A psychiatrist focuses on mental health.
When you need a doctor to help with mental health problems such as increased anxiety, depression or other negative feelings, you may feel overwhelmed by the choice you have to make in practitioners. Some prefer to bring the issue before the their family doctor, the same doctor that treats them for the flu and broken bones. Others want a doctor that specializes in mental health problems. One does not appear better than the other -- it depends on the needs and preferences of the patient and the competency of the practitioner.
Pro: One Co-Pay
In these tough economic times, the cost of health care continues to rise, and along with it, the demand for services. Stress, anxiety, and depression go hand-in-hand with financial hardship, so one of the positive aspects of receiving mental health care from your primary care physician is that you are only paying for one doctor instead of two or three. A single co-pay for office appointments and medications is easier for those on a budget, particularly when psychiatrists can cost more than $100 dollars an hour.
Pro: Convienence
Medical records kept under one roof are more likely to be accurate and complete. With multiple doctors there may be a knowledge gap between them. A medical doctor may prescribe a medicine that is similar to one already tried by the psychiatrist, and tests may be repeated necessarily. Having one doctor also means driving to one appointment instead of two (or more).
Con: No Specialty
All doctors receive a portion of psychiatric care experience during school, but for many, this is the extent of their knowledge. If they go into family practice, their knowledge base for mental health problems may not be as broad as a doctor who specializes in mental health. A patient can be misdiagnosed or given medication that is not particularly helpful to their condition and could even make them worse.
Con: No Talk Therapy
One of the best reasons to use a psychiatrist is the added benefit of talk therapy. Used in conjunction with medications, it has the highest rate of success at treating emotional problems and mental illness. With a family doctor, talk therapy is not offered beyond the traditional 10-to-15-minute office visit. The patient may be referred to group sessions, support meetings or another practitioner, but this may result in another payment.
Tags: mental health, health problems, mental health problems, anxiety depression, doctor that, family doctor
