General Psychiatry
What Is Psychiatry?
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health (and substance use disorders), and is qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems.
Because they are physicians, psychiatrists can order a range of medical laboratory and psychological tests, which combined with discussions with patients, help provide a picture of a patient's physical and mental state.
Their education and clinical training equip them to evaluate medical and psychological data, to make a diagnosis, and to work with patients to develop treatment plans.
What Are The Types Of Mental Health Professionals?
A Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are licensed medical doctors who have completed psychiatric training and achieved a specialization degree and enrolled in the Medical Syndicate Registry as Specialists or Consultants.
Psychiatrists are the only professionals trained to diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe or monitor psychiatric medications.
Some psychiatrists could have received training to be licensed to conduct individual or group psychotherapy. They may have training in specific forms of therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) , Dynamic Psychotherapy or other forms of psychotherapy
To become a psychiatrist, a person must graduate from the Faculty of Medicine, achieve a specialization degree in psychiatry that involves a certain number of years of psychiatric training. Some psychiatrists also complete additional specialized training and become certified in a sub-specialty such as:
- Child and adolescent psychiatry
- Geriatric psychiatry
- Forensic (legal) psychiatry
- Addiction psychiatry
- Sleep medicine
A Psychologist
Psychologists have an advanced degree in clinical psychology and are trained to evaluate a person’s mental health using clinical interviews and psychological evaluations.
Some psychologists could have received training to be licensed to conduct individual or group psychotherapy under direct supervision of the treating psychiatrist.
They may have training in specific forms of therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) , Dynamic Psychotherapy or other forms of psychotherapy.
Psychologists often work with patients as a part of a team that includes psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses and social workers.
Some psychologists specialize in psychological testing and evaluation.
Psychologists are not qualified or licensed to prescribe or follow-up medications
What Treatments Do Psychiatrists Use?
Psychiatrists use a variety of treatments – including medications, various forms of psychotherapy, psychosocial interventions and other treatments depending on the needs of each patient.