Psychiatry and neurology both involve studying, diagnosing, and treating brain-related conditions. Although they have some overlap, they’re not the same. In fact, several key differences exist between these medical professionals, including training and education, conditions treated, and diagnostic approaches.
Not sure how exactly a psychiatry provider or neurologist helps patients? Exploring the differences between these medical professionals can offer a better understanding of what they do.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at how and why they differ — and when to consider seeing a psychiatrist vs. a neurologist.
Note: The following shouldn’t be used to self-diagnose. Only health professionals can diagnose conditions based on symptoms.
Psychiatry providers specialize in mental health. They’re trained to evaluate symptoms, make diagnoses, and treat mental health disorders. In order to practice, a psychiatrist needs to earn a medical degree, complete a residency, and obtain Board certification and licensing.
They can prescribe medication to help patients manage mental health disorders. Some also offer psychotherapy (also called “talk therapy”), but those who don’t may refer patients to psychologists, therapists, or counselors.
Neurologists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat conditions that affect parts of the central and peripheral nervous system, such as the brain or spine. These medical professionals need a medical degree, residency program, and Board certification to practice.
Neurologists evaluate patients and run tests as needed to make diagnoses. They might recommend rehabilitation, medication, lifestyle changes, or even surgery, depending on a patient’s condition and diagnosis.
If both involve diagnosing and treating brain-related conditions, why are they different fields? The main focus of each field is different. The field of psychiatry deals with disorders or conditions that cause changes in mood, behavior, emotions, and thoughts.
Neurology focuses on conditions and diseases that physically affect the nerves, brain, spine, and other structures of the nervous system. Diagnostic tests, such as brain scans, may reveal physical evidence of neurological conditions. The same can’t be said for psychiatric or mental health disorders, resulting in the need for different diagnostic approaches.
Separate approaches to treatment are also needed. Neurology focuses on treating physical damage or problems with the nervous system, such as rehabilitation after a stroke. Psychiatry focuses on addressing emotional or behavioral symptoms of mental health disorders through medication and therapy.
Despite helping patients with brain-related conditions, psychiatry providers and neurologists are very different medical professionals. In the following sections, we’ll go over the main differences that set these professionals apart.
Again, psychiatry and neurology focus on different kinds of disorders or conditions. Psychiatry providers diagnose and treat mental health and emotional or behavioral disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
Neurologists focus on treating conditions that physically affect the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s disease or multiple sclerosis. This includes any part of the central or peripheral nervous system, such as the spinal cord or brain.
Psychiatry providers undergo medical training after earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. They have to take and pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), then earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (OD) degree. After that comes a residency that may take up to four years to complete.
Psychiatry providers also have to obtain licensing and certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). Some train in a subspecialty or fellowship, such as geriatric psychiatry or child and adolescent psychiatry, allowing them to offer specialized care.
Neurologists earn a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field. As with psychiatry providers, they have to pass the MCAT and earn a medical school degree. They also have to complete a residency that lasts a few years or more before obtaining state licensing and certification.
Neurologists can obtain certification from different organizations, such as the American Academy of Neurology or the ABPN. Some pursue training in a fellowship or subspecialty, such as neuromuscular medicine or brain injury medicine.
As mentioned earlier, neurologists and psychiatry providers use different diagnostic approaches. Psychiatry providers tend to use psychological assessments and interviews in order to gather the information needed for a diagnosis.
Neurologists typically conduct physical exams and neurological tests to diagnose conditions of the brain, spine, or other parts of the nervous system. These may include imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain activity, or other medical tests.
Psychiatry providers treat psychiatric conditions that affect emotions and behavior, such as anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and eating disorders. Other conditions they treat include substance use disorder and addiction, schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Neurologists treat neurological conditions that affect the brain and other nervous system structures, such as headaches and migraines, dementia, strokes, and Parkinson’s disease. Other conditions they treat include epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and some vision issues.
Neurologists and psychiatry providers offer different treatment approaches. Psychiatry providers typically focus on psychotherapy and medication, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications.
Neurologists use medication, such as pain relievers for nerve pain or medication to help manage symptoms of chronic neurological conditions. Other treatment approaches include physical therapy or other forms of rehabilitative therapy, such as speech therapy. In some cases, neurologists may recommend surgical interventions, such as removing a tumor from the spine.
For some individuals, it’s not a matter of seeing either a neurologist or psychiatry provider. Some conditions overlap, requiring care from both types of medical professionals. For example, someone with a traumatic brain injury may require physical therapy from a neurologist for recovery and medication and psychotherapy to help manage depression or other mental health symptoms related to their injury.
This may happen with other conditions, too, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or strokes. These neurological conditions may trigger emotional or behavioral changes that lower a patient’s quality of life. Working with both a neurologist and a psychiatry provider can help improve their physical and mental well-being.
Psychiatry providers rely on psychological assessments and similar tools to learn more about their patients and make diagnoses. These might involve giving patients questionnaires to fill out or conducting interviews with them to find out why they’re seeking help and gather other information.
Neurologists use advanced imaging tests, such as MRIs or computerized tomography (CT) scans, to get detailed images of the brain or other parts of the nervous system. They may also use tests to assess brain activity, motor system function, cognitive abilities, or other nervous system functions.
Psychiatry providers and neurologists tend to work in different kinds of medical facilities or clinical environments. Some psychiatry providers work in mental health clinics, such as community mental health centers. Others work in private practices that might include other psychiatry providers and mental health professionals.
Neurologists often work in neurology clinics or hospitals. Some work in specialized care centers, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) centers or spine centers that focus on spinal cord diseases and conditions.
How often patients see these medical professionals and how long they’re under their care varies. Psychiatry providers may see patients more often, such as every week for psychotherapy or every month for medication management. Patients might work with psychiatry providers on a long-term basis in order to manage mental health disorders.
Neurologists often see patients on more of an episodic basis rather than a frequent, long-term basis to address specific neurological concerns. For example, a neurologist might work with a patient who has had a stroke over the course of several weeks or months as they recover. Or they might help a patient who is experiencing a flare-up of multiple sclerosis symptoms or migraines.
Knowing whether to make an appointment with a psychiatry provider or a neurologist may not be an easy decision. In general, seeing a psychiatry provider is suitable for those experiencing symptoms of mental health conditions that affect thoughts, emotions, or behaviors, such as having feelings of hopelessness or worrying excessively.
Seeing a neurologist is suitable for those who are having symptoms that may be due to a nervous system condition, such as headaches, back pain, memory problems, or trouble walking.
If you’re experiencing mental health or physical symptoms, it’s best to see your primary care provider first. The above information is not intended for self-diagnosis.
Getting the right kind of care for brain-related conditions, whether they’re mental health disorders or neurological diseases, can help improve quality of life and wellness. For those with a mental health condition that affects behavior and emotions, seeing a psychiatry provider may be appropriate.
If you believe psychiatric services, such as medication management or therapy, may benefit you, SonderMind is here to help. Let us connect you with a psychiatry provider who best fits your needs.
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