Starting Over
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
NSOR: Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist
Has anyone seen a Psychiatrist? I have seen several Psychologists and haven't really found myself to benefit much. I'm not sure if I can just call and make an appointment with a Psychiatrist or if I have to be 'sent' there, or how any of it works. I'm about to call the Psychiatrist's office, but I don't want to sound like a complete dumbass.
I just feel like I need behavioral help that can't really be talked out.
Re: NSOR: Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist
Sure, you can just call and make an appointment, like with any other dr.
Good luck!
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
Thanks
I didn't want to ask anyone IRL
The only real difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that a psychiatrist can prescribe you medication. To me a psychiatrist is more of an actual doctor b/c they go to med school whereas a psychologist just has a doctorate in psychology (which makes me think of Friends when Ross would always refer to himself as Dr. Gellar even though he was a paleontologist not a medical doctor).
My BFF is a pharmacist so technically her title is Dr. Bff and she loves to joke with people when they say "I need to call a doctor about this..." she will say no you need to call an MD I am a doctor and I cant help you with that...
3/12 5 mi -- 49:22 Pace: 9:52
5/1 Half Marathon -- 2:11:22 Pace: 10:01
5/22 10k -- 56:29 Pace: 9:00
5/24 3.6 -- 29:03 Pace: 8:18
7/10 15k -- 1:44:46 injured Pace: 11:14
10/29 5k -- 28:24 Pace: 9:04
I don't really know...
I just called the Psychiatrist and it was a no-go. She said I needed to be referred by a Psychologist (which I don't currently have).
So, I guess I will...start over with another Psychologist. Sigh.
This is why I keep giving up.
Why don't you know?
3/12 5 mi -- 49:22 Pace: 9:52
5/1 Half Marathon -- 2:11:22 Pace: 10:01
5/22 10k -- 56:29 Pace: 9:00
5/24 3.6 -- 29:03 Pace: 8:18
7/10 15k -- 1:44:46 injured Pace: 11:14
10/29 5k -- 28:24 Pace: 9:04
Because I don't really know the difference between a LCSW and a Psychologist.
Sorry, I should have worded that differently. I am at capacity right now.
Haha! No worries.
LCSW= Licensed Clinical Social Worker
The exact wording for the credentials may be different from state to state. In my state you have to practice for 3 years as a LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) under the supervision of a LCSW. Then you sit for your LCSW exam.
Long explanation made short: Psychologist has a PhD in psychology and a LCSW has a Masters in Social Work and a state licensure. Both are qualified to provide therapy.
ETA: Some people like going to a social worker for therapy because of the difference in the education and theoretical framework. Most social workers use a biopsychosocial framework (biological, psychological and social factors) rather than a pure psychological perspective. HTH
3/12 5 mi -- 49:22 Pace: 9:52
5/1 Half Marathon -- 2:11:22 Pace: 10:01
5/22 10k -- 56:29 Pace: 9:00
5/24 3.6 -- 29:03 Pace: 8:18
7/10 15k -- 1:44:46 injured Pace: 11:14
10/29 5k -- 28:24 Pace: 9:04
It does, thanks!!!
So, if a Psychologists thinks you need drugs, do they then refer you to a Psychiatrist? Sorry if that's a dumb question.
Not a dumb question. Correct, a psychologist cannot prescribe meds. They have a PhD in psychology whereas as a psychiatrist has a medical degree and specialized in psychiatry (hence they can prescribe meds).
3/12 5 mi -- 49:22 Pace: 9:52
5/1 Half Marathon -- 2:11:22 Pace: 10:01
5/22 10k -- 56:29 Pace: 9:00
5/24 3.6 -- 29:03 Pace: 8:18
7/10 15k -- 1:44:46 injured Pace: 11:14
10/29 5k -- 28:24 Pace: 9:04
A psychiatrist will do less with the talk therapy and more with medication monitoring. Once you find a psych or LCSW or MSW that you like, he or she can refer you to a psychiatrist, if that's still the route you want to go.
I am surprised that you couldn't just make an appointment, though. I didnt' need a refereral back when I went several years ago. Sorry about that!
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
Yup! Your PCP may be able to make the referral as well. But most psychiatrists do more medication management than talk therapy.
For talk therapy I would go psychologist or LCSW.
3/12 5 mi -- 49:22 Pace: 9:52
5/1 Half Marathon -- 2:11:22 Pace: 10:01
5/22 10k -- 56:29 Pace: 9:00
5/24 3.6 -- 29:03 Pace: 8:18
7/10 15k -- 1:44:46 injured Pace: 11:14
10/29 5k -- 28:24 Pace: 9:04
Just my two-cents worth. I've been to psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists.
In my experience, and this is just my experience, psychiatrists are more likely to think you NEED medication because biological causes of depression, anxiety, unhappines, etc are their theoretical focus. It's not to say you don't need meds, but in my opinion you'd be wise to explore other treatments first (because of side-effects, etc.)
Psychologists and social workers are more likely to give you tools to improve yourself, to mirror back to you patterns in your thinking and behavior that aren't serving you, and to empower you to make positive change. I actually prefer social workers to psychologists.
I've been on and off anxiety/depression meds briefly two times in the past 15 years and my psychiatrist pointed out one time that MANY things are anti-depressant other than antidepressant medications. He was right. I've been happily off meds for many years. But in order to stay off, I have to do other things (exercise, eat right, take supplements, see my therapist, etc.)
Whatever you choose, trust your instincts and keep trying until you feel sure you've found the right person to help you!
I was most recently seeing a MFT- who was our marriage counselor but I liked her a lot and we only went as a couple a few times before I ended everything.
I have seen LCSW (I am a social worker myself) and I liked the framework they use in therapy.
I used to see a psychiatrist for medication. My PCP really had minimal knowledge of AD's and was sort of haphazard in selecting one to start, and the psychiatrist was really helpful with medical management, changing meds, monitoring progress with different doses, etc. But he was not my therapist and we did little in the way of "work" to manage depression.
My insurance changed and I went to a new PCP who had an extensive background in psychopharmaology and helped me monitor my meds and helped me get off them for good.
So a good PCP can also prescribe meds, but no psychologist, LCSW or MFT can.