For mental health, why always say go to a psychiatrist rather that go to a psychologist?

Question

When people here admit they are mentally unwell they are always being advised to see a psychiatrist.

Medical model rules OK! Why?

Why take medicine as a first resort and why so much trust in psychiatry as a discipline rather than psychology.

I have been a Service User for fifty one years and
have seen many pills being taken off the market as dangerous and there is no scientifically proven research to say ECT works, or even why it might work if it did.

Answer 1

It's really very simple.

there are so many people who have mental health issues, are in the process / and are going to be mentally ill. there are only a few doctors. so the easiest thing to do, rather then spend months or even years getting to the bottom of there issues and helping them to recovery, they are put on antidepressents. (it is a cheap and quick fix, easier for the doctor not the patient)

psychiatrists are used in some cases that are minor and will be quickly and easily resolved. (unless you go private)

Answer 2

A psychiatrist is basically a psychologist with a medical degree. I would think that a psychologist would be fine for an initial diagnosis and could determine if the individual should be referred to a psychiatrist. Psychologists cannot prescribe medicine.

The use of medications is certainly controversial. There are certain conditions where medicines have done wonders, yet there are others, particularly ADD / ADHD where it does appear that some tend to throw Ritalin at the problem.

There are some conditions beyond what a psychologist can do, but there are many more that would do fine with a psychologist.

Answer 3

A psychiartrist deals with deviations from the norm in behaviour. A psychology deals more with the developmental aspect of behaviour. There will always be an over-lay between the two disciplines.

I have seen some pills taken off the market but the number is miniscule compared with those which are left on.

ECT has been round for a long time and from family experience I have seen it work. Of course both medicine and other treatments are refined over time and usage.

Answer 4

Because psychiatrists can prescribe drugs, a lot of which actually can help with some conditions.

Psychiatry and Psychology are pretty much the same anyway (or at least the evidence-based versions are), just that the later can't prescribe drugs (though in practice they just refer you to a psychiatrist if they think you might need some).

A lot of pills have been taken off the market as dangerous but a lot more never made it to the market (and only a minority have been taken off). ECT is really just a torture method though.

Answer 5

talk therapy can't always solve problems or protect society

The first factor is to evaluate the problem to see if it fits into a bio-chemical motiff

this makes unmanagable problems somewhat more mangiable.

chemical inbalances invoullentarily make some people anti-social in behavior. The corrected chemical balance returns them to acceptable behaviour automatically

Roted or voullentary pschylogocial elements turn people into anti-social behaviors.

No chemical will correct this

What must be corrected is the behavior patterns.

No chemical inbalance is known to make somone a klepto or alcoholic

There is no magic drug that stops the patten of behavior

It is, therefore, suspected as being psychologically based and you must get them to correct their patterns on a conscious level.

Answer 6

A psychiatrist will help the patient overcome their fears.
A psychologist studies mental illness.

Answer 7

Physchiatrists can prescribe drugs and are actual doctors aswell as pychologists aka councellor.

Pyschologists are mainly researchers, who find out why people act the way they do and if it comes from the way they were brought up etc,

Answer 8

Call Jerry Springer

Answer 9

it is simple, psychiatrist is like a doctor of mental disorder and psychologist is just logical expert for healthy people but just being lost

Answer 10

i always say talk to family and frds before u start takin pills! alot of things can be sorted out if ppl would just share their problems and feelings with ppl they are close to!