Mental health thread

[Disgustipated]

I'd like to discuss mental health. It's a subject I know very little about. Of course we have this stigma associated with mental health, and that's one reason. My first question is an easy question. What's the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? And what about therapist and counselor? Do psychiatrists actually work? Or are you basically paying someone to listen to you?

I saw a counselor once, but I didn't find it particularly helpful. Maybe I didn't pick a good guy, I don't know. I was thinking maybe I should choose a woman.

I am considering seeing a psychiatrist or whatever for some emotional issues I have. I have been told I'm too emotional, and I can be too sensitive. I know this. I have other issues too, but that's the big one. I'd like to be more positive too, and have higher self esteem, and less social anxiety. Can a psychiatrist fix all that? I know, the theory is the patient has to want and be able to fix himself, the psychiatrist just gives him/her the tools to do that. Should I see a psychiatrist (why do they have to make this word so hard to spell- sigh) or psychologist? I have been classified as having a personality disorder once, I'm not sure how accurate that diagnosis is.

It's weird talking about this on a forum, but this is where the anonymity issues is good (I'm referencing another thread with an article complaining about anonymity on the internet).

I don't want to make this a personal thread, just talk about mental health issues in general, and how to best get help. I'm looking up stuff on the internet right now, but I have no idea what doctor to choose. I'm lost. I need help.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

If I recall correctly from my book a psychiatrist specializes in mental illnesses and can prescribe medication. But Im not sure if I'm completely right.

 

[useless]

If anyone ever tells you that you can just "Get over it (mental health issues)" then they are admitting that they are ignorant of the problems of mental health, in a blase way.

 

[NovaKart]

My father is a psychiatrist. Despite that I'm not entirely certain of the difference but I think a psychiatrist normally works with patients while a psychologist is more often doing research or something like that. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication but a therapist cannot since they are not actually doctors.

I think a psychiatrist would likely be more expensive than a therapist. Some people see both, they normally talk about their issues with a therapist but see the psychiatrist less often to talk about how the medication is working.

Therapy can help you but I think you have to be the one who's more in charge. That is, tell your therapist what it is you want to work out. A therapist can teach you skills to cope with your emotional problems. Some people use a therapist more to vent or just talk about things and I think that can help but in the end may not change things for you much. You shouldn't expect a therapist to just figure out what you want to get out of the experience.

If you feel like you need medication that can help too but from what you've said I think maybe you don't. I'd just like to point out that a lot of people are against psychiatric medication and don't realize there are some people who really need it, like people who are bipolar for example. There's also a lot of different medication and it doesn't always become habit forming or have serious side effects.

 

[emzie]

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that works on neurological issues. A psychologist is not a medical doctor, and deals with helping people, who may or may not have a mental illness, cope with life. A psychiatrist I once had described it like this: his job was to make me function, a psychologist is more concerned with making me function in a way I like.

 

[Disgustipated]

hmm, we can also use this thread to talk about mental health drugs.

I'm very reluctant to use them. I once read a possible side effect of Paxil is permanent impotence. I really don't need to go on why that is bad. The sexual side effects aren't pleasant. What's the use of taking drugs to be able to function in a relationship, if you can't have fun in the relationship in an intimate way.

That said, I have considered them. I guess I'm like other Americans who just wish there was a pill out there that could cure all our ills. I know there is no such thing, but maybe something could help.

I have depression too, but that comes and goes. The bad thing is my happiness is too dependent upon other people.

 

[NovaKart]

When you're taking psychiatric medication you should be doing it with your psychiatrist monitoring the situation. If you notice side effects, you can talk with him/her and he/she will adjust the dosage or try a different medication. When you start taking a type of medication, you should be informed of all the possible side effects but that doesn't mean that every side effect is likely but just that it's possible and the medication may not even be the primary cause.

 

[nonconformist]

Don't touch paxil.

If anything, ask for Cognitive Behavoural Therapy.

 

[emzie]

Don't touch paxil.

Really bad advice. And I say that as someone that who tried to kill himself a few weeks after being put on Paxil.

 

[useless]

If it's a chemical imbalance, then I don't see CBT being much of a help.

I tried Sertraline/Zoloft, but the side-effects outweighed the advantages, nor did I feel a decrease in my anxiety nor my low mood.

 

[CommonKnowledge]

I don't know if there's a US version of this but here in the UK we have the Samaritans who you can phone up and talk to, they don't judge or offer advice but rather listen to you. I've only ever seen a psychiatrist once in my life but in my experience I'd rather talk to a Samaritan if I'm ever feeling in a bad way.

 

[sanabas]

I'd like to discuss mental health. It's a subject I know very little about. Of course we have this stigma associated with mental health, and that's one reason. My first question is an easy question. What's the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? And what about therapist and counselor? Do psychiatrists actually work? Or are you basically paying someone to listen to you?

I saw a counselor once, but I didn't find it particularly helpful. Maybe I didn't pick a good guy, I don't know. I was thinking maybe I should choose a woman.

I am considering seeing a psychiatrist or whatever for some emotional issues I have. I have been told I'm too emotional, and I can be too sensitive. I know this. I have other issues too, but that's the big one. I'd like to be more positive too, and have higher self esteem, and less social anxiety. Can a psychiatrist fix all that? I know, the theory is the patient has to want and be able to fix himself, the psychiatrist just gives him/her the tools to do that. Should I see a psychiatrist (why do they have to make this word so hard to spell- sigh) or psychologist? I have been classified as having a personality disorder once, I'm not sure how accurate that diagnosis is.

It's weird talking about this on a forum, but this is where the anonymity issues is good (I'm referencing another thread with an article complaining about anonymity on the internet).

I don't want to make this a personal thread, just talk about mental health issues in general, and how to best get help. I'm looking up stuff on the internet right now, but I have no idea what doctor to choose. I'm lost. I need help.

