If someone is a shrink, what are they?

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
Originally posted by: HombrePequeno
Is there a difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A Psychiatrist is licensed to prescribe drugs. A Psychologist engages more in root-cause analysis in order to help the patient develop mentally and progress to a point where the patient is able to overcome his neuroses through the patient's own, more fully-developed, mental strength.

Essentially, a Psychiatrist gives a person drugs to mask their problems. A Psychologist helps people learn how to solve those problems without chemical intervention.

ZV
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: HombrePequeno
Is there a difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A Psychiatrist is licensed to prescribe drugs. A Psychologist engages more in root-cause analysis in order to help the patient develop mentally and progress to a point where the patient is able to overcome his neuroses through the patient's own, more fully-developed, mental strength.

Essentially, a Psychiatrist gives a person drugs to mask their problems. A Psychologist helps people learn how to solve those problems without chemical intervention.

ZV

So then why would someone go to a psychiatrist? If a psychologist couldn't help?
 

Gurck

Banned
Mar 16, 2004
12,963
1
0
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: HombrePequeno
Is there a difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A Psychiatrist is licensed to prescribe drugs. A Psychologist engages more in root-cause analysis in order to help the patient develop mentally and progress to a point where the patient is able to overcome his neuroses through the patient's own, more fully-developed, mental strength.

Essentially, a Psychiatrist gives a person drugs to mask their problems. A Psychologist helps people learn how to solve those problems without chemical intervention.

ZV
Yeah, what does medical science know? :roll:
 

vegetation

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
4,270
2
0
Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: HombrePequeno
Is there a difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A Psychiatrist is licensed to prescribe drugs. A Psychologist engages more in root-cause analysis in order to help the patient develop mentally and progress to a point where the patient is able to overcome his neuroses through the patient's own, more fully-developed, mental strength.

Essentially, a Psychiatrist gives a person drugs to mask their problems. A Psychologist helps people learn how to solve those problems without chemical intervention.

ZV

So then why would someone go to a psychiatrist? If a psychologist couldn't help?


Most of the population wont even go to a psychiatrist either. Just your family doc can and will prescribe psychotropic drugs.
 

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
21,938
5
0
Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: HombrePequeno
Is there a difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A Psychiatrist is licensed to prescribe drugs. A Psychologist engages more in root-cause analysis in order to help the patient develop mentally and progress to a point where the patient is able to overcome his neuroses through the patient's own, more fully-developed, mental strength.

Essentially, a Psychiatrist gives a person drugs to mask their problems. A Psychologist helps people learn how to solve those problems without chemical intervention.

ZV

So then why would someone go to a psychiatrist? If a psychologist couldn't help?

Some people prefer drugs rather than therapy... it's quicker and easier than weeks, months, or even years of therapy. Also, some condition, such as schizophrenia, can't be helped through just therapy.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
Originally posted by: Gurck
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: HombrePequeno
Is there a difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A Psychiatrist is licensed to prescribe drugs. A Psychologist engages more in root-cause analysis in order to help the patient develop mentally and progress to a point where the patient is able to overcome his neuroses through the patient's own, more fully-developed, mental strength.

Essentially, a Psychiatrist gives a person drugs to mask their problems. A Psychologist helps people learn how to solve those problems without chemical intervention.

ZV
Yeah, what does medical science know? :roll:
Considering the severe over-prescribing of behaviour-modifying drugs like Ritalin I'd have to say that medical science knows mainly how to prescribe drugs and not much else.

Now, there are, of course, instances when these drugs are an absolute Godsend and can turn a person's entire life around. They are a wonderful and amazing tool. However, they are also becoming an increasingly popular crutch for people who have no desire to put any effort into their own problems and into bettering themselves. Drugs should be a last resort, used only when nothing else has shown promise of working.

ZV
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
Originally posted by: Looney
Some people prefer drugs rather than therapy... it's quicker and easier than weeks, months, or even years of therapy. Also, some condition, such as schizophrenia, can't be helped through just therapy.
"Quicker and easier" are neither good nor justifiable reasons. It would be far more accurate to say, "Some people are lazier and don't want to put effort into their lives."

As I said before though, I most definitely agree that drugs can be extremely helpful and necessary. But convenience is not a valid reason for their use.

