psychologist vs psychiatrist for treatment

[peace-maker17]

Hi All,

 

I think i've admitted I need help. I have been seeing two counselors. My wife left me a month ago with our 9 month old child and filed for divorce. We have been married for 8 years. I have been obsessed with thoughts since she left. I have probably sent her 1000 emails that she will not respond to, I have posted on forums she is on, I have read posts where she is talking about our son. I only get to see him for now every other weekend until the temporary hearing, I know she is going after me for verbal abuse, which is justified and I am receiving help for via counseling. I am wondering about psychologist vs psychiatrist.

 

My concerns.

 

I am eating better but have lost about 25 pounds.

I find it hard to get out of bed and going to work is horrible.

I can't watch tv, my mind is consumed with thoughts

I find it hard to do anything, I am in our home without my son and wife which is torture.

The looming divorce and thoughts about not seeing my son much has me overwhelmed. I know my wife will not agree to joint/shared custody.

All I can do is constantly think about what happened and the future.

I feel better when my family is over but I understand they have to live to.

 

What sort of treatment would you all recommend? I think I need help as the divorce is going to be lasting, could last 6-12 months unless we agree on everything.

 

Thanks,

 

Greg

[fucpcg]

The only difference is a Psychologist cannot prescribe medicine. If you feel you need medicine, there you go. That is a path I wouldn't go down, but that is your call to make.

[TaraMaiden]

A psychologist need not have any definitive qualification, although they will have followed a study course. They may well have a qualification, but one country's psychiatrist may not be recognised as a qualified practitioner, in another country, for example.

 

Counsellors normally follow a course, but they're often not accredited, and if within an organisation, their experience is not considered valid if they move organisations....

 

...whereas a psychiatrist is a medical practitioner, and can prescribe different medical treatments, and will monitor you closely.

 

AFAIK. IANAD.

 

Your doctor will be the one to determine whether you need a psychiatrist, and unless you are manifesting a specific mental condition (Schizophrenia, bi-polar), you're more likely to see a psychologist.

[lemonlime]

Most psychiatrists give you medication, and then monitor how you are doing on it. Theres not a whole lot of talk therapy taking place.

 

To be an actual psychologist, you have to receive a PsyD or PhD, so they received a doctorate in psychology, and then have to complete a mandatory internship. As your preparing for getting your license, you also have to gather one to two years of supervised experience, then take the exam.

 

Honestly, it could help you to talk to both. Or go see a psychologist for a few weeks, and then ask if they think the depression can be controlled with cognitive therapy, or if they think you should see someone, and add in some medication to your treatment plan.

[KathyM]

I don't know how it is in other countries, but in the U.S., the only difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist is two years of medical training for a Psychiatrist. Both have to get their doctorate degree in Psychology, both have to go through extensive internship training afterwards before they can even be licensed to practice. Both are well qualified, but with a Psychiatrist, the person can also prescribe medication. If you see a Psychologist and it appears you would benefit from medication, she will normally consult with a Psychiatrist and he will then prescribe medication for you, but the Psychologist will continue to be your primary doctor who gives you counseling. Either one would be fine to go to in your situation. Both are qualified to treat you. The Psychologist would just have to consult with the Psychiatrist if you needed medication, and the Psychiatrist would be the one to actually prescribe it. Normally, Psychiatrists are at a higher pay scale, so that may be a factor for you when deciding which one to go to.

[todreaminblue]

Hi All,

 

I think i've admitted I need help. I have been seeing two counselors. My wife left me a month ago with our 9 month old child and filed for divorce. We have been married for 8 years. I have been obsessed with thoughts since she left. I have probably sent her 1000 emails that she will not respond to, I have posted on forums she is on, I have read posts where she is talking about our son. I only get to see him for now every other weekend until the temporary hearing, I know she is going after me for verbal abuse, which is justified and I am receiving help for via counseling. I am wondering about psychologist vs psychiatrist.

 

My concerns.

 

I am eating better but have lost about 25 pounds.

I find it hard to get out of bed and going to work is horrible.

I can't watch tv, my mind is consumed with thoughts

I find it hard to do anything, I am in our home without my son and wife which is torture.

The looming divorce and thoughts about not seeing my son much has me overwhelmed. I know my wife will not agree to joint/shared custody.

All I can do is constantly think about what happened and the future.

I feel better when my family is over but I understand they have to live to.

 

What sort of treatment would you all recommend? I think I need help as the divorce is going to be lasting, could last 6-12 months unless we agree on everything.

 

Thanks,

 

Greg

 

 

 

I am actually arguing with my psychiatric team at the moment on an invasive course of treatment....because i am not suicidal they will put forward arguments for a specific course of treatment i can then counter argue my defense if I find side effects particularly unpleasant and tell them to take a jump(they dont like that particularly i suggest dont do that)

 

 

....psychiatrists have set ways of dealing with issues and problems, specific treatments and procedures they follow rules, the fact is that good ones will listen to what you have to say not all the rules have to apply to you.......

 

In saying that your first port of call is to see a counsellor/psychologist who then if deemed necessary will refer you to a shrink....i wish you the best....always question any form of treatment you have that right and is in your best interest to do so...if you dont understand anything make them repeat themselves until you do understand...how ever many times that may be never be unsure.....good luck best wishes.....deb

[KathyM]

I am actually arguing with my psychiatric team at the moment on an invasive course of treatment....because i am not suicidal they will put forward arguments for a specific course of treatment i can then counter argue my defense if I find side effects particularly unpleasant and tell them to take a jump(they dont like that particularly i suggest dont do that)

 

 

....psychiatrists have set ways of dealing with issues and problems, specific treatments and procedures they follow rules, the fact is that good ones will listen to what you have to say not all the rules have to apply to you.......

 

Psychologists do that also--they usually have a specific form of therapy that they prefer to use (i.e., psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, or what-have-you), and they have specific techniques that they use depending on the type of diagnosis made. The only difference is that Psychologists can't prescribe medication on their own. They need to consult with a Psychiatrist for that.

[carhill]

What sort of treatment would you all recommend? I think I need help as the divorce is going to be lasting, could last 6-12 months unless we agree on everything.

 

I'd start with a clinical psychologist, targeting tools to better cope with the stress and grief of divorce. If meds are indicated (the psychologist will assess), then he/she will refer you out/consult with a psychiatrist for medical treatment. I'd also recommend a full physical by a GP or internist. What you're going through can adversely affect your body physically.

 

Good luck and my sympathies.

[biogirl05]

i've seen both. In some states psychologists can prescribe meds. See either one and you can talk to them about maybe seeing the other. Usually I find psychiatrists are more expensive and spend only about 15-30 minutes with you as opposed to psychologists that you see for an hour. I would recommend seeing a psychologist and then ask them about the possibility of meds if you are interested in that. That's what I did and then I saw one of each for a while. the combination of therapy and meds was helpful for me. But go to the psychologist first, because talk therapy is a must, don't just do meds. the psychiatrist who recommends only meds and no therapy is not to be trusted.

Edited July 30, 2012 by biogirl05