Difference between psychaitrist and psychologist

Poncherelli

Senior member
May 28, 2001
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psychaitrist has an M.D. while a pyschologist has a P.h.D. or a masters and costs less per hour than a psychaitrist i believe. Also, i think psychaitrsits can perscribe drugs cause they are doctors.
 

PrincessGuard

Golden Member
Feb 5, 2001
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One goes to medical school and can prescribe medicines (psychiatrist), the other doesn't have to and can't.
 

Jfur

Diamond Member
Jul 9, 2001
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<< One goes to medical school and can prescribe medicines (psychiatrist), the other doesn't have to and can't. >>



exactly
 

vegetation

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
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Psychiatrist goes to Medical school, earns an MD, does a typical internship for a few years, then does a residency in psychiatry for another few years, ultimately leading them to be board certified. Emphasis is on treatment through medicinal means. Not much research oriented, unless in a pure research setting.

A psychologist goes to graduate school (although there are professional schools as well), earns a Ph.D in clinical psychology (5-8 years), with most of the work being research-oriented.


 

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
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Psychiatrist is simply an MD that has chosen to specialize with the mind and behavorial problems. Yes, they can prescribe drugs.

Psychologist is one that has a PhD. They cannot prescribe drugs.

Both often deal with the same problems, but with different methods. Psychiatrists are much more likely to use pharmacology to deal with problems... whereas psychologists are more likely to use behavorial modification techniques (they're also more likely to use analytical psychotherapy). If you're depressed, you may go to a psychiatrist for medication for the depression, but go to a psychologist for cognitive therapy.

As for the costs, both are pretty much equivalent (most are paid by insurance companies)... psychologists can often make more money actually, since there are often more sessions, and group therapy is becoming more common now (charge $50 per 1 hour session for substance abuse, and have a group of 10 clients... BIG money). Uunfortunately, psychiatrists these days seem to be more limited to evaluations and medical checks than actual therapy (due to insurance policies).

 

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
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>Yup,one can prescribe drugs and the other is usually on them. <

LOL! I think they're both on them.

In addition to the thoughtful comments already mentioned, a psychiatrist being an M.D. is uniquely qualified to diagnose and manage psychiatric or behavioral disorders resulting from bona fide medical conditions (schizophrenia or bipolar disorder being examples). Psychiatrists study how disorders of the body or brain affect the mind.

Psychologists are more concerned with the how the mind is affected by one's experiences, upbringing, trauma, insecurities, stresses, sociology, interpersonal relationships, etc.

If a person was sexually abused as a child, they would see a psychologist. If they have bipolar disorder, they would see a psychiatrist.