sorry I can still not see the difference between a neuro and an ordinary psychiarist

the ordinary psychiatrist did all that.

and said of course I'm depressed, with that amount of pain any one would be.

so to go back to the original Q.

for what reason are they so special to have the word 'neuro' in front of their name. this is what I do not understand.

What does a neuro psychologist/psychiatrist do that that the run of the mill ones don't?

I must confess Newbie, that has me stumped too cos I have always understood that both those psychs deal with neuro issues???

I havent ever heard the distinction neuro- as opposed to just the psychiatrist or psychologist in that way, so I am interested to hear what the actual distinction is myself

join the party Chemar, but they seem to think there is a difference.

ah well we will see.

Newbie,

The neuro psych does testing. The testing can take hours or might be done in one or more visits.

The testing can be in the form of memory games, diagrams ect. The neuro psych is looking for possible deficits that can't be seen in other tests. Some that have medical problems such as MS can have cognitive problems that can and does interfere with doing their job and once the deficit is found then the patient is then able to find ways to compensate.

A neuro psych can also evaluate a child that has possible ADHD and/or learning difficulties and find the deficits so the child can get the appropriate help.

A Psychiatrist can diagnose any number of mental heath issues and prescribe meds but they do not do the type of testing that a neuro psych does.

Hope this made more sense to you.

Snoopy
when you say neuro psych...are you referring to a neuro psychologist or a neuro psychiatrist?

I certainly know of psychologists who do cognitive etc testing but havent ever encountered psychiatrists who did that

In the USA, a neuropsychologist is a psychologist that studies the relationship between the CNS and behavior. While many of them do evaluate through testing for brain disorders and injury, many also engage in psychotherapy with brain disordered patients, trying to improve the quality of life and to further understand brain injuries and disorders. Some neuropsychologists may work through the courts as forensic witnesses, testifying about brain injury.

Not only do they need a doctoral degree in psychology, but extensive study in anatomy, specifically CNS (brain and spine).

A psychiatrist is an MD (medical doctor) who has also done advanced studies in mental illness. In essence they have a medical specialty of the mind. Their main difference from psychologists is they can prescribe medications. (This is changing somewhat because in some areas now specially trained psychologists may prescribe a limited number of meds.) They keep abreast of the psychotropic medications used to treat mental disorders much more closely than regular MDs (usually.) Most psychiatrists in the USA do not engage in psychotherapy. Any psychiatrist may apply for certification through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. However, I believe they are two different specialties (Psychiatry, Neurology.)

A psychiatrist may also specialize in forensics, addiction, child and adolescent, geriatric areas. They may also specialize in neurophysioloy, neurodevelopmental disabilities, neuromuscular and/or pain medicine (which also encompasses psychiatry, neurologic or child neurologic subspecialties.)

Some links are: http://www.abpn.com/cert_specialties.htm
www.apa.org
www.medfriendly.com TC! JD

According to the most recent issue,volume 18, issue 2, 2006 of "Barrow" magazine, published by Barrow Neurolocial Institute here in Phoenix, a neuropsychologist "deals with the relationship between the brain and behavior". They "facilitate recovery from brain disorders, such as tramatic brain injury and stroke". The neuropsychologist also incorporates testing similar to that of the neuro-psychiatrist into the treatment plan. Dr. Prigatano and his team helped me develop and use tools and methodologies that allowed me to return to work full time.

You can be added to thier mailing list by calling 602.406.1041 or send request to Barrow, Office of Philanthropy, St. Josephs hospiyal and Medical Center, 305 W. Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013.

Hi,
Here is something I found.
Mari

http://www.fhipa.com/ipa-abcs-1.html#NEUROPSYCHIATRIST

Thanks everyone for you attempts to sort my muddled head out

It has been a learning curve for me.

Having already seen a psychologist and psychiatrist, who both have agreed that the pain is real and not 'in my head' I was just wondering why the need for a neuro psychologist and psychiatrist.

Thanks for your time and help.

Have a pain free day.

newbie.

neuropsychiatrist - A medical specialist dealing with the evaluation and treatment of disorders deriving from impaired brain functioning and the concurrent behavioral and emotional changes.

neuropsychologist - A clinical psychologist who conducts testing to quantify and localize impaired brain functioning.