ZV
 

MrDudeMan

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
15,069
94
91
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: Gurck
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: HombrePequeno
Is there a difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A Psychiatrist is licensed to prescribe drugs. A Psychologist engages more in root-cause analysis in order to help the patient develop mentally and progress to a point where the patient is able to overcome his neuroses through the patient's own, more fully-developed, mental strength.

Essentially, a Psychiatrist gives a person drugs to mask their problems. A Psychologist helps people learn how to solve those problems without chemical intervention.

ZV
Yeah, what does medical science know? :roll:
Considering the severe over-prescribing of behaviour-modifying drugs like Ritalin I'd have to say that medical science knows mainly how to prescribe drugs and not much else.

Now, there are, of course, instances when these drugs are an absolute Godsend and can turn a person's entire life around. They are a wonderful and amazing tool. However, they are also becoming an increasingly popular crutch for people who have no desire to put any effort into their own problems and into bettering themselves. Drugs should be a last resort, used only when nothing else has shown promise of working.

ZV

Hopefully Gurck can man up to his reponse and realize he misunderstood your post. Although, I doubt it, since he will most assuredly not admit he was wrong. One can hope, though :brokenheart:
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
Originally posted by: Bigsm00th
Hopefully Gurck can man up to his reponse and realize he misunderstood your post. Although, I doubt it, since he will most assuredly not admit he was wrong. One can hope, though :brokenheart:
It'll be OK as long as no-one mentions iPods... Oops... :p

ZV
 

Mark R

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,513
16
81
So then why would someone go to a psychiatrist? If a psychologist couldn't help?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with additional training in mental health disorders. In particular they have specialist training in diagnosis and treatments (both drug treatments and other therapies), as well as training in the psychological manifestations of physical disease. They are able to prescribe drugs, as well as order medical tests (brain scans, blood tests, etc.)

A psychologist is not a doctor and does not have medical training. Their training is in the assessment mental health disorders, and in the administration of psychotherapies. E.g they are trained in the teaching of behavioural techniques for combatting depression or anxiety (whereas a psychiatrist is not), and to perform certain psychological tests (e.g. specialist IQ or behavioural tests - for testing children for mental retardation or autism)

Both are qualified to diagnose most common mental health conditions. The psychiatrist has a broader knowedge base, and more resources available, as well as more treatments - if they believe a course of psychotherapy is an appropriate choice they can easily refer to a psychologist for that.

More serious mental health disorders should always involve a psychiatrist (any psychotic (delusional) disorder, severe depression or anxiety, manic or hypomanic disorders, sever eating disorders) as any delay in intrroduing intensive treatment can have severe long-term effects.

It's not always a case of either-or; in many cases both professionals have something to offer, and team approach is often the most appropriate choice.
 

Gurck

Banned
Mar 16, 2004
12,963
1
0
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Considering the severe over-prescribing of behaviour-modifying drugs like Ritalin I'd have to say that medical science knows mainly how to prescribe drugs and not much else.

Now, there are, of course, instances when these drugs are an absolute Godsend and can turn a person's entire life around. They are a wonderful and amazing tool. However, they are also becoming an increasingly popular crutch for people who have no desire to put any effort into their own problems and into bettering themselves. Drugs should be a last resort, used only when nothing else has shown promise of working.

ZV
Agreed, your first post just made it seem like you were claiming there was no merit to prescription drugs.
Originally posted by: Bigsm00th
Hopefully Gurck can man up to his reponse and realize he misunderstood your post. Although, I doubt it, since he will most assuredly not admit he was wrong. One can hope, though :brokenheart:
/finger
 

MrDudeMan

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
15,069
94
91
Originally posted by: Gurck
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Considering the severe over-prescribing of behaviour-modifying drugs like Ritalin I'd have to say that medical science knows mainly how to prescribe drugs and not much else.

Now, there are, of course, instances when these drugs are an absolute Godsend and can turn a person's entire life around. They are a wonderful and amazing tool. However, they are also becoming an increasingly popular crutch for people who have no desire to put any effort into their own problems and into bettering themselves. Drugs should be a last resort, used only when nothing else has shown promise of working.

ZV
Agreed, your first post just made it seem like you were claiming there was no merit to prescription drugs.
Originally posted by: Bigsm00th
Hopefully Gurck can man up to his reponse and realize he misunderstood your post. Although, I doubt it, since he will most assuredly not admit he was wrong. One can hope, though :brokenheart:
/finger

:beer: