Psychologist Vs Psychiatrist: Know The Differences In Their Qualification And Procedure – News18

Does the inner workings of the human mind fascinate you? If you think you can make a career out of the study of the brain’s complexities and their relation to mental health, you may be faced with a key career choice: whether to be a psychologist vs psychiatrist. Despite the fact that both psychologists and psychiatrists collaborate with patients to enhance their mental health and quality of life, their jobs are actually dissimilar. Psychologists and psychiatrists are frequently mistaken for one another. Both share an understanding of how the brain, as well as our emotions, sensations and thoughts, function. Both employ psychological interventions (talking therapy) to treat mental illnesses; but the main difference that sets them apart is that psychiatrists become doctors after graduating from medical school, before completing specialised training in mental health. On the other hand, psychologists have a PhD in Psychology. Even though they can call themselves doctors, they are not medical specialists.

Psychiatrists can identify and manage mental illness. They offer prompt treatment for mental disease that develops suddenly. These doctors complete general medical training. For instance, after earning a Bachelor’s degree, one might pursue an MD and then become a licensed psychiatrist. Additionally, one completes a 1 to 1.5-year internship before becoming a full-time psychiatrist. They are allowed to prescribe medicine.

Psychologists earn a PhD in Psychology; and after 5-7 years of practising, they can call themselves doctors. Since they have not studied medicine, they cannot prescribe medication and their treatments involve talk sessions, group activities, counselling and other psychological treatments.

The type of mental health concerns you are dealing with must be taken into consideration before you consult a psychiatrist or psychologist. It is recommended to speak with a psychologist if someone you care about is under a lot of stress and exhibiting symptoms of anxiety or depression. To calm their anxious minds, psychologists will guide them through sessions of mental treatment.

The best course of action is to visit a psychiatrist when a person is dealing with a serious mental illness. Extreme mood and behaviour swings as well as a unique pattern of disturbances in daily life brought on by mental health problems serve as clear indicators of this.