Understanding the Distinction Between Psychiatrists and Psychologists in the UK

In the field of ADHD, the roles of psychiatrists and psychologists are distinct yet complementary. Both professionals play crucial roles in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD in adults and children, and although similar sounding, most people don’t realise their differences. 

Beyond Clinics is a private ADHD clinic in Manchester, run by a group of dedicated, specialist psychiatrists and practitioners with a shared passion for helping individuals who suspect they may have a neurodevelopmental condition. Many people find they struggle with where to turn, if you opt for a psychiatrist or psychologist, this guide aims to help you understand the differences and make a choice that is right for you. 

What is a Psychiatrist? 

A psychiatrist is a medically trained doctor who specialises in the field of psychiatry, as well as undergoing specialised education and training in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, including ADHD. Due to being medically trained, they can prescribe medicine as well as practice physical and mental examinations, alongside historical symptoms, to properly assess and diagnose ADHD. 

What is a Psychologist? 

A psychologist will focus more on gaining an understanding of your background, symptoms history, individual life events, and emotional difficulties, to arrive at an understanding of what is causing a person's ADHD. They are less concerned with a diagnosis and use more evidence-based psychological approaches to formulate a treatment plan, such as the use of talking therapy and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy). If medication is needed, a psychologist is unable to prescribe it, this is where collaboration between a psychologist and a medical doctor will be needed. 

How do Psychiatrists and Psychologists Help with ADHD Assessment and Diagnosis? 

A psychiatrist will carry out several psychological tests to first rule out any other possible issues that can be mistaken for ADHD. This can involve undergoing a behaviour rating scale and a checklist of symptoms. They will also take a patient's medical history into account and whether symptoms were present in childhood. They will ask questions about how the symptoms impact daily life, as well as carry out a physical examination to eliminate any other potential issues, which include seizure disorder or a thyroid problem, which can present similar symptoms to ADHD. 

A psychologist will still derive all the same information but in a non-medical way. They will use talking therapy to understand the client's background, and how they cope with daily life, look at their childhood, and use psychotherapy or cognitive behavioural therapy to treat patients. They are less likely to label symptoms and therefore don’t come to a definitive diagnosis. 

Education and Training of Psychiatrists and Psychologists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in ADHD. They undergo extensive medical training (typically around 5-6 years) followed by specialist training in psychiatry (approximately 6 years). Their training includes working in various medical fields, general psychiatry, and often in subspecialties such as child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, etc. Psychiatrists are authorised to prescribe medication and use a medical model to understand mental health conditions. 

Psychologists, on the other hand, have academic training in psychology. This involves obtaining an undergraduate degree (usually 3 years) followed by a postgraduate qualification in psychology (an additional 1-2 years for a master's degree or 3-4 years for a doctorate). Clinical psychologists undergo further specialised training in the application of psychological principles to mental health and ADHD. 

Scope of Practice and Therapeutic Approaches

Psychiatrists primarily focus on the medical aspects of mental health and ADHD. They can assess, diagnose, and treat ADHD using a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and other medical interventions. Often, they work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, including psychologists, social workers, and nurses. Psychiatrists use a medical model and may primarily prescribe medication to manage symptoms. They provide psychoeducation and brief forms of psychotherapy but often collaborate with psychologists for in-depth therapeutic interventions. 

Psychologists focus more on assessing and treating ADHD through non-pharmacological interventions. They utilise various therapeutic approaches such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, and humanistic therapies, and provide psychological assessments, including intelligence and personality testing. Psychologists employ a wide range of therapeutic techniques to address psychological and emotional issues, with a focus on understanding thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, as well as working towards helping individuals develop coping strategies and achieve personal growth. 

Psychiatrist and Psychologist Collaboration

Collaboration between psychiatrists and psychologists is common when it comes to ADHD assessment and diagnosis. Some patients may find they react better to a non-medicated approach, where talking therapy and coping strategies are enough. Others may find that daily life is too difficult for them to cope with and need a more medicated approach. Psychiatrists may refer patients to psychologists for psychotherapy while managing medication aspects themselves. Interdisciplinary teamwork often includes other professionals such as psychiatric nurses, social workers, and occupational therapists. 

In the UK, the NHS utilises both psychiatrists and psychologists to provide mental health services. However, the demand for mental health services often exceeds the available resources, leading to variations in accessibility. 

ADHD Assessment: Which Should You Choose? 

In short, the option you should choose will be totally dependent on the way in which you react to treatment. A psychiatrist will diagnose and prescribe medication to treat ADHD, alongside working with psychologists for a more talking-based approach, but a psychologist alone will not prescribe medication and use CBT alongside the individual’s medical history to help their patients. 

A psychiatrist is classed as a medical doctor, who includes a physical examination of symptoms in their assessment and can prescribe medication to help with ADHD symptoms. A psychologist is not a doctor who is able to prescribe medication, but their technique can be just as useful to those who do not want to go down the medical route. 

Individuals seeking mental health support may consult their GP, who can help determine whether a psychiatrist or psychologist is more appropriate based on the nature of the concerns. In some cases, a combination of both professionals may be recommended for comprehensive care. 

Beyond Clinics: Speak to a Psychiatrist at a Private ADHD Clinic in Warrington

Using your GP to get the ball rolling with your ADHD assessment and diagnosis is not always feasible for everyone, especially those who find they are struggling severely to cope with their ADHD symptoms. If you find you are one of these people, then going down the private ADHD assessment and diagnosis route may be your solution. 

Beyond is a private ADHD clinic in Warrington, run by a group of specialist psychiatrists and practitioners, committed to providing a robust ADHD assessment and evidence-based interventions, to meet the needs of each individual. Our psychiatrists bring extensive expertise in both assessing and diagnosing. We offer an assessment pathway that is individual to each person and utilises evidence-based diagnostic tools which aid assessment. 

In addition to our clinical team, our patient coordinators and admin support also provide you with continued support and guidance. They enable seamless communication and coordinate your care working closely with you every step of the way. Together, we are dedicated to making positive changes in the lives of people with ADHD.

If you would like to speak to one of our expert team for a confidential chat, get in touch today.