"A child psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating behavioral disorders in children up until the age of 18. This kind of psychiatrist uses their knowledge, training, and experience to offer treatment solutions, including medication, that will best help a child or adolescent with their unique challenges. Child psychiatrists take many factors into consideration including biological and psychological influencesto help kids and their families cope with interpersonal relationships, stress, and crises.
Child Psychiatrists vs Child Psychologists
The Difference Between a Child Psychiatrist and a Child Psychologist Child psychiatrists and child psychologists both diagnose and treat mental health disorders in children and adolescents. The primary difference between the two is that psychiatrists tend to focus on medication management, while psychologists tend to focus more on talk therapy.
When to See a Child Psychiatrist vs a Child Psychologist
A psychologist can help a child to work through difficult situations, learn coping skills to manage strong feelings like anxiety and depression, and help families to communicate and get along better. What a psychologist cannot do is prescribe medication. Most child psychiatrists see children to establish and manage the medication portion of their treatment. Usually, a child will need to see a psychologist for weekly therapy in addition to their visits with a psychiatrist."
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