It’s easy to judge another industry from the outside, with ideas formed by what we see on TV, hear on the news or experience through our friends. But not all stories and stereotypes are true. The best way to debunk myths about an industry? Turning to those who know it best.
The Myth: The only difference between a psychiatrist and psychologist is the ability to prescribe medication.
The Truth: “Very frequently what we’re facing is a confusion between the scope of practice of a psychiatrist and psychologist,” Dr. Marta Pieczalska, staff psychiatrist at David Lawrence Center, says. “I believe this misconception actually comes from the stigma related to mental health and the lack of knowledge of the people regarding mental health [treatment].”
Both psychologists and psychiatrists have a doctor’s title in front of their names, but psychiatrists hold a Doctor of Medicine degree with multiple years of residency program experience. Psychologists, on the other hand, hold a doctorate degree in psychology.
“We don’t only prescribe medicine, because to prescribe medicine you have to have the knowledge to diagnose and come up with treatment,” Pieczalska says. “We look at the patient and assess what’s really going on with them, because some medical problems can present as emotional or behavioral problems. … We have very much a biological aspect of mental illness.”
So, who do you see when you need help?
“If somebody is having emotional or behavioral problems that really affect their lives in different aspects—physical health or interpersonal relationships—this would probably be the time to see a psychiatrist,” Pieczalska recommends. “If you have a person who is dealing with some stress, has excessive worries or doubts, or is adjusting to some major changes in their life, this would probably be the time to start with a psychologist.”
If you see a psychologist for emotional symptoms that may turn out to be part of a medical issue, they may very well refer you to a psychiatrist for further evaluation. “Even though we have different training, psychiatrists and psychologists very frequently work together,” Pieczalska adds.
