Psychiatrists and psychologists: what's the main difference?

The three main differences between psychiatrists and psychologists are:

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors, psychologists aren't .
• Psychiatrists prescribe medication, psychologists can't.
• Psychiatrists diagnose illness, manage treatment and supply a variety of therapies for complex and high mental disease . Psychologists specialise in providing psychotherapy (talk therapy) to assist patients.

Many people get psychiatrists and psychologists confused with one another . Both psychiatrists and psychologists understand how the brain works, our emotions, feelings and thoughts. Both can treat mental disease with psychological treatments (talking therapies). However, psychiatrists attend school of medicine and become medical doctors before doing specialist training in psikotes online. Because they're doctors, psychiatrists understand the links between mental and physical problems. they will also prescribe medications.

To go into it in some more detail, the most differences relate to:
.
Training

Psychiatrists are medical doctors with a minimum of 11 years of coaching – usually more. They first do a medical degree at university. Next they spend a minimum of 1 or 2 years training as a general doctor. They then complete a minimum of 5 years training within the diagnosis and treatment of mental disease .

Psychologists have a minimum of 6 years of university training and supervised experience. They may also hold a Masters or Doctorate level qualification in psychology. If they need a Doctorate (PhD) a psychologist can call themselves ‘Dr’, but they're not medical doctors. Clinical psychologists have special training within the diagnosis and treatment of mental disease .

Treatments provided

Psychiatrists can provide a good range of treatments, consistent with the actual problem and what is going to work best. These include:

• medication
• general medical aid , including checking your physical health and therefore the effects of medication
• psychological treatments
• brain stimulation therapies like electroshock (ECT).

Psychologists specialise in providing psychological treatments.

 Conditions treated

Psychiatrists tend to treat people that need their medical, psychological and social needs considered.

These are usually people with complex conditions, for example:

• severe depression
• schizophrenia
• bipolar disorder.

Someone who has attempted suicide or has suicidal thoughts will usually be seen by a psychiatrist.

Psychologists are more likely to ascertain people with conditions which will be helped effectively with psychological treatments. This might include behavioural problems, learning difficulties, depression and anxiety.

Getting a meeting

As with all medical specialists, to ascertain a psychiatrist you would like a referral from your GP (family doctor).

To see a psychologist you don’t need a referral. However, in Australia a GP can refer you to a psychologist as a part of a psychological state Treatment Plan.

There are around 4000 psychiatrists working across Australia and New Zealand, while there are about 27,000 registered psychologists.

Working together

Psychiatrists and psychologists often work together. A psychiatrist might make an initial assessment and diagnosis, then refer you to a psychologist for ongoing psychological treatment (talking therapy).

Psychiatrists and psychologists also work together in hospitals as a part of psychological state teams.