Psychologist vs Psychiatrist: Which is Best for Depression?

An awareness of mental health disorders has made society realize that depression is not always a passing phase. If depression symptoms are interfering with your ability to function, you need help. The question is, which type of help should you get?

For many, it comes down to deciding between a psychologist and a psychiatrist. A psychologist provides talk therapy, while a psychiatrist can prescribe medication. So which is right for you? Read on to find out.

What is Depression?

Let’s start by defining depression so you can determine if you need help.

Many of us suffer from occasional depression, but if it lasts two weeks or more, affects you most of the day nearly every day, and interferes with your relationships and daily life, you may be dealing with major depressive disorder. Common symptoms include:

• Depressed mood
• Loss of interest in the things you once enjoyed
• Changes in sleep
• Changes in appetite
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feeling worthless or excessively guilty
• Trouble concentrating
• Agitation
• Suicidal ideation

Psychiatrist or Psychologist: Finding the Right Help for Depression

If you are suffering from major depression or another type of mental illness, you need help. But which type of help is best? Most people will choose between psychiatrists and psychologists. Let’s look at their individual roles in treating mental health conditions.

What Does a Psychologist Do?

A psychologist mainly focuses on talk therapy. They will determine the underlying cause of depression and other mental disorders and determine the best technique. Common mental health treatment approaches include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Aims to change unhelpful thoughts and patterns and teaches coping skills to deal with negative emotions in a healthy manner.
• Behavioral Activation (BA): Encourages the client to engage in rewarding activities rather than withdraw from them, improving their mood.
• Interpersonal Therapy: Focuses on improving communication skills to build or rebuild healthy relationships.
• Psychodynamic/Insight-Oriented Therapy: Determines how depression may be tied to early experiences and unconscious conflicts to treat mental health issues at their root.

What Does a Psychiatrist Do?

A psychiatrist will prescribe medication for depression, taking the following approach:

• Assessment: They will carefully assess the client’s condition with a mental and physical health evaluation. This helps them identify potential contributors to disorders and reduces the risk of interactions.
• Medication Management: These medical doctors will prescribe medication and continue to monitor you through ongoing visits to assess your progress. They will adjust the dose or change medication if necessary.
• Treatment Methods: While medication is the most common treatment, doctors may also take a specialized approach with advanced techniques such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial therapy(TMS), or ketamine. These are typically prescribed when conventional medications aren’t working.
• Talk Therapy: While some psychiatrists may include therapeutic techniques in their services, it is more often left to psychologists.

Which Mental Health Professional is Right for Me?

It is common to start with a psychologist and move on to a psychiatrist if depressive symptoms aren’t improving. Generally, it’s best to see if symptoms resolve naturally, without medication, to avoid side effects and increased care costs.

However, you may want to start with a psychiatrist if you are experiencing severe depression with symptoms like suicidal ideation, an inability to get out of bed in the morning, not eating, excessive sleeping, psychotic symptoms, or if you suspect you have bipolar disorder. Psychiatric help is recommended in these situations, as medications will start working quickly, so you can move forward with a healthier lifestyle.

Can You See Both?

Yes, you can see both a psychiatrist and a psychologist, and many people do. Their services complement each other, offering the following benefits in treating mental health disorders:

• Faster Improvements: Meds change your brain function while therapy helps you improve your thinking and behavior patterns, leading to faster improvements.
• Better Monitoring and Safety: Oversight by two mental health professionals ensures that changes in health and behavior are caught early, guiding a safer approach.
• Backup and Second Perspective: Psychologists and psychiatrists can offer different perspectives on mental health symptoms or back up each other’s opinion, helping guide your health decisions.
• More Detailed, Tailored Care: The two doctors can work together to tailor plans to your individual needs and adjust their approach to your lifestyle and goals.

BNI Treatment Centers Provides Comprehensive Mental Health Care

BNI takes a comprehensive approach to mental health disorders, using both talk therapy and psychiatric medications. While therapy is always the first approach, our specialists have the medical training to prescribe medication if necessary, providing fully integrated care.

Our focus on teens helps us relate to them where they are. We offer academic support to ensure they don’t fall behind in their schoolwork. Our team offers care for a wide range of conditions, ensuring long-term success.

Contact us to learn how we can help your child achieve a brighter future.

FAQs

Do psychologists and psychiatrists go to medical school?

Psychiatrists go to medical school and become medical doctors. Psychologists do not attend medical school; they typically complete undergraduate education or earn a doctoral degree in psychology.

Are there other mental health professionals that can treat and diagnose mental health conditions?

Yes, other mental health professionals who can help with depression and other mental health disorders include psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional counselors.

How long does treatment take?

Treatment with a psychologist typically takes 10-20 weeks, while meds may be prescribed for up to a year. However, some people stay on medications long-term and even for life.

How do I choose between them?

When choosing between them, consider symptom severity, preference (therapy vs. meds), insurance, and provider fit. Try both if necessary to determine which is best suited to your needs.

Dr. Aram Keshishyan, PsyD.

Aram Keshishyan, PsyD. is a bilingual, Armenian-speaking, licensed clinical-forensic psychologist who has been practicing since 2013. Dr. Keshishyan emigrated to the United States at the age of 1 and grew up in the highly diverse Los Angeles County area. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Master of Arts and Doctorate of Psychology degrees in Clinical-Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University, Alhambra.

Arastou Aminzadeh, MD

Dr. Aminzadeh co-founded BNI to provide patients with exceptional and complete care that goes beyond the regular standards. Each individual is unique and based on each person's genetic makeup, some have a more painful response to challenges that arise on their journey and need assistance to get back on track.