Many people suffer from mental illness. Some are due to problems in their personal lives, others due to heredity or drug use. But not everyone is ready to admit to themselves the appearance of such a pathology, much less go for medical help from a specialist. But even if a person has dared to visit a doctor, it can be difficult for him to determine how a psychologist differs from a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. To understand what kind of doctor is needed in a particular case, consider the difference between these professions.
Who is a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats mental illnesses.
Mental illnesses concern disorders associated with higher mental functions (for example, thinking and perception) and human behavior (increased excitability, aggressiveness, inadequacy, etc.).
An important criterion for the norm of mental health is a person’s ability to adapt to environmental conditions, that is, if a person cannot cope with everyday tasks, for example, finding a job, or communicating within the family, or organizing his own vacation, then we can talk about mental illness, the key word here "Maybe". In any case, it is best to discuss this issue with a specialist.
What, for example, do people turn to a psychiatrist for:
- with complaints of inappropriate behavior (a person laughs for no reason, talks to himself);
- looks strange;
- has persistent night sleep disturbance;
- has pathological hobbies (alcoholism, use of psychoactive substances, gambling addiction);
- for severe depression;
- regarding schizophrenia;
- after severe brain injuries;
- due to developing age-related disorders (senile dementia).
In what cases does an elderly person need a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist deals with the most serious, and even incurable, mental problems. As a rule, this is drug treatment with hospital stay under the constant supervision of specialists. Psychiatrists treat or alleviate the condition of patients suffering from various types of somatic disorders, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, addictions (alcohol, addictive drugs), schizophrenia, hallucinations, and psychosis.
In addition to medications, the complex of treatment in a hospital may include various procedures and activities that have a positive effect not only on the functioning of the nervous system, but also on the general well-being of the patient. These include: massage, exercise therapy, qigong, electrosleep, hemosorption and plasmapheresis (blood purification), xenon therapy (treatment with inert gas - xenon), hypnosis, etc.
Who is a psychologist?
This is a certified specialist who has received professional education in the field of psychology. Psychologists work with mentally healthy people who have experienced various difficulties in life and need support.
Psychologists can be narrowly focused (family, children's, school, business consultants) or work with a wide range of problems. In addition, in their practice they use various methods and techniques of psychotherapy (gestalt therapy, body-oriented practices, art therapy, fairy tale therapy, play therapy, group therapy, metaphorical cards).
Our psyche is designed in such a way that it is able to withstand various kinds of “loads”. This happens when we are talking about a healthy body. However, it often happens that a person’s prolonged stay in a state of sudden or chronic stress undermines internal resources so much that without outside help the person is simply unable to cope with the current situation. He needs specialist help. But let’s try to figure out which one exactly. The fact is that specialists in the field of mental health - psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists - are confused or not differentiated at all.
But the activities of each of them have their own characteristics.
A psychologist is a specialist with a higher psychological education who works in the education system, in production, in commercial structures, in the healthcare system, etc. A psychologist is not a doctor! At least in our country, most psychologists do not have higher medical education. Accordingly, they do not have the right to prescribe medications to their clients (antidepressants, for example). The main weapon of a psychologist is the word, as well as the ability to listen. Psychologists have the right to: engage in science and teaching, conduct trainings, help with choosing a profession, work on a helpline, test intelligence levels, identify abilities, advise, conduct trainings and issue recommendations. How can such a specialist help? By consulting, a psychologist helps clients better understand themselves and their needs, their loved ones (children, parents, partners, colleagues) and build more effective relationships with them, and resolve conflicts in constructive ways. However, psychologists do not give ready-made answers, much less advice; they can only help a person make a choice and make an independent decision.
A psychiatrist is a specialist with a higher medical education and a certificate in the specialty “psychiatry-narcology.” Unlike a psychologist, a psychiatrist is a doctor who can advise and treat both healthy clients and clients with certain mental disorders. These can be both severe mental illnesses (schizophrenia, psychosis, manic disorders) and milder ones (anxiety disorders, panic attacks, depression). Psychiatrists also treat clients who have attempted suicide, have long-term insomnia, and treat epilepsy and post-traumatic disorders. Mostly in their work, specialists in this profile use medical means, but they can also engage in informing patients and their relatives, developing social skills in clients in cases of severe mental disorders.
I would like to note that the mere fact of referring a person for consultation to a psychiatrist does not make him mentally incompetent and does not mean automatic registration. This requires more compelling reasons.
In our country, psychiatrists are also narcologists, which means that they have the right to consult and treat drug-dependent patients.
A psychotherapist is a specialist with a higher medical or psychological education who has additionally completed specialization in psychotherapy. In practice, in our country, all psychotherapists have a basic psychiatric education. Only after working as a psychiatrist for three years and undergoing retraining can a specialist be called a psychotherapist and practice psychotherapy. And yet there is a difference between these specialists.
First, a psychotherapist does not treat severe mental illness. Its competence includes such ailments as depression, phobias, painful addictions, neuroses, anxiety disorders, etc. Ie. The psychotherapist's clients are people with borderline disorders.
