Psychiatrists Vs Psychologists

If you are struggling with your mental health, it may be difficult to know where to turn. Are you unsure of who you need to see, a psychiatrist or a psychologist? What is the difference, anyway? Many people get psychiatrists and psychologists confused with each other. At Psylegal, we have a team of highly skilled and qualified Melbourne psychologists specialising in depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. Let’s take a look at psychologists and psychiatrists and explain the differences between the two.

What Are the Main Difference Between Psychiatrists and Psychologists?

Both psychiatrists and psychologists understand how the brain works, emotions, feelings and thoughts. Both can treat mental illness with psychological treatments. There are three main differences between the two:

• Psychiatrists attend medical school and become medical doctors before doing specialist training in mental health. Psychologists, while they have at least 6 years of university training, supervised experience and they may also hold a Masters or Doctorate level qualification in psychology, are not medical doctors.
• Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, psychologists can’t.
• Psychiatrists diagnose illness, manage treatment and provide a range of therapies for complex and severe mental illness. Psychologists focus on providing psychotherapy.

What Treatments Can They Provide?

Psychiatrists can provide a wide range of treatments, according to the particular problem and what will work best. These include:

• Medication
• General medical care, including physical health and the effects of medication
• Brain stimulation therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Psychologists focus on providing psychological treatments. They are experts in providing psychotherapy and concentrate on the patient’s mind and emotions.

What Conditions Do Each Treat?

Psychiatrists tend to treat people who need their medical, psychological and social needs considered. These are usually people with complex conditions such as severe depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Someone who has attempted suicide or has suicidal thoughts will usually be seen by a psychiatrist. Psychologists are more likely to see people with conditions that can be helped effectively with psychological treatments, including behavioural problems, learning difficulties, depression and anxiety.

Should You See a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist?

One professional is not better than the other, they both work as a team to help heal and manage mental illness. Psychologists and psychiatrists work together to coordinate and provide the best therapy for needs of the patient. Generally, if you need medication, you should see a psychiatrist. When psychotherapy is the better solution for your condition, a psychologist would be preferable. Psychotherapy requires motivation to change and a willingness to work hard on your problems. Medication, on the other hand, may seem like it requires less effort but it also comes with more side-effects and when you stop medication, problems can recur. Psychotherapy teaches people skills they can use long after the treatment has ended. If you suffer from a severe mental health conditions that requires medication as part of treatment, you should see a psychiatrist. If you are seeking help to manage depression or anxiety, these conditions may not require medication, and psychotherapy may be more beneficial. Before making any decisions on who you should see, it’s best to consult with your GP.

The highly trained clinical psychologists at Psylegal have many years of experience in counselling Melbourne individuals, couples and families in a safe, comfortable, and confidential environment. If you are looking for a depression psychologist or if you are wanting to seek help for anxiety, stress management, PTSD, addiction or anger management contact us today and begin an individualized treatment program that will take into consideration your specific therapeutic goals and needs.