Do psychologists have to take class on medications? i mean should'nt they no whic med is best for the diagonis?!
Question: Do psychologists have to take class on medications.? i mean should'nt they no whic med is best for the diagonis.?
should psychologists no which med is right for the diagnosis. they should be up to date on medicine right.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Psychologists cannot prescribe medications. Psychiatrists can. And yes, psychiatrists do study different types of medications and need to keep their license current by taking additional classes to keep them up to date. That is why if you have been diagnosed with a mental health problem that you should go to a psychiatrist and not a general doctor- the psychiatrist is very familiar with almost all the medications whereas the general doctors only deal with 2 or 3 of the ones that they get free samples of from the companies selling them. Health Question & Answer
Strictly speaking, psychiatrists are the ones trained in medication, while psychologists are trained more in therapy techniques. However, this does not mean that psychologists are any less knowledgeable or capable than psychiatrists, when it comes to treating a mental illness.
If you are looking for a a 'therapist,' (the blanket term I use for both psychologists and psychiatrists) the most important thing is to find someone who is a match for you. It's important to remember that psychologists often work with psychiatrists, as they are unable to prescribe medication. Still, you may be able to find a general practitioner willing to work with a psychologist.
Just because a psychologist is unable to prescribe medications does not mean that they do not know anything about them. In their studies and in their treatment, they learn which medications are appropriate for which diagnosis.
BobbiHealth Question & Answer
If you are looking for a a 'therapist,' (the blanket term I use for both psychologists and psychiatrists) the most important thing is to find someone who is a match for you. It's important to remember that psychologists often work with psychiatrists, as they are unable to prescribe medication. Still, you may be able to find a general practitioner willing to work with a psychologist.
Just because a psychologist is unable to prescribe medications does not mean that they do not know anything about them. In their studies and in their treatment, they learn which medications are appropriate for which diagnosis.
BobbiHealth Question & Answer
Sound like she ^ knows what she's talking about.Health Question & Answer