During the treatment of ADHD, you may run across a myriad of medical professionals, by many different names. Knowing the difference between them, and understanding what each professional can contribute to your treatment will help you make informed decisions regarding who to see when and what you can expect from their care.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (M.D.). They have completed medical school and training, as well as several additional years of specialized training and education. In addition, some psychiatrists receive additional training in a field such as child psychology or geriatric psychology. Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that deals with the treatment and prevention of mental and emotional disorders, such as ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety. Psychiatrists that are Board Certified have been in practice for at least two years and have passed examinations by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, “This extensive medical training enables the psychiatrist to understand the body's functions and the complex relationship between emotional illness and other medical illnesses.
The psychiatrist is thus the mental health professional and physician best qualified to distinguish between physical and psychological causes of both mental and physical distress.
Psychologist
A Psychologist is a medical professional that has received either their Master’s Degree or Doctorate in Psychology. They provide treatment, diagnosis and psychological testing of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. They utilize talk therapy as their treatment method and may not prescribe medications in most states. Additional specialized training and Board Certification is available to psychologists. Education for a licensed psychologist typically is 5-7 years of Doctorate programs and an additional internship of one to two years. In some states, there is an additional period of one to two years of supervised practice required.
