A person who has developed mental problems very often is not sure whether to see a psychiatrist or psychologist. Many people are not aware of the differences between those two specialists. The following article will assist those interested in our psychiatric services in selecting the mental health professional who best suits their needs.
Psychiatrist and Psychologist. Understanding the Difference
The main difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in the neurochemistry of the brain. A specialist in psychiatry focuses on cases involving mental illnesses caused by neurobiological changes in the brain. He prescribs medication that restores the balance of the neurotransmitters in the brain, suppressing the symptoms. For instance, in cases of severe depression, psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants. While counteracting a deficiency in the mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, antidepressants remove the symptoms. Simultaneously, a psychiatrist can apply psychotherapy himself or by referring the patient to a psychotherapist.
On the contrary, a psychologist uses “talk” therapy, known as psychotherapy or counselling.
No Psychiatric Problem Is Insignificant
Sometimes, when fear and sorrow overwhelm us, even the open ear and honest advice of a dear friend is not enough to get us back on our feet. When it comes to mental disorders, professional help is required. If psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” proves insufficient, a medical approach becomes necessary.
It’s essential to understand that no mental health problem is too insignificant for a visit to a psychiatrist. Even if it doesn’t seem like a major issue, if a person can’t resolve it independently, consulting a psychiatrist might be the right choice. Addressing a problem promptly can prevent it from escalating and evolving into prolonged suffering.
For more serious issues from the start, early intervention is crucial. In any case, scheduling an initial consultation is a wise step. During this session, people can discuss their concerns with the psychiatrist and, if necessary, arrange further appointments.
Certain psychiatric conditions may manifest with physical symptoms, often managed by a primary care physician. However, if a psychiatric disorder is the cause, the underlying cause often remains undiscovered. For less severe issues, psychotherapy provides an opportunity to plan the next steps, discover personal goals, and work towards improving one’s life.
Psychiatric Disorders
A psychiatric disorder is defined as a prolonged or recurring significant deviation of feeling, thinking, or behavior. In the past decades, mental health disorders have increased dramatically, ranking among the most common diseases. Nearly half of all people experience at least one relevant psychiatric disorder in their lifetime.
In recent years, sick days and early retirements due to psychiatric illnesses have steadily risen, with depression and anxiety making up most diagnoses.
A variety of factors can cause mental health disorders. Genetic factors, physical illnesses, current life events, past stressful events, psychological conflicts, and interpersonal tensions all can trigger the onset of psychiatric disorders.
Treatment of Psychiatric disorders
Psychiatric disorders can arise suddenly, like panic attacks or distressing hallucinations. Other mental health disorders, such as depression, OCD, eating disorders, and generalized anxiety, may appear gradually.
Especially for serious psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder or psychosis, an early intervention from the start is crucial. Addressing a problem promptly can prevent it from escalating and evolving into prolonged suffering. Whether it’s a sudden crisis or a persistent struggle, reaching out to a psychiatrist is a crucial step towards mental well-being and personal growth.
An early intervention can prevent problems from worsening. Whether it’s a sudden crisis or a persistent struggle, contacting a mental health professional is a crucial step towards mental well-being and personal growth. Unfortunately, many people delay seeking treatment, often attempting to handle problems on their own before realizing the need for professional help.
Psychiatrists and Use of Psychotherapy
The therapeutic toolkit of well-trained psychiatrists encompasses psychotherapeutic approaches. For example, in Germany since 1994, psychotherapy has been an integral component of psychiatric specialization. This allows the psychiatrist to provide psychotherapeutic treatment to both private and public health insurance patients.
In the field of psychotherapy, psychiatrists can also choose specializations and focus areas for further training and practice. Options include behaviour therapy, psychoanalysis/depth psychotherapy, or gestalt therapy. These specializations allow them to tailor their expertise to specific therapeutic approaches and patient needs.
Apart from his training in biological psychiatry, Dr. Kowal is also trained in psychoanalytical psychotherapy alowing him to applay a holistic therapy for treatment of mental health conditions.
When to Seek a Psychiatrist? Summary
Most of the people in Dubai are confused about who can help with their particular mental health problems. The first step is visiting our psychiatrist or psychologist at CHMC in Dubai, who will investigate patients’ specific needs and choose the proper therapy method. At CHMC, regardless of whom visiting first, psychiatrist or psychologist, our therapists are interconnected, and they will guide the person to the right professional.
The work of a psychiatrist revolves around cases where mental disorders intersect with physical illnesses or have neurobiological root causes. This intertwining of body and mind compels us to approach these disorders from a medical perspective. For instance, in treating severe depression, talk therapy (psychotherapy) can not be sufficient. In such situations, people need treatment with antidepressants to restore the balance of neurotransmitters in their brains.
People seek the help of a psychiatrist for distinct reasons. The problems can appear suddenly, like in panic attacks, psychosis with frightening hallucinations, or mania with hyperactivity associated with elevated mood and frantic behaviour. The symptoms can also develop silently over the long term. Such examples could be depression with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or general anxiety with constantly present irrational fears. Other mental health disorders requiring psychiatric intervention are eating disorders such as anorexia and buliemia and substance abuse.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Leading Psychiatrist, Dr. Kowal
CHMC is a German Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychology located in Dubai, offering state-of-the-art psychiatric and psychological treatment.
Our experienced Western-trained therapists offer individualized in-person therapy. The objective of our holistic treatment concept is not only symptom relief by using medication but also full restoration of our patient’s quality of life.
We aim to address the underlying causes of our clients’ issues, which is why we consistently integrate pharmacotherapy with counselling to facilitate complete healing.