Posted by fallsfall on December 9, 2003, at 19:32:02
In reply to Psychiatrist or Psychologist « Kinny, posted by Dr. Bob on December 9, 2003, at 1:42:42
I would think that it would depend on what you think your son's problem is.
Personally, I would start with a Psychologist. I think that they are more likely to recommend that you seek medication if that is indicated than a Psychiatrist is likely to NOT prescribe it if it is not needed. I think that Psychologists tend to be more interested in the big picture, while many (not all) Psychiatrists are more interested in finding a way to squash each symptom (sometime one at a time)
Understand that I think my Psychiatrist is really very good, but the Psychologist is the one who understands me.
6 years ago my daughter was in 4th grade and was having a lot of issues with an upset stomach. She couldn't ride the bus to school, couldn't eat breakfast, stayed home sick a lot. I took her to a Psychologist for an evaluation. The evaluation took 4 sessions (I believe). At the end of the evaluation my daughter said that she didn't want to keep seeing the therapist (of the many therapists I have met she is in the couple in my regard). The therapist said that my daughter did have some issues, but that none of them were worth probing (and taking my daughter out of her comfort zone) nor were they worth adding the stigma of "being in therapy" fo her.
So we stopped there. A year and a half ago, my GP and I thought she needed anti-depressants, but she loudly proclaimed that she wasn't depressed. She's doing better this year and doesn't seem depressed to me (just like an obnoxious 15 year old... At least she's age appropriate...). She still throws up every other week whether she needs to or not, can't eat breakfast or take the bus, and whenever she doesn't want to do something her stomach "hurts". We have learned the difference between a stomach bug and her "normal throwing up" (if she throws up more than once, then it is a bug). Her stomach is her Achille's Heel. We are learning to adapt. So that is my story.
I hope this helps. Ask more questions if you want.
poster:fallsfall
thread:287920
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20031207/msgs/288131.html