What To Know About Psychiatrist In Corpus Christi

Asking for help is no easy feat. In today’s individualized society, most of us have been taught that our problems should remain just that – personal. After all, it is you who is in control of your own life and knows best about how to deal with it.

Unfortunately, that’s often not correct. Humans are social animals, and we rely on others for our wellbeing, even subconsciously. If we were meant to be “lone wolves,” then why would you still hold the door open for an old lady at the grocery store? Why would a baby’s cry distress us so much? Why would we rally to help when a natural disaster strikes on the other side of the globe?

Whether humans are inherently bad or good is a tricky question, and certainly not the one we are trying to answer here. However, the fact remains that we need each other’s help to survive and thrive in this world more often than not.

On the other hand, you have the other extreme: self-proclaimed experts in psychology who believe they know what is wrong with you. With the popularization of psychology through coffee table magazines and Instagram accounts, suddenly everyone is a specialist in the field. There is even a term for these people – “armchair psychologists.” Check out its definition on this link: https://blogs.webmd.com/mental-health/20180717/why-its-a-bad-idea-to-play-armchair-psychologist

Although well-meaning, this compulsion to help by diagnosing our loved ones for every grievance they might have can ultimately be very harmful. Mostly because one specific situation does not indicate a mental disorder, and it is not constructive to solving that particular problem to just put a label on it. Not to mention, diagnosis is a long and meticulous process conducted by professionals who have spent years studying about it in college.

That is not to say that you should never ask for advice from family and friends. After all, they are the people that know you best and longest. However, you should be mindful of the advice they give, and in case their perspectives do not offer a clear solution, maybe it is time to visit a specialist. Read more about what to consider before making an appointment here.

So many choices, so little time

If you clicked on this article, you have probably made the brave first step towards asking for assistance from a professional. Congratulations, that is usually the most challenging part! But how do you know which expert is the right for your predicament? Between psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists, it is easy to get overwhelmed when deciding who to reach out to first.

No worries, we will clear it right up! Psychologists hold an academic degree in the field of psychology, a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree, or even a Ph.D. They usually practice psychotherapy and modify behaviors to solve a problem. It’s important to note that while they can diagnose you with a condition, they are not allowed to prescribe medication because they’re not MDs.

Conversely, psychiatrists like Dr. Michael Anderson have gone through medical school and qualify as MDs, so besides offering diagnosis and psychotherapy, they can also prescribe you drugs. Patients are usually referred to psychiatrists by their therapists or psychologists who realize that they need medication assistance to battle some of the symptoms after extensive treatment.

Lastly, therapists can be viewed as a sub-specialty of psychologists. The focus of their work is in their name – therapy! However, there are many different therapeutic approaches, such as Gestalt therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, etc. A therapist usually specializes in one of them.

Therapies also don’t have to be individual. Depending on people’s needs, you can have family therapy, couples’ therapy, and even group therapies found in places like rehab centers or the Veterans’ Association. It all varies with the needs of the patient(s) and the therapist’s professional opinion about which approach suits the situation.

A summary

From this brief overview, you might have already made up your mind about which specialist you need. But be careful not to fall into the trap of an “armchair psychologist”! The best approach is to visit your GP and discuss the issue with them, and they will guide you on the road to recovery.