When to Consult a Psychologist or Psychiatrist?

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Extract from the article: At what point is it advisable to make an appointment with a psychologist? And what is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

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At what point is it advisable to make an appointment with a psychologist? And what is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? Here are the explanations from Dr. Zinsou Selom Degboe, Clinical Psychologist/Psychotherapist at the Clinic of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology (CPPM) at CHU Campus in Lomé.

“Are you feeling tired, overwhelmed, not in good shape? Are you feeling down, eating your emotions, unable to escape negative thoughts, or suffering from recurrent headaches? It's probably time to make an appointment with a professional. You can visit a psychologist. No medical prescription is required to consult a psychologist,” recommends Dr. Zinsou Selom Degboe, Clinical Psychologist/Psychotherapist. Indeed, a psychologist is not a doctor. However, a doctor may refer a patient to a psychologist or vice versa after the first consultation.

Psychologist and Psychiatrist: What's the Difference?

It's important to note that in this interview we are talking about a clinical psychologist, not a school psychologist, work psychologist, or psychotherapist, etc.

Psychologists and psychiatrists differ in their academic training. A psychologist holds a BAC+5 degree (DESS or Master's) in the science called psychology with a specialization to earn the title of psychologist. In some places, like Canada, a doctorate is increasingly required to be a psychologist and join the order of psychologists. Many psychologists hold a doctorate (8 years). A psychiatrist holds a doctorate in medicine (7 years) followed by a specialization in psychiatry (4 years).

“If you hesitate to take the step, remember that a psychologist is a specialist in behavior and is there to listen to you with kind neutrality and will not judge you. There is no shame in consulting a professional. The goal is to express yourself to emotionally unload. In short, they will help you put words to your mental or psychological suffering,” emphasizes Dr. Zinsou Selom Degboe.

The psychologist's goal is to help the patient gain perspective, analyze things differently, and make decisions to continue living healthily and achieve life goals. Technically, this is non-pharmacological treatment.

However, their care is limited to speech, active listening, and psychological examination, which is a hallmark of this professional.

According to Dr. Zinsou Degboe, “only doctors/psychiatrists treat patients with medications. These medications are also called ‘psychotropics,’ classified as anxiolytics (tranquilizers), hypnotics (sleeping pills), antidepressants (mood stabilizers, thymoregulators, or normothymics), and neuroleptics (antipsychotics). Both specialists are mental health professionals and work complementarily for the patient's well-being.”

Of course, good care relies on active listening and clinical observation. Also, in both psychology and psychiatry, there are many specializations based on age groups. There are child psychologists, specialists in aging disorders, etc.

Apart from clinical psychologists, there are work and organizational psychologists, school and educational psychologists, etc. “For mental pathology or issues related to mental disorders, it is best to consult a clinical psychologist. The patient must feel comfortable and confident to speak. If not, the professional can refer them to another colleague more specialized in their specific difficulty,” advises the Clinical Psychologist/Psychotherapist.

Abel OZIH