In the mental health field, it is common for many people to confuse the roles of psychologists and psychiatrists, as both professionals work to improve emotional and mental well-being. However, their roles, approaches and treatments are different and complementary. Experts in the field explain what the key differences are between them and when to go to them depending on the support needed.
Mental health problems are the order of the day, and they are on the rise. According to the World Health Organization, they will be the leading cause of disability in the world by 2030, while 1 in 4 people will have a mental disorder in their lifetime. The importance of detecting symptoms early, as well as attending to mental problems as soon as possible, is fundamental to prevent them from becoming more serious and chronic, which is why it is so important to know where to go. Knowing the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists is of great help in order to be treated correctly. While psychologists focus on psychological therapy and personal development, psychiatrists are trained to treat more complex disorders through medication.
As professionals explain, treating a mental illness requires a structured and personalized approach that involves recognizing the problem and seeking professional help. Seeing a general practitioner, psychologist or psychiatrist is essential to evaluate the symptoms. These professionals are trained to make an initial diagnosis and refer the patient to the appropriate specialist, who will conduct interviews, psychological tests or clinical analysis, if necessary, to identify the specific disease or disorder, depending on each professional.
What are the functions of a psychologist and how can they treat me?
Depression, generalized anxiety, eating disorders, phobias and even post-traumatic stress disorder are just some of the mental illnesses and disorders that can be treated by psychologists. These professionals offer psychotherapy care to patients who have been previously evaluated or referred by other professionals, such as general practitioners. The therapeutic intervention of psychologists has its pillar in the word and is complemented with specific exercises that aim to improve the patient’s situation, for example, meditation or relaxation, therapeutic writing, guided imagination, writing a journal or record … In psychotherapy sessions the present situation of the individual is analyzed, but also the past, since it is understood that the personality is part of a dynamic system whose development occurs throughout the patient’s life. In addition, special attention is paid to the mechanisms that maintain and strengthen vicious circles or maladaptive relational patterns.
As explained by professionals in the sector, psychologists can perform individual psychotherapy, but also couple therapy and even family therapy or group therapy. The treatments, in any case, are adapted to the patient’s situation, as carried out by English-speaking psychologists in Barcelona. These professionals specialize in eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia or binge eating disorder), but also in couple therapy and in all kinds of problems related to self-esteem and emotional regulation (anxiety, depression, personality disorder…). The way psychologists work varies between adults and children, since the latter have a lower capacity for verbal communication and therefore other exercises and different techniques are used, such as drawing or games.
Psychologists work in private centers, but also in establishments and services of the national health system. However, it is not exclusive, in fact, psychologists can work in the field of education, in human resources, in sports centers and as researchers, among others.
The psychiatrist is a doctor with the ability to prescribe medication and order tests
The main difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist, mental health experts express, is that the psychiatrist is a doctor and, as such, has the ability to prescribe medication or request medical tests, such as blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests, sleep studies and so on. Therefore, the psychiatrist is a person who after graduating in medicine has specialized in psychiatry, usually 4 more years of studies, depending on the country. The function of the psychiatrist is to perform studies, evaluations, diagnoses, treatments and rehabilitations of mental health problems. In addition, the psychiatrist can prescribe medication or, on the contrary, make recommendations for mental promotion and check if there are physical illnesses that manifest themselves with mental symptoms, among others.
Experts state that the psychiatrist also uses psychotherapy, as do psychologists, to help resolve personal conflicts and improve symptoms initially. However, the main difference is that this professional will prescribe medication, generally psychopharmaceuticals, if they consider it appropriate, and if not, they will refer the patient to a psychologist or work together with them. In this same sense, visits to the psychiatrist are longer than those to psychologists.
Who should I see, the psychologist or the psychiatrist?
The treatment of mental disorders and illnesses depends on each case, experts clarify, since it is not the same to deal with a mild situation or with a serious one. When medication or medical attention is necessary, the intervention of a psychiatrist is required, especially in cases of personality disorders, bipolarity, schizophrenia, psychosis, suicidal ideation or self-injurious behavior, they clarify. While psychologists focus on disorders that can be effectively treated through psychotherapy, addressing problems related to thinking, behavior, learning, emotions, coping, conflict resolution, decision-making and self-esteem. Now, they conclude, both professionals play complementary roles according to the patient’s needs and working together is highly recommended.
