Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist

For those who read My Journey to Bipolar: Part II, you know that it wasn’t until my mid-twenties when I began to seek help for my mental illness, as I didn’t know I had Bipolar for most of my life. At the time, I was unfamiliar and uneducated in the differences, and similarities, between a psychologist and psychiatrist. Like much of my first exposure to mental illness, movies, like Good Will Hunting, or shows, such as Monk, taught me what a psychologist and psychiatrist were, which to be honest, aren’t bad examples in my opinion.

So, what differentiates a psychologist and psychiatrist?

Both are trained and educated to diagnose and treat people with mental health conditions. However, the kind of education and training each attains is a big difference in their role of treating patients. Psychologists have an advanced degree, such as a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and/or PsyD (Doctor of Psychology), but do not prescribe medication. Psychologists focus extensively on psychotherapy - a form of treatment that involves talking in order to understand one’s mental illness and address issues. As therapy progresses, patients learn how to manage symptoms and sustain a mentally healthy life. 

Psychiatrists on the other hand, do prescribe medication. Their primary role in the treatment of patients is to diagnose mental disorders and prescribe and manage medication(s). Diagnosis is made through psychological tests, one-on-one evaluations and/or lab tests to rule out physical causes of symptoms. Psychiatrists receive the same medical school education as any other medical doctor, obtaining one of two degrees: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). This type of education allows psychiatrists the opportunity to work in various settings that include hospitals, private practices, nursing homes, prisons and hospice programs.

Initially, I had a lot of resistance to both therapy and medication. Along with having a mental illness, I think being on medication and going to therapy each carry their own stigmas. I have been seeing my psychologist and psychiatrist for almost three years. My relationship with each of them is different, but both are essential in managing my Bipolar.

To truly get the most out of your treatment, you must be willing to be vulnerable with both your psychologist and psychiatrist, which is not something that comes naturally for me. Even though it is still challenging at times, being open in therapy has become a bit easier because we see each other every week and have built up trust with one another. It can be a bit harder to be vulnerable with your psychiatrist because you only see them roughly every quarter, but it is equally important. Finding the right psychologist and psychiatrist for you and your needs is truly a life saver. Even though it can still be challenging at times, the early struggles and fears that I still have with medication and psychotherapy are minuscule to the fears I have of regressing in treatment and being mentally healthy. And for that reason, I will continue to persevere and encourage you to do the same.

For more in depth information on psychologists and psychiatrists, visit the following sites: Psychology Today, Healthline and Very Well Mind.