Most people face various psychological problems, but not all of them seek professional help. There may be several reasons for this, but the main one is the lack of knowledge about specialists who can help in a given situation.
Depending on the severity of the condition, psychological assistance can be provided by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychotherapist. The activities of all these specialists are related to the impact on the state of mind and psyche of a person, however, these are different directions.
What is the difference between a psychoanalyst and a psychotherapist?
The founder of psychoanalysis is Sigmund Freud. In simplified terms, the methods of psychoanalysis come down to working with the patient’s personality through the unconscious. A special role in psychoanalysis is given to dreams, sexual desires, and early childhood experiences. Despite its widespread popularity in popular culture, psychoanalysis is still subject to criticism.
What is the difference between a neurologist and a psychotherapist?
A neuropathologist or neurologist deals with the nervous system (central and peripheral). Do you experience cramps, have trouble sleeping and can't bear stress? You should see a neurologist. But if you can’t cope with your emotions, then there is the direction of psychotherapy for grief and loss.
What is the difference between a psychotherapist and a psychoneurologist?
A psychoneurologist works at the intersection of psychology and neurology, i.e. examines both the patient’s brain lesions and disorders of the nervous system; this emphasis on the physical and physiological basis of nervous activity is his main difference from a psychotherapist.
Psychologist
Profile .
A non-medical specialist with a psychological education.
What diseases does he specialize in?
Helps with complex psychological conditions. She also assesses the state of mind and identifies “weak points” in the human psyche. A psychologist helps with feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, constant fears, anxiety, worry and other mental conditions that worsen the quality of life, but are not a manifestation of the disease. Participates in the treatment of mental disorders together with a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, helping patients restore psychological balance during and after therapy.
What methods does it use?
Uses conversation, training, psychotherapy - influence through relaxation, suggestion, explanation, switching attention. Applies such methods of mental research as pathopsychological examination, testing, neuropsychological diagnostics. Can prescribe general recommendations on lifestyle, daily routine, and planning. If consultations do not help, he is referred to a psychotherapist or psychiatrist, who selects medication treatment.
Psychologists at the ROSA clinic:
Sarkisyan Sergey Aleksandrovich, Lebedeva Daria Andreevna, Rodionov Georgy Ilyich, Makarov Vyacheslav Anatolyevich, Maslennikova Alexandra Valerievna.
What is the clinical difference between psychology and neuropsychology?
Essentially, clinical psychology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of emotional disorders, personality disorders, and behavioral problems. This includes conditions such as depression, anxiety and other similar problems. In addition, clinical psychologists can provide tools to help manage behavioral disorders such as hyperactivity.
To prevent disease, clinical psychology teaches patients the following:
- Strategies for getting out of difficult situations.
- Communication skills.
- Understanding and controlling emotions.
Here the goal is for the patient to recognize himself and perform functions at a social and cognitive level. As a result, patients can improve their quality of life with these tools.
The difference between clinical psychology and neuropsychology lies in the functions of these two structures in the clinical field. The second of these two concepts concerns cognitive and emotional assessments of changes in the brain. In addition, the field is developing specific processes to restore a range of high-level functions so that the affected person can autonomously maintain their life and maintain their quality of life.
Therefore, neuropsychology tends to focus on people with problematic functions such as memory, attention, language and decision making. Neuropsychologists also study the cognitive aspects of mental health problems such as schizophrenia or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Among the goals of rehabilitation programs implemented in these areas are activities such as healing damaged structures and stimulating them to properly improve cognitive functions. When it comes to permanently damaged functions, neuropsychologists help people find strategies to compensate for lost functions.
Specializations
These specialties also differ in that they have different focuses depending on the situations in which they are applicable.
A psychologist may be:
- military;
- clinical - can work with sick people suffering from pathological addictions, prescribe studies to clarify the diagnosis, but without using medications;
- medical;
- pedagogical;
- political;
- social;
- sports;
- economic;
- legal.
The psychotherapist may be:
- art therapist;
- humanistic;
- Gestalt therapist;
- psychoanalyst;
- cognitive-behavioural;
- rational;
- body-oriented;
- existential.
The psychiatrist may be:
- military;
- geriatric;
- immuno-psychiatrist;
- clinical;
- consultative and interdisciplinary;
- space;
- expert in narcology;
- neuropsychiatrist;
- pediatric psychiatrist;
- social;
- judicial;
- transcultural;
- phenomenological.
Despite some overlap between a psychologist and a psychiatrist (both can be military or social, for example), you need to understand that the specifics of their work will differ significantly even in this regard.
Psychotherapist
Profile
. A doctor with a medical education who has experience as a psychiatrist.
What diseases does he specialize in?
