Lived Experience Forum

[NicK]

I suffer from depression and anxiety and as of late I have resolved to self harm. My concerns grow deeper as I feel it getting worse for me mentally.
I've seen psychologists on and off for the past few years. I have also been on and off medication for the same period. I've been working with my GP to find the right antidepressant for myself. I felt that the mediction I had been on in the past, the side effects had and greater toll than the benefits of the medication.
I was talking to a teacher today about my struggles coping with my mental health and how overwhelming my studies have become.
My teacher was diagnosed with Post-Natal Depression a few months ago and suggested I talk to my doctor about seeing a psychiatrist instead of a psychologist. Her reasons being, they are specialist's and would have a greater understanding of medication.
I just wanted everyone's opinion - psychiatrist or psychologist?

[Sahara]

Hi @NicK,

Since you have been struggling with all this for a few years, I think it is not a bad idea to see a psychiatrist. I am certainly no expert and can only give you this advice as a fellow patient. I suffered from a severe episode of depression about 11 years ago. 

Initially, I saw a G.P. and was prescribed an antidepressant medication that made me feel even worse! Then I stopped taking medication all together for 6 weeks while I waited to see a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist prescribed a different antidepressant that really did start to make me feel better. She also gave me hour-long counselling sessions in her office, to try and get to the bottom of my problems. 

In the end, I had to make significant life changes in order to get better and stay mentally healthy. This included leaving a long-term romantic relationship, which was very dysfunctional. I had to pick up everything and move house and start my life again, so to speak.

I also had to think deeply about what I really wanted from life and resolve to go after those things....

@NicK, you can have your condition managed by a G.P, a psychologist and a psychiatrist- all 3 professionals working together. The psychiatrist will prescribe you some meds (if she feels you need them), the G.P. can monitor your condition and write repeat scripts for you, and the psychologist can be there to talk things over and give you coping strategies. 

If your psychiatrist is a counselling psychiatrist, you may still see a psychologist to supplement those sessions. They should be able to report to each other and facillitate your recovery. 

[outlander]

hi @NicK

i agree with @Sahara working with a gp, psychiatrist and a psychologist would be beneficial fro you

your gp can help monitor you in both meds and moods

a psychiatrist more specialises in medications and which one would be best suited to you

a psychologist- you can pour your heart out without judgement and get coping strategies and that extra support as well

[kef]

Psychiatrist- especially since you are self harming. Or, like the others suggested, GP+psychiatrist+psychologist/counsellor (dependant on if your psychiatrist can provide this support or not). 

I too have self harmed and experienced bad anxiety and depression. I have a good psychiatrist and a counsellor. 

If you can get everyone talking to each other it's even better but that doesn't happen often........

Wishing you all the best with your recovery. 

[AshEasy]

Hi Nick,

Psychiatrist and Psychologist usually work together and they almost have the same role. But if we  are talking about treatment;

Psychiatrists are well trained medical doctors so they can prescribe medications and they spend much of their time with patients on medication management and treatment.

While on the other hand, Psychologists focus extensively on psychotherapy and treating emotional and mental suffering in patients with behavioral intervention.

For me, if you wanted to be sure you are taking the right medications, maybe you should try seeing a psychiatrist as well. I don't see anything wrong with that.

I hope this could help. 

[Former-Member]

G'day @NicK,

Over 30 years of Bipolar II my conclusions are:

1) GPs are great for physical illness and, while often willing and, perhaps a tiny bit knowledgeable, might best not dabble in mental illness; this is the realm of others. However, if your bouts of mental illness are just a few days or even the odd week here and there then, OK, the GP could be enough.

2) Psychiatrists are medical specialists trained in medication that might help with a particular mental illness. Sometimes (mine is that type) the psychiatrists may also be a bit 'alternative' and suggest extra ideas like the use of some vitamins, accupuncture, meditation, ... Psychiatrists mostly manage your drugs and don't chat much (but, yes, some do) at all about your present or past problems; this is the role of the

3) Psychologists/psychotherapists/counsellors who each use a multiplicity of methods to listen empathically and guide you towards a better understanding of your thinking and behaviour, and offer ways of both that may serve you better than before.

While all the above people very much have their value, their roles are very different and IMHO it is a mistake to think that any one of them can do the work of the other unless they can demonstrate the extra training and/or experience required. Having all 3 is a huge bonus but may sadly be unaffordable. Once your mental illness is correctly diagnosed (not a trivial exercise) then this may point to the type of healthworker support you most need.

I hope this helps. Others have said the same as me in a different way.

xNeil

[Mazarita]

Hi. I have had mental health issues and been treated mostly by psychiatrists for 25 years, especially depression and anxiety (as part of bipolar). For me the psychiatrist has always been the core element, especially because medication has been needed. 

I have received a great deal of good counselling from psychiatrists as well as expert medical approaches to medication. I feel my life has been improved a lot by their help, though not every one has been great but they were usually fairly short lived experiences. The important thing for me is that there is a good 'fit' with the psychiatrist, that I respect them and they respect me. 

Best wishes on your next step in the healing journey.

[MissG]

Hi @NicK there isn't really anything I can add to the great information already listed regarding the different roles Psychiatrists and Psychologists have. I see both. It's taken a long time to find those I connect with but well worth it. My Psychiatrists has worked with me to find the most effective mediction mix for me with minimal side effects if any. I see a clicnial Psychologist for the talk therapy and the both work well together. I see the benefit of seeing both given the different roles they have and don't see that one can replace the other per se. Wishing you the best as it makes all the difference getting the most effective treatment and finding treatment providers that are right for you 🙂