Should I go to a psychiatrist or a psychologist?

Question

I have read some of the other questions and the responses about the differences between psychiatrists and psychologists. I have been feeling very unhappy off and on for the past two years...should I make an appointment to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist to help determine what the problem is?

Answer 1

Both might be helpful. I'd start with a psychologist and see if that helps, but if you are diagnosed as depressed, both would really maximize the benefits. PLEASE do not feel like only very mentally ill people need medications. Plenty of well-functioning people become anxious or depressed, and feel better with some medication. Don't be ashamed, a lot more people are unhappy than you think-it's just not something that people generally talk about with one another!!

Answer 2

The main difference between the two is that while they are both professions that deal with emotional problems, a psychiatrist is actually a doctor and can prescribe medication, a psychologist cannot and is not a doctor. Also a psychiatrist will cost you more. It really depends on what the problem is, but I would recommend that you start with a psychologist to begin with and see how you feel, they may even refer you on to a psychiatrist.
I feel that the most important thing in any type of counselling is that you are comfortable with the person you are seeing, if you aren't you'll be less likely to really open up and explain yourself properly, which then means that no matter how good the person is they can't give you the full benefit of their knowledge without all the information, including stuff you may not think is relevant but could be. I have been seeing a psychiatrist for almost a year and for exactly the reasons I've just said, have made no progress. I've learnt a lot, but my situation is really not much better.
hope this helps, good luck

Answer 3

Some things are determined by the licensing requirements of your state, but here are a few things that should help you sort out some of the differences. A psychiatrist is a physician. It's an MD, who completes not only medical school, but is a specialist in the medical treatment of mental illnesses, who does additional medical training for that. They often treat people with psychoses, like schizophrenia, bi-polar, etc., and people for whom psychotherapy alone has not been effective. Psychiatrists are the only mental health practitioners who can write prescritions, and other mental health professionals (see below) with patients who need medication have to refer them to either a psychiatrist, or an internist, etc. Shrink is just a slang term for psychiatrist---it is a version of the word "head shrinker," which is a play on the old witch doctor idea. In the past, popular culture joked about psychiatry as if it were a very mysterious practice, akin to voodoo or something. A psychologist is a non-medical person, who has a minimum of a master's degree, but often a PhD (doctorate). This person can be a researcher, a teacher, or a clinical therapist, as you describe with your own practice, seeing patients, etc. A psychotherapist is at its most basic a person trained to treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. A psychologist in clinical practice can be a psychotherapist. Therapy is just a variation on the term psychotherapy, but they are at the most basic both the same type of relational intervention to aid clients in the problems of living. Another professional who can deliver therapy also includes those who have a master's in social work and are licensed as therapists. They can provide individual counseling, family counseling, vocational counseling, marriage counseling, or group counseling. Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Given that you want the best help possible as quickly as possible (no one really likes suffering) it is your honesty about yourself that should determine your path. If the source of your depression is some kind of 'life status' issue (ie.- being alone, lack of friends or love interest, or poor relationships with your family or co-workers), then a psychologist would be best. If you really cannot put your finger on any kind of situation like this then you may have a pure chemical imbalance which may be helped by an anti-depressany medication. This would mean seeing a psychiatrist. Best of luck to you in your struggle.

Answer 5

Go to a local counseling service, surprisingly people who have an associates degree in mental health have more expirience than psychiatrist or psychologist. MDs and PhDs just see the patient long enough to officially diagnose and they are done.

Answer 6

If you want to work hard on resolving what is troubling you, go to a psychologist. A psychiatrist is most likely to treat you be prescribing medications.

Answer 7

a psychologist for therapy.

As a rule really love, a psychiatrist is only for those who are REALLY mentally ill. Like persistant suicidal depression, psychotics, etc.

Any doctor, your family doctor can prescribe depression meds at a FRACTION of the initial cost a psychiatrist charges.

Answer 8

No! Please don't go to either of them.

Please read my link:

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuIt2SUkhzvQaF9fPRg6qSTAFQx.?qid=1006050511883

Also:
http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Agk0aMyiynpki3srYVl2arzAFQx.?qid=20060727091513AAdZSRF

and:
http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=At3CKrtMIF2QfsHIYF32NnnAFQx.?qid=1006042912404

A lot of deception exists in the field of mental health. Psychiatrists as well as psychologists have been known to rob patients and clients on the System.

A psychologist has a minimum of a Masters in Arts degree in psychoogy and usually a PhD. Psychiatry, referred to someitmes facetiously as "the profession higher up" because the practitioners have a medical degree of MD and a residency in psychiatry of a bout two years, leading to their specialty, is full of a lot of compromised quacks. Both schizoplhrenia and bipolar manic depressive disorder, considered to be the two psychotic disorders and therefore the two most serious disorders, to me, have been invented for the convenience of The System. Have you ever heard anyone say, "If you can't get them into the hospital any other way, there is always psychiatry"?

Giving personal and confidential information away to either a psychologist or a psychiatrist can put an individual in danger. In fact they may put their lives on the line. It is likely they will not be left off any better after they end their relationship with either of the two types of professionals.

Universities are turning out too many psychology degrees. In fact, McGill University in Canada even started offering students incentives to major in anything but psychology.
Find out what it takes to get on the System. Talk your feelings and issues over with someone whom you really know to be a friend.

Answer 9

The psychiatrist can prescribe medication if needed. The psychologist will do more one on one thearpy.

Answer 10

psychologist are less expensive for counseling but just as good