Should I go to a Therapist or Psychiatrist? | Psychiatrists
“Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that the better for us all.” — Erik Erikson
Do you ever feel like you’re not crazy, but you’re just… a little off? Maybe you’ve got some issues with your mood and energy, or maybe it just seems like the world is moving too fast for you. Maybe the things that used to bring you joy aren’t doing it for you anymore, or maybe you feel like nothing matters.
You’re not alone. Nearly everyone experiences some kind of mental health issue at some point in their lives—and even if yours doesn’t seem “serious,” it’s worth getting help for. The truth is that mental health issues can affect every aspect of your life: your relationships with friends and family, your work performance, your physical health and fitness levels… even whether or not you’re able to find love!
You’re at a crossroads. You’re stuck between two paths: one that will lead you to a therapist, and one that will lead you to a psychiatrist. Which should you choose?
Both therapists and psychiatrists can help you with your mental health issues and concerns—but they do it in different ways. The difference between therapy and psychiatry is key to figuring out which is best for your unique needs, so let’s take a look at how each one works!
When Do You Need a Therapist?
So, you want to know when to see a therapist? It’s a fair question. I remember when my own friends asked me if I was seeing someone and my response was, “What? Like, for real?” At the time, I hadn’t even considered that therapy could be useful for me. But then again, at that point in life, I wasn’t having any problems. Then came some major stuff—job loss and illness—and suddenly I realized that emotional support is just as important as physical care when it comes to staying well. So let’s take a look at some common situations that might prompt some people to seek out counseling:
You have difficulty talking about your problems.
If you find it difficult to talk about your problems with friends and family, a therapist may be the best person to help you. If they aren’t trained to listen and help you, then they’re likely going to do more harm than good. You don’t want them telling you what they think is wrong with you or giving advice that doesn’t work for your situation.
They also might not understand what it feels like to go through what you’re going through. They can offer sympathy but not empathy because their experience is different from yours.
You’ve become more isolated from others.
If you’re isolating yourself from others, it may be a sign of depression. Depression is a mental health condition that can make people feel sad, hopeless, and worthless. It can also make them feel like they don’t want to do anything or be around other people.
If you are isolating yourself, it might be harder for you to ask for help or talk about your problems with anyone else. This can make your condition worse because not getting help makes having depression more likely.
If this sounds like how things are going with you right now, consider talking to a therapist or finding other ways of getting support.
You’re having difficulty concentrating.
If you’re having difficulty concentrating or completing tasks, it may be a sign that you need to talk with a therapist. This can be an indication of one or more mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.
Sometimes people who are depressed have trouble focusing on anything except their negative thoughts and feelings. Other times people who are anxious will feel overwhelmed by even the smallest tasks because they’re worried about making mistakes. This can also happen when someone has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which makes it hard for them to concentrate on anything for long periods of time without becoming distracted by other things around them. Sleep deprivation is another common cause of poor concentration—and so is substance abuse!
You aren’t eating well or getting enough sleep.
A helpful therapist can provide objective, unbiased information about how to take care of yourself. For example, a therapist can help you develop a sleep schedule and make sure that it matches your body’s natural rhythms. A good therapist will also help you find ways to eat well without feeling like food is the enemy or feeling guilty for eating too much or not enough.
Your substance use is having an impact on other areas of your life.
If your substance use is having an impact on other areas of your life, it’s time to get help. For example, if your substance use is causing conflict with friends or family members, or it’s interfering with your ability to work on a regular basis, then this may be a sign that you need therapy.
If you are experiencing these symptoms and want to talk more about them in person with someone who can help guide you along the way, check out our San Diego therapists!
Your pain is chronic.
Chronic pain is defined as pain that has lasted at least three months. It’s the kind of nagging, throbbing discomfort that never goes away completely, even when you’re resting or asleep. Chronic pain can be caused by an injury or illness, but it can also be psychological in nature—such as from anxiety and depression. If you have chronic physical or mental health symptoms, it’s important to consult a therapist who specializes in treating these conditions so they can help determine your specific needs and goals for mental health treatment.
There’s a history of mental illness in your family.
If you have a family member who has had or is currently receiving treatment for mental health issues, this can be an indicator that you might need to seek help as well. If one parent has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and the other with depression, for example, that may mean that the risk of inheriting these conditions is increased. In some cases, the genetic link isn’t so clear-cut; if one sibling struggles while another does not, it’s important to examine how each person was raised and how their experiences differed.
When Do You Need a Psychiatrist?
Do you know when to seek help from a psychiatrist? Sometimes it’s clear: if you’re feeling depressed or anxious. But what if those feelings don’t seem as obvious, or if they’re attached to issues that don’t feel like “mental health issues”? What then? If your situation is more complicated—or if you just aren’t sure whether it’s time for a qualified mental health professional—I think it can help to understand the difference between a therapist and a psychiatrist.
Difficulty with relationships
It’s not uncommon for people to experience difficulty with relationships, but that doesn’t mean it’s something you should take lightly. In fact, such difficulties can cause serious problems in your life—especially if they’re affecting your mental health care. If you’re having trouble connecting with others or feel like nobody understands you, don’t hesitate to talk to a psychiatrist about the root of your problem and how it can be resolved. A psychiatrist will help ensure that any potential issues are addressed as soon as possible so that they don’t get out of hand.
Feeling overwhelmed
You need someone who knows what they’re doing when it comes to managing your stress. If you have depression and anxiety, or if you have another mental illness that makes it hard to manage stress, then it’s important to find ways to deal with the everyday stressors of life.
People tend to use many different ways of coping with their day-to-day problems. Some people get very involved in their hobbies or interests; others go out and socialize with friends; still others go for long walks in nature or take up yoga classes at their local gym. Some people are able to deal with the ups and downs of life by just putting one foot in front of the other—and taking things one day at a time—while others need more support from friends or family members when times get tough.
