is a counsellor or psychiatrist best?

Question

my relative is not too good at the moment very stressed and edgy and panicky and rambling (aged 73) something has sparked this off he has been prescribed tablets but my sibling is pushing for him to see a psychiatrist - would this help -make him worse or is a counsellor better-but there is a longer waiting list on this

Answer 1

good counseling work must contain spiritual awareness if it is to touch the existential anxiety of your relative who is stressed, edgy and panicky.

good counselors must have awe, they refuse to allow the awful to remain unspoken, they refuse to not to attempt to diffuse the malaise.

finding someone who is willing to speak of traditional religious beliefs, to not be offended.

to find a counselor who has overcome the bias of the word: God.

to find a counselor who knows the great force of our spiritual roots, of our psyche lies in tradition, like it or not.

the wise counselor will model spiritual behaviour and live in harmony with spiritual values. they are aware: there is a way of knowing, a way of understanding, higher than reason; they appreciate: there is a Self, greater than egocentricity.

a good counselor will demonstrate the power of selflessness and the unity of all creation.


Is a counselor or psychiatrist best?
first: go to a counselor
2nd: accept the referral the counselor may give you for a psychiatrist

Answer 2

Who prescribed the 'tablets' in the beginning? A family Dr. who may know your relative well and has known him for a while and who probably knows what the circumstances which are surrounding this stressful, edgy and rambly time in his life. Please keep in mind that at age 73 some symptoms you didn't mention and might not know about might be brought on from old-age. Plus, just realizing your body is not the same anymore can be very stressful, and may even be reason enough for a panick attack. Lots of stress would make someone of any age edgy and unable to focus properly, when someone is unable to focus but are trying to focus, or even trying to pretend that everything is normal when it is not; it would make a person appear to be rambling all around. Or maybe he is rambling, but he's 73 so he should be allowed to ramble a little without having the threat of psychiatrists, cousellor's and mood altering, anti-psychotic or anti-depressent meds.

My best advice is to consult whomever wrote the prescription for the tablets he has already received. Ask that physician if he thinks a psychiatrist would be bennificial. Keeping in mind that a psychiatrist cannot treat someone who wants treatment in one session. When someone starts seeing a shrink they should plan on going every week to every four weeks depending on the shrinks schedual and how often it is felt the patient needs to 'check in', the more meds the patient takes the more often they should see the Dr. so that the meds are being closely monitored.

However, If he has made it 73 years without needing a psychiatrist then I really don't think he has to start to see one now.

If the problem he is having is due to something that happened in his life that he has been unable to get past alone and needs to be dealt with using a straight head to talk out the problem/event until he is able to move on, then a counsellor would be the best choice. If a counsellor becomes his decsion to talk to (it has to be his decsion or it would be a waste of everyone's time.) and a waiting list is standing in the way then explore the many resources available.If he attends a church the minister or Priest should be able to offer counselling services at the church, or at least recomend a sister-church that offers counselling services. I'm sure if you pull out your local yellow pages and look up Counselling services and start calling around you will find someone who is available now. Or try a local senior's citizans center as they might be able to offer some service.

I really think that the Dr. who prescribed something already did as he saw fit and if a specialist was needed a referal would have been given. If the doctor he already saw was his regular MD and has been his md for any length of time then he should just stay put, his GP has an advantage of already knowing the patient, the patients history, any applicable family history. Plus your relative already has a trust built up with his regular md that is very important when it comes to discussing certain matters of the heart, body, mind and ones mortality. Sometimes important details are not revealed to someone who is new to a patient especially if the patient does not think it to be life threatning.

I hope that I have not bored you too much with details, and I hope I have helped somehow. I also wish you and your family the best. Tell your sibling not to make a mountain out of a mole hill. And to give the tablets a try and to let someone 73, so old enough to make his own decsions, make them. Good Luck

Answer 3

A counselor is simply someone to talk to and make suggestions. A psychiatrist is actually a doctor. They can prescribe medication if needed and have much more training in dealing with actual mental illness. If you suspect an actual mental condition then they need a doctor. If they are just stressed then a counselor might work. Good luck.

Answer 4

A counselor is simply someone to talk to and make suggestions. A psychiatrist is actually a doctor. They can prescribe medication if needed and have much more training in dealing with actual mental illness. If you suspect an actual mental condition then they need a doctor. If they are just stressed then a counselor might work. Good luck.

Answer 5

Reading the answers so far prompts me to comment that those of you who are so down on therapists probably have never seen one.
A psychiatrist presribes meds. A therapist helps you work through your problems, though you have to be truthful and willing to do the work yourself....and it's tough going, but worth it.
Considering your grandfather's age, it may very well be Alzheimers, in which case therapy would not be very helpful. His GP should be able to diagnose this and then he can go from there.
It would have been helpful to know what "tablets" he was prescribed????

Answer 6

Actually...he should see his regular Doctor, a Psychiatrist and also a Counselor (therapist) All three things will be beneficial to your grandfather. Also check all the medications he is taking with his pharmacist. Make sure he isn't having a reaction or side effects of his meds.
Good luck.

Answer 7

nicely i'm taking valium, and that i'd hate seeing my psychiatrist if he did no longer prescribe me this for my rigidity. As for counselors, i do no longer decide to speak approximately me a good purchase. i can ramble approximately my issues for perchance half-hour each week or so, yet no longer an entire hour. i'm maximum possibly going to commence seeing a counselor lower back. The final one grow to be a rather youthful lady, her seems and age have been given interior the way of me taking her heavily. i'd quite have an older, unattractive therapist who's fairly smart. I shop questioning of that therapist (Robin Williams) from the action picture stable Will searching. He relatively looked like the final one to have.

Answer 8

psychiatrist; if the wait is too long and you think he needs help now, take him to the hospital, and a psychiatrist will see him there. counselors are only good for teaching coping skills, if meds are what you think he needs, psychiatrist is best bet.

Answer 9

a psychiatrist is a doctor they also give meds and a counsoler just talks to you they are no good

Answer 10

May I suggest a different alternative? If possible, consult a homeopath of your area and you may get better and faster results.