Go and see a/your GP. Talk to them about it. To see a psychiatrist or a psychologist, you will likely need a GP referral anyway, and a GP will give more accurate advice than this forum.

As for drugs, any pscychotropic drug will have a long & interesting list of potential side effects. Potential doesn't mean guaranteed though. If you, in combination with your GP & psychiatrist think drugs are a good idea, then it's a case of finding which drug/s are best for you in terms of usefulness and minimal side effects. That's a trial & error process.

Drugs are often part of the answer, but almost never the answer by themselves, particularly for stuff like anxiety issues. It's the sort of thing a psychologist or counselor can help with, by doing stuff like CBT or DBT. Finding a good psychologist is also a trial & error process, you need to find one you're comfortable talking to.

 

[downtown]

CBT isn't necisarrily an either/or thing. It can be effectively employed along WITH medication. In fact, I would be highly wary of any professional who suggested meds in isolation. Pills alone seldom solve any problem.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Also if you taking medications (especially several different types) be careful what over the counter stuff (painkillers, cough syrup, etc etc) you also take as there might be a bad reaction (I've never had one, but I've heard about them). If in doubt you can ask a pharmacist who knows your prescriptions.

Also alcohol and medications don't mix.

 

[GenMarshall]

I'd like to be more positive too, and have higher self esteem, and less social anxiety. Can a psychiatrist fix all that? I know, the theory is the patient has to want and be able to fix himself, the psychiatrist just gives him/her the tools to do that. Should I see a psychiatrist (why do they have to make this word so hard to spell- sigh) or psychologist? I have been classified as having a personality disorder once, I'm not sure how accurate that diagnosis is.

I'd like to know as well. Though I cannot see one due to, lack of health insurance and high cost of seeing a head doctor.

 

[Jabarto]

I don't know if there's a US version of this but here in the UK we have the Samaritans who you can phone up and talk to, they don't judge or offer advice but rather listen to you. I've only ever seen a psychiatrist once in my life but in my experience I'd rather talk to a Samaritan if I'm ever feeling in a bad way.

We do have something like that in the US, but I don't think many people know about it (I didn't until fairly recently). They're called "warmlines" and basically work like the Samaritans you described. There are also "hotlines" for those who are actively suicidal but I think most people know about them already.

 

[NovaKart]

This is directed to anyone - If you don't have health insurance and you either don't have an income or a very low one you can ask about people who charge on a sliding scale or there may be some places that offer free of charge. I did this several years ago when I was unemployed and I didn't have to pay anything and was able to see a therapist and a psychiatrist. And this was in the USA.

The only medication I've had serious side effects with was seroquil which just made me extremely exhausted. It's an anti-psychotic so that probably had something to do with it.

 

[Winner]

If anyone ever tells you that you can just "Get over it (mental health issues)" then they are admitting that they are ignorant of the problems of mental health, in a blase way.

A lot of times "get over it" is the appropriate response. People tend to exaggerate their problems these days - not every issue is a reason to go see a therapist or (Gods forbid) a psychiatrist.

 

[Neonanocyborgasm]

I'd like to discuss mental health. It's a subject I know very little about. Of course we have this stigma associated with mental health, and that's one reason. My first question is an easy question. What's the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? And what about therapist and counselor? Do psychiatrists actually work? Or are you basically paying someone to listen to you?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that specializes in treating mental illness. Psychiatrists have licenses to practice medicine and usually those who deal most directly with what is termed "Axis I" diagnoses. The proper definition is rather arcane, but an Axis I diagnosis is essentially a serious mental illness that usually requires medication to fix. A psychologist is not a physician. Psychologists are also mental health experts, usually with either a Master's or PhD, who also treat mental illness. At this time, psychologists do not have the power to prescribe medication, but some states have movements growing to demand that they have some of that power. Psychologists are the ones usually paid to listen to you talk and dispense advice accordingly. A therapist is just anyone with specific training to treat mental illness. A counselor is usually someone without formal training, or at least very little of it, who advises those with many personal issues, not all of which may be mental health.

I saw a counselor once, but I didn't find it particularly helpful. Maybe I didn't pick a good guy, I don't know. I was thinking maybe I should choose a woman.

See above. They usually have little to no formal training, and are just around to dispense advice to those who are socially isolated and have no one to turn to.

I am considering seeing a psychiatrist or whatever for some emotional issues I have. I have been told I'm too emotional, and I can be too sensitive. I know this. I have other issues too, but that's the big one. I'd like to be more positive too, and have higher self esteem, and less social anxiety. Can a psychiatrist fix all that? I know, the theory is the patient has to want and be able to fix himself, the psychiatrist just gives him/her the tools to do that. Should I see a psychiatrist (why do they have to make this word so hard to spell- sigh) or psychologist? I have been classified as having a personality disorder once, I'm not sure how accurate that diagnosis is.

Unless you have an Axis I disorder, it is not useful to consult a psychiatrist. In fact, if you do, they will often refer you to a psychologist. The reason is that very few psychiatrists dispense psychotherapy. They are busy enough just dispensing medication for the most serious disorders and only have time for very brief counseling. So you are best advised to seek help with a psychologist. Personality disorders are Axis II diagnoses.

 

[GenMarshall]

This is directed to anyone - If you don't have health insurance and you either don't have an income or a very low one you can ask about people who charge on a sliding scale or there may be some places that offer free of charge. I did this several years ago when I was unemployed and I didn't have to pay anything and was able to see a therapist and a psychiatrist. And this was in the USA.

I've tried that and said I was not insane enough to see someone . Do I need to bang my head on the wall just to talk to someone, get things off my chest, and get better? *sigh*, I just self medicate with St. Johns Wart.