The figures on mental health problems in the world are alarming. How can a psychologist and a psychiatrist help in the face of this reality?
More than once we hear that people who are going through a situation of suffering refuse to seek help from a mental health professional: psychologist or psychiatrist. However, these same people would not hesitate to call a doctor if they detected any discomfort in their body.
According to data from the Government of Spain (2017), 1 in 10 adults has a mental health problem; situation that worsened from the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the WHO records that 1 in 8 people in the world have a mental health disorder.
Despite these data, there is a certain reluctance to request help. What are the causes? Are there myths about what it means to go to therapy? Why is there so much ignorance about how these professionals work?
Not addressing the problem will not make it go away, quite the opposite.
To overcome these resistances and improve our quality of life, knowing what a psychologist and a psychiatrist do can help us feel better at the time of making the inquiry. Let’s see what this is about.
What is a psychologist?
A psychologist is a health professional, specifically mental health. His previous studies correspond to a degree in psychology; in general, with a duration of 4 years in Spain.
Being interested in people’s health, psychologists work on different topics to understand human behavior. That is why they address the behaviors, emotions, feelings and thoughts of patients. They are also capable of understanding basic psychological processes, such as memory, language, and attention, among others.
In any case, the goal is always the well-being of the person, through the achievement of more functional and adaptive behaviors. A psychologist is also prepared to apply tests, inventories or any other tool that allows him to guide his diagnoses or interventions.
In relation to initiating psychotherapy, there is a false belief that to consult a psychologist you have to have a problem. This is not necessarily so, since you can go for greater self-knowledge, to acquire emotional and social skills. In other words, their interventions are aimed at empowering the person, their development and their quality of life.
This shows that the psychologist’s work is linked to both promotion and prevention, as well as treatment and rehabilitation once a disease or problem has manifested itself.
It is important to mention that the degree in psychology enables not only clinical practice, but also opens up a range of options in other branches:
- Organizational.
- Community.
- educational.
- Legal.
- Labor.
What is a psychiatrist?
For his part, a psychiatrist is also a mental health professional. His previous studies are linked to the field of medicine.
According to Vallejo Ruiloba and Leal Cercós (2005), psychiatry deals with the study, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of mental disorders. These include both psychiatric illnesses as such and other mental pathologies.
Although you can acquire other additional training and incorporate different tools, psychiatrists tend to work from a more biomedical and organic approach. This does not imply that they are unaware of the social as a disease factor. Even within psychiatry, there are different approaches, such as social and community psychiatry.
3 fundamental differences between psychologist and psychiatrist
Although both professions are linked to mental health, they have differences in terms of their competencies and fields of work. Their performance, for comprehensive care, is complementary.
1. Training and studies
Both professions differ in their studies.
While a psychologist completed a degree in psychology, a psychiatrist completed a medical degree and then did specific training in psychiatry.
To practice in the clinic, at least in Spain, the psychologist performs a specialty. It can be the master’s degree in health psychology (2 years) or the PIR (resident internal psychologist), which is a 4-year residency program for psychologists, which is accessed through an opposition competition. The PIR is carried out in hospital units and specializes in mental illnesses. It should be noted that those who do not want to work in the clinical field do not need these specialties.
2. Focus of work
Although it depends on the approach they use, in general, psychologists work with patients taking into consideration data from the social context, personal and family relationships, beliefs and thoughts, as well as emotions. The issues they address belong to a broader field and use various techniques, such as relaxation, role play and cognitive, among others.
For his part, psychiatrists focus their attention on the physiological and chemical aspects of the human body. More specifically of the brain. To do this, they can use medication.
Certain topics can be approached from both disciplines.
However, there are specific topics that will be addressed from psychology and that, in general, will respond to more everyday areas: vocational guidance, self-esteem, conflicts in interpersonal relationships.
3. Prescription of psychotropic drugs
The prescription of active principles is limited to psychiatry.
Although both psychologists and psychiatrists can make diagnoses, in the event that it is observed that it is necessary to start treatment with medication, the psychologist should request that the patient visit the psychiatrist. They are the ones who are empowered in their professional practice to prescribe psychoactive drugs (neuroleptics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, etc.).
Despite some differences, both professions can work complementary in the search for the improvement of the patient. Certain disorders show more effective progress when they are approached in an interdisciplinary way.
When should I see a psychologist?
Starting psychotherapy is a very personal decision, which is often accompanied by fears, prejudices and shame, as well as myths about what it means to go to a psychologist. However, it is important to encourage yourself to overcome your own barriers and bet on change.
Some situations that can motivate a psychological consultation could be the following:
- When the person feels that they can no longer cope with certain problemswhich has run out of resources to continue.
- If moods begin to break into our daily liveshindering work performance, family, couple, etc.
- Faced with certain crises typical of life cycles or for other significant events, such as a bereavement, a move, a divorce. Also in the face of problems or difficulties of development.
- To acquire certain skills or improve aspects of our personality, character or conduct.
- If another health professional recommends accompany certain treatment with psychotherapy. Today, it is a practice incorporated into oncology, as stated in an article by Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience.
When should I see a psychiatrist?
Some of the situations that can motivate a visit to the psychiatrist are the following:
- In the presence of a mental illnesssuch as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Similarly, care can also be complemented with psychotherapy.
- When the presence of delusions is detected or hallucinations.
- If another health professional recommends it as part of the treatment.
Don’t give up on mental health care
Psychology and psychiatry are different scientific disciplines. but able to work together if the case requires it. Professionals should try to provide information to patients about the scope of their profession, since it is a basic right.
In addition, fluid communication must be maintained for mutual understanding, so as not to confuse with contradictory indications and to make the patient feel safe.
Finally, the choice of the professional is a search. We don’t always manage to feel comfortable with the first psychologist or psychiatrist we visit. The therapeutic bond is a construction that takes a while of knowledge and trust, so it is important that, if we are not comfortable, we do not rule out the possibility of being helped.
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