The Difference Between A Psychologist Vs. Psychiatrist

If your mental health isn't as healthy as you wish it was, you may want to seek professional help. You know that both psychologists and psychiatrists help people improve their mental health. However, you may not know the difference between the two or which one would best suit your needs.

The terms psychologist and psychiatrist are often used interchangeably, and it's easy to see why. They sound the same, are spelled similarly, and both professions deal with mental health. However, while there are similarities between then two, each one treats mental health differently. Keep reading to learn more about each of these mental health professionals and how to decide which one to seek out in your time of need.

What is a psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist is someone who works in the field of psychiatry. According to the American Psychiatric Association, psychiatry is the branch of medicine "focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders." Those who seek the help of a psychiatrist tend to be people who have undiagnosed emotional or behavioral issues or specific disorders such as depression or anxiety. 

How psychiatrists diagnose clients

Psychiatrists may begin by talking to the patient, asking them to explain their symptoms and what they're feeling. They may then ask for a genetic history to see if there are any conditions which run in the family. Finally, they may run a battery of tests to help determine what's going on. Once they believe they have the right diagnosis, treatment can begin.

The DSM

The book the American Psychiatric Association uses is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or the DSM. The book is currently in its fifth edition, or the DSM-5, published in 2013. The DSM allows psychiatrists to look at various mental disorders which have been defined and see if the patient meets the criteria for any of them.

Treating a patient

When you think of psychiatric treatment, you may imagine a patient being locked in a padded room or getting electroshock therapy. Electroshock therapy is used to treat seizures, but it's rarely used for any other reason. Instead, psychiatrists use various other treatments for their clients, such as:

• Talk therapy. This is formerly called psychotherapy, where a therapist will talk to their patient to help them treat the symptoms they may have. Some problems do not require many sessions of talk therapy, but depending on the problem, it may take years. It depends on the client's mental condition and its severity. The purpose of psychotherapy depends on the situation. Some forms of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are designed to make the patient change their way of thinking. For example, a patient with depression will be guided to change any thoughts that are negative and self-defeating.
• Medications. Psychiatrists prescribe various medications to treat their patients, taking into consideration the specific person and their diagnosis. Some of the medicines may be used to treat chemical imbalances that cause mental disorders such as depression. They may prescribe antidepressants, which are used to treat not only depression, but PTSD, OCD, panic disorder, bipolar disoder, eating disorders, and anxiety. Antipsychotics are used to treat hallucinations, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Sedatives can be used for insomnia and anxiety. Hypnotics are also useful for insomnia. Mood stabilizers can treat bipolar disorder, and stimulants can treat ADHD. Medicine may be used in combination with psychotherapy.
• ECT, or electroconvulsive therapy, is the stereotypical psychiatric treatment that is used on the brain for depression that is not affected by any other treatment. There are similar therapies as well, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, that can treat depression, schizophrenia, and other mental disorders.

A good psychiatrist will use various treatments to help you with your condition and won't just rely on one. A good psychiatrist will also not overprescribe medication and may only prescribe it if talk therapy does not work. 

Educational requirements

Psychiatrists must finish medical school, then get a license. This license is a state exam, and it allows them to practice medicine. Afterward, they need residency training for four years. For the first year, they work with patients in a hospital. After that, the rest of their time is spent learning how to diagnose and treat different patients. They will work in various settings and get as much training as possible.

After training, there is an examination to get board-certified. This oral examination needs to be completed every decade.

Psychiatrists may take even more training after that if they want to specialize, studying fields such as child psychiatry, sleep disorders, addiction, and more. A psychiatrist is a tough yet rewarding career.

After someone become a psychiatrist, they can work in various places, such as hospitals, clinics, universities, courts, nursing homes, military bases, rehab centers, hospices, and more. 

What is a psychologist?

A psychologist helps those who have mental disorders, just as a psychiatrist does. 

Like a psychiatrist, a psychologist can use various tests to determine a patient's mental disorder. These tests are not just used for diagnosis and can be used to get a good reading on the patient's personality. Knowing how the patient ticks can allow the psychologist to communicate with the patient better.

Treating a patient

A psychologist can treat a patient in various ways. Like a psychiatrist, they may use talk therapy to treat a patient. They may use other types of therapies to treat them, such as psychodynamic or cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychologists can work with patients individually, as a pair, or in a group.

A psychologist cannot prescribe medications in most places. In New Mexico, Louisiana, and Illinois, a psychologist can be trained to prescribe medication. Still, for the most part, they work with doctors and psychiatrists to get the medication their patient needs.

Education

Like a psychiatrist, learning to be a psychologist requires extensive training. A future psychologist needs an undergraduate degree, then 4-6 more years of education. They need to learn about various psychological methods, terms, and ethics and get practice working with patients. After graduate school, they'll need to become licensed, which means they will take a test to prove what they have learned.

Even after they get their license, their education isn't done yet. Psychology is an evolving field, and a psychologist needs to stay up-to-date as science evolves and improves.

Where a psychologist works

Psychologists work in many of the same places as psychiatrists. You may also find them in schools or working with companies, among other locations. 

What is the difference between the two?

Both psychiatrists and psychologists treat mental disorders and have similar ways of evaluating and treating patients. Both can use talk therapy to treat their patients. Both have studied hard to learn their trade.

There are a few differences, however, that set them apart.

• A psychologist is not a medical doctor, but a psychiatrist is. 
• Most psychologists cannot prescribe medication. Psychologists may work with psychiatrists to give a patient medication, but most of the time, they can't be the one to prescribe it.
• Psychologists are used more for less serious mental conditions. People go to psychologists for mild depression or a life situation that has changed their routine. If you have severe depression, hallucinations, or any other severe mental disorder, you go to a psychiatrist. 
• To see a psychiatrist, your general practitioner (GP) may need to refer you. You don't need a referral to see a psychologist.

Meet with an online psychologist

If you believe you have a mental condition that is bringing you down, you should seek therapy as soon as possible. Even if it's a minor problem, it can evolve into something more severe if left untreated. Talking to a therapist about your problems can benefit you in the long run.

Many mental health professionals have moved their practices online. Online therapy can be more cost-effective for both the practitioner and the patient. There's no need to travel to a physical office. Sessions can be held online in a chat room or on a video call. 

BetterHelp offers matches to licensed therapists. Whether you're experiencing a mental health disorder or just need to talk to someone about a big life change, BetterHelp has someone you can talk to. Just fill out the questionnaire, and you'll be connected to a therapist who can help.

Knowing the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist can help you determine which kind of help to seek if you have questions about your mental health.