What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Question

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Answer 1

Psychiarist is a medically trained doctor who can perscribe medicine . Psychologist is someone who recived a Psychology degree, but they have no medical training. You can recieve a Doctorate in Psychology, but still not be a Psychiatist due to not having medical training.

Answer 2

A psychiatrist talks with you for about 15 minutes and prescribes medicine.  Their services are covered by most insurance.  A psychologist talks with you for almost an hour, listens to your problems and symptoms, and gives you helpful information.  If the psychologist thinks you might benefit from medication, they will also refer you to a psychiatrist.  Psychologist fees are often not covered by insurance.

Answer 3

A psychiatrist has to be a medical doctor with a medical degree. He can prescribe medication and have you admitted to a hospital. A psychologist needs to have a degree only in psychology. He does not have a medical degree,cannot prescribe meds and cannot admit you to the hospital.

Answer 4

A psychologist typically has a PhD while a psychiatrist has an MD (and possibly also a PhD). This means that a psychiatrist can prescribe medication, but a psychologist cannot (except in two states, I forget which ones). Neither one is "better", it just depends what you're looking for.