What is the difference between seeing a psychologist and a psychiatrist in Singapore?

Doctor's Answers 3

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health (psychiatry). To qualify to be a psychiatrist, we must first complete medical school and qualify as medical doctors.

Subsequently, we undergo 5 to 6 more years of post-graduate training and examinations to specialize in psychiatry. A psychologist is not a medical doctor, but a mental health professional who has either a Master's degree or a doctorate (PhD) in psychology.

Many people are confused by the terms ‘psychiatrists’ and ‘psychologists'. They are both trained to help people with mental health issues and, very often, they work in collaboration with one another to provide the best possible treatment for an individual.

Nevertheless, there are salient differences between the two professions and the services they provide differ in terms of content and scope.

3 differences between Psychiatrists and Psychologists

Psychiatrists are doctors, psychologists are not

First, in terms of training and education. Psychiatrists in Singapore are medical doctors to begin with. That is, they are graduates from a medical school; they then go on to specialise in a field of medicine called psychiatry or psychological medicine. They are trained in the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders.

Psychologists have a Masters or Doctorate degree in an area of psychology, the study of the mind and human behaviour. Clinical psychologists have special training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. They are not medical doctors.

Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists are also trained in giving psychological tests (like IQ tests, personality tests, neuropsychological evaluation, specific psychological assessments for attention deficits, dyslexia, etc).

Psychiatrists can prescribe medication

Second, because of their medical training, psychiatrists can prescribe medications. A few states in America (such as New Mexico and Louisiana) do allow psychologists to prescribe a limited number of psychiatric medications after they have completed a training course to enable them to prescribe psychiatric medicines. Till this date, psychologists in many parts of the world are not given the rights to prescribe medications for their clients.

Both can do psychotherapy, but approach it differently

Third, both psychiatrists and psychologists are typically trained to practice psychotherapy -- talking with their patients about their problems. But the differences in background and training affect their approaches to mental health issues.

Psychologists tend to look closely at the person’s behaviour; they will track sleep patterns, eating patterns and the negative thoughts that might be perpetuating a problem.

Psychiatrists have a stronger sense of biology and neurochemistry. For instance, before a patient is diagnosed with major depression, the psychiatrist would like to entertain the possibility of medical problems and medication-induced depression. Many psychiatrists are also well-versed in cognitive behavioural therapy.

Many psychiatrists are trained to provide a wide variety of treatments, according to the particular problem and what has been demonstrated to be effective. These include:

• medication

• general medical care, including checking the physical health and the effects of medication

• psychological treatments

• brain stimulation therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).

Psychiatrists tend to manage people with complex conditions, e.g, schizophrenia, affective disorder, schizoaffective disorder. They have more formal training and treatment options available. Someone who has attempted suicide or has suicidal thoughts will usually be seen by a psychiatrist. Being medical doctors, psychiatrists can also work more readily with your primary care doctor or other specialists. Psychiatrists are medical doctors and they can issue medical certificates; psychologists cannot do so.

Psychologists are more likely to see people with conditions that can be helped effectively with psychological treatments. This might include behavioural problems, learning difficulties, depression and anxiety.

Who should you see?

In the treatment of less severe kinds of mental health problems, who to see can often be more of a matter of personal preference. The type of approach needed often depends on the severity of the symptoms and the needs and wishes of the patient.

According to research, patients differ as to what is preferred— psychotherapy alone or in combination with medication — which, therefore, can affect what professionals they see. The expense can also be a mitigating factor; some studies have found that combining treatment approaches may also be more cost-effective for patients/clients.

If you intend to claim the expenses from your insurance company, it will be good to check with your insurance company if your policy covers treatment with psychiatrist or psychologist.

Photo of Dr Alvona Loh
Dr Alvona Loh

General Practitioner

What Does A Psychiatrist in Singapore Do?

A psychiatrist in Singapore is a medical doctor who:

  • Sees patients with mental health conditions
  • Able to prescribe medications and interventions such as ECT (Electro-convulsive Therapy) when necessary.

Read this article for the ultimate guide to seeing a psychiatrist in Singapore.

What Does A Psychologist in Singapore Do?

A psychologist in Singapore is an allied health professional who:

  • Practices clinical psychology
  • They can give psychotherapy to patients such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), psychodynamic psychotherapy etc.

Psychotherapy is also known as "talk therapy". They are effective for certain mental health conditions. Psychologists do not prescribe medications.

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