By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    nursing program
    7 Tips to Picking the Best Nursing Program
    February 5, 2018
    Health Care: A Modern-Day Blade Runner?
    December 10, 2014
    Occupational Therapy Assistant | Medical Assistant | Home Health Aide
    In-Demand Healthcare Support Jobs
    April 16, 2016
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Choosing Between A Psychologist and A Psychiatrist For Treating Depression
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Mental Health > Choosing Between A Psychologist and A Psychiatrist For Treating Depression
Mental HealthWellness

Choosing Between A Psychologist and A Psychiatrist For Treating Depression

Ryan Kh
Last updated: September 18, 2019 8:02 pm
Ryan Kh
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

  The field of medicine has many disciplines that make it confusing. The human psyche and the emotions that are contained within are concepts that we still don’t fully understand. But the fact remains that we have to dispel any confusion surrounding matters of treatment because people’s lives could one day depend on the information we share. The fields of psychology and psychiatry are so closely related that it’s rather easy to mistake one for the other. This confusion is due in large part to the fact that both these disciplines are meant to treat various mental health issues. This shouldn’t be taken lightly because knowing the difference between these professions will allow you to make an informed decision regarding what type of treatment you want to receive. But before we get to the core of the topic, we first need to define what exactly we’re trying to treat.

Contents
What Is Depression?Who Is At Risk?PsychologistPsychiatristSimilaritiesDifferencesConclusion

What Is Depression?

Depression is a serious medical illness that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. It causes a person to feel a deep sadness and it also causes a person to lose interest in things that the individual used to be passionate about. The worst effect that depression has on a patient is that it hinders the individual from functioning properly both at work and at home. Symptoms usually last at least two weeks. Depression is ironic in the fact that it is the most common mental issue, yet it is able to make the affected individual feel as though he is alone. About one in 15 adults suffer from depression during any given year. Depression can manifest at any time, but it happens most commonly in people in their late teens to their late 20s.

Who Is At Risk?

There is no single cause of depression, but rather, there are four risk factors that could determine whether you fall into depression or not. These risk factors include:

  • Biochemistry – An imbalance in the chemicals in your brain can directly affect your mood.
  • Genetics – it can be inherited and passed down to offspring.
  • Personality – People who are easily stressed are more prone to depression.
  • Environment – People who are subjected to violence and abuse on a constant basis tend are more likely to develop depression than those who aren’t.

So, how can depression be treated and what professional should you ask for aid?

More Read

Math Matters: Dosing Errors Can Be Deadly
7 Ways to Enhance Your Self-Esteem to Fight Depression
Consumers Putting Off Medical Care & Risking Health
9 Habits You Can Cultivate To Reduce Your Risk Of Dementia
5 Top iPhone Apps To Track Your Health

Psychologist

A psychologist is someone who studies the mind and behavior of people. There are several types of psychologists, but for the purpose of this article, we’re going to focus on mental health psychologists, whose task is to help treat people who are experiencing psychological stress and mental disorders through these core mental health counseling functions.

Psychiatrist

On the other hand, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of mental health disorders as well as substance abuse. Like psychologists, they make use of various forms of psychotherapy to help a patient cope with depression.

Similarities

Both professionals can be found in clinics, hospitals, and other places like this depression treatment center in North Carolina. They have more or less the same treatment methods and they help patients talk through their problems with the aim of giving their patients the ability to deal with daily life on their own.

Differences

The main difference between psychologists and psychiatrists lies in the fact that they each have a different type of training. Psychiatrists finish medical school, spend a year of internship, and also have three years of residency where they diagnose and treat mental disorders. Psychiatrists are allowed to prescribe drugs for the treatment of depression while psychologists cannot. On the other hand, psychologists have a PhD in a specific area of Psychology and they go through a two-year internship period. While psychologists aren’t allowed to prescribe drugs for depression treatment, they are allowed to administer psychological tests while psychiatrists cannot. Both professions also vary in their approach to treatment. Psychologists tend to take a more behavioral approach wherein when they determine the cause of depression, they often attribute it to a specific stimulus that triggers the depression. Psychiatrists have a more neurobiological approach wherein the cause of depression can be attributed to a lack of a certain vitamin or nutrient, hence the drug prescriptions.

Conclusion

Whether you’re going to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist really depends on personal preference. While you could say that psychiatrists have more formal training in dealing with more serious mental health problems, they may often treat these problems with prescribed medicine. Not everyone is okay with taking drugs. People who prefer a no-drug approach tend to prefer working with psychologists. Moreover, because psychologists are trained to administer psychological tests, they can also evaluate a person’s emotional state more thoroughly than a psychiatrist.

TAGGED:depressiondepression treatmentmental healthpsychiatristpsychiatryPsychologistpsychology
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Ryan Kh
Follow:
Ryan Kh is an experienced blogger, digital content & social marketer. Founder of Catalyst For Business and contributor to search giants like Yahoo Finance, MSN. He is passionate about covering topics like big data, business intelligence, startups & entrepreneurship. Email: ryankh14@icloud.com

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

healthy snacks
Wellness

These Craving-Busting Snacks Can Help You Lose Weight

June 6, 2024
Wellness

Health and Wellbeing at Work: Is Your Office Safe?

November 22, 2017

There’s More to HealthCare Than Doctors and Hospitals

July 28, 2013
Wellness

Natural Mood Enhancers to Boost Your Happiness

July 7, 2017
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?