Besides the ability to prescribe medicine, what is the difference between a psychologist & a psychiatrist?
441783
As you already know, a psychiatrist prescribes medication.  They are trained in medicine (diagnosis and pharmacological treatment).  They are like any other doctor.  They see patients, listen for a little bit, write prescriptions, and then send the patient on his/her way.  Most psychiatrists do not do therapy as they are not usually trained in psychological theory.  I haven't met the best psychiatrists.  The psychiatrists I've known have been arrogant, yet not too bright.  They made up their own diagnoses and never valued the rest of the treatment teams opinion.  \n\nA psychologist is either a PhD or PsyD who is trained in psychological theory (causes of mental illness, human development, schools of thought, statistics/research, etc), diagnosis (diagnosing by interview, psychological test administration and interpretation), and treatment (cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic theories, family therapy, health psychology, etc).  So, psychologists do consulting, therapy, testing, research, and more.  Most psychologists cannot prescribe medications.  There are a couple of states that have a shortage of psychiatrists.  In these states, psychologists can train to receive prescribing privileges.
637507
by the time you're a psychiatrist you might have worked all your kinks out.  You'll have this great brain full of nice brainy ideas and everything...everything will make more sense than your willing to understand.  So while your issues such as depression will be understood by you, you'll still have depression.
1156019
They both diagnose an illness.  You should always see both though for effective treatment.  A psychiatrist will more apt to run tests--physical and mental ones.  They go by what you tell them is going on in your life and how you are feeling.  They will both probably encourage you to get some blood work done to check your thyroid and sugar levels, to see if that is possibly a problem. Those cause you to be imbalanced majorly, so they will want to rule that out before going for the medicine.  And yes, only a doctor/psychiatrist can order those tests.
193364
Psychiatry is the fifth largest medical specialty and ranks sixth in the number achieving board certification (6). The best estimate of the number of active clinically trained practicing psychiatrists in the private sector is 27,000. \n\nThis from "The Journal of Psychiatry", approximately accurate for 2002-2003; hope this is helpful!\n\nAlso, as an MD and PHD in Neurology, I know from antoher journal that the percentage of psychiatrists over 60 is growing rapidly; the new residents entering the field are predominately female, and more of  the counseling is done by psychologists and LCSW's, with Psychiatrists mainly prescribing medications in consult with the forementioned counselors\n\nHope this was helpful!
1035923
Psychiatrists have a medical degree and prescribes medicine along with all forms of verbal therapy.\nPsychologists do NOT have medical degree therefore can't prescribe medicine but they can talk to her\nA counselor can talk to her as well and their education varies.\nA therapist is just like a psychologist\n\nThere are different forms of therapy and psychologists, psychiatrists, couselors, therapist specialize in different areas. And the higher the education the more expensive the doctor.\n\nEither one is fine as long as they are compatible with your sister. Depression is a serious illness. She should get an assessment, preferably from a psychologist and then see whether she needs to see a pscyhicatrist for mental medicine.
657108
a pyschologist is a person who a specialist who can talk with patients and their families about emotional and personal matters, and can help them make decisions. A therapist is someone who an individual who provides therapy ( it can be psychical therapy like sports or health therapy..that kinda thing) and a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. hope that helped....
890279
PSYCHIATRIST These are medically trained Doctors who have chosen to specialise in treating mental disorders. The only ones qualified to prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists have undergone extra training in therapy and offer similar things to psychologists or psychotherapists. \n\nPSYCHOLOGIST Anyone who has obtained a Psychology degree is entitled to call themselves a Psychologist. However, there are many different kinds of Psychologist, and the people who are qualified to offer therapy are usually called Clinical Psychologists or Counselling Psychologists. These people undergo an extra 3 year training which usually qualifies them up to a Doctorate level. This can be a little confusing as they are Doctors of Psychology, not medicine. They are usually trained in a variety of different therapies and are in a good position to assess you for the type of therapy you might need, and often are able to provide it.
582557
They are treated with psychotherapy and psychiatric medications.
