist if you want to get psychiatric medication for relieving symptoms. You can go there also when you feel that your depression or anxiety interfere with your daily life.
So, have you decided where you will go? Whatever your decision, hopefully you can get better soon.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
