What is the difference between psychiatrist and psychologist?

[Kaashi_Reads]

I want to know people's experience. What I know is that psychiatrist prescribe medications and psychologist give therapies.

Also, which one to go to and when?

[blackcat64013]

Hi and thank you for question 👍. Aside from the psychiatrist being able to prescribe 💊 medication and other therapies like TMS or ECT or admit patients to hospital, the difference seems to me is the cost factor and the psychiatrist's willingness to practice a talking therapy.

Psychiatrist's are seen as the mental health specialists when your local doctor needs help to complement mental health first aid or the talking therapy is not sufficient on it's own.

As with all the people in

the mental health system, it can be a matter of finding the person you work best with to resolve your condition & issues associated with it.

Of course, each country has a number of different ways in treating their clients with mental health conditions.

I hope this helps. My lived experience is in Australia. 🐈‍⬛

[MaggieSylvie in reply to blackcat64013]

Sorry, I'm not the questioner. I already answered the question from the UK.

[MaggieSylvie]

A psychologist studies normal human behaviour and a psychiatrist diagnoses things when they go wrong and provides therapy and, I believe, can prescribe medication. A psychologist can go into schools and help children who are struggling mentally.

[blackcat64013 in reply to MaggieSylvie]

Hi, Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have specialist training in mental health and therefore can prescribe medication or admit patients to clinics for treatments.

Both Psychiatrists and Psychologists conduct the same mental health assessments and are interested in your personal histories.

It's the treatment approach that's different.

Psychologists can practice in specialist areas just like the doctors, e.g. children, adolescents, adult or geriatrics.

If you are looking for treatment for a particular issue or you are in a certain age group, it's worth asking the mental health professional these questions when you first contact them. Be totally honest and upfront. These people are very helpful and will usually refer you to someone else in their networks if they believe they can't help you. 🐈‍⬛