What Is The Difference Between A Psychiatrist And A Psychologist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose and treat mental health conditions. They can prescribe medications and other medical treatments.
A psychologist has a doctoral degree , typically in clinical psychology, and often has extensive training in research or clinical practice. Psychologists treat mental health conditions with psychotherapy . A psychologist cant prescribe medication.
Psychiatrists typically treat more complex mental health conditions than psychologists, especially ones that require medication or medical treatments.
To give another perspective, psychology is the study of the mind, emotions and behavior whereas psychiatry is the field of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.
What Is Samhsa’s National Helpline
SAMHSAs National Helpline, , or TTY: is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.
When Should I See A Psychiatrist
Determining when to see a psychiatrist often requires a candid self-assessment of your symptoms and day-to-day experiences. While you shouldnt try to self-diagnose any specific mental health conditions, you can become aware of and note behaviors, emotions and thought patterns that are unhealthy and disruptive to your everyday life.
While it can be difficult and overwhelming to seek help for mental health conditions, its essential to do so. Mental health conditions are very common, and your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
In some cases, your primary healthcare provider may refer you to a psychiatrist if you share your symptoms with them. But you can usually go directly to a psychiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment plan if you prefer.
Mental health episodes may happen randomly, infrequently or be constant. The important thing to remember is that if theyre negatively affecting your quality of life, its a clear sign you need to seek help.
If you have any of the following symptoms or experiences, you may want to consider seeing a psychiatrist or telling your primary healthcare provider:
- Inability to manage or control your emotions.
- Continuous or frequent episodes of anger or rage.
- Excessive or irrational fears.
- Withdrawal from social situations.
- Thoughts of self-harm.
Remember, theres no shame in having or seeking help for a mental health condition. The sooner you seek help and treatment, the sooner youll feel better.
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Difficulty With Walking And Other Movements
Everyone can be a total klutz at times, whether you have trouble holding onto a small object, bump into people or things, or have trouble with coordination. But persistent trouble with movement may be evidence of something more troubling. A neurologist can explore and test movement issues. Tremors, jerky motions, trouble walking, and even clumsiness could be evidence of stroke, tumors, disease, or something more easily treated, such as a new drug one is taking, general stress, or some simpler injury. Whatever the case, if movement issues repeat themselves, have them looked over at a doctors office or neuropsychiatric clinic.
Study Overview And Design
This was a prospective, cross-sectional survey of adults in a tertiary care epilepsy clinic, conducted in tandem to screening/enrollment in a learning health system pilot randomized treatment trial for anxiety and depression symptoms. The study was conducted from January to September 2019 in the practices of two adult-focused epileptologists and an epilepsy specialty physician assistant at a U.S. tertiary epilepsy center. As a combined clinical care and research screening method, patients
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Do Neurological Disorders Cause Depression And Anxiety
Many neurological conditions, including strokes, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries, and dementia, can directly cause anxiety and depression. Some of the symptoms associated with depression and anxiety, like fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and headaches, may signal a serious nerve disorder.
Its also natural to feel depressed or anxious as you face the ongoing challenges of your neurological condition, whether you deal with chronic pain, fatigue, movement disorders, or seizures.
Should I See A Psychiatrist Or A Neurologist
If you suspect that a loved one is experiencing symptoms of dementia, you may be unsure what kind of professional to consult. You will definitely want a specialist to get an accurate assessment, but with both psychiatrists and neurologists available, how can you know which one is best?
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See A Mental Health Professional
If your doctor diagnoses you with depression, you may then be referred to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will further evaluate your mood and determine whether or not medication is needed.
Some people will do fine being treated by their primary care physician. Others may benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, especially if symptoms are not improving with the first trial of an antidepressant or the depression is severe from the start.
Research suggests that the combination of medication and therapy is most effective for treating depression. If you would benefit from psychotherapy, your psychiatrist may handle this as well, although some elect to refer patients to another mental health professional, like a psychologist.
Chronic Headaches Or Migraines
We all experience headaches of varying durations and severity due to everything from staring at a computer screen too long to loud noise to lack of sleep to a sinus infection. While painful, most headaches are temporary. Usually, conservative treatments like over-the-counter pain medications will provide relief.
See a neurologist in these instances:
- Your headaches become severe or disabling.
- Youre taking medication for headaches daily.
- You routinely wake up with a headache.
- Your headaches are accompanied by other neurological symptoms, such as vision changes, dizziness, nausea or even seizures .
- Your headaches are severe and are accompanied by a sensitivity to light, strong smells or loud sounds, which could indicate migraines.
Your neurologist can help determine whats causing your headaches and any other symptoms and help you get relief.
In addition to prescribing medications or treatments like Botox, Zacharias emphasizes lifestyle modifications. I always share tips with my patients, she says. For instance, I tell them to stay hydrated, dont skip meals, avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, engage in physical activity, and try relaxation therapy. All of those things can be helpful with headaches.
