-ology v. -iatry

I realized this weekend (for approximately the 34th time) that a lot of people don't know the distinction between a psychiatrist and a psychologist.

Let's do a Q&A, based on common inquiries about my career choice.

1. "Psychiatry? Don't you mean you're getting a PhD?" - Why no, that's not true at all! Psychiatrists are, in fact, medical doctors, aka MDs. They can prescribe medications and write orders for lab work. Some of them actually use their stethoscope a few times a week! Psychologists can have either a Master's degree or a PhD/PsyD in psychology and are unable to give you anything stronger than good advice and a box of kleenex.

2. "But I thought you wanted to practice medicine." - Ok, skeptics. Just because you can't see a shortage of serotonin or an overzealous dopamine-producing neuron doesn't mean it's not there. Last time I checked, the brain was an internal organ and, based on precedent, internal organs can misbehave. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor will use clinical judgement and treat thusly. Same goes for schizophrenia; it's a legitimate medical condition like hypertension, except it makes you go bat-shit crazy. Bottom line? Psychiatrists fix sick brains, and that seems pretty darned doctor-like to me.

3. "Aren't you going to get sick of listening to people's problems?" - There are a lot of talented psychologists and social workers that will talk to patients 'til the cows come home about the root(s) of their feelings. I, however, don't really have an interest in doing therapy. I want to know your symptoms, what makes you feel better or worse, and how long it's been going on... medical-ish things. The goal is to find a legal drug that will get you on the road to feeling better.

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A good friend and future psychiatrist described the difference between practitioners of psychology and psychiatry like this: think of them like physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons; both fix musculoskeletal problems, but they do that from completely different angles. It's an efficient and accurate explanation.

Now that you've been educated, spread your new-found knowledge to the masses. Only YOU can prevent psychiatry confusion!