747334
Pre-med (4- years, bachelors degree), four years of med-school, then however long for internship/residencies, etc. (I don't know how long residencies are for psychiatry).
255729
A psychologist has a degree in psychology, as opposed to a therapist or counselor who MAY have a psychology degree, or may have some other type of degree.\n\nTherapy can be conducted by psychiatrists, psycholoists, social workers, certain types of nurses, ministers, rabbis, and in some cases, people with almost no education or training at all.
177691
psychiatrist,\nMD doctors
446523
Although its not psychological medication, I'm taking the same number of prescription drugs to you. The important thing is that they're compatible with each other and with you, and are doing what theyre supposed to. \n\nIf you they aren't doing their job, or are causing side effects that are causing you problems then talk to your doctor about it. There is almost certainly drugs that can be substituted for these, not everyone responds in the same way to drugs.
310662
I'm not one, but know a couple.  I'm not understanding whether or not you are already in medical school, or if you're younger, and have little knowledge of the field.\n\nA psychiatrist must be an MD first.  That means medical school, internship, the whole works.  It takes a very long time to get your credentials.  A psychiatrist can perform operations on patients, as well as counsel and prescribe.\n\nIf you are not about to become an MD, but want to help people with problems, you might consider looking into psychology.  As a psychologist, you would not be an MD, and not allowed to prescribe medication.  You would major in psychology in college, and need to get a masters degree, and possibly more.  A lot of work, but rewarding.\n\nI would not have answered this question if I thought any psychiatrists were actually on this site.  Although, you never know...  Good luck.
800730
Phaedra is correct.  All your other respondents are wrong.  \n\nThere's no such thing as a Psychiatry degree for an undergraduate.  Psychiatry is a specialty pursued AFTER you get your M.D. in med school, which is AFTER your B.S. degree in college.  Med school typically takes three years and a psychiatry residency typically takes seven or eight years, the longest of all the medical specialties.\n\nIf, by some chance, you actually meant Psychologist and not Psychiatrist, then I've never heard of a college that did NOT offer that degree.  However, most states require that you have at least a Master's degree in it before you are allowed to hang out your shingle and call yourself a Psychologist.
1093164
For a clinical psychologist, you would major in psychology in college then go on to your masters and folow that with a doctorate (PhD).  You woul dneed to focus on your core courses for this degree which would be like child development, abnormal psychology, etc.  You would also have your general education requirements which you get at any college where you pursue a bachelor's degree\n\nTo be a Psychiatrist, you MUST go to medical school (4 years).  For undergrad, you should major in a pre-med program or something in the sciences.  You could also major in psychology, but you need certain core courses in order to be able to get into a medical school.  Also, you have to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) before you can get into med school.  This test is very science heacy with some reading sections.  It is difficult, but taking the science courses throughout college will help you.  After you finish your medical school education you have to do your internship and residency which for a psychiatrist is I think 4-6 years after medical school. \n\nYou should get online to different medical school websites to check out their admission requirements which will give you a better idea of what you may be interested in. \n\nAs far as who makes more, in general psychiatrists would make more.  But this is heavily dependent on where you work, and how good you are at what you do.  I know psychologists who make more than some psychiatrists, but this isn't the norm.  Psychiatrists usually make more.\n\nHope this helps and good luck to you in your future decisions and career!
291547
There is no real distinction between a psychological disorder and a physical disorder.  The psychology is a result of physical processes.  This does not mean that consultation, counseling, etc is not effective, it just means that these things can change the biochemistry of the brain.  Depression, for example, can be effectively treated by exercise, counseling, or drugs-all of them impacting on the same biochemical pathways.  Also, just because a behaviour is the result of biochemical processes does not mean that people are not responsible for what they do-Reward and punishment clearly does work to change behaviour, and thus an individual has the ability to change his or her behaviour, and thus the biochemistry of his or her brain.  If behaviour requires pharmacological treatment or is affecting the person's ability to live a satisfying, producting life, then it may become a medical condition.
377733
This might be a better question for your psychiatrist.