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What do Psychiatrists do?
(Source: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists website - www.ranzcp.org.au)
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are experts in mental health. They specialise in diagnosing and treating people with mental illness. Psychiatrists have a deep understanding of physical and mental health – and how they affect each other. They help people with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and addiction.
Psychiatrists assess all of your mental and physical symptoms. They make a diagnosis and work with you to develop a management plan for your treatment and recovery. Psychiatrists provide psychological treatment, prescribe medications and do procedures such as rTMS or electroconvulsive therapy. As part of their work, a psychiatrist can:
Psychiatrists assess all of your mental and physical symptoms. They make a diagnosis and work with you to develop a management plan for your treatment and recovery. Psychiatrists provide psychological treatment, prescribe medications and do procedures such as rTMS or electroconvulsive therapy. As part of their work, a psychiatrist can:
- provide urgent care for a sudden mental illness
- help you to manage a long-term mental health condition
- provide advice about lifestyle changes
- work with you individually, or with you and your partner, family or carers
- provide second opinions and advice to other doctors and health professionals
- refer you to other health professionals
- admit you to hospital if required.
Seeing a psychiatrist
What do psychologists do?
(Source: The Australian Psychological Society website www.psychology.org.au)
Psychologists study individuals and groups to better understand how people, communities and societies function, and devise ways to empower them and help them thrive. We do this through our understanding of mental and biological functions that drive behaviour. In Australia, psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). They must have a minimum of six years of university training, engage in ongoing education, and adhere to strict ethical standards. You can check on the AHPRA website to see if a person is registered as a psychologist.
Seeing a psychologist FAQs
Psychologist or Psychiatrist? What is the difference
Source: Health Direct website - https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/psychiatrists-and-psychologists
What are the differences between psychiatrists and psychologists?
The main difference between the two is that a psychiatrist has trained as a medical doctor and can prescribe medication. A psychologist is not a medical doctor and can't prescribe medication.
However, there are many similarities between psychiatrists and psychologists. Both are trained to understand how your brain works, how you think and how you behave. Both are able to use different types of counselling and psychotherapy to help.
Both psychologists and psychiatrists use various forms of therapy to help with mental health problems. They can help you develop better ways of thinking and behaving.
However, there are many similarities between psychiatrists and psychologists. Both are trained to understand how your brain works, how you think and how you behave. Both are able to use different types of counselling and psychotherapy to help.
Both psychologists and psychiatrists use various forms of therapy to help with mental health problems. They can help you develop better ways of thinking and behaving.
Should I see a psychiatrist or psychologist?
You might need to see a psychiatrist if:
You might need to see a psychologist if:
- you are experiencing anxiety, depression, stressful life events or any other mental health difficulty
- you feel like life is more difficult and need support to cope
- you would like an assessment of your mental health
If you have a choice between several different practitioners, questions to ask them include:
- How can you help me?
- How many sessions do I need?
- How often do I need to see you?
- How much do you charge?
Urgent Issues
NIYAMA does not provide acute services. In times of emergency, please contact the following services (https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-helplines)
- Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online. Suicide Call Back Service provides 24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Call 1300 659 467. MindSpot is a free telephone and online service for people with anxiety, stress, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression. MindSpot is not an emergency or instant response service. Call 1800 61 44 34. Head to Health gives advice and will connect you to local mental health services. Call 1800 595 212. FriendLine supports anyone who's feeling lonely, needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. You can call them 7 days a week on 1800 424 287, or chat online with one of their trained volunteers. All conversations with FriendLine are anonymous.
- There are also helplines available for people with different backgrounds or needs.
- For young people who need mental health support, and their parents or carers:
- Kids Helpline is Australia's only free 24/7 confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 – 25. Call 1800 55 1800.
- headspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends. Call 1800 650 890, or chat online.
For people with complex mental health issues:
- SANE Australia provides support to anyone in Australia affected by complex mental health issues, as well as their friends, family members and health professionals. Call 1800 187 263 or chat online.
- Blue Knot Foundation Helpline is the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. It provides support, education and resources for the families and communities of adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:
- 13YARN provides 24/7 free and confidential crisis support. Call 13 92 76.
- Thirrili provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the aftermath of suicide or other fatal critical incidents. Call 1800 805 801, 24 hours/7 days a week.
For LGBTIQ+ people:
- QLife provides nationwide telephone and web-based services for peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Call 1800 184 527.
For pregnant people and new parents:
- PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) supports families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. Call 1300 726 306.
- ForWhen connects new and expecting parents or carers to perinatal and infant mental health services and supports in their local area. Call 1300 24 23 22.
- Gidget Foundation provides mental health support for expectant and new parents. Call 1300 851 758.
For veterans and their loved ones:
- Open Arms provides 24/7 free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, their partners and families. Call 1800 011 046.
For people needing support with eating disorders, and body image related issues:
- Butterfly National Helpline is available for anyone in Australia concerned about eating disorders or body image issues, either for themselves or someone they care about. Call 1800 33 4673.