Learning the Difference Between Psychiatrist and a Psychologist

Both psychology and psychiatry entail the assessment and treatment of individuals with different mental health needs at a day therapy center. And many times, these terms are used interchangeably. However, there is a significant difference between the Psychiatrist and Psychologist fields as well as the practitioners.

Knowing the difference between the two is crucial for someone who wants to get some treatment and cannot decide on who he ought to see – a psychologist or a psychiatrist.

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Difference between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist

What is a Psychiatrist?

Simply put, a psychiatrist prescribes medications, whereas a psychologist treats mental health problems without using medications i.e. via psychotherapy or talk therapy. Psychiatrists study at a medical school for four years.

And then complete another four years of specialty training in psychiatry. They train in internal medicine, pediatrics, and neurology in their first year of training.

Also, they are taught about bodily systems and functions. In-depth medical training prepares the psychiatrists in identifying a wide range of diagnoses, including medical mimics, conditions that deceive to be psychiatric disorders.

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And even though most psychiatrists treat mental disorders while focusing on medications only, there are some psychiatrists that practice it alone while using a combination of medications and psychotherapy. This is called combination therapy.

What is a Psychologist?

On the other hand, psychologists are not medical doctors nor attend medical school. They obtain a doctoral degree (a Ph.D. or a Psy.D) by attending graduate school (for 5-8 years). They specialize in assessing and treating mental health disorders using psychotherapies and numerous non-pharmacological involvements.

Many of these psychologists are specially trained in psychological testing, interpretation, and administration.

You should know that not all psychotherapists are psychologists. Nevertheless, some psychotherapists happen to be licensed clinical social workers/mental health clinicians who have the expertise and experience in providing numerous psychotherapies.

It might seem confusing to some, but the general rule of thumb is that both psychiatrists and psychologists can practice psychotherapy. However, like any medical doctor, it is only psychiatrists who can prescribe antidepressants or anxiolytics like Zoloft or Prozac.

You should know that both of them often collaborate for a case or refer to one another. No matter if they are working in the same place or not. This way, they can give the best therapeutic modalities for their patients. Depending on a patient’s clinical needs, sometimes both psychologists and psychotherapists and even psychiatrists work together.

Psychiatry or Psychology – Which is better?

Both of them are health care professionals and treat the mental health of their patients. As stated above, they often work together to improve one’s mental health and individual’s wellbeing depending on their particular needs and situations.

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For the treatment of severe mental health issues, psychiatrists are more suitable as they can prescribe medications and give you psychological treatments as well.

Most of the psychologists can provide non-medical therapy only, and are highly advantageous for those who are suffering from a less severe form of health concerns.

Psychiatrist or Psychologist – When should you see either of them?

Listed below are some of the circumstances in which it is more important to seek out a psychiatrist:

• If you have a severe mental health problem. Or you have a complicated medical history that has been passed down in your family. These include bipolar disorder as well as schizophrenia that requires medicines for treating it.
• When you have been asked by a medical professional to seek treatment and need medications for the treatment of mental health conditions, or you are looking for.
• You are unsure of what is causing your symptoms and what is the main cause behind it. For instance, different conditions cause depression. And only a psychiatrist can identify them.

If none of the above-mentioned conditions apply to you and you seek treatment without medications, then you can get help from a psychotherapist or psychologist in Dubai.

If your anxiety and depression levels are mild, then you get treatment and get effective results via psychotherapy alone without taking any medications. But you should know that these happen to be broad generalizations. And what works for one person may not work for others.

Each body is different and so are the mental conditions. The key is getting the treatment that treats your condition and brings the most benefit to you.