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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Quintal on July 9, 2008, at 12:27:26
I've been wondering for a while. What is the difference between a pdoc and a psychopharmacologist, apart from medical training? Can psychoparmacologists prescribe drugs too? Are they generally more knowledgable and flexible than pdcos?
I doubt there are any near where I live, but still, I'm curious.
Q
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2008, at 12:38:39
In reply to What do psychopharmacologists do?, posted by Quintal on July 9, 2008, at 12:27:26
Q You know once I called one a few years ago and the receptionist said they delt more with brain injuries and seizures and such but from reading here a lot of posters have them. I think I will google the definition. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2008, at 12:51:18
In reply to Re: What do psychopharmacologists do? » Quintal, posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2008, at 12:38:39
Q Closest definition I could but I bet there are many more out there and more accurate but it's a start. Phillipa
Psychopharmacologists
Q. What distinguishes a psychopharmacologist from a psychiatrist? Is the former more specialized than the latter in medicines? Would a patient seek a psychopharmacologist for specialized help that the psychiatrist couldn't normally deliver, the way he might seek a cardiologist for specialized help?
Do psychophamacologists devote any time to diagnosis, or is it all to prescribing, post-diagnosis? After all, how can one accurately assess a mental disorder in a fifteen-minute session? My doctor took 90 minutes!
I am bipolar and active in a couple of mood disorder support groups, where the advice is circulating like wildfire that psychopharmacologists are the only doctors of merit as far as mood disorders are concerned, with psychiatrists to be avoided, as they're somehow lost in antiquity. I thought they were the same thing! Can you tell me the difference?
A. That's a very good question! As with the term "psychotherapist", there is a great deal of ambiguity associated with the designation, "psychopharmacologist." Simply put, there are no national standards that I know of defining this term, or the credentials necessary to call oneself a psychopharmacologist.
In my experience, most pracitioners who call themselves psychopharmacologists are psychiatrists with a long-standing interest--if not expertise--in psychotropic medication. Beyond that, it's anybody's guess what the doctor's knowledge and experience are, with two exceptions: 1. Any psychiatrist with board certification (as per the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology) has demonstrated a relatively sophisticated knowledge of psychopharmacology, simply by virtue of passing the boards. But--notice I said relatively. There are still some board-certified psychiatrists whose knowledge of psychopharmacology leaves something to be desired, in my view. 2. The American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Inc. (P.O. Box 2257, New York, NY 10116 718-470-4007 Fax: 718-343-7739; http://www.ascpp.org) does sponsor a credentialling examination each year. Only MDs and DOs (osteopathic physicians) currently Board Certified in a medical specialty and with a current medical license are eligible to take this exam, which is reputed to be very rigorous. The names of those who have been so credentialled should soon be available at the ASCP website. However--as someone who considers himself first and foremost a physician and psychiatrist--I would take issue with the notion that only psychopharmacologists have merit, as far as treating mood disorders is concerned. Any board-certified psychiatrist should be able to provide competent, if not stellar, treatment of mood disorders, including bipolar disorder.
Many psychiatrists who do not consider themselves psychopharmacologists are very astute diagnosticians--and without the appropriate diagnosis, there is rarely appropriate treatment. Furthermore, even though bipolar disorder has very strong biochemical and genetic factors driving it, it still requires a comprehensive bio-psycho-social approach--as you evidently appreciate, since you are involved in support groups. Hence, knowledge of psychopharmacology alone does not guarantee optimal treatment of mood disorders (or any psychiatric disorders). All that said--for individuals with suspected or known mood disorders, referral to a specialty clinic is sometimes the best course, if treatment has not been going well. For example, many major medical centers have "Mood Disorder Clinics" within their psychiatry departments that see many thousands of patients per year. Usually--though not always--these are staffed by the most knowledgeable and experienced psychiatric and mental health staff.
Posted by Racer on July 9, 2008, at 13:13:08
In reply to What do psychopharmacologists do?, posted by Quintal on July 9, 2008, at 12:27:26
> What is the difference between a pdoc and a psychopharmacologist, apart from medical training? Can psychoparmacologists prescribe drugs too?
Psychopharmacologists are basically psychiatrists who specialize in medications, rather than generalizing in both medication and therapy. Some psychiatrists still do therapy, but psychopharmacologists do medication only. There's not a lot of difference in training -- although I suspect some will pay less attention to the therapy aspects of their training -- and as MDs, they can indeed prescribe medications.
In theory, specializing gives them more expertise in medications, and they can be a bit more "creative" in finding medications for treatment resistant individuals. Otherwise, the only real difference is the name. If they refer to themselves as psychopharmacologists, they're saying they do medication management only. Otherwise, they may also do therapy.
I hope that helps.
Posted by upsndowns on July 9, 2008, at 13:39:55
In reply to Re: What do psychopharmacologists do? » Quintal, posted by Racer on July 9, 2008, at 13:13:08
Saw a psychopharmacologist for several years and he was the only doctor who was able to properly prescribe my meds and help me to feel better. In addition to an intimate knowledge of all psychotropics, he was also involved in various trials and use of many of the drugs off-label and was a faculty member at the state medical school. It is work like he does that contributes to the use down the road of meds that are previously prescribed for other uses by following the responses, side effects, efficacy of a wide range of dosages in a wide range of diagnoses. He was a lifesaver for me and I wish there was one near where I live now because I feel the "parade is passing me by" and I am regressing rather than being fine-tuned.
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