A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has further trained and specialised in the field of psychiatry, a branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of mental disorders and the promotion of mental wellness. Psychiatrists are trained to treat mental disorders with medication and psychotherapy and, in South Africa, undergo an additional 4 years of training in these disciplines. A psychiatrist must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa under the specialist register.
A psychologist and psychiatrist are often confused as meaning the same thing. While both study the brain, emotions, feelings and thoughts, there are distinct differences, most notably in the educational and training process. Becoming a psychiatrist first requires you to attend medical school and qualify as a general practitioner. This enables psychiatrists to assess for underlying medical disorders, understand the complex interplay between other illnesses and to prescribe medications. In South Africa, psychologists are not able to prescribe medication. Most psychologists usually receive extensive training in psychological test administration, scoring, interpretation, and reporting, while psychiatrists are generally not trained in these domains. For this reason educational assessments or “IQ tests” are done by psychologists. Both psychiatrists and psychologists are trained in various forms of psychotherapy. Psychiatrists and psychologists often work together in the treatment of patients, alongside other members of the multidisciplinary team.
You should consider seeing a psychiatrist if you are uncertain whether you or your child may have a psychiatric disorder and would like a comprehensive assessment. You may be referred by your GP for specialist advice; or you or your child may already have been started on a psychiatric medication, such as an antidepressant or Ritalin, but want this reviewed by a specialist in mental health. This may be particularly helpful if you have other medical conditions or are pregnant. Medication options are usually most effective if done in conjunction with a therapeutic intervention. In cases of less extreme severity, many people initially opt to attend regular therapy with a psychologist before considering medications. A psychologist may recommend a review with a psychiatrist if you are diagnosed with a serious mental illness that cannot be helped adequately with therapy alone or if the process feels “stuck”.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has further trained and specialised in the field of psychiatry, a branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of mental disorders and the promotion of mental wellness. Psychiatrists are trained to treat mental disorders with medication and psychotherapy and, in South Africa, undergo an additional 4 years of training in these disciplines. A psychiatrist must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa under the specialist register.
A psychologist and psychiatrist are often confused as meaning the same thing. While both study the brain, emotions, feelings and thoughts, there are distinct differences, most notably in the educational and training process. Becoming a psychiatrist first requires you to attend medical school and qualify as a general practitioner. This enables psychiatrists to assess for underlying medical disorders, understand the complex interplay between other illnesses and to prescribe medications. In South Africa, psychologists are not able to prescribe medication. Most psychologists usually receive extensive training in psychological test administration, scoring, interpretation, and reporting, while psychiatrists are generally not trained in these domains. For this reason educational assessments or “IQ tests” are done by psychologists. Both psychiatrists and psychologists are trained in various forms of psychotherapy. Psychiatrists and psychologists often work together in the treatment of patients, alongside other members of the multidisciplinary team.
You should consider seeing a psychiatrist if you are uncertain whether you or your child may have a psychiatric disorder and would like a comprehensive assessment. You may be referred by your GP for specialist advice; or you or your child may already have been started on a psychiatric medication, such as an antidepressant or Ritalin, but want this reviewed by a specialist in mental health. This may be particularly helpful if you have other medical conditions or are pregnant. Medication options are usually most effective if done in conjunction with a therapeutic intervention. In cases of less extreme severity, many people initially opt to attend regular therapy with a psychologist before considering medications. A psychologist may recommend a review with a psychiatrist if you are diagnosed with a serious mental illness that cannot be helped adequately with therapy alone or if the process feels “stuck”.