When Do I Choose A Psychologist Vs. A Psychiatrist?

We often get confused regarding whether to consult a psychologist or a psychiatrist for mental health issues. Both psychologists and psychiatrists deal with mental health, but they have different roles.

The main difference is that psychiatrists are doctors (they are M.D’s) and psychologists are not. Psychiatrists are doctors specializing in the medical specialty of psychiatry, and they can diagnose mental illnesses, manage patient cases, prescribe medicines, and perform psychotherapy.

On the other hand, psychologists are professionals (similar to registered nurses, medical technicians, and physical therapists). They treat mental problems using psychotherapy, with a limited focus on medicines.

Psychologists are also focused on studying and researching cognitive, and emotional processes and behavior in individuals or groups of people. You can find psychologists working with individual patients, hospitals, companies, and schools.

Psychiatrists are specialist doctors focused on mental health. Psychologists focus on studying human behavior and treating mental health issues using psychotherapy and medications.

When should I consult a psychologist?

Psychologists are the places to seek help for treating preexisting mental health issues.  You can go to psychologists to treat mood problems like depression and anxiety disorders. Most people do not know that you can go to a psychologist for help if you are emotionally distressed, anxious or nervous, grieving, fearful, or simply feeling overwhelmed. 

All of us have had certain mental health complaints of some kind in the past month, such as stress, burnout, problems sleeping, irritability, or fatigue. Visiting a psychologist's clinic can prove helpful if you have any of these complaints.

Psychologists can provide expert and realistic advice in real-life situations, like childcare, taking care of an elderly relative, and relieving work-related stress or pressure at school. And, they can also help treat and monitor individuals with mental illnesses.

People visit a psychologist at least once a year regardless of their mental health status.

When should I seek the help of a psychiatrist?

The psychiatrist should treat more serious or recurrent mental health problems. They are the ones that diagnose and formulate treatment plans for mental illnesses. Psychiatrists devise the treatment, and psychologists focus on sticking to it. You should go to a psychiatrist for more severe mental health issues, such as addiction to drugs, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorders.

Psychiatrists have full prescription powers, and they give prescriptions so you can purchase antipsychotics, antidepressants, and narcotics. However, psychiatrists can also perform psychotherapy and counseling as well to treat mental illnesses.

In addition to prescribing prescriptions, psychiatrists can also order clinical examinations and tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and blood tests.

Therefore, if you want to start treatment for mental health issues, it is a good idea to go to the psychiatrist’s office first.