Secondly, the psychotherapist in treatment relies on special psychotherapeutic methods (psychoanalysis, hypnosis, cognitive behavioral therapy, gestalt therapy, etc.) individual/group, long-term/short-term, and is not limited only to medications. Pharmacological agents are, in this case, only additional means.
Let's summarize the above. So,
- A psychologist deals with mentally healthy people, does not prescribe medications, does not make diagnoses, but helps the client establish relationships with himself and with the environment.
- A psychiatrist is a doctor who typically treats severe mental disorders with medication.
- A psychotherapist is a doctor who treats borderline disorders mainly through therapy; drug treatment in this case is only an additional method.
Do not be afraid to contact specialists in the field of human mental life. Treatment of any disease requires contacting an appropriate specialist. And if in some cases you can do without the help of a psychologist, then it is unlikely that you will be able to solve problems that are within the competence of a psychotherapist or psychiatrist on your own.
Psychologist of the 2nd category Zhdanyuk E.V.
(speech on regional radio in July 2015)
When should you contact a psychologist?
Each person decides for himself when he needs the help of a specialist. It is recommended to contact a psychologist in the following cases:
- severe stress (death of a loved one, divorce, violence, etc.);
- feeling of depression, sleep problems, appetite disturbances;
- a feeling of walking in circles, when it seems that all situations are repeated according to a similar scenario, for example, in personal relationships, or in relationships with superiors;
- when it is difficult and scary to make an important choice;
- prolonged loneliness, difficulties in relationships with loved ones;
- difficulties in finding a loved one;
- difficulties with self-determination;
- fears, anxiety states.
Who should I turn to for help?
To understand exactly what the difference is between a psychiatrist, psychologist and psychotherapist, let’s present the competence of these specialists in a table.
| Speciality | When to contact |
| Psychiatrist | For serious mental illnesses, mental disorders due to alcoholism, drug addiction, traumatic brain injury, stroke, poisoning. The patient may also be referred to a doctor after a suicide attempt. |
| Psychologist | For personal problems, dissatisfaction with work and life, for conducting trainings, psychological testing. |
| Psychotherapist | For psychosomatic pathologies - depressive states, stress, neurasthenia, stuttering, enuresis, increased anxiety and obsessive fear, panic attacks, nervous breakdown. |
If you understand how a psychologist differs from a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, you can not only understand the difference between these specialties, but also choose exactly the doctor who is needed at the moment. The main thing is not to delay visiting a specialist, because timely treatment begins significantly increases the chance of recovery.
Who is a psychotherapist?
This is a person who has received education in the field of psychotherapy. This education can be obtained on the basis of higher medical education, then this is a psychotherapist, and also on the basis of psychology, then this is a psychologist-psychotherapist.
Psychotherapy is a profession that deals with very subtle and specific infusions of the human psyche: relationships with other people, understanding oneself and one’s own needs, the ability to make informed choices, and the ability to experience strong unpleasant feelings. A professional psychotherapist is a person who, in addition to professional education, has himself been “in the client’s shoes” and worked through his personal problems in his therapy.
In addition to talking, psychotherapists like to use various exercises, create game situations, joke and sometimes even assign homework.
Neurologist
Despite the association with nerves that shake and quiver, a neurologist has a very indirect relationship with a person’s psychological state. It is in charge of the nervous system of the body.
A neurologist graduated from a higher medical institution with two years of residency in his field and knows everything about the structure of the spinal cord and brain, the mechanism of operation of nerve fibers, and pathological conditions resulting from their disorders.
Due to his specialty, this doctor is faced with strokes, encephalitis, brain tumors, neuralgia and osteochondrosis. Rehabilitation courses after brain surgery and spinal fractures are indispensable without it. If a person complains of causeless dizziness, he will definitely be referred to a neurologist, but they will help him cope with depression or neurosis in another office.
About the duration of treatment
Having understood the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist that exists today, it is worth paying attention to the topic of the duration of treatment from the presented specialists. Of course, the duration of the treatment period depends only on the patient’s individual indicators. Typically, simple therapy lasts several weeks. But if we are talking about some kind of psychoanalysis, then treatment can last for years.
Here it is worth noting another important difference between specialists such as a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist. What is the difference regarding the duration of treatment? Sessions with a psychologist almost always last less. The reason for this is the voluntary nature of visiting this specialist. In the case of a psychiatrist, everything is exactly the opposite: patients do not come to him of their own free will, and therefore often interfere with treatment. Because of this, the duration of the course increases.
Mental problems
It would seem that the course of history presupposes the constant evolution of society. Society is developing, and therefore people should have fewer problems. But is it really that simple? Not really. Modern man is at the mercy of a frantic rhythm of life, which, in turn, is fraught with constant stress and strain on the nervous system. There is probably not a single individual who has not been subjected to powerful mental stress.
Many people are used to dealing with their problems on their own. However, it is very mistaken to be completely confident that all difficulties can be solved without anyone’s help. Unfortunately, modern society has developed a stereotype about people who seek mental help from specialists as very weak people. A psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist - all these persons are united by working with the human psyche. However, how do they differ from each other?
