Table of contents:
- What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
- What is a psychiatrist?
- What is a psychologist?
- Psychologists and psychiatrists work together to provide the best therapy
- Where to consult if you have mental health problems?
Currently, there are still many people who cannot distinguish between a psychologist and a psychiatrist. The reason is, they think that psychologists and psychiatrists are the same two types of work, because they both involve psychological problems. Not infrequently, this is what makes many people often confuse a psychologist and a psychiatrist when they want to consult their mental health problems.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
Psychologists and psychiatrists are both in charge of helping people with mental health disorders. But in fact these two professions have differences! Check out the full explanation in the following article.
What is a psychiatrist?
Psychiatry is actually a specialty of medical science. So people who are going to become psychiatrists must first go to S1 medical school. After finishing school and earning a general practitioner degree, the psychiatrist will continue to undergo four-year residency training specializing in psychiatry.
As a psychiatric doctor, a psychiatrist knows all about the diagnosis and treatment that can be done for any psychological condition of any patient that tends to be complicated, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. After graduating from the residency period, the psychiatrist will have the title of doctor and Sp.KJ (Mental Health Specialist).
In developed countries, psychiatrists are legally and clinically the main professionals who are responsible for the overall mental health care of patients. That is why psychiatrists are responsible for diagnosing mental disorders of a patient and determining which treatment to take, because their expertise focuses on chemical imbalances in the human brain. Therefore, the psychiatrist can provide prescription and drug therapy (pharmacotherapy), brain stimulation therapy, physical and laboratory examinations according to the needs of the patient.
What is a psychologist?
Psychologists do not enter medical school, but receive education from psychology. To become a psychologist, one must first complete a bachelor's degree at the psychology faculty. Only then can they continue the professional program to learn to practice becoming a psychologist.
The psychological work closest to psychiatrists is clinical psychology, which handles psychiatric cases, diagnoses patients' psychological symptoms, and performs psychotherapy as a form of treatment.
That is why psychologists are competent to carry out a series of psychological tests which will later be interpreted as answers to problems experienced by patients, for example; IQ test, interest aptitude, personality test and so on. A psychologist cannot prescribe medication but focuses on psychosocial therapy for the patient's behavior, thoughts and emotions.
Psychologists and psychiatrists work together to provide the best therapy
Based on the explanation above, basically psychologists and psychiatrists are both deep into psychology and all things related to human development, such as the workings of the brain, emotions, feelings and thoughts. In addition, these two professions also have the same concentration of practice, in the form of efforts to treat, prevent, diagnose, and provide therapy.
Psychologists and psychiatrists work together to coordinate with each other in providing the best therapy for patients. Psychologists often treat patients every week for psychosocial counseling. Similar to psychologists, psychiatrists also often provide therapy to patients every week or month for psychotherapy or psychopharmacology. This depends on the case or problem faced by each patient and the patient's clinical needs.
Where to consult if you have mental health problems?
If you complain of mental health problems, either due to depression or anxiety, you should first consult a general practitioner. The reason is, the general practitioner will make an initial diagnosis regarding the conditions that may be needed to help identify the mental health problems you are currently facing.
In addition, your general practitioner will provide recommendations for a psychiatrist or psychologist that suits you, based on the specific situation and the type of treatment you may need. You shouldn't be shy about seeking help. Like physical health, mental health is an important part of your life in order to live happily.
