okay so now i need to know whether i need a psychiatrist or psychologist?

Question

i have a lot of unresolved child hood issues...i think i might be bi polar and i have basically just a lot of mental problems...i dont know if i nessicarily need medication...any suggestions...

Answer 1

Start by talking to your family doctor. He/She can probably assess what sort of a specialist you need to see.

Answer 2

I'm sorry for your issues. First of all if you have bi polar you certianly need medication see a psychiatrist so that the two of you can find the right combinations of medications that work for you. It could take awhile. Bi polar is very often underdiagnosed so tell your psychiatrist that think you may be bi polar. Secondly, you need to see a psychologist for the bi polar & the unresolved issues from your childhood. Be prepared because therapy is hard work & at times can be frightening especially when you're confronting extremely difficult issues. But please seek help from a qualified professional because if you don't face these issues head on the issues will always haunt you & destroy your life & your relationships or future relationships. Also if you have children, resolve those issues so you don't pass them on to your children. And if you're truly bi polar it can be hereditary so be aware of the symptoms & watch for them in your children. The symptoms are different & much more difficult to diagnose in children. There's a good book called "The Bi Polar Child" which may help you if you have children. But most of all, seek help from both a psychiatrist & psychologist so that you're accurately diagnosed & treated. I applaud you for realizing you need help. It takes great courage & you're very brave.Good luck.

Answer 3

Alright here is the best way to find out if your are Bipolar or not. Go to a see a Psychiatrist and he can determine if you are Bipolar or not. If your moods swing quickly from high to low very quickly there is a possibility that you are Bipolar. Unresolved childhood issues do not mean that you are Bipolar mood swings can definitely let you know if you are or aren't. If you are Bipolar I really hate to tell you this there is no cure for it only through medication therapy will you begin to feel better and you have to stay on the meds whether you are feeling better or not because if you start feeling better and quit the meds you will only start feeling bad again. But please do yourself a favor and go to see a Psychiatrist to determine if you are bipolar or not. Good Luck and God Bless you.

Answer 4

First of all, let us see the dictionary meaning of these two words:

1. Psychiatry n. the study and treatment of mental disease.  psychiatric adj. psychiatrist n. [from *psycho-, Greek iatros physician]

2. Psychology n. (pl. -ies) 1 the study of the human mind. 2 treatise on or theory of this. 3 a mental characteristics etc. of a person or group. b mental aspects of an activity, situation, etc. (psychology of crime).  psychologist n.

Now, let us see what happened with you. You have "lot of unresolved child hood issues" which may ultimately culminate into some sort of "mental disease" at later stages. So, better consult both types of specialists (psychiatrist and psychologist). They are better placed to say specifically how much is to be treated by medicines and how much by counseling and such methods.

Answer 5

Psychiatrists are medical doctors some of them can do therapy most do not. Psychologists have Ph.D's in psychology and are able to do a variety of therapy techniques. Most offices have therapists (have Masters degree's in psychology or related field) and psychologists that offer therapy and psychiatrists that only do medication. A combination of both meds and therapy have been shown to be the most effective way to lessen symptoms.

Answer 6

Start with a psychologist. They can not write scripts so are not so quick just to stick you on medication to fix the issues! If they think you would benefit from medication along with other therapies, they will then refer you to a psychiatrist.

Answer 7

Try the cheaper version first. ie psychologist. If you go to a reputable one he/she should legally refer you to a psychiatrist if he/she believes you have a mental condition. Resolving childhood issues with a counselling psychologist may just help you, otherwise a psychiatrist may be of better assistance.

Answer 8

you need a psychologist to deal with your issues and you need a psychiatrist to give you medication for the bi-polar.

Answer 9

Talk to any type of counselor at first to determine if you are in fact suffering from bipolar. If you are then seek a psychiatrist.

Answer 10

Any certified therapist. Make sure they are certified. You can go to a psychologist and if it is determined that you might benefit from medication, they can refer you to a psychiatrist (medical doctor) who can prescribe.

Answer 11

A good psycologist should be able to coordinate with a psychiatrist to arrange any meds you might need. Either should be able to help you with therapy.