Many people are confused about the difference between a psychiatrist and psychologist. Psychiatrists are medical doctors that typically prescribe medications when treating mental health issues. Psychologists are analogous to counselors and therapists who do individual therapy who help people learn skills and tools for dealing with depression and anxiety.
How is a Psychiatrist Different from a Psychologist or My Regular Doctor?
The main difference between a psychiatrist and a regular doctor (Primary Care Physician) is that the psychiatrist is a specialist where family doctors are generalists. Both are medical doctors, but psychiatrists have more practice and skill at treating mental health issues.
How Will a Psychiatrist Treat My Depression and Anxiety?
Depression and anxiety are typically treated with medications, therapy, or a combination of both. In many instances a psychiatrist can prescribe an antidepressant for depression or anxiety and achieve very good results. Others find therapy to be a useful adjunct for building coping skills and strategies for life stressors. Depression and anxiety are often treated with SSRI’s like Prozac, Zoloft, or Celexa or SNRI’s such as Wellbutrin. Psychiatrists are comfortable prescribing a much wider variety of medications than a family doctor would. Psychiatrists are better at dosing and augmenting medications to improve or enhance the benefits of a medication.
Will My Depression and Anxiety Get Better?
If depression and anxiety are left untreated, they tend to get worse over time. What starts out mild can quickly become moderate to severe. Whether you prefer medication or therapy, it’s important to do something. Medication is effective for 60-70% of people. Around 60% of people respond well to their medication within two months and experience a 50% reduction in symptoms. Interestingly, about 50-60% of people don’t get much benefit from their first antidepressant trial. This is where working with a psychiatrist can be beneficial. They are more skilled at finding a combination or alternative to get the desired results. In sum, so long as you select some type of treatment for your depression and anxiety, things typically improve.
If you are interested in working on your depression and anxiety, feel free to contact IPC so you can schedule an appointment with one of our psychiatrists or therapists. Please call us now at 763-416-4167, or request an appointment on our website: WWW.IPC-MN.COM so we can sit down with you and complete a thorough assessment and help you develop a plan of action that will work for you. Life is too short to be unhappy. Find the peace of mind you deserve.
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