Psychiatrist or Psychologist - That Is The Question!

I've recently had a brush with mental health issues, and I have been quite confused as to how health professionals can help, and which kind was best suited to our issues.

With mental health issues on the rise all over the world (specifically in the 'developed world'), I thought I'd do a bit of research about the role of a psychiatrist versus a psychologist, and look for alternative therapies which are what we call holistic these days. Here's what I found - in a nutshell.

What is the difference between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist?

Psychiatrists complete medical degrees before further specializing in psychiatry and therefore have a biological basis which allows them to integrate biological as well as psychological and social aspects of mental health. They are able to prescribe medications as well as understand the potential interactions between medical diseases and psychological effects.

Psychologists do further postgraduate study in psychological therapies after first completing an Arts or Science degree with psychology subjects. Psychologists are involved in providing specialized counselling called psychotherapy, doing cognitive assessments and in research. They do not prescribe medication. Generally psychiatrists and psychologists work closely together to provide a full range of psychological services." (1)

After consulting with both a psychologist and a psychiatrist, we are now on a second psychiatrist who specialises in depression in young people, and one who uses "cognitive behavioural therapy" or CBT.

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that emphasises the important role of our thinking processes in how we feel and what we do. There are some sub-therapies that come under this umbrella and I think you drill down and work out the best approach for the situation and the individual. CBT is the (relatively) faster way to recovery with 16 counselling sessions being the average number of visits. (2)

So that's good news. It's also drug-free which is even better news. For more information about CBT see the website below - it's full of helpful information.

Sources:

1. http://www.psychiatry.unimelb.edu.au/info/what_is_psych.html

2. http://www.nacbt.org/whatiscbt.htm