Psychologist VS Psychiatrist?? medicare(NHS)?

ppaul · Last edited by ppaul on Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:17 am; edited 1 time in total

Whats the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist???
anyone know??

apparently, here in australia a psychiatrist is covered by medicare (national health scheme) but a psychologist isn't.

MadCat · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:25 am Post subject:

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has learned some extra training in mental illness. Their main role is to prescribe medications and to assess/diagnose mental illness.

A psychologist's whole career and education is based on mental and emotional health. They diagnose, treat mostly using psychotherapy and often use CBT. They cannot prescribe medications. They are more into mental/emotional research, also testing the patient. They often dig deeper into a persons life and past.

I think that's basically right..

Check this two links out for a better compare of the two.

Psychologist:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&c2coff=1&q=define%3Apsychologist&btnG=Search

Psychiatrist:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&c2coff=1&q=define%3Apsychiatrist&btnG=Search

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Chilling__Echo · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:49 am Post subject:

yep. you got it. i'm a psychologist wannabe Wink

no medical school for me

MadCat · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:51 am Post subject:

LOL me too. But I'm seriously too messed up to think about that right now.

Some day.....hehe

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Fredscarecrow · Advanced User Joined: Dec 11, 2004 Posts: 423

lol, i was going to go for medical school..but..im good..but not good enough to get straight As..and you have to have an active social/activity lfe...of which i have none.lol

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Scottish_Player · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:58 pm Post subject:

Hey MadCat,i think your the type of person that would do good at the job,from reading most/all of your posts you seem to have a very good knowledge on it and most importantly you are going through it so you have an even better understading on it.

If i ever go see someone for help which is highly unlikely at the moment i would like to speak to someone who knows what iam talking about personaly, and not just read it from books.Because books are not enough in my opion to be able to understand it.

MadCat · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:22 pm Post subject:

Hey Scottish_Player.

I only know some things. But I know what you mean, there's a difference in being a walking book of knowledge and a walking book of experience and knowledge.

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"Unreality can be as real as reality itself"

annie · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:05 pm Post subject:

Psychiatrist
The 'psychiatrist' label means the person has completed a medical degree prior to specialising in psychiatry. As a result, most psychiatrists adopt the 'disease' model, emphasising the biological origins of psychological distress. This model often gives rise to various 'chemical imbalance' theories of mental illness. Therefore, most people are treated with medication.

Psychologist
The 'psychologist' label refers to completion of a four-year psychology degree plus two years supervision or postgraduate qualifications. In addition, specialisation involves the completion of a doctoral degree or PhD. The emphasis in psychology is generally upon changing behaviour and thinking styles and developing improved strategies for dealing with problematic situations. Clients are encouraged to become proactive in setting and achieving their goals. Psychological distress is usually deemed to be social in origin and therefore able to be changed. Psychologists do not prescribe medications.

annie Smile

ppaul · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 6:47 pm Post subject:

sounds to me like a psychologist is much more helpful.
i dont someone telling me that all i have is a chemical imbalance. its a little more than just that.

Fredscarecrow · Advanced User Joined: Dec 11, 2004 Posts: 423