clueless

[victoriabug]

if you opt for a psychiatrist over a psychologist is medication necessarily inevitable? what's the difference between a psychologist and a therapist, exactly? the degree? what about clinical social workers?

Comments

[vincentbondy]

Psychiatrists and psychologists both do talk-therapy. The major difference between the two is that psychiatrists have a medical degree, which allows them to monitor your physical and chemical state as well, and prescribe medication.

Also, the difference between psychiatrists or psychologists as compared to clinical social workers is that social workers tend to focus more on resolving social issues, and the former two concentrate more on personal issues.

Not that I'm being in any way precise here, but I hope this gives at least a general idea. I asked a lot of the same questions myself recently, and got a lot of different answers from different people, so ultimately I had to look a lot of it up. I definitely recomend you do that too if you're looking into seeing someone.

As a person with a psychology major

[galganog]

Psychiatrists will in eventuality recomend some sort of medication for you, for they are ususally taught that most problems are caused by a chemical imbalance that needs to be changed with external solutions. Psychologists are less likely to suggest medication seeking to figure out problems by the patient taking a pro active change for there own psychological well being.

[hvyhvymonster]

Personal bias: stay the fuck away from anyone who uses DSM-IV as their sole method of diagnosis.

[jodawi]

if you opt for a psychiatrist over a psychologist is medication necessarily inevitable?

i imagine so

[autumndreamer]

Some psychologists will refer you to a psychiatrist or MD for medications though. It kind of depends on the individual therapist, and on your condition.

[anonymous]

psychiatrists differ from psychologists because they can prescribe meds so if you choose a psychiatrist meds are probably an inevitability. therapists/psychologists differ in amount/type of schooling. social workers learn to look at the whole picture of a person[home life/environment,etc] and shrinks look at disorders of the brain[or perceived disorders] and are label happy. i have been to too many of all types and am currently in school to become a social worker.[i am also blueella's friend that wrote the sappy essay about her for school].if you want drugs, see a psychiatrist. if you want to be labeled and have the focus be on the brain, see a psychologist. if you want to talk out/work out your problems in your head/life, see a therapist or social worker. hope this info was helpful..