I find the differences between visiting my psychiatrist and my psychologist rather fascinating.
I’m on my fifth psychiatrist now, as some were cruel to me when the treatment wasn’t working, and some were hospital psychiatrists, who you don’t see once you leave the hospital. One thing is common with them all though: they do not investigate much of your psyche. Instead, they tend to make general assumptions after a few questions, and prescribe some medication that they think may keep you calm and less of a problem to those around you (and hopefully yourself if they are caring individuals).
My psychologist, on the other hand, can read me better than anyone in my entire life. I don’t know if I was just incredibly lucky in finding the best psychologist ever, or if they just take the time to really learn about the people they treat. She can manage to pull things out of my heart and mind that I didn’t even know were bothering me, by seeing right through my defense mechanisms. By finding all of these interesting pieces of information, she can make much more accurate diagnoses than my psychiatrist. In addition, she helps me find solutions beyond medication (although I still require medication, hence why I see one of each).
I feel that if you are medicating people with mental illnesses, you should really learn what makes them tick and what demons they are fighting. I’ve had so many wrong diagnoses on behalf of psychiatrists who just passed judgement on me without uncovering any truths. I’m still having a hard time understanding why these doctors don’t work more closely with each other, as the medication given should really reflect the opinions of both physicians. That way, one is treated in a more well-rounded manner. I’m not sure why this is so difficult.
I laugh and cry at both appointments, but the latter will definitely make you more likely to be medicated!
Does anyone else who visits one or both types of psychiatric doctors find this to be the case?
xoxo,
Annie
Yes. To everything you said.
I know in the states insurance covers things like a 45 min initial appt then 15 min med checks with a psychiatrist. That didn’t work for me. I’ve had many psychologists in my life but they were all pretty awful or ineffective in their own right- though they certainly spent more time with me. The best luck I’ve had is with my current psychiatrist who is my prescriber and my therapist- she knows what she’s doing and my care is much less confusing. Its also painfully expensive but as she is the only practitioner who has helped me make tremendous improvements in my life- its worth it.