Psychologist vs Psychiatrist

[MaryG]

Hi everyone, 

I understand the difference between the two but I was just wondering why an individual would see a psychologist and a psychiatrist at the same time. Other than the medication (and the cost), there must be a lot of cross over in treatment. I have been seeing a psychologist for almost 6 months and that has been a really helpful experience for me. I have also just started seeing a psychiatrist after a bit of a meltdown. I'm not really sure what to expect and how the treatments will differ. Any experiences out there that anyone would like to share?

Mary

[geoff]

dear Mary, this is an excellent question and I'm sure that there will be so many different perspectives.

With me I was seeing both psych's but my psychologist I have seen was for 20 years and if she hadn't moved away I would still be seeing her, but compare this to my psychiatrist who I had seen two of them, one was for 1 session and the other well he was my psychiatrist in the clinic where I stayed for 2 weeks, and then for 6 sessions afterwards, which I found no help with him at all.

I would ask him questions but he would never answer them, whereas my psychologist would answer anything I asked her.

The psychiatrist is medically trained and has done his medical certificate, but then gone on and to qualify for psychiatry, whereas my psychologist has no medical training, only been trained in psychology.

These two professions are different and personally I preferred my psychologists as I did for 20 odd years, but there is no way I could see a psychiatrist for 20 years, but that can change per person, but interested in what others think. L Geoff. x

[Neil_1]

Hi Mary

Like Geoff, you've produced an excellent question/thread.

Obviously speaking from personal experience here.   For psychologists, I have had to search far and wide and for a long time, I struck out which I guess wasn't such a good thing.  If only I'd known of Beyond Blue all that time ago. 

My doctor (at the time - he's since retired and I've found another really good doc) as I said, at the time, which is over 10 years ago referred me to a psychiatrist of his choice;  with referral letter and all that and I toddled along to see this guy.  And it's been 10 years now and yes, I'm still seeing him.  Not overly often mind you - but often enough.  He reviews my meds, he increases them if need be, he does my bloods to make sure that my insides are going as they should.  BUT he's also I think more like a psychologist in that we can chat, he asks me questions, I ask him questions - I feel confidence in him and who knows, I could be still seeing him in another 10 years!  Having said all that, I tend to go to him now when I'm in an absolute hell-hole and need instant support - thankfully these times aren't that often,  and I see him as per my need for my meds.

My search for a good psychologist ended about 2 years ago and I've found a really good psychologist and I see her on a more regular basis and I find these sessions very productive in that, she spends our time differently to my other guy.  It's really hard to describe, but she kind of breaks things down a bit more and works out triggers for me - but she also provides good coping mechanisms as well.

That's my story.

Neil

[Jo3]

Hi Mary

I am seeing both - a psych and a psychiatrist.  I was referred to a psychiatrist about 2 months ago for a review and management of my medication.  Also he is affiliated with the local private hospital so he can admit me anytime.

I see my psych weekly and do DBT therapy with him but I see my psychiatrist every 3-4 weeks to keep an eye of medication and how things are with me.

He told me at my last visit that I can have both and use him every now and then for as long as I want to, he will be here for me.

So I guess I am lucky to have 2 such great support.

Jo 

[geoff]

dear Mary, Neil has raised a good point, in that when I was seeing the psychiatrist I had no computer, nor did I know of Beyond Blue website, which would have been so much better than trying to talk to him.

My psychologist encouraged me to keep on this site, as it  ' comes from the horses mouth'. L Geoff. x

[MaryG]

Hi Geoff, Neil,

Going to see the psychiatrist for the second visit today so I will post my feedback later. I am so fortunate that I was referred to a psychologist that I clicked with first off. Although the first counsellor I saw wasn't a good fit for me. I pretty much just talk in my sessions and it's amazing how things sort of become clear and suddenly obvious to me. Strange how the mind can cloud your thinking or drive it down a tunnel and not let you see everything else. So not really sure what to expect from the session today.

Mary

[MaryG]

Oh I also wanted to say that sometimes I'm in two minds about this site. I really value the amazing feedback and support I have received here, but there are times when I don't think it's good for me. My low self (elf) esteem and paranoia comes out and I think that everyone else is really good friends and they are all excluding me from the inner circle. Or else I read what other people are going through and think my issues aren't as worthy. That's only on bad days though and today is a good day. But you'd better reply to me or else!

[Neil_1]

Hi Mary;

I've replied, so PHEW, I don't have to suffer the terribleness of your "Or else".  🙂

But seriously, I don't think there's 'an in group' here - what I think it is, is a lot of people who post quite often and sometimes end up having a bit of banter back and forth.

But that's something that I really don't like - cliquey groups or that kind of thing and I so hope that the BB forums haven't gone down that path because for me, that's not a good thing.  But I think 'in groups' or 'cliquey groups' are a group of people, who obviously like chatting to each other BUT, they also are quick to stab others in the back - even some of their own if they're not around - and more often than not, wouldn't go out of their way to help others.  Well that's my version of a group that I worked very closely with some time ago - not good Jan.  (I wonder who Jan was?)

But just because someone doesn't post overly often shouldn't come into any equation at all.

People who come to this site also have to realise that they are never going to know the extend to how someone will post about their life/their story and yes, some of these can be quite confronting.  But I believe everyone here is responsible and mature enough to know that if they read something that really affects them, then they can leave that alone (if they so wish) and I guess try not to let that effect them too much.

Neil

My thoughts are not necessarily representative of everyone on this forum.

[geoff]

dear Mary, thanks for this information, but to me it's close down time, hell wish that it wasn't, and as my OC Therapist said to me that I

[geoff]

dear Mary, sorry I have pushed something that has put me back onto another reply, and I will reply tomorrow, as it's close time for me, I just wish that these pills did not knock me around, but to continue on from the previous post is that my OC Therapist said to me that I should get out more often, unfortunately she doesn't know how much these pills knock me out.

The OCT is for getting a new mattress from TAC as the present one doesn't do my hip any good. L Geoff. x