When you have any mental health disorder then you consult the mental health specialist. We hear the two terms psychologist and psychiatrist that treat mental health disorders. But do we know the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist as they both provide mental health care? Most people don’t know the difference and go to a psychologist even if they need medicine. Here their choice is wrong. That’s why it is important to first understand the difference between psychologists and psychiatrists with their education, roles, and the conditions they treat. This understanding makes your decision more accurate. So let’s discuss them in detail.
Who Is a Psychologist?
A psychologist is a mental health professional who is well-trained to understand and address human behavior and emotions. The main focus of psychologists is on psychotherapy and counseling that help people fight emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. It is important for those people who want the best psychologist in Karachi to understand it in detail.
Educational Background of Psychologists
Psychologists have a doctoral degree in different fields like a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology). They first complete the undergraduate degree in psychology or a related field. Then in their graduate study, they perform coursework and research in areas like developmental psychology, cognitive behavior, and clinical practices. Then for getting practical skills in therapy and assessments, they get clinical training.
Roles and Responsibilities of Psychologists
Psychologists use different therapeutic approaches that are needed to treat emotional and behavioral disorders. They have different responsibilities like conducting psychological assessments and tests on patients to check the level of their mental health disorder and making a treatment plan according to patients’ needs. Psychologists also conduct research for the advanced understanding of mental health disorders.
Conditions Psychologists Treat
Psychologists provide different treatments for mental health issues including:
- Anxiety disorders.
- Depression.
- Phobias and obsessions.
- Relationship problems.
- Behavioral challenges in children and adolescents.
Who Is a Psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. They help people in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders using both therapies and medications. Some patients’ conditions are more critical then they also need medications as well so psychiatrists are the best choice for them.
Educational Background of Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists complete their complete medical training starting with a four-year degree in medicine (M.D. or D.O.). Then they complete their residency training in psychiatry which is also completed in the period of 4 years. For licensure and certification, they complete board certification in psychiatry.
Roles and Responsibilities of Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists’ responsibilities extend beyond therapy to include medical interventions. Their primary roles include diagnosing mental health conditions first and then according to their mental health condition prescribing them medications. They provide psychotherapy but very few as compared to psychologists. Psychiatrists also monitor the impact of mental health conditions and treatments on the physical health of a patient.
Conditions Psychiatrists Treat
Psychiatrists deal with serious and complex mental health disorders including:
- Bipolar disorder.
- Schizophrenia.
- High level of depression.
- Substance use disorders.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Key Differences Between Psychologists and Psychiatrists
Now let’s discuss the major difference between psychologist and psychiatrist for more understanding.
Educational and Training Path
As we discussed the main focus of psychologists is on psychological theories, different therapy techniques, and research methods. But on the other hand, psychiatrists are medical doctors and their main focus is to study the biological and pharmacological aspects of mental health.
Treatment Approaches
The main difference actually lies here in that psychologists use talk therapies and behavioral approaches to help patients. But psychiatrists totally rely on medication management and sometimes therapies to address mental health conditions.
Prescription Authority
Psychologists are just mental health providers and not medical doctors. That’s why they cannot prescribe medication. But in some cases like if they have completed additional training then they can suggest but it happens in very rare cases. Whereas psychiatrists have a license to prescribe medications and also use them as a primary treatment.
Scope of Practice
Now the main thing is about the scope then psychologists are ideal for patients who want therapy for having minor or moderate mental health issues or if they need emotional support. But psychiatrists are best for people who have serious, chronic, or complex mental health conditions in which they also need medical intervention.
When to Consult a Psychologist
You should consider consulting a psychologist if you are experiencing:
- Constant feelings of sadness or anxiety.
- Face difficulty in managing stress.
- Feel behavioral challenges in children.
- Having relationship or family conflicts.
When to Consult a Psychiatrist
Consult a psychiatrist if you experience:
- Having symptoms of mental health disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
- Excessive depression or anxiety that cannot be cured with the help of therapies.
- A need for medication to manage mental health symptoms.
- Complicated conditions involving physical and mental health.
Final Thoughts
To make the right decision and right treatment you must have an understanding of the difference between psychologists and psychiatrists. Both professionals have the same purpose to treat mental health disorders but their treatment methods are different. Psychologists provide talk therapies but psychiatrists prescribe medicines. In some cases, they both work collaboratively to treat patients with therapies and medications.