Psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist: a guide to specialists for the soul

Have you thought about visiting a mental health specialist, but are you lost in the terms "psychologist", "psychotherapist" and "psychiatrist"? You are not alone. This confusion often becomes a barrier to help. There really is a difference between these specialists — and who you contact depends on how quickly and effectively you get help. Izvestia has figured it out and compiled a clear roadmap for your request.

Who is a psychologist and what does he do?

A psychologist is a specialist with higher education in the field of psychology. His job is to help a person understand themselves, their emotions and reactions. A psychologist does not prescribe medications or make diagnoses because he is not a doctor.

But he knows how to listen, analyze and find together with the client the reasons why life has become difficult. It can be burnout at work, relationship problems, anxiety, loss of motivation, low self-esteem, or internal conflicts.

The work of a psychologist focuses on the area of normality. He helps the client to cope with life difficulties that are not mental disorders. His tools are conversation, consultations, testing, and trainings. A psychologist helps you see the situation from a different angle, learn to better understand your feelings and make decisions.

Often, a consultation with a psychologist is the first step towards improving the condition. But if anxiety turns into panic attacks and fatigue turns into clinical depression, it's time to move on.

A psychologist works with people, helping them to improve their lives and find internal resources. You should contact this specialist.:

— problems in relationships (family, work conflicts);

— difficulties with self-assessment, decision-making, and self-discovery;

— stress at work or school, burnout;

— experiencing loss, divorce, crisis situations;

— age-related crises in children and adults;

— career guidance and personal growth.

Who is a psychotherapist and what does he do?

A psychotherapist is a doctor (or clinical psychologist) who has received special training in psychotherapy and works with manifestations of diseases or disorders affecting the human psyche (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic states).

Psychotherapy methods are not just about talking. These are structured approaches: cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoanalysis, gestalt, schema therapy, etc.

The therapist uses in-depth conversation as the main tool. It helps not only to relieve symptoms, but to understand their underlying causes, to change destructive patterns of behavior and thinking. He can work both in conjunction with a psychiatrist (when medications are needed) and independently.

Psychotherapy is, in fact, treatment through dialogue and changes in thinking. It does not have quick effects, but it helps to change the way a person interacts with himself and the world.

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If a psychotherapist has a medical degree, he has the right to prescribe medications — antidepressants, sedatives, and means to normalize sleep. If he is not a doctor, but a clinical psychologist, then he works without medication, but can guide the patient together with a psychiatrist.

You should contact this specialist.:

— when the problem is deeper than the complexity of everyday life, but does not require urgent medical intervention;

— to work through childhood traumas and internal conflicts;

— for personality disorders, chronic anxiety, phobias;

— when you want not just to "drown out" a symptom, but to understand yourself and change your life.

Who is a psychiatrist and what does he do?

A psychiatrist is a certified doctor who has graduated from a medical university and completed a residency in psychiatry. Only he has the right to establish an official diagnosis (for example, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) and prescribe medication (antidepressants, antipsychotics, tranquilizers).

A psychiatrist examines the psyche from the point of view of its biology and physiology. His task is to correct chemical imbalances in the brain, relieve acute conditions and manage the symptoms of severe disorders.

You should contact a psychiatrist if you notice pronounced symptoms in yourself or your loved ones: loss of interest in life, hallucinations, obsessive thoughts, sudden mood swings, suicidal ideation. Modern psychiatry has long been not about "accounting" and "terrible diagnoses."

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Consultations can be obtained anonymously, and private clinics provide complete confidentiality. It is important to remember that a psychiatrist does not "stigmatize", he helps to regain control of life. You should contact this specialist.:

— acute conditions: panic attacks, hallucinations, delusions, suicidal thoughts;

— prolonged and severe feeling of longing, apathy, anxiety, interfering with life;

— suspected presence of a mental disorder (depression, OCD, PTSD, etc.);

— the need for a prescription for psychotropic drugs or correction of the treatment regimen;

— registration of a sick leave or other official documents related to mental health.

Often it is the psychiatrist who becomes the one who selects the right treatment, and then the psychotherapist and psychologist get involved.

How to decide which specialist to go to

— If your heart is heavy, resentment, anxiety, and internal chaos have accumulated, start with a psychologist. He will help you understand what is happening and tell you how to cope.

— If anxiety interferes with life, panic attacks, insomnia, and apathy occur, it is worth contacting a psychotherapist. He will conduct therapy and, if necessary, refer you to a doctor.

— If there are serious disorders, such as loss of connection with reality, hallucinations, severe depression, obsessive thoughts, a psychiatrist will provide help.

— Sometimes specialists work in a team: a psychiatrist stabilizes the condition with medication, and a psychotherapist and psychologist help a person restore inner balance and return to normal life.

The psyche is also a part of health

The main thing is not to delay until the last. Just as we go to a cardiologist for heart pain or to an endocrinologist for hormonal disorders, so for emotional problems it is worth contacting a professional.

A psychologist will help you understand why it has become difficult, a psychotherapist will help you change internal scenarios, and a psychiatrist will help you cure things that require medical intervention.

There's no shame in that. Taking care of the psyche is not weakness, but maturity. And the sooner you decide to take the first step, the sooner life will regain its stability and taste.