Behavioral Health Providers:
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems.
People seek psychiatric help for many reasons. The problems can be sudden, such as a panic attack, frightening hallucinations, thoughts of suicide, or hearing “voices.” Or they may be more long-term, such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or anxiousness that never seem to lift or problems functioning, causing everyday life to feel distorted or out of control.
Diagnosing Patients
Because they are physicians, Psychiatrists can order or perform a full range of medical laboratory and psychological tests which, combined with discussions with patients, help provide a picture of a patient’s physical and mental state. Their education and clinical training equip them to understand the complex relationship between emotional and other medical illnesses and the relationships with genetics and family history, to evaluate medical and psychological data, to make a diagnosis, and to work with patients to develop treatment plans. Specific diagnoses are based on criteria established in APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5), which contains descriptions, symptoms, and other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders.
What Is the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and Psychologist?
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor (completed medical school and residency) with special training in Psychiatry. A Psychiatrist is able to conduct psychotherapy and prescribe medications and other medical treatments.
A Psychologist usually has an advanced degree, most commonly in clinical psychology, and often has extensive training in research or clinical practice. Psychologists treat mental disorders with psychotherapy, and some specialize in psychological testing and evaluation.
CONTACT
Call (406) 265-7831 to schedule a visit to talk to your doctor about managing chronic pain. We care about you and your family.
Psychology
For the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, OCD, ODD, and other psychological issues in children, teens, and adults. Couples therapy and marriage counseling. Our Behavioral Health providers see patients at our Northern Montana Specialty Medical Center.
What is Psychology
Psychology is the study of mind and behavior. It is an academic discipline and an applied science which seeks to understand individuals and groups by establishing general principles and researching specific cases.
Psychology is really a very new science, with most advances happening over the past 150 years or so. However, its origins can be traced back to ancient Greece, 400 – 500 years BC.
The emphasis was a philosophical one, with great thinkers such as Socrates (470 BC – 399 BC) influencing Plato (428/427 BC – 348/347 BC), who in turn influenced Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC).
Philosophers used to discuss many topics now studied by modern psychology, such as memory, free will vs determinism, nature vs. nurture, attraction etc.
What Is the Difference Between a Psychiatrist and Psychologist?
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor (completed medical school and residency) with special training in psychiatry. A Psychiatrist is able to conduct psychotherapy and prescribe medications and other medical treatments.
A Psychologist usually has an advanced degree, most commonly in clinical psychology, and often has extensive training in research or clinical practice. Psychologists treat mental disorders with psychotherapy and some specialize in psychological testing and evaluation.
CONTACT
Call (406) 265-7831 to schedule a consultation today.