10 points for best answer!! Whats the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist?

Question

I am a 16 year old girl who has been battling depression for 2 years, do I see a therapist or a psychiatrist? whats the difference?? Please help and don't be mean...

Have you ever been to either of them? Whats it like? I'm scared...but I don't want to be miserable like this forever...

Answer 1

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who writes prescriptions and talks about your symptoms and tries to come up with the best medication for them. A therapist is someone you can talk to about anything and see more regular than a psychiatrist. You need the Psychiatrist first to cope with your symptoms and to be assessed, then ask them for a referral to a therapist. Trust me, get the meds first, then counseling. Two years is too long to suffer, so get started.

Answer 2

A psychiatrist is a specialist doctor. He or she can prescribe medication. A therapist doesn't need to be medically qualified. He or she could be qualified for instance as a psychologist. He cannot prescribe drugs.

If you have the choice you are better not to go to a psychiatrist, because then you will not be at risk of being put on some drug that will have terrible side effects. These medications do have their uses but it is best to see first if you can't help your depression with less drastic means. You can always go to a psychiatrist later if the therapist doesn't help.

Also, check out this website www.depressionet.com.au. You will find heaps of useful information about your condition and the forum and chatrooms are open 24/7 and always supervised. Sometimes it can be a help just to have someone to talk to. This forum is really great and very supportive. I was a member of it when I suffered depression although I am recovered now and rarely go there.

Don't let anyone tell you depression can't be fixed. It can be.

Also check out this site: www.flylady.net. Many, many people have successfully used the flylady system to beat and overcome depression. It may seem at first to be all about housework but it is really not, that is just the way in. Give it a try, I am sure it will help.

Above all remember you are not alone. Approximately 20% of people suffer from clinical depression at some times of their life. Great and famous sufferers include Einstein and Winston Churchill so you are in good company!

Good luck. I hope you find your way out of it.

Answer 3

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has gone on for further schooling. A therapist is some one who is like a social worker who has gone on to get further schooling, but not medical school. The psychiatrist can prescribe medications. Not all therapist are able to do that. Some times a psychiatrist will see you and then send you on to a therapist to talk things out. They often times work hand in hand. I would see the psychiatrist first. It may be a simple medication would help. Do not let mean people bother you. Every one in life would have a time they could use mental health , if they were being honest. The most difficult step will be calling the Dr. You could even start with you family Dr. Take care of yourself and do not be too hard on yourself.

Answer 4

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, whose specialty is in diseases of the brain. A psychologist is a person who is trained in psychology, and may have either a masters or doctorate in psychology. Psychologists are trained mainly in therapy and for the most part can not give prescriptions for medications.
Either a psychiatrist or a psychologist can act as a therapist. As a 16 year old, you may want to see your regular physician first and discuss this with him or her, and to make sure that your body is healthy. Sometimes if you are sick, or even just run down, it can make you feel depressed.
You should also make sure you take some vitamins and get some exercise. Taking a vitamin B complex tablet a couple of times a day helps me a great deal in maintaining my mental health. Take them for several weeks and see if it doesn't help.
Eat good food. This is food that still looks a lot like it did before it was plucked from the ground or the tree or the animal it came from. It doesn't come from a box or a can. It doesn't have a lot of sugar, fake sugar, fake fat, or other non-food additives. You are still in the process of building the body you will live with for the rest of your life, so give your future self a break, and build yourself out of good stuff.
Studies have shown that regular exercise does more for your well being than any medication out there. Don't go crazy, just take a walk every day, even 15 or 20 minutes will help. Get some fresh air.
Try to find an opportunity to help someone every day. You might do some 'kamikazi' helping out fellow classmates, or you might try volunteering. Ask your school counselor to help you find ways to do some volunteer work. Think about what you are good at, or what you enjoy, and try to work your volunteering into something like that. Even just visiting at nursing homes can be very rewarding. But honestly, nothing feels better than helping out your fellow man.
You can do all of this while you are working out the medical end. But you may find, that if you do all of this, you won't need medication.
Being a 16 year old girl is very nearly the worst position in life I can imagine. I hope you are able to find some good friends who really care about you. But have some hope, truly, life is all uphill from here (and I don't mean like 'uphill battle' uphill, but, like, the perspective gets better, and you have more power in your life, and you learn more about building your boundaries and where they should be and choosing good things to get good results. That kind of uphill.).
Oh yeah. Pray. You probably won't if you dont believe in God or whatever. But studies have also shown that people whose lives include regular spiritual activity are less subject to depression. That doesn't mean you're doing it wrong if you do have a rich spiritual life already, it just means you are better set up to deal with it if it does happen.
Good luck!

