Mental health?
Question by Princess0717: Mental wellness?
Can a typical M.D diagnose a mental illness, or does a mental well being expert have to do it??
Finest answer:
Answer by rcarolyn28
Mental Health Professional
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16 Responses to “Mental health?”
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LabRat on August 4th, 2011
Mental Health Professional.
a_girl_fromla77 on August 4th, 2011
Of course they can.
smiles11 on August 4th, 2011
needs a psychiatric evaluation from a mental health professional, even though an MD may treat a mental illness with prescriptions.
Florence B on August 4th, 2011
A regular MD can refer anyone that she suspects has a mental health problem to a mental health professional.
They are partners in your care.
But no, a regular MD cannot just ‘diagnose’ a ‘mental health problem’. No.
brittney on August 4th, 2011
Mental Health Professional
phaysebook on August 4th, 2011
depends on the state.
redmermaid99 on August 4th, 2011
a regular md can diagnose mental disorders too these days because of managed care. my md diagnosed me with dysthymia when i was 18.
meep! on August 4th, 2011
I GP can have some input but if they are a responsible doctor they will refer to a mental health professional. Studying mental health is such a small part of medical school and in order to become a mental health professional you specialize in that area so obviously they know more.
macdoodle on August 4th, 2011
anyone can diagnose.
sometimes they are wrong.
specialists are almost always better.
only PhD’s can do the testing.
cella on August 4th, 2011
Your GP will refer you to a Mental Health Care worker.
texastreasure47 on August 4th, 2011
A regular M.D is trained to diagnose mental illness, but if there is a question of dual or complex mental illness, they will usually refer the person to a psychiatrist. After the regular M.D. diagnoses a mental illness, they can and will prescribe medication and then refer the patient to a mental health professional like a psychologist or a therapist to continue the treatment plan.
Hope this helps.
Tex
Elizabeth D on August 4th, 2011
your local gp can diagnose it, but it’s better to get help from a mental health prof. b/c they are more specific to that area.
Pamela on August 4th, 2011
No an MD cannot diagnose you for mental health ,,but he can refer you to a dr. for this,as he could also refer you to see a specialist in any other field .
kittykat on August 4th, 2011
A psychiatrist has the authority to give a correct mental health diagnosis. A MD will typically give a referral to you . A psychologist, therapist are all professionals who deal with and diagnosis mental health issues.
Bettee62 on August 4th, 2011
MENTAL HEALTH PRO. IS THE BEST CHOICE. A PSYCHIATRIST (AN MD+) NOT A PSYCHOLOGIST TO START. GOOD LUCK .
gotta luv da Li on August 4th, 2011
All MDs get some psychiatric training in med school and residency. They can diagnose, but if they are responsible, they will refer anything but the most apparent to a psychiatrist. Even the most apparent should be referred in my opinion, but that’s not the way insurance works so it’s not the way they work.
PS - psychiatrists are MDs. They have advanced specialization in psychiatry. Psychologists have PhDs, can test, and diagnose, but cannot prescribe med in most states. If the illness requires medication, the psychologist refers to a psychiatrist who will still do her/his own evaluation and diagnosis before prescribing meds. And……… any competent psychiatrist will require a check up (usually by your regular doctor) and basic blood work before finalizing a diagnosis.