Mental Health-o-pedia
Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist
Written by: Kazi Afra Adiba
When to choose a
Psychologist: Psychologists use psychotherapy (structured counseling) or talk therapy and behavior modification therapy as primary methods to improve emotional and mental well-being without medication. Additionally, they use different psychological assessments such as personality tests, IQ tests, clinical interviews, and diagnostic assessments to gain insights into individuals' psychological functioning to treat them accordingly.
They may help you with:
- Emotional Support
- Behavioral Change
- Relationship Issues
- Personal Growth
- Coping Strategies
- Clinical psychologists can diagnose mental disorders and syndromes
Ø Person A: "I've been having a hard time lately, and I can't seem to stop worrying about everything."
Ø Person B: "You should consider seeing a psychologist. They're great at helping you understand why you're feeling this.”
Psychiatrists: They help with diagnosing and treating mental disorders and syndromes with prescribed medication to manage symptoms which make carrying out day-to-day activities challenging. They may help you with:
- Medication
- Diagnosis of Mental Disorders and Syndromes
- Treatment Plan
- Therapeutic support
Ø Person A:
"I can't seem to find joy or motivation for anything anymore. This has been going on for months now. Nothing seems to help."
Ø Person B: "You could consider consulting a psychiatrist. They're experts in the medical side of mental health. They prescribe medicine, if needed, after diagnosing you to help manage your symptoms.”
**Seeing both a psychologist and a psychiatrist could be better for some conditions.
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