[darkfoxx]

So after years of trying to figure out what was wrong with me I had a recent interest in getting a professionals opinion. I knew I was depressed and had some social anxiety but didn't think the two were related. Anyways back to the topic, I was searching for psychiatrist, but unknowingly picked a psychologist. I just had my second session with him when I mentioned medications and he said he would have to refer me. Now I'm not sure if I should continue with the current dr. or find the one I was looking for. I've already told him my life story and he has already made suggestions on self improving which I've been trying to follow. I'm not sure if I will get that same kind of help with the psychiatrist, or if medication is something that I really want to pursue since I hear bad stories about meds not working as well over time and how hard it is to come off them. At the same time I don't know how effective it will be for me to "change my way of thinking" more or less on my own.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated, pros cons of each type, and any success or failures with meds in relation to depression or social anxiety. Thanks for listening!

[Perna]

I don't think you can pick wrong. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor and usually works with finding medications to help with your difficulties and a psychologist has a doctorate in psychology and some extra training and supervision in helping you "change your way of thinking". Often people utilize both together. I just saw a psychologist though and some people just see psychiatrists and occasionally some psychiatrists do some therapy also but usually just meet with you for 15-30 minutes once a month to check how well medication might be helping you. It's up to you how you want to work on your difficulties. Since you are seeing a psychologist, if you like him I would keep going there for 6 months and see where you are and if you feel it is being effective and discuss if he thinks medication might help you move faster or more comfortably or what.

[Victoria'smom]

One is a therapist the other is a mental health dr. I'd start with the therapist and move to the drugs later.

[ThisWayOut]

with what Perna said. Generally, it is suggested that meds be used in conjunction with therapy, as they have found that to be more helpful than meds alone... though some people prefer to do meds only (and do well like that), while others prefer therapy only.

[BlessedRhiannon]

In the US, it's very uncommon to find a psychiatrist (MD) that also does therapy. So, if you want therapy, you're best sticking with the person you've been working with. If you want medication, then you are probably best served working with the person you already are and then seeing a psychiatrist as well for medication.

[Chummy]

I have a psychologist for my social anxiety and depression and she's very good. I only see the psychiatrist for my medication.
A psychiatrist is not always better than a psychologist, he just also studied medicine. It might depends with who you can talk better. If you don't think your current psychologist can help you, than it's maybe better to get another one?
And it can be hard to find the right medication. What works for someone, might not work for you. Some people have side effects from medication, while others don't.

[darkfoxx]

Originally Posted by Chummy

I have a psychologist for my social anxiety and depression and she's very good. I only see the psychiatrist for my medication.
A psychiatrist is not always better than a psychologist, he just also studied medicine. It might depends with who you can talk better. If you don't think your current psychologist can help you, than it's maybe better to get another one?
And it can be hard to find the right medication. What works for someone, might not work for you. Some people have side effects from medication, while others don't.

I don't really have an attachment to my Dr. This is the first one I've ever seen and only twice at that. He's given me a couple of sleep exercises and to stop when someone says something to me that offends me and think about it in a non self blame kind of way. I'm concerned about medication since for as long as I can remember, I've been the way I am, and I guess you could say I'm worried the meds would change me.

I think i'll do what the others said and see him for a little while before I change my decision. I didn't realize that psychiatrist have such short meetings. My hour long sessions so far have flown by.

[Ad Intra]

You could always have a psychiatrist added on. I've always had a doctor and a therapist on my treatment plan

[Ididitmyway]

I don't understand why this therapist said he would have to refer you..

With psychiatrist you will just get drug prescriptions, that's all. With psychologist you will have what you've had with the current one so far. I don't see the reason why you can't just continue to do talk therapy with this one.

I understand your hesitation about meds. If you want my opinion on that, I'd prefer to talk to you about it privately and to give you links to all information related to psych drugs you may find useful. I have a strong bias against psych meds that is not just my personal opinion, it's based on a good amount or research data and some other facts about Big Pharma's criminal activities that our media doesn't want to talk about. I prefer to discuss it privately because I don't want to engage in arguments about it on this forum. So, feel free to PM me if you want more info.

[Creamsickle]

I understand your reluctance to go on meds. I'm with you on that score. Why not give this dr you're seeing now a chance to help you first (talk therapy)? Maybe you don't need meds.

[LonesomeTonight]

I'm guessing he said he had to refer you because he can't prescribe medications. He may still want to keep seeing you, but also have you see a psychiatrist. You could always clarify with him. I have both, and once you find a medication that works, you generally just see the psychiatrist periodically for med checks (to make sure the dosage is still working), which could be once a month or even less often. Better to do therapy with a psychologist or LCSW. Though my current psychiatrists does offer therapy (50-min session), I'm already happy with my T, so I just see her for meds. I do talk about how I'm doing, which helps her figure out if my dosage is right.

[darkfoxx]

Originally Posted by Ididitmyway

I don't understand why this therapist said he would have to refer you..

With psychiatrist you will just get drug prescriptions, that's all. With psychologist you will have what you've had with the current one so far. I don't see the reason why you can't just continue to do talk therapy with this one.

I understand your hesitation about meds. If you want my opinion on that, I'd prefer to talk to you about it privately and to give you links to all information related to psych drugs you may find useful. I have a strong bias against psych meds that is not just my personal opinion, it's based on a good amount or research data and some other facts about Big Pharma's criminal activities that our media doesn't want to talk about. I prefer to discuss it privately because I don't want to engage in arguments about it on this forum. So, feel free to PM me if you want more info.

Sure send me what you got - I need to make a clear decision about it. I think my Dr. said he would refer me to see a psych as well as see him. As others mentioned the psych only sees you like once a month. I think I'm mostly concerned with how much will I change while on meds and how hard it will be to get off meds. I've been watching to many shows about mental disorders. I for one feel like I really should be on something. I feel locked away in my own world, a void, and I'm sure that portrays a very negative image of myself to others. Is it too much to ask to be normal, or is this the new normal? A question that keeps crossing my mind. But anyways I have my third session tomorrow time to dig in a little deeper.