Which is Better ? Being a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist ?

Question

I'm not sure which I wanna be. Other then the path through college then university. Are there other paths ? Like through poly ? Is there a possiblity for any ??

Answer 1

Psychiatrist.

Answer 2

In addition to what is already said below, your choice also depends on what you want to do. You would have to go to 4 years of medical school to become a psychiatrist whereas only university for a psychologist. Even though both of their training is mostly similar, psychiatrists can prescribe meds, whereas a psychologist can't. A lot of mental diseases, such as bipolar or anxiety, and depression are treated best with meds. But personality disorders are treated best w/ therapy. Patients usually have to see their doctors 4-5 times a week for 3-4 years! As a psychiatrist it may be hard to make room in your schedule for those kinds of patients, but on the other hand you would be able to help all your other patients by prescribing meds for them, which has been scientifically proven to help, especially w/ depression and anxiety. Hope this helps

Answer 3

Nothing is better that the other, all depends on your personality and ability. Psychiatrist is a specialist doctor, meaning that a psychiatrist can prescribe drugs, and can handle dangerous, rather crazy patients, and handle the physical problems of emotionally impaired or mentally unhealthy patients such as their nervous system, brain system, etc. A psychologist, because he/she is not a doctor, mainly works in counselling field. Whatever they do, they don't deal with drugs and medicines. However, a psychiatrist can also be a consultant. In short, psychiatrists learn psychology, psychologists don't learn how to be a doctor.

Psychology itself is divided into a number of categories, such as social, family, child, pathology, etc. To be able to become a psychologist, you need to have a Bachelor of Psychology, and depending on which country you're in, will need to have a supervised experience, and apply for professional recognition. A masters degree may be required for full membership.

To become a psychiatrist, you will need to have been a doctor first and then completed specialization in psychiatry.

I'm afraid you can only obtain a university qualification to become either one. Good luck with your decision, honey.

Answer 4

to be a psychiatrist you have to graduate from medical school first, so if you want to be a psychiatrist you have to get an MD and become a physician , a psychologist is not a physician and usually holds a doctoral degree from a university and had extensive training in research. there are clinical psychologists as well with clinical practice.
this link explains more and will help with your decision :
http://psychology.about.com/od/psychotherapy/f/psychvspsych.htm

Answer 5

I am really not into knowing what is the difference between Psychologist and Psyciatrist as they might be the same at the end, but If you like to listen to people and solve there problems then go for Psychiartrist otherwise be a Psycologist

Answer 6

It depends: do you want to treat patients by prescribing medication and spending less time with them (psychiatrist) or use psychotherapy and hypnosis to treat patients (psychologist)?

Both require you to hold a doctorate. If you want to become a psychiatrist, you're going to have to go to medical school and earn either an M.D. or a D.O. You'll need either a Ph.D., Psy. D., or Ed. D. to become a psychologist.

Answer 7

A pyschiatrist is a set path of principles. As a psychologist I guess you would have more flexibility in dealing with your approach to patients or your career.

Answer 8

It depends if you want to be a doctor or not. To become a pschologist you need to go to college than get your Masters and PhD. To become a psychiatrist you have to go to college and than medical school. Either way its a long haul.

Answer 9

Psychiatrist you are able to mprescribe meds and trust me people with mental illness must usually start at the core of the problem= chemechal imbalances.

Answer 10

wel it al depends on your interset,but if u ask me i think psychologist is a better option..b'coz its were u have a real challenge..u can free aperson of their worries, tensions and depression without letting medicines rule their life...well opt for the field u feel best. all d best!