Should I consult a psychiatrist or psychologist?
Thanks for requesting an answer to this.I have read about your emotional dilemna and i’ll try to answer this in the best way,which will sort you out.Just be a lil patient while reading this out.First of all you should know that what’s the difference b/w a psychologist and a psychiatrist.Although there are differences in the two fields, psychiatrists and psychologists often work together in the treatment of patients. A psychologist is not able to write prescriptions, but may recommended a patient be seen by a fellow psychiatrist in order to receive medications. And vice versa for psychiatrists, they often refer patients to fellow psychotherapists and psychologist to receive counseling and/or mental health therapy. A psychiatrist is concerned with the patients well-being, however, their focus is primarily towards disorders such as a chemical imbalance, whereas a psychologist primary focus is on the patients thoughts, feelings and general mental health.Now,i read about the problems you are going through.In your case,the problems are not so fatal that they may need immediate medication for e.g you are not suffering from stuff like halucination or chronic depression or anything that requires immediate medical attention.Your mental condition right now,requires a subtle analysis and YOU NEED TO GO SEE ABOUT A PSYCHOLOGIST RIGHT NOW.Few months of therapy and session and you’ll do fine.So,i’d recommend you to see a psychologist initially instead of a psychiatrist.At first,try healing via therapy.In case it doesn’t works,then go for medication.
What is a psychologist and psychaiatrist?
A psychologist is more of a companion someone you can talk to about your problems, they sit and listen and will sometimes give you advise or steer you in the right direction for a price a psychaiatrist will prescribe you medication to make you feel a certain way after anylizing your thoughts
Psychiatrist vs psychologist?
Many people prefer to go to a Psychologist for counselling. The training of a Psychologist involves obtaining a Masters Degree or Doctors Degree in Psychology specializing in counselling and very little knowledge about Psychotropic medications or any other medications for that matter. They can't prescribe medications. A Psychiatrist is a Medical Doctor who has taken an Internship (1 year) followed by a Residency in Psychiatry (1 or 2 years) and then may specialize in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Adult Psychiatry or Forensic Psychiatry. They have a full Medical Training and are very familiar with Psychiatric medications and can order them and adjust them as necessary. Psychiatrists often care for the sicker patients such as those with Schizophrenia, Manic Depressive Illness, etc. who have major problems with Psychotic Behavior and Reality Testing. People with such problems as anxiety, mild to moderate depression, etc, often do well with 'talk therapy" or counselling and find a Psychologist with whom they feel comfortable in sharing feelings and talking about concerns and conflict resolution. Follow your heart and find a Psychologist with whom you can bond. The Psychologist can act as a liaison for you with a Psychiatrist if you both decide that a trial of medication would be helpful for you in addition to the counselling. Perhaps your psychiatrist thought you were getting counselling somewhere else. I am a Psychiatric Nurse Educator who taught Psychiatric Nursing in an RN Program for years. I specialized in Adolescent and Child Psychiatry and worked in that area in many different settings as well as had lots of clinical experience in Adult Settings too. You seem to be on the right track! Good Luck to you. Oh yes, I know Psychiatric medications inside and out all due to my clinical experiences and great desire for learning but I definitely have a warm spot for couselling.
Is a psychiatrist/psychologist responsible if there patient commits suicide?
That would depend on the situation, and whether the therapist knew the patient was in imminent danger of doing harm to himself. I would ask a lawyer.
Can psychologists recommend medication?
Yes and they are pushing for psychologists to be able to prescribe certain ones...But of course the insurance companies wouldn't like that nor would the psychiatrists lol...Always about the money!...Yes they can recommend and tell you to go see your other physician to get them...Psychologists are the ones who diagnose you...Psychiatrists usually just prescribe and don't like to take the time with each individual patient etc...The psychologists give their notes and information to that particular psychiatrist they work for etc... @Jac the hat....exactly!...
Is it illegal for a psychologist to date her patient?
NO, it's not illegal, but it IS highly unethical. Patients/Clients frequently feel romantic feelings toward their therapists. It is called transference. It is a rather natural result of the therapist's ability to listen without being judgmental, offer support and encouragement and other positive regard. It is, however, transitory, and a GOOD therapist (and ethical) will help the client to recognize the feelings for what they are and move beyond them. American Psychological Association Code of Conduct (in relevant part) 10.05 Sexual Intimacies With Current Therapy Clients/Patients Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with current therapy clients/patients. 10.06 Sexual Intimacies With Relatives or Significant Others of Current Therapy Clients/Patients Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with individuals they know to be close relatives, guardians, or significant others of current clients/patients. Psychologists do not terminate therapy to circumvent this standard. 10.07 Therapy With Former Sexual Partners Psychologists do not accept as therapy clients/patients persons with whom they have engaged in sexual intimacies. 10.08 Sexual Intimacies With Former Therapy Clients/Patients (a) Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients for at least two years after cessation or termination of therapy. (b) Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients even after a two-year interval except in the most unusual circumstances. Psychologists who engage in such activity after the two years following cessation or termination of therapy and of having no sexual contact with the former client/patient bear the burden of demonstrating that there has been no exploitation, in light of all relevant factors, including (1) the amount of time that has passed since therapy terminated; (2) the nature, duration, and intensity of the therapy; (3) the circumstances of termination; (4) the client's/patient's personal history; (5) the client's/patient's current mental status; (6) the likelihood of adverse impact on the client/patient; and (7) any statements or actions made by the therapist during the course of therapy suggesting or inviting the possibility of a posttermination sexual or romantic relationship with the client/patient. (See also Standard 3.05, Multiple Relationships.)
Can therapist of psychiatrist be sued if patient commits suicide?
Yes, they can be sued, but there's no guarantee that the lawsuit will be successful. There's no guarantee that a license will be suspended either. There has to be pretty strong evidence that the psychiatrist or therapist did something inappropriate. Suicide is fairly common among mentally ill people. I never heard of a psychiatrist or therapist losing a lawsuit or license because of suicide. We had a lawsuit against our hospital when a patient died from side effects of Clozaril. It turned out that people of Jewish ancestry were at high risk to have the side effect of lowered white blood cell count and somehow they overlooked the fact that he was Jewish. We got into trouble one other time when we released a guy to the police. He had threatened to kill his wife. Then the cops let him go home and he killed her and shot himself. The police got into more trouble than the hospital, though. I heard of psychiatrists losing their licenses over having sex with patients, writing phony prescriptions and billing for seeing patients they didn't really see. But I never heard of that happening because of a suicide.
What's the difference between psychology and psychiatry?
Hi there - good question! There are many complex differences, but I'll give you the run down...... Psychiatrists practice psychiatry - and the assumption is that someone's suffering originates in the body. Because of this, the psychiatrist is a medical doctor - an M.D. Psychiatrists write prescriptions rather than talk to patients - and this is the biggest difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist. A Psychiatrist is trained to use Medicine to alleviate an issue. Psychology is an ALTERNATIVE to medicine - and psychologists talk to clients - and rarely use medicine (there is one state, New Mexico I believe, that granted prescription writing privileges to psychologists - but usually psychologists cannot write prescriptions). This is the point of psychology - to offer an alternative to medicine. Psychologists conduct therapy - and encourage the client to talk about their problems, usually by examining their past - this helps them deal with their issues in a safe environments. Psychologists believe the main issue is the mind and in the way the person sees the world or relates to her/his past - psychiatrists believe the issue in physical... Both psychiatrists and psychologists are right! But it's a matter of evidence - if the person is experiencing emotional extremes, then the problem is probably physiological - if the person is fixated on his past, then it's probably psychological.... Hope this helps! :)