How to choose between a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a psychoanalyst?

For upon |When to go to a psychologist/psychotherapist? The psychologist works daily with a wide spectrum of problems and groups of patients – from eating disorders to schizophrenia, dementia, and problems in work relationships, loneliness, fears, anxiety problems, etc. Most clinical psychologists will specialize in a particular type of assistance or therapy, such as psychoanalytic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, neuropsychological therapy, among others.

Anyone who is going through a difficult situation in their day to day and wants to move their life in a new direction that provides better results can benefit from the therapeutic services of a clinical psychologist. Psychotherapy is also helpful to delve into important life issues, such as sudden changes, important decisions, etc. It is a space that can be used as a tool for introspection, to review and evaluate the direction that is being taken.

Unfortunately, most people tend to avoid psychotherapy because of the wrong myths. There are many myths circulating in society, one of which is the “accusation” that people who need this therapy are crazy people, who should be treated in a mental hospital. In certain countries, visiting a psychiatrist is evidence that a person is out of his mind. This is wrong! Visiting a psychiatrist is not certain that the person is crazy. In fact, avoiding psychotherapy can lead to further problems, as explained in this article at BetterHelp.com.

When to go to a psychiatrist? The psychiatrist works with people of any age, but usually with people who have a more severe disorder, such as schizophrenia or some other psychosis, or major depression, that require drug treatment. In most cases, psychiatric treatment includes the prescription of medication.

Psychiatric treatment is often accompanied by psychological treatment; in parallel, the patient goes to a clinical psychologist to attend to the reasons for the consultation. Some psychiatrists do not limit themselves to prescribing medications and take courses and diplomas in some type of psychotherapy, which is why they also provide listening and speaking therapy. Still, the psychiatrist does not have a university degree in psychology.

Here are some of the cases in which it is recommended to see a psychiatrist, either for exclusively pharmacological treatment or in combination with psychotherapy:

7 points that indicate that you should go to a psychiatrist:

When there are thoughts of wanting to hurt you

When there are thoughts of violence towards the other

When you present delusions (thinking irrational things)

When you have hallucinations (seeing or hearing things or voices that are illusion)

When there are large fluctuations in mood (it is always recommended in conjunction with psychotherapy)

When there is a cognitive impairment with decreased functioning (recommended in conjunction with neuro psychotherapy)

When psychological therapy or counseling does not work.

When to go to a psychoanalyst? It is worth mentioning that psychoanalysis is the father of psychology. Its founder, Sigmund Freud, created a theory and a practice from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that has profoundly marked Western thought, as well as greatly influenced the different types of therapy that currently exist, despite the fact that the difference between the types of therapy is essential. Psychoanalysis helps people deal with mental disorders and internal conflicts, as well as increase self-understanding and freedom. Chronic depression or anxiety are common reasons, as well as difficulty in relationships or low self-esteem. It is recommended to see a psychoanalyst when there is a desire in the person to explore in a detailed and deeper way in the current situation of discomfort that he is living. Among the important factors when considering going to a psychoanalyst or starting a psychoanalytic process is, mainly, the interest in their own psychic life and the desire to get to know each other better.

Here are some of the reasons why it may be appropriate to see a psychoanalyst:

If you want to develop a greater understanding of yourself and the difficulties that arise

If you want to know how the pieces of your story fit together, both the past, the present, and the inner and outer life

If you want to make sense of your experiences, what happens to you and your relationships

If you are curious about how the mind works, and you want to deal with the root problems

If you want to find well-being, although not in the short term but in the medium term, and you want these changes to last

Sometimes psychoanalytic therapy is also indicated when other less intensive therapies have failed to achieve the desired results.