Psychiatrist or psychologist — who should I see?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose mental illness, prescribe medicines and treat the body and mind together. A clinical psychologist specialises in psychological assessment and talking therapies, but does not prescribe medicines.

Start with a psychiatrist if the difficulties are severe, have lasted a long time, involve thoughts of self-harm, unusual experiences, alcohol or drug use, or physical symptoms — or if medicines may be needed. Start with a clinical psychologist for problems that are milder and where talking therapy is the main need.

The two often work together. A good first consultation will guide you to the right mix of help.

The psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. In India, this means an MBBS degree followed by specialist training in psychiatry (MD, DNB or equivalent). Because of this medical training, a psychiatrist can:

• diagnose mental-health conditions and rule out physical causes
• prescribe and adjust medicines, and monitor their effects
• order blood tests, brain scans and other investigations
• manage conditions where physical and mental health affect each other
• arrange hospital care when needed

Many psychiatrists, including Dr. Desai, also provide psychotherapy and family consultation.

The clinical psychologist

A clinical psychologist has postgraduate training in clinical psychology and, in India, must be registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India. Clinical psychologists:

• carry out detailed psychological assessments and testing
• provide structured talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy
• help with coping skills, behaviour change and emotional difficulties

They do not prescribe medicines.

Counsellors

Counsellors offer supportive conversations and guidance, often for everyday stress, relationships or life transitions. Training varies widely, so it is worth asking about qualifications and experience.

Where should I start?

Consider starting with a psychiatrist if:

• the problem is severe or has lasted a long time
• there are thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• there are unusual experiences such as hearing voices
• alcohol or drugs are involved
• there are marked changes in sleep, appetite or physical health
• earlier therapy alone has not helped enough

Consider starting with a clinical psychologist if the difficulties are milder, daily functioning is largely intact, and you are mainly looking for talking therapy.

Working together

For many people, the best results come from a psychiatrist and psychologist working as a team — medicines where they help, and therapy to build lasting skills. After an assessment, a psychiatrist can advise whether psychotherapy, medication or both would be most useful.