The presence of different professional figures who apparently deal with the same subject, the care of the mind, is often misleading. This is how it happens that for frankly psychological problems one ends up consulting, for example, a neurologist who does not deal with psychology; in these cases, the problem is not addressed and the person in question does not solve their own difficulties.
The choice between a psychologist and a neurologist can sometimes seem confusing and, before choosing the professional you decide to trust, it is good to understand what the differences between neurology and psychology, which we will deepen together in this Psychology-Online article.
neurology is a medical discipline whose purpose is the analysis and investigation of the nervous system. One of the most remarkable characteristics of this specialty is that it is in continuous development; Its rapid advance means that more and more is known about brain function and how to treat diseases of the nervous system.
For his part, the neurologist is a doctor specialized in neurology, and deals with the diagnosis and treatment of problems affecting the brain, spinal cord and nerves, but without resorting to surgery, the scope of action of the neurosurgeon.
What types of diseases does the neurologist treat? Many are more specialized in a particular area of neurology, for example in the treatment of stroke, epilepsy, neuromuscular problems, sleep disorders, pain, nervous system tumors or typical problems of the third age. The most common neurological diseases are:
- Epilepsy.
- Brain tumors.
- Neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson's disease and dementia).
- Cerebrovascular diseases (such as ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke).
- Infectious diseases (such as encephalitis and meningitis).
- Myopathies and neuropathies.
To determine the difference between a psychologist and a neurologist, it is first necessary to know what psychology is as a discipline. Within the characteristics of this discipline, the investigation of topics that deal with most life conflicts that occur in people's daily lives.
So what does a psychologist do? The functions of the therapist are based on the evaluation of the concerns that their patients have to provide advice, in order to improve your well-being on an emotional and physical level. This is due to the personal growth that the individual experiences from the implementation of the different resources or tools that they learn in therapy.
One of the differences between neurology and psychology resides, precisely, in the different areas where a certain treatment is applied. That is, while neurology studies and tries to solve problems that affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves; a psychologist applies her treatment in the following cases:
- Anxiety disorder.
- Bipolar disorder.
- Post-traumatic stress disorders.
- sexual problems.
- psychosomatic problems.
- depressive disorders
- couple conflicts.
- Personality disorders.
Next, the four reasons why it is claimed that there are differences between neurology and psychology are listed and explained with examples:
The object of study
Neurology is the branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of disorders of the nervous system, both central (the brain and spinal cord) and peripheral (consisting of all other nervous elements, including the structures present in the eyes, ears, and skin).
Psychology, on the other hand, is a science that deals with the processes of the mind, behavior and human relationships in order to promote the improvement of the quality of life. If you want to know more, we recommend you read our post about What do psychologists study?.
medication pre-registration
Another difference between neurology and psychology is that the neurologist is a doctor capable of prescribe medications as well as require and evaluate clinical tests (electroencephalogram, CT, etc.).
The psychologists, on the contrary, have degrees in psychology and, therefore, they cannot prescribe medication o give indications of a medical nature; but they can carry out interventions for prevention, diagnosis, habilitation-rehabilitation activities and support in the psychological field.
The brain and the psyche
In psychic disorders, the brain organ works well, but the person suffers and has symptoms of mental origin. That is to say, that the brain and the psyche are two different things and, therefore, the way of approaching the problems that may arise in the different fields will be different.
It's more, the psyche is based on the brain, but is much wider and understands personality and everything that has to do with being oneself.
The treatment
As a result of their differences, both disciplines join forces to cover the treatment of a person who have any disorder in the nervous system and, therefore, complications also arise at the psychological.
Because, the neurologist collaborates with the psychological team when psychological and relational difficulties arise that can arise in people with alterations in the nervous system (problems of anxiety and depression, for example).
If you liked this article about the differences between neurology and psychology, we recommend this other post about Differences between psychologist and psychiatrist.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
