Do psychiatrists give you advice or do they just listen to you?

Question

Teen psychiatrists too?

Answer 1

I found a counselor more helpful than a psychiatrist. Until last year, only psychiatrists could prescribe medications in my state so they were generally pill-pushers based on input from the counselors/psychologists. That may have changed because are laws now allow psychologists to prescribe meds. I saw a counselor, a psychologist and a psychiatrist for grief issues. I found the Master's level counselor to be the most helpful and practical. The psychiatrist gave me no advice and put me on meds that ripped my stomach apart. The counselor told me, accurately, I didn't need them and got me free advice from an M.D. on how to wean myself off the meds. My experience with a psychiatrist was bad, but not harmful, but I am probably much older than you.

Answer 2

Psychiatrists - including teen psychiatrists - are professional medical doctors that 1) went to medical school and did their residency training in psychiatry after receiving their training in other medical fields, 2) are trained to listen to and watch out for specific clues that would be indicative of suicidal tendencies, depression, schizophrenia, a mood disorder (like manic depression, bi-polar disorder), and 1000's of other mental issues that people have. and 3) work with the patient to uncover the root causes of their problems, prescribe medication to control their symptoms if required, and help the patient ascertain coping skills they didn't otherwise know. Psychiatric and psychological issues are based on criteria that is established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Psychiatry, which has numerous volumes.

While it appears that a psychiatrist is just listening to you, they are actually using a tool called "active listening", which assists them in their diagnosis of whatever ails you. Additionally, they are observing your behavior, jotting down notes about specific issues or topics that might have triggered tears, an angry reaction, etc. After you leave, they begin to assess what issue the patient has from a clinical perspective.

Your roles together are basically a partnership and an agreement: the patient must actively participate in the dialogue (as it is indicative of their willingness to heal. Silence is interpreted as resistance, among other things), while the doctor is contractually obligated to diagnose you, etc. as I mentioned before. They aren't just sitting there listening.... Note that only a psychiatrist can prescribe medications, while a psychologist cannot. This is because they do not have a medical degree, while a psychiatrist does.

And finally, being an active participant in the process - no matter how uncomfortable it might feel in terms of divulging the issues you have - is KEY to your healing. It is the ONLY way.

Answer 3

I don't have experience with a psychiatrist only a psychologist. I think though that the answer will be the same. My therapist didn't give me advise OR just listen. He asked questions that made me think about the situation I was talking about. My own answers helped me to see where I was having a problem. Every once in a while I would ask what was the best course of action and I always got the same answer, "What do you think the best course is?"
I got a LOT of help from my therapist because he made me think about the situation rather than ask for help solving a problem. Most of the time, I was able to come up with the solution myself. When I implemented the solutions I'D thought of, I became WAY more confident in my ability to solve my own problems.
My therapist was helpful in teaching my some techniques for determining whether a particular thought or action was rational or not.
Over all, I received a LOT of benefit from my sessions with my therapist.

Answer 4

Psychiatrists don't do alot of listening. They mostly worry about your medications. If you aren't on meds and are going to see a psychologist or counselor, then it depends on what type of psychology they practice. There are psychoanalytic therapists and cognitive-behavioral therapists. Personally, I find the cognitive-behavior therapy much more useful. They listen and give advice where as pshychoanalytic therapists seem to do more listening and waiting for you to figure it out. They are more psychonalytical therapists than there are cognitave-behavioral therapists. Propbably because the psychoanalytic theories have been around longer. I think that most therapists use a combination though. Every one is different. You just have to keep searching till you find the right one that you can talk to.

Hope that helps.
Good luck! Have a great day!

Answer 5

Psychiatrists can help, they give advice and Listen, so, both for an answer, psychiatrists that are teenagers cant really help as much.., they are not that experienced in helping people and giving advice, so yes, both

Answer 6

Practitioners of both Psychiatry and Psychology are officially licensed professionals, possessing advanced degrees in issues relating to the (dys)functions of the brain and mind. The difference, if any, between "brain" and "mind" is controversial, and beyond the scope of this discussion. Practitioners of both of these disciplines observe the client's words, intonation and body language, so as to draw conclusions regarding the client's feelings, beliefs, and mental functioning.

Being physicians, psychiatrists are legally allowed to prescribe drugs. psychologists are not. Ideally, someone having questions about themselves would first see a psychologist, who would determine whether the client's issues, if any, are likely to result only from life experience or lack thereof. If so, the practitioner may, depending upon their viewpoints and the client's apparent wishes, engage in one or more potentially theraputic behaviors. The practitioner may simply listen to the client, which may meet the client's need. Additionally, the practitioner may reveal aspects of the client's personality, feelings or inclinations, which the client may not have realized, unaided. Finally, the psychologist may suggest alternative interpretations of the client's experiences, or alternative, more effective, behaviors,

As with any one, or any profession, there may be unscrupulous psychologists who may schedule sessions over a period relating more to the client's ability to pay, than the client's needs. It may be prudent to obtain recommendations from other clients, independent professionals with a knowledge of the practitioner and relevant third-parties whose job it is to police the ethics of the profession or the local business community.

All of the above applies to psychiatrists, but with the addition of their ability to use drugs as an additional tool in treating mental issues. One might choose whether to seek help from a psychologist or a psychiatrist, based upon a recommendation from a knowlegable, trusted friend or relative, or such professionals as social worker, clergy, or physician.

Answer 7

They are suppose to give you advice and help you, but a lot of them dont and so much people are concerned with how much to get paid but i know there are some that must really care and listen and find solutions as well, you just got to weed through a bunch to see whose true, just like anything eles. Cause a lot of people claim they do stuff and really dont.

Answer 8

Both. They have to listen to you to give you advice and they would be no good if they did not give advice and just listen.

Its like going to the doctor and you tell them your sick but they don't tell you what you need to do or going to the doctor and they don't listen to you and they give you some random medication.

Answer 9

My psychiatrist and I always have a very good in depth conversation. I give input as does he.

I am the customer - his job is to use the best techniques he knows to assist me with my life.

Answer 10

There job is to listen to what you are saying, also taking note of your body language, and how you say and interpret things. Then they give you their professional opinion on your situation. That goes for Teens, as well.