A psychotherapist can help with almost all diseases of the nervous system. In addition to severe ones, such as psychosis, epilepsy, severe mental retardation, suicidal behavior. He treats people with mental disorders and provides assistance in difficult psychological conditions. Treats mild and moderate forms of neuroses, psychoses, paranoia, panic attacks, phobias, panic conditions, chronic fatigue syndrome and other pathologies.
What methods does it use?
As a doctor, he can use any treatment methods: medication, physiotherapy, exercise therapy. etc. But the main method of work of a psychotherapist is psychotherapy. Eliminates the patient's problem with the help of psychotherapy, including psychoanalysis, existential psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy, family therapy, hypnosis, etc.. Can prescribe antidepressants, sedatives, sedatives that complement the effect of psychotherapy.
Psychotherapists at the ROSA clinic:
Filashikhin Vyacheslav Vyacheslavovich, Makarenkov Evgeniy Vladimirovich, Artemov Alexander Pavlovich.
What is a joint consultation between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
This is what most progressive psi specialists around the world strive for. Unfortunately, it is not always possible for psychiatrists and psychologists to find a common language, to find a consensus, because these, as you already understand, are completely different people, from different planets, who think and see people differently. Therefore, almost all attempts at professional interaction, unfortunately, turn out to be short-lived, often end in a break, and in the end, psychiatrists go to their lair, psychologists to theirs, and only occasionally transfer patients to each other. And, of course, this does not always benefit patients.
In 2015, we decided to realize our dream and unite specialists from two different areas in the Re-Alt psychotherapeutic center. And we did it! Ultimately, over the years, very good connections have been developed, very interesting interactions; our psychiatrists and psychologists have formed professional duets and always work together at the initial appointment.
Patient coming to appointment
, sits down at the same table with such a pair of specialists and begins to communicate with them at the same time. Each of them asks their own questions. After such communication, the specialists leave the patient alone in the office for a few minutes with a cup of coffee, while they themselves go into the next room, discuss what they heard and return to report their judgment. The doctor reports his diagnostic conclusion, the psychologist talks about his psychological vision of the situation in your life. And the patient who comes to the appointment for the first time ultimately receives the most important information for himself: what is happening to him.
If the patient is mentally healthy
, but the problem still exists, then the psychologist takes the reins into his own hands and then the person understands that he does not need to be treated by a doctor and calmly continues to work with a psychologist or psychoanalyst.
If the doctor understands that the patient is seriously ill
and he now needs medical care with obvious dominance, then a psychiatrist begins to deal with this patient in the future, he prescribes medication from the very first dose and offers options for dynamic observation on an outpatient or semi-inpatient basis, and sometimes in an inpatient setting.
Or, as most often happens, both a psychiatrist and a psychologist find something different and offer therapy in parallel.
The psychiatrist meets with the patient as a doctor, monitoring his drug therapy, assessing his health, and the psychologist conducts sessions with him, solving other problems.
The effectiveness and practical advantages of such a union
We have learned from many years of experience. It is in this tandem of work of two different specialists that the effectiveness of the care provided to the patient doubles, if not triples, and we arrive at the desired result much faster.
Psychiatrist
Profile.
A doctor with specialized medical education.
What diseases does he specialize in?
Treats diseases that the psychotherapist specializes in, plus severe mental disorders. Helps with epilepsy, anorexia and bulimia, schizophrenic conditions, suicidal tendencies, disorders that appear after physical and psychological trauma.
What methods does it use?
Prescribes medications that restore body functions altered due to the disease. Selects a course of therapy with antidepressants, neuroleptics, nootropics, tranquilizers and other drugs. It complements drug treatment with psychotherapy and corrective therapy, thanks to which the patient’s psychological state improves. Uses physiotherapy, diet therapy, exercise therapy.
Psychiatrists at the ROSA clinic:
Filashikhin Vyacheslav Vyacheslavovich, Kudryashov Petr Nikolaevich, Samokhin Dmitry Vladimirovich, Mitchenko Andrey Anatolyevich.
Should a healthy person take antidepressants, or is it better to seek help?
Antidepressants are a fairly common route that many people choose. Some people find it difficult to work with their psyche on their own, while others don’t want to go to a psychologist. Why, if there is a faster solution. Still others don’t know that they can work on themselves; they were told to take pills—and they do.
These medications are not cheap, as is, of course, the help of a specialist. The only difference is that with a specialist you will work out the foundation, then there will be no more reason. And antidepressants will only work when you take them. That is, to feel good, you need to take them constantly.
Not everyone currently understands the full benefits of specialists working with the psyche. But this work can change your whole life for the better. You will be able to change your own attitude towards problems, stress less, get rid of complexes and fears. Improve your relationship with your other half.
All this will affect your success at work.
Therefore, no matter what problem you face, the right solution is to work on yourself! And the easiest way to do this is with a competent specialist! For more details, see our article on whether it is worth going to a psychologist.
Now you know the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist and a psychologist (on this topic
