Many individuals in today’s society experience mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and/or trauma and other various psychological issues, but are not always sure where to turn when these issues arise in their lives. These individuals often feel overwhelmed and stressed when trying to determine whether to seek help from a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. More often than not, deciding where to seek help creates additional stress in an already stressful situation.

It is important to understand the differences and similarities of these professional disciplines in order to make an informed decision when seeking out mental health treatment. Psychologists and psychiatrists both play important roles in mental health treatment, but tend to take different approaches and have different areas of focus.

Types of Mental Health Treatment

It is important to seek out mental health treatment and/or counseling in order to make positive changes in your life, as mental health issues often negatively impact your relationships, your life, and your career. An psychiatrists and psychotherapists both help and support patients suffering from mental health conditions, but take different approaches in treatment.

Psychotherapy, also known as counseling, is a mental health discipline focused on communication, and helps patients by supporting them in their journey of self-discovery. During this process patients learn to better understand the feelings they have and the issues they face in life in order to better adapt and respond in a more effective and appropriate manner in various situations they encounter.

What Does a Therapist Do?

There are many people that suffer from emotional problems and do not know where to turn. Many feel that because they have not been physically hurt, they do not need help. The truth is that there is always a reason to turn to help. The reason could be because you want to change something about yourself or because you need help with something that you cannot change.

There are a number of reasonings and a number of methods to help. One of the more popular of recent years is CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT helps patients replace negative thought processes.

Some of the more common issues that patients see therapists about are:

• Feeling anxious
• Depression
• Getting and staying motivated
• Relationship troubles
• Dealing with and recovering from trauma
• Managing the difficulties that come with changes in life
• Feeling sad, mad, or generally a range of negative emotions

Talking to your therapist can help you in all of the above things. The relationship between patient and therapist is perhaps the biggest factor to the success of a therapy session. People feel supported and validated when they feel truly understood. People often become more at ease with talking about things they never considered talking about. This is the basis of talk therapy; to provide you with the tools to change or help you learn how to deal with something that you never could before.

What Does a Psychiatrist Do?

Sometimes people suffer from mental illness so much that it starts to effect everyone and everything around them. This can manifest in people and in society in many different ways. Sometimes because things get so bad, people need a professional to help.

Mental illness, just like physical illness, can manifest in many ways and be caused by different things. Mental illness can vary from anxiety to depression and bipolar disorder to schizophrenia. If you feel like you need help, it is probably a good idea to get help. A psychiatrist can help you by prescribing you different medications that will help you stabilize.

Mental health conditions psychiatrist’s help treat include:

1. Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)
2. Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia)
3. Anxiety disorders
4. Attention disorders

Other mental health conditions

Psychiatrists perform medication management, which differentiates their work from most psychotherapy. Psychiatrists, like other medical doctors, assess the appropriateness of a diagnosis and treatment based on a patient’s condition and monitor a patient’s wellbeing while using/adjusting treatment.

Medication is just one component of mental health. Psychological healing and processing is also important. Thus, comprehensive mental health and healing is achieved through integration of psychological counseling, psychotherapy, and psychiatric evaluations/treatment.

There are key differences in training and practice between psychiatrists and psychotherapists. Understanding these distinctions can help guide an individual experiencing mental health challenges to the most appropriate mental health professional.

Therapists and psychiatrists both play an essential role in mental health and are equally important. When to seek help from a mental health professional is based on several factors including the individual’s mental and emotional state. Seeking mental health support and resources before a mental health crisis is a good starting point. This can help individuals feel less overwhelmed and mentally stuck.

Therapy can help you:

1. Develop insight
2. Communicate more effectively
3. Modify behavior
4. Work through trauma
5. Create a toolbox of strategies to manage symptoms

There are many reasons to seek therapy beyond the presence of a diagnosable mental health condition. It can strengthen your sense of self and propel personal development.

When is a Psychiatrist Appropriate?

A change in condition may warrant an evaluation by a psychiatric professional. This is the case when symptoms adversely impact your quality of life and/or ability to function in your day-to-day activities.

If traditional talk therapy has not helped alleviate your symptoms and you are in emotional turmoil, it may be time to add another professional to your team.

Psychiatrists are trained to evaluate the cause of symptoms and help patients better understand the various options available to them.

Are Both Services Allowed?

There are many paths to health and wellness. The best approach to treating a condition is the one that utilizes the widest array of strategies and interventions to help the patient feel their best.

As an example, a psychiatrist and a therapist can work together to provide an individualized plan for a patient. The psychiatrist can help with the medication management portion of the plan, while the therapist can help with CBT, counseling, and other plans to help with the patient’s emotional and mental needs.

In developing a plan to help a patient, a mental health and wellness provider will consider the patient’s situation, symptoms, and more to best create a plan to support the patient.

Getting Help

There are situations where seeking out a psychiatrist and/or therapist can help improve a person’s quality of life. It is best to evaluate your symptoms, your needs, and situation to help decide which path you should take.

When seeking out a mental health and wellness professional, it is best to look for someone that will take a personalized, individualized, respectful, and caring approach to your situation to best meet your needs. With the right mental health professional, you can learn ways to improve your mental health and wellness.

Orange Coast Psychiatry mental health professionals take the individualized, personalized and caring approach. To gain mental wellness, reach out to us to see what services we provide and meet our professionals.