The psychologist is the professional dedicated to studying and understanding human behavior. The psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in mental illness. Both professionals can complement their activities for the benefit of the patient in health service centers.
In the middle of the 20th century, the first psychologists emerged as university professionals. They can be used in a wide range of fields, from research, assistance, recruitment, among others..
Psychiatrists have long been known. They were initially the doctors who treated the mentally ill, people who were classified as witches or possessed by evil forces. Fortunately today, the idea of mental illness is better understood and the role of the psychiatrist is no longer seen as that of "a shrink.".
Characteristic | Psychologist | Psychiatrist |
---|---|---|
Doctor | Not | Yes |
Drug treatment | Not | Yes |
Study objective | The behavior of individuals | Mental disorders |
Academic path | Bachelor and University Degrees in Psychology | Medicine, followed by specialization in psychiatry |
Postgraduate or specializations |
| Doctorates related to neurosciences |
Intervention method | Clinical psychologists provide psychological / behavioral interventions for those experiencing psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, anger, addictions, post-traumatic stress, hyperactivity and attention deficit, family problems | Administration of somatic therapies, such as electro-convulsive therapy, and psychotropic medications. |
Focus | The psychologist helps his patient through emotional support in:
| Treatment of mental illnesses resulting from physical problems (genetic or acquired) through drugs or more invasive medical therapies |
The psychologist is the professional in charge of the study of mental processes. Although psychologists are not doctors, they provide important services in the area of health.
There are three main types of psychologists:
Some psychologists conduct basic and applied research. As scientists, psychologists follow the scientific method, through objective observation, experimentation, and analysis. They can also serve as consultants in communities, businesses and organizations.
They can also teach classes and teach future psychologists, other professionals and students in schools, colleges and universities. Other psychologists diagnose and treat patients in private consultations or healthcare centers.
They also study what makes people more productive, motivated, and satisfied with their jobs. In this sense, they can design programs to recruit, select, employ and train the employees of a company or company..
The day of the psychologist is celebrated on different dates depending on the country:
The psychiatrist is the medical professional who is responsible for the treatment of mental illnesses. This means that to be a psychiatrist you must first study medicine and then specialize in psychiatry.
The psychiatrist evaluates, diagnoses and treats different psychiatric disorders, with the aim of recovering, preventing or improving the quality of life of the affected person and their families. For this, then, they can prescribe medications or perform invasive procedures or surgeries like any other doctor..
Apart from knowledge about anatomy, physiology, and pathology and expertise in medical practice, a good psychiatrist must know:
Psychiatrists can diagnose mental disorders using laboratory tests. They can also exercise their functions in public or private health. The work of the psychiatrist is generally associated with psychiatric institutes or sanatoriums, but they are also part of the staff of addiction rehabilitation centers.
Other health professionals may refer their patients to the psychiatrist when the person's symptoms or behaviors are very altered, such as:
On March 31, the day of the psychiatrist is celebrated in Mexico. In Argentina, November 22 was established as the day of the psychiatrist.
See also Psychology and psychiatry
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