Hi vickivdb, Ok here's the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist Psychologist: Has a PhD and usually works in the field doing research on mental illness and how these illnesses could best be treated. Psychiatrist: Has gone to medical school and is a doctor of psychology. He can diagnose mental illness, prescribe medication and treat the patient with the appropriate therapy. Danielle ________________________________ The Panic Centre Support Team.

By definition a Psychiatrist is a medica doctor (MD) who after training in medicine specialized in psychiatry. A Psychologist is not an MD but usually has a PhD in psychology. In Ontario Psychiatrists are covered by OHIP, psychologists are not. Both Psychiatrists and Psychologists can use several different methods, both employ psychoanalysis and CBT. However it is harder to find a CBT Psychiatrist, but I see one. Search for "general practice psychotherapy association online" to find a government covered psychiatrist in Canada.

Help me out. What is the difference really between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?? My doctor has just refered me to a psychiatrist (I think)...but I didn't really realize there was a difference. How do you know which is better?

hey! I have seen both a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist when my anxiety was at its worst.Both of them have been poitive experiences.I still see my Psychiatrist, but no longer go to my Psychologist.I think it is really important to find the right psychologist. Even ask a lot of questions when looking around for one.It felt really good to talk to an outsider about my past. I do have to say at first it was very overwelming and I felt like my life was a complete mess.I don't know if that's a common thing, but In the end it was very positive and I might in the future go back for more sessions. Any ways Good luck Vanessa

Hey Vickers, thanks for taking the time to share this. I have a similar history of abuse and whatnot. I too, found this website as a turning point in my long journey. It was such relief to discover that you are not alone. I don't even what to think about what kind of state I would be in had I not found this support. :8o: I have ventured out to tell this to a close friend and my sister in law. This was huge step for me because believe it or not I dont' disclose personally information with ease! Talking does help a lot but I guess ultimately it is what your choose to do with your mind. What thoughts will you entertain, which ones you refuse to let in (soooo much easier said than done). :| Again thanks for sharing your milestones and insight. I am happy to hear how far you've come. Inspiring! :)

Hey Alison! Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. :confuse: Busy, busy.... I'm the same way with wanting to get to the bottom of things. I have to know -why- about everything. I think a lot of us panickers are that way though. Maybe that's why we are panickers. Because we think too much about things, trying to figure out why we feel that ping in our chest or why we get dizzy at the checkout line, etc.... I am not completely rid of panic but I feel like I have control of it more. I still have some pretty rough days. But, it isn't controlling me anymore. Since the CBT program on this website, I finally have weeks without even a slightest hint of anxiety! It's wonderful and I hope and pray that everyone here can achieve at least that if not get rid of it totally. For me, I think panic will never fully disappear. I think it's something we have to maintain. I could be wrong. I hope I'm wrong - it would be great to have it be completely gone. I think I had a couple of turning points. One is the CBT on this website. I finally realized there was hope and I was not alone. That was the beginning for me. All those years, I thought I was just insane and there was no hope for recovery. After the CBT, I realized that it's not something physically in me - it's the way I perceive things. I noticed that everybody has dizzy spells and everybody has racing heart beats from time to time throughout the day. The difference was that they weren't dwelling on the reason and instead just saying, "huh, that was weird, oh well." Whereas I would have been more like, "this is it, I'm dying right now!" So, I started trying to take on that attitude instead and it truly has helped. I'm learning that attitude seriously is everything. Some days that's harder to remember - but it is true! That was the CBT turning point for me. The other major turning point for me was that I found out some things about my childhood that completely turned me around and I realized why I had so many social phobias. I found out about three years ago that I was molested by a family friend when I was very young. I had always suspected this but wrote it off as an active imagination. I was so angry that I found out where he lived and I wrote him a few very angry letters.

Thanks a lot Vickers- it's good to hear from you :) That sounds like a very demoralizing experience. The psychologist I occasional see now is good to talk to but we are just constantly talking about how I can stop doing what I'm doing and 'BAM O' ...just change. And yes in theory that does work, but I'm the kind of person who likes to get to the bottom of things and figure why I do the things that I do! Hence, making changes much easier. By no means am I trying to discredit CBT because as we know without changing your thinking you can't change anything. However, I feel spending more time on the roots of this might be the missing piece for me. So how are things going for you Vickers? Can you tell me what was a turning point for you when you just knew you were getting better/changing?

Hey Alison! I'm glad to see you're still around! I was wondering how you've been doing. I went to see a psychiatrist once and he told me that I was just trying to get my husband's attention. Unfortunately, I let that experience determine that I would never tried any others. I think if I had tried someone else, maybe I wouldn't have spent so many years feeling insane. -BUT- I am learning the CBT and the need to talk to people about your past and it is helping me now. I truly believe that working on your issues that have brought you to the state you are in and working the CBT at the same time is the way to go. It's hard to dig up all those old scars but I think it will help you. Hope you and your family are doing well!! Hang in there!!

Hello everybody! Just wondering if anyone can share about their experiences with a psychaitrist. I understand the difference between them both, my problem is I have limited coverage to see a psychologist and (in Canada) psychiatrists are covered completely. As well, the psychologist avenue seems to be completely CBT (which is very good of course) BUT I feel like it would also very benefical to spend a lot more talking about why I am like this rather than how to change my behavhior. I think when you can look back and take apart all the building blocks of who you are- its a lot easier to change. *** Please share your thoughts on this and any experience in this situation would be much appreciated! :)