When should I see a psychologist or psychiatrist?

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Extract from the article: When is it advisable to make an appointment with a psychologist? And what is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? Here are the explanations of Dr Zinsou Selom Degboe, Clinical Psychologist/Psychotherapist at the Clinic of Psychia

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When is it advisable to make an appointment with a psychologist? And what is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? Here are the explanations of Dr Zinsou Selom Degboe, Clinical Psychologist/Psychotherapist at the Clinic of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology (CPPM) at the CHU Campus in Lomé.

You feel tired, overwhelmed, out of shape, you brood or eat your emotions and you can't get rid of negative thoughts or a simple recurring headache. It is surely time to make an appointment with a professional. « For example, you can turn to a psychologist. There is no need for a medical prescription to be able to consult. The psychologist is not a doctor. On the other hand, it is possible for a doctor to refer the patient to a psychologist or vice versa, after the first consultation », recommends Dr Zinsou Selom Degboe, Clinical Psychologist/Psychotherapist.

Psychologist and psychiatrist: what is the difference?

The psychologist and the psychiatrist differ in their academic training. The Psy (psychologist) holds a BAC+5 (DESS or Master Pro) in the science called psychology with a speciality to carry the title of psychologist. Elsewhere, such as Canada, a doctorate is increasingly required to be a Psy and to join the Order of Psychologists. Many psychologists hold a doctorate (8 years). The shrink (psychiatrist) has a doctorate in medicine (7 years) plus a specialisation in psychiatry (4 years).

« If you hesitate to take the plunge, remember that the psychologist is first and foremost a behavioural specialist and is there to listen to you with benevolent neutrality and will not judge you. Above all, there is no shame in consulting a professional. The objective is to free your speech to simply unload emotionally. In short, it will allow you to put words to your psychological or mental suffering », emphasises Dr Zinsou Selom Degboe.

The aim of the psychologist is to enable the patient to step back and analyse things differently and to make a decision in order to continue living healthily and to achieve life's objectives. Technically, this is a non-pharmacological treatment.  On the other hand, the care is limited to talking, active listening and psychological examination, a technicality par excellence of this professional.

For Dr Zinsou Degboe, « only doctors/psychiatrists treat patients with medication. These drugs are still called « psychotropic drugs » classified as anxiolytics (tranquillisers), hypnotics (sleeping pills), antidepressants (mood stabilisers, thymoregulators, or normothymics) and neuroleptics (antipsychotics).  Both specialists are mental health professionals and work in a complementary way for the well-being of the patient ».

Of course, good care is based on active listening and clinical observation. Also, in psychology as in psychiatry, there are many specialisations according to age groups. There are child psychologists and specialists in ageing disorders.

In addition to the clinical psychologist, there are work and organisational psychologists, school and educational psychologists, etc.    « When faced with a mental pathology or one related to mental disorders, it is best to turn to the clinical psychologist. The patient must feel comfortable and confident to talk. If this is not the case, the professional can direct the patient to another colleague who is more specialised in his or her difficulty », advises the Clinical Psychologist/Psychotherapist.

Abel OZIH