And if youre having migraines, your neurologist can help you identify and avoid your triggers including stress and certain foods to prevent them.
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So Which One Should You See
Making an appointment with either a psychiatrist or neurologist would ultimately lead to a correct diagnosis, even if they end up referring you to the other specialty for a more specific evaluation.
If a dementia patient is hallucinating or becoming aggressive, for example, you may want to discuss the problem with a psychiatrist who specializes in geriatrics they may be more comfortable prescribing antipsychotic medications, which are typically used to treat these symptoms. A neurologist may be a better option if other neurological symptoms beyond changes in memory, mood and behavior emerge . But the bottom line is that either will be able to provide a preliminary diagnosis of dementia, and guide you in the best direction.
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B2 Interictal Mood And Anxiety Disorders
Fortunately for neurologists, some simple screening strategies andtreatment principles can be employed to tackle psychiatric comorbidities with apractical approach, thus enabling competent neurologists to manage interictaldepression and/or anxiety in epilepsy in addition to peri-ictal and iatrogenicsymptoms as described above. An approach is composed of two freely available,validated screening instruments and simple dosing guidelines for medicationtherapies advantageous for use in epilepsy and efficacious for interictal majordepression, dysthymia, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety.
B.2.1. Identification
The Generalized Anxiety Disorders-7 is a reliableself-rating instrument used to identify symptoms of anxiety. Scores of 10 orhigher have acceptable sensitivity and specificity for detecting a broadrange of anxiety disorders in primary care, including 89% sensitivity and82% specificity for generalized anxiety disorder and 74% sensitivity and 81%specificity for panic disorder.Alternatively, some authors have suggested using a cutpoint of > 10for significant anxiety symptoms in epilepsy .
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Consider Seeing A Psychiatrist First
There’s a tendency for some new patients to visit a counselor or psychologist for their initial mental health evaluation rather than a psychiatrist. This can be beneficial for many people, especially if your case is not severe, but for others, it’s often not enough.
Only psychiatrists are also medical doctors, which means that they are able to prescribe medications.
If your depression stems from a chemical imbalance, talk therapy will not be sufficient to treat you. It’s best to make your initial visit to a psychiatrist, who can both prescribe medications and offer you psychotherapy if it’s needed. This two-pronged approach of medication and talk therapy is often the most beneficial to patients.
Psychotherapy is a broad term for a variety of different verbal and psychological techniques that are employed to help an individual work through their mental health condition or source of underlying stress. These techniques include but are not limited to psychoanalytic therapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy, behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy . Oftentimes, other mental health professionals in the field such as counselors and social workers will draw from psychotherapeutic techniques and use them with their clients.
Questions Your Doctor May Ask
- Are you sleeping more than usual or having difficulty sleeping?
- Are you having trouble concentrating or making decisions?
- Do you think of death or have thoughts of suicide?
- How long have you been feeling sad or down?
- How is your appetite? Have you lost weight or gained weight?
- How is your energy level?
Your answers to these questions will help your doctor pinpoint whether or not you have major depressive disorder, often referred to simply as depression. Before confirming a diagnosis, however, your doctor will need to rule out other health problems.
Symptoms of several medical conditions can mimic those of depression. This is especially true in older adults with new-onset depression. These conditions include:
- Kidney or liver problems
- Vitamin deficiencies
While blood tests cannot be used to diagnose depression, they can rule out some of these above conditions. Less commonly, your doctor may order an imaging test, like a brain MRI. This can rule out structural brain diseases, like stroke, especially if the doctor notices evidence of cognitive problems or neurological signs upon physical examination.
Some medications may also cause symptoms of depression as a side effect. Be sure to tell your doctor all of the medications you are taking, including both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
Lastly, note that sometimes other mental health conditions can be difficult to differentiate from depression. For instance, bipolar disorder may be misdiagnosed initially as depression.
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How Does Someone Become A Psychiatrist
To become a psychiatrist, you must successfully complete:
- Four years of undergrad education at a college or university, resulting in a bachelors degree.
- Four years of medical school, resulting in a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
- Four-year residency program.
After completing residency, most psychiatrists take a voluntary written and oral examination given by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology to become a board-certified psychiatrist.
Some psychiatrists also complete fellowship programs to specialize in a particular area of psychiatry, such as child and adolescent psychiatry, which focuses on the mental health in the pediatric population, or consultation liaison psychiatry, which studies the interface of physical and mental health in the medical population.
What Can I Expect During An Appointment With A Psychiatrist
To get the most out of your appointment with your psychiatrist, its helpful to be prepared. Ways to prepare include:
- Bring a list of the most important issues you want to discuss with your psychiatrist.
- Discuss new symptoms or changes in existing or prior symptoms. Consider keeping a day-to-day journal of your symptoms so its easier to keep track of how your symptoms change or affect your quality of life.
