Today marks World Mental Health Day and so we want to remind you that we're here for you. This year's focus is on "Mental Health in the Workplace," read more about bullying in the workplace and our tips on dealing with it.
Navigating the
landscape of mental health support requires an understanding of the roles of
psychiatrists, neurologists, and therapists. They offer distinct treatment types
and possess unique backgrounds. Read on to understand more.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists have
prescribing privileges, they are licensed physicians, i.e. medical doctors who
have graduated from a university's medical school and have completed years of training
in certain medical specialties (ex. dermatology, orthopedics, psychiatry, etc.)
through clinical internships, residency rotations, and formal exams. As such,
psychiatrists are trained to recognize the many ways in which biological,
social, cultural, and relational factors can influence mental functioning and
its pathologies.
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They recognize symptoms of mental health problems, they can diagnose mental conditions, they are able to prescribe medications independently, based on the patient's condition, and some of them also have training in different forms of psychotherapy (talking therapy). Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, anorexia, social phobia, eating disorders, personality disorders, and insomnia are all examples of recognized clinical entities in psychiatry, for which diagnostic criteria and clinical guidelines for treatment exist.
Neurologists
A neurologist is a physician who has also graduated from medical school in university and specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disorders affecting the neurological system (spinal cord, brain, and peripherical nerves). A neurologist is knowledgeable in the disorders, functions, imaging, and architecture of the neurological system. Neurologists treat conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, motoneuron disease, epilepsy, dementia, moto neuron diseases, and headaches.
Therefore, both neurologists and psychiatrists treat disorders primarily affecting
the brain. However, a neurologist is specialized in the physical features of
the brain and in the physical conditions affecting it; a psychiatrist deals
with the mind and the psyche, namely by-products emerging from the complexity
of the brain activities. As such, the conditions a psychiatrist treats affect
the mind rather than the brain, and the expression of these conditions occurs
at the level of mood, thought, perception, cognition, behavior, emotions,
representation of the self and the world, relational patterns, beliefs, values,
in a nutshell our inner world. Conditions affecting your spinal cord and nerves
are also diagnosed and treated by neurologists; psychiatrists do not manage
this type of diagnosis.
Both physicians have the authority to diagnose, prescribe drugs, and they may
work together to treat illnesses that have an impact on the brain. However,
neurologists usually do not provide phycological therapy (unless separately
trained).
Psychotherapists or Psychologists
A psychotherapist
or psychologist, on the other hand, is not a licensed medical doctor and will
not able to prescribe medications or to diagnose a condition. They focus on various
therapies and modalities that can support their clients, improve their lives,
relationships and levels of functioning, such as cognitive behavioral therapy
(CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, psychodynamic therapy, couples therapy, group
therapy, art therapy or various other modalities of talking therapy. Psychotherapists
usually have relevant backgrounds in psychology, education, social work, mental
health counseling, and sometimes even medicine. They have a solid foundation (many hold master's degrees or PhD), and to practice, they would need to have passed the relevant official exams in the country where they practice. Psychotherapists are usually offering treatments that are long-term, as
it takes time for people to understand the causes of their personal distress
and how to change their lives.
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Psychologists and Psychiatrists
Of course, it is now common for these two professionals to work together in teams and complement each other. Therapists specializing in talk therapy or psychotherapy may sometimes direct patients to psychiatrists for a medical or medication assessment, and vice versa. In turn, psychiatrists assess the most appropriate treatment for their patients in the context of medicine, taking into account social, psychological and societal factors, and the need for medication is part of their daily work. For example, one patient might be feeling very depressed in the context of marital difficulties. A psychiatrist would prescribe the most indicated medication and suggest that couple therapy might be necessary to change the difficulties affecting the mood of the patient in the first instance.
It's quite typical for individuals, especially those dealing with emotional problems, stress in the workplace, and even eating/sleeping issues, to consult both a therapist and a psychiatrist. The American Psychological Association highlights that for a number of conditions, a dual approach including both therapy and medication tends to be more effective than either method alone.
When is a good time to see a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist?
Psychiatric treatment, including medication, is typically necessary for certain complicated illnesses. These include conditions like psychosis, bipolar disorder, autistic spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as severe forms of conditions usually conceptualized as “minor’ such as anxiety and depression; however, psychotherapy may also be necessary for all these illnesses. Psychotherapy works wonders for depression and a host of other issues, such as phobias, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and other types of anxiety. Following an initial assessment that entails a history of the present issue, a psychologist or psychiatrist will choose the most appropriate course of treatment; in certain cases, medication may be necessary to facilitate therapy, especially when the level of symptoms is interfering with the baseline daily functioning (for example, people who end up being unable to go out of their homes due to severe agoraphobia).
If you have any of
the following symptoms or experiences, you may want to consider seeing a
psychiatrist:
Thoughts of self-harm.
Engaging in risky behaviors.
Excessive worrying and/or sadness.
Significant changes in sleep patterns.
Inability to manage or control your emotions.
Continuous or frequent episodes of anger or rage.
Excessive or irrational fears.
Substance use.
Eating disorders.
Declining performance in school or work.
Withdrawal from social situations.
To gauge distress, consider how often you think about the problem, the extent to which it impacts your life and relationships, if it leads to embarrassment, shame, or guilt, which is affecting your quality of life, especially your day-to-day functioning: if it does, it is likely more severe. Similarly, assess the problem's interference by looking at how much time it takes up, its influence on your work or educational or career goals, and the changes you've made in your lifestyle to manage it. Affirmative responses to any of these inquiries that go beyond small adjustments suggest that professional assistance may be helpful.
Choosing to seek therapy is a deeply personal decision. Exploring various therapeutic approaches can assist in finding a method compatible with your personality and lifestyle. Given the wide range of effective treatments available, suffering through a prolonged troubling time and being unhappy in your life is no longer a requirement. Accessible professional help is available. It can be transformative and immensely beneficial.
References:
United Family Counseling and Well-being Center
Our counseling team consists of a group of counselors with extensive experience and international background, specializing in all kinds of psychological problems and emotional guidance.
Our
services are available to people facing general psychological
challenges or stressful situations, including expatriates as well as
Chinese adults, adolescents, and children.