Addiction issues
A psychiatrist can help determine which options are best for you. They may also provide additional guidance as needed:
A psychiatrist can refer you to other professionals such as psychologists who specialize in treating addiction issues like yours. They’ll help identify triggers that might lead back into bad habits without warning so they can be avoided. A psychiatrist matches up appropriate treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Trauma/PTSD issues
After a traumatic event, it’s normal to experience symptoms that affect your mood and thoughts, such as:
Feeling on edge or easily irritated
Trouble sleeping
Frightening dreams, flashbacks, or nightmares
Avoiding situations that remind you of the trauma
Unresolved issues from childhood
If you find yourself experiencing recurring negative emotions, then it’s time to seek help. A psychiatrist can help you identify what’s causing these problems and develop strategies for coping with them.
A good psychiatrist will know how to treat your specific condition so that it won’t interfere with everyday life. They’ll also be able to offer support during difficult times—and there may be many of those!
Should I go to a Therapist or Psychiatrist?
“You can be un-silent. You can live well with a mental health condition, as long as you open up to somebody about it, because it’s really important you share your experience with people so that you can get the help that you need.” — Demi Lovato
There are a lot of options for getting mental health services. You can see a therapist, psychiatrist, or both. The main difference between going to a therapist and going to a psychiatrist is that psychiatrists are medical people who can prescribe medications.
Psychiatrists can prescribe medications.
The main difference between going to a therapist and going to a psychiatrist is that psychiatrists can prescribe medications. Therapists, on the other hand, cannot write prescriptions. They may offer advice about medication but cannot prescribe it.
However, there are some therapists who are actually psychiatrists. These professionals are called “psychiatrists” or “psychologists” if they hold their Ph.D. or PsyD degree respectively.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors.
If you have mental health conditions that require medication, it’s best to see a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have four years of medical school and at least three years of residency training. They can prescribe medications, including those used for depression and anxiety.
If you just need therapy or want to talk about your thoughts and feelings, see a therapist instead. Therapists aren’t medical doctors; they aren’t licensed to prescribe medications but can help with other aspects of your mental health.
Therapists can be psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or psychiatric nurses.
When you visit with a therapist, they may be a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or psychiatric nurse. Therapists also come from a variety of other disciplines—such as marriage and family therapists and addiction specialists.
The different types of therapists can help with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. They can help people improve communication skills so they can communicate better with family members or coworkers at the office. Some therapists specialize in certain skills such as anger management or grief counseling after losing someone close to you unexpectedly. A therapist might recommend attending support groups for this type of issue as well!
If your main concern is feeling happier every day, then maybe therapy isn’t right for you just yet. But there are ways that it could still benefit your life!
Psychiatrists treat a variety of psychological disorders by giving patients medication.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have at least four years of medical school and three years of residency training. They treat mental health disorders by prescribing medication, but not all therapists can do so. A therapist may be able to help you with underlying issues that contribute to your psychological disorder. However, they may not be able to prescribe medications for your condition.
Patients use psychiatric drugs to manage the symptoms of different types of mental illnesses.
Therapists treat mental health problems through talk therapy, counseling, and behavioral therapy.
Therapy is a form of psychotherapy, which is the treatment of mental health disorders using psychological methods. A professional therapist uses talk therapy, counseling, and behavioral therapy. They use them to help you feel better by talking about your thoughts and feelings.
Therapy can help people with a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, and personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder. People who have experienced trauma in their lives may benefit from seeking professional help. Some forms of therapy are effective in treating PTSD symptoms.
Psychiatrists can diagnose more serious mental health issues.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition and feel like you need to see a psychiatrist, here are some symptoms that might indicate that your situation is more serious:
You experience hallucinations or delusions. Hallucinations involve hearing, seeing, or feeling things that aren’t there. Delusions are false beliefs about reality that lead to significant distress or dysfunction in your life.
You have difficulty managing your emotions, thoughts, and actions. This can be due to depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
If these symptoms sound familiar, contact your doctor for more advice on how to get help for yourself or someone else who needs it! Psychiatrists are able to diagnose more serious mental health conditions because they are physicians with specific training in psychiatry. However, if this doesn’t sound appropriate for what’s going on in your life then don’t worry—you could still see a therapist instead!
Is a psychiatrist better than a therapist?
They’re just different in their training and focus but both can be helpful. It depends on the issue, and what you are looking for:
Therapists in San Diego help people understand their emotions and get healthy by talking about how they feel, how it impacts them, and how they can change it. They may also use some tools like art therapy or role-play exercises to help people practice new behaviors as well. Psychiatrists have additional training that enables them to prescribe medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications when needed.
You can seek help from both!
If you decide to see a therapist in San Diego, you may find it helpful to also consult with a psychiatrist. Therapists and psychiatrists often work together in tandem. If you’re having trouble with depression or anxiety, for example, your therapist might recommend that you seek psychiatric care if the problem seems more severe than you can handle on your own.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are trained specifically in mental health issues and can prescribe medication when appropriate. Psychologists don’t have the same degree of training as psychiatrists. They must have at least a master’s degree in clinical psychology or counseling. But they are effective at treating some forms of mental illness, such as depression and anxiety disorders.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the question of whether you should see a therapist or psychiatrist. You need to be honest with yourself and decide which option will benefit you the most. Base your decision on your needs, experience, and comfort level.
Perlman Wellness: The Mental Health Therapy San Diego Residents Need
At Perlman Wellness, our goal is to help you improve your quality of life by packing in more wellness. We specialize in helping people become more aware of their health and well-being and then providing them with tools so they can continue taking care of themselves.
Perlman Wellness can help you! Call us today.