Answer 5

A psychiatrist is a MD and can prescribe medications. A therapist doesn't have to be a doctor, but can hold a master's degree in psychology. If you do need medication, the therapist can consult with your family doctor and they can prescribe medication if needed.

If it is depression, i would say see a therapist first (its less intimidating and for some it is easier to talk to). If the therapist and your family doc think you need a higher level of care, they can recommend a psychiatrist.

Hang in there. Just talking to someone can help with depression. Meds aren't always the answer, but for some they make a world of difference

Answer 6

You should see a therapist first and they will tell you if they think you need a psychiatrist. Therapist can't give you prescriptions and a psychiatrist can. There is nothing to it it actually makes you feel better. You do most of the talking and they listen and ask few questions.

Answer 7

I psychiatrist, as everyone said, is a medical doctor that specializes in psychiatry. Sometimes they do a little bit of therapy, but the appointments are generally quite (well over $100/hour often) expensive and they usually do not have time to spend on the real work of therapy. They are very familiar with medications used to treat mental health problems and can help you find what works for you. If you do choose this route, do not let them intimidate you. You are a partner in your treatment. You have every right to bring up any questions or concerns you have...there are no stupid questions when it comes to your health. If you end up on meds, make sure you know exactly what medication you are taking and what it is for. (I'm amazed at how many questions I've come upon on here with people not even knowing the name of their meds or what class of meds they are or even what the doctor is specifically treating!)

Now you want to see a licensed therapist which could be a clinical social worker (CSW)...I believe they have to have a Master's degree...they can not prescribe meds but may work as a team with your psychiatrist (if you need one...you may want to just try therapy and work with him or her to decide if meds seem necessary and if so, then make an appointment with the dr.). They do not always work in teams though...it depends where you go. Plenty of psychiatrists have private practices.

Another option is to see a psychologist. Most (I think school psychologists are the exception to this) have a doctorate (Ph.D or Psy.D.), so they too have had an extensive education and in a couple of states in the US they can write prescriptions, but in most states they can not.

Sometimes a nurse practitioner works with therapists and can prescribe meds (in NY state anyway). It really depends on the set up of the office you choice to go to.

There may be other types of therapists with different degrees than mentioned above. No matter who you go to, you want to make sure they are licensed and have experience working with adolescents.

Good luck with everything. Depression is hell, but there is help out there. I give you credit for being open enough to seek it.

Answer 8

I had a really bad traumatic experience almost a year ago. SInce then I have really bad anxiety and I worry about everything. The Dr gave me meds and told me to see a counsler. I did not take the meds but I did go to a Therapist. She was very good with making me feel better about myself. THere really good if you need to talk to someone to get some things off your chest. They give you positive feed back and tell you how to fix your problems. A psychiatrist however can give you meds that a therapist can't. They also have more experience with things then a therapist does. Since you have depression I would go to a Psychiatrist. They are better trained for that kinda thing. I wish you the best!

Answer 9

the psychiatrist can prescribe meds. , where as a therapist can't...Also, it cost more to see a psychiatrist. I would start with a therapist. A GOOD therapist will suggest that you see a psychiatrist if she (he) believes she can not give you the help you may need.....Peace, K. A.

Answer 10

a psychiatrist is a medical doctor that specializes in mental health. A therapist doesn't have that much education, nor can a therapist prescribe medications. I went to psychiatrist first, got started on medications and then went to a therapist to work on my emotional issues. They both serve a good purpose in maintaining mental health.
There is nothing to be afraid of, both are professionals and both just want to help you help yourself.