- Discuss any changes in your overall physical health.
- Discuss your familys history of physical and mental health conditions.
- Bring a list of all the current medications and substances you take. Include prescription medications over-the-counter medications any vitamins, supplements and herbal products and any recreational drugs.
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What Treatments Do Psychiatrists Use
Psychiatrists use and prescribe a variety of treatments, including:
- Psychotherapy .
- Other treatments, such as electric convulsive treatment or transcranial magnetic stimulation .
Treatment for mental health conditions is very individualized and unique to each person. Treatment often involves a combination of therapies.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, often called talk therapy or therapy for short, is a treatment that involves talking with a trained mental healthcare professional to help identify and work through the factors that are affecting your mental health or may be triggering your mental health condition.
The goal of psychotherapy is to eliminate or control disabling or troubling thought and behavioral patterns so you can function better. Psychotherapy can be short-term or long-term depending on your symptoms and condition.
There are several different types of psychotherapy, including:
- Light therapy for seasonal depression .
Much less common treatments include:
See Your Primary Care Doctor
If you suspect you may have depression, your first visit should be to your family doctor or primary care physician for a thorough checkup. While most doctors do screen for depression, it’s best to tell your doctor your concerns about your mood. Your doctor is there to help you, so don’t hold back.
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A1 Common Psychiatric Comorbidities That Neurologists Can Identify And Treat Inthe Clinic: Diagnostic Criteria
Major depressive episodes/disorder
A major depressive episode is defined as at least two weeks ofimpairing symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, including 5 of the 9symptoms outlined below . Theseinclude: 1) depressed mood, 2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure inactivities, 3) decreased or increased appetite, or significant weight lossor gain when not dieting, 4) insomnia or hypersomnia, 5) psychomotoragitation or retardation, 6) fatigue or loss of energy, 7) feelings ofworthlessness or excessive inappropriate guilt, 8) diminishedconcentration/thinking or indecisiveness, and 9) recurrent thoughts of deathor suicidal ideation . At leastone of the symptoms must be depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasurein activities .
Dysthymia
Dysthymia is the presence of depressed mood most of the day for mostdays lasting at least two years, along with two of the following 6additional features: 1) poor appetite or overeating, 2) insomnia orhypersomnia, 3) low energy or fatigue, 4) low self-esteem, 5) poorconcentration or difficulty making decisions, and 6) hopelessness . The symptoms must cause distressor impairment, must not have resolved for more than 2 months consecutivelyduring the 2 year period .
Generalized anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Warning Signs Its Time To See A Neurologist
With hope, youll never need to see a neurologist, but if you do, take heart. Neurologists are highly skilled and knowledgeable about the diseases that affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles, and they can diagnose and treat them. Most of the time, a neurologists office wont be your first stop when you experience the following symptoms. See your regular primary health care provider first for an examination and testing. If they have concerns, they may set up a consultation with a neurologist for a deeper look at you and your symptoms. But before it reaches that point, keep in mind the following 10 warning signs its time to see a neurologist. Be aware that many of these symptoms can be common and temporary, but if they persist, see your doctor as soon as possible.
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When To See A Neurologist
Ive been getting painful headaches a lot lately, but they dont feel like regular tension headaches.
Are these pins-and-needles sensations in my feet normal?
Im so forgetful these days that its tough to work. I dont know if its stress-related brain fog or something else.
Do I need to see a neurologist?
Figuring out whether you need to see a specialist can feel like a tough call sometimes but many symptoms warrant it. We talked with RUSH neurologist Tresa Zacharias, MD, about when it makes sense to see a neurologist.
Neurologists specialize in treating and diagnosing disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system, including headaches, sleep disorders, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, neuropathic pain, dementia, Parkinsons disease and stroke. While some neurologists specialize in one area, such as movement disorders or neuromuscular disease, others, like Zacharias, practice as general neurologists.
If you need surgery or specialized care, your general neurologist can refer you to the specific specialist, but many conditions can effectively be managed by a general neurologist, Zacharias says. General neurologists offer a full range of medical therapies and nonsurgical procedures, from injections to lumbar punctures.
What Does The Doctor Look For To Make A Depression Diagnosis
A doctor can rule out other conditions that may cause depression with a physical examination, a personal interview, and lab tests. The doctor will also do a complete diagnostic evaluation, discussing any family history of depression or other mental illness.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms, including how long you’ve had them, when they started, and how they were treated. Theyâll ask about the way you feel, including whether you have any symptoms of depression such as:
- Sadness or depressed mood most of the day or almost every day
- Loss of enjoyment in things that were once pleasurable
- Major change in weight or appetite
- Insomnia or excessive sleep almost every day
- Physical restlessness or sense of being run-down that others can notice
- Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness or excessive guilt almost every day
- Problems with concentration or making decisions almost every day
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide, suicide plan, or suicide attempt
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