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

Hi~

Sounds like the definitions have been worked out, so I'll offer my experience.

My daughter saw a neuropsychologist when she was experiencing some major brain fog symptoms and we were trying to determine if it was seizure symptoms, medication symptoms (depakote), or something else. She had several visits of one or more hours and all sorts of testing cognitive and personality functioning. (intelligence, verbal and non-verbal learning skills, attention capacity, sensory-perceptual functioning, visual-motor intergration, personality and emotional functioning,...looks like about 15 different battery of tests!)

I was referred to a neuropsychiatrist after about 3 years of complaints of neurological and other symptoms, and had seen about six separate specialists, and none of them could find much of any explanation for my many systemic symptoms. I was a little fixated on the 'pyschiatrist' part and thought my PCP had just had enough of me (and I think that part is absolutely true..when I told her my legs were buzzing nonstop, she assumed I was hearing the buzzing).

BUT... the neuropsych ran EMG's (nerve tests) and all sorts of bloodwork to rule out various autoimmune disease, antibody tests, Lyme disease, and more. He did ask me some questions, I think, looking for anxiety/depression, etc. He had also just about given up, telling me many symptoms were all subjective (things I could feel, but they could not 'see' or 'prove') and that he had very little objective information to go on. He was nice enough to say he didn't doubt I was experiencing it all, but I would just have to wait for more to develop (and to call him if I started falling down!) . But as I was leaving his office from the third visit, empty handed one more time, HE SUDDENLY THOUGHT to test me for B12 deficiency...and that turned out to be what the other eight other doctors had missed!! Within a few months I was well on my way to recovery~ slow but sure over the next couple years. Major improvements occured within 3-6 months.

Don't be afraid...just go. It might be the doctor who actually thinks of something nobody else has thought of. ANd if it isn't.... just keep on that merry-go-round... until you finally get some answers.

Cara

A psychiatrist has basic training in both mental illness management as well as organic brain dysfunction. They are an MD who has completed at least an additional 4 year residency in psychiatry, and have passed their boards with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). Some will also have additional training (usually a fellowship of 1-2 years) specifically in neurologic/organic brain dysfunction. Many do not.

http://www.aadprt.org/training/default.aspx

A psychologist (in most states they must have a PhD) is not a MD. Most do not have specialized training in neurologic conditions, but instead are expert in personal counseling, adjustment issues, and psychotherapy. A neuropsychologist is one who has specialized training (usually 2 years post-doctorate) in both testing for cognitive deficits and remediation of cognitive and behavioral problems related to neurologic injury or disease.

http://www.appcn.org/mission.html#history

To make things even more complex, there are neuropsychology technicians (also called psychometrists or psychological assistants) who have a bachelor's or master's degree who are trained in how to administer (but not interpret) the vast array of psychological and neuropsychological tests. Interpretation would then by done by the neuropsychologist or psychiatrist:

http://www.napnet.org/49501.html?*se...ession*id*val*

Jccglutenfree....boy can I ever relate to your story.
I too went through years of hell seeking answers to my growing list of symptoms. I seriously considered just "ending it all" when my muscle weakness, loss of voice, musle twitching, nueropathy all increasing to where I could hardly function....my medical records stated Possible ALS.
I had no idea what this meant till I did an internet search.
Every symptom I had pointed to ALS....no way was I going to let my life end this way....slow suffocation....paralized and unable to move.
What a nightmare. I finally got in for the EMG and NC test that showed I did not have this dreadful disease. They did run B12 test that showed normal oh yeah...232 normal? I dont think so!
But I was clueless when it came to B12...months of more suffering till I found Braintalk!
It took only a few days to feel the difference.
I'd love to have a refund from all those "specialist" who gave me so many different possible causes. Where would I be without the B12?
Blessings, Cheryl

The definitions in this thread are good. Both types of professionals are very helpful for injuries such as traumatic brain injury.

From a practical perspective the neuropsychologist helps with “paper and pencil” testing and the practical day-to-day living issues such as how to cope with what is now “not working so well”. They also deal with issues and strategies for re-integrating into work or school.

The testing a neuropsychologist performs tells you what functional areas have been affected by the injury. For instance changes in verbal ability, short-term or working memory, spacial concepts, and such can be measured. One can actually tell during the testing what areas of the brain are being “probed” by the test.

This differs from the neuro psychiatrist’s (or even physiatrist’s) focus on the medical side of things and their ability to prescribe medications to help with cognitive fatigue, headache, vertigo, or sleep problems.

While sleep problems are common with a TBI, the neuropsychologist may rely on treatments such as relaxation or meditation, while the neuro psychiatrist may include these but also rely on medications.

Probably the main difference is their focus.

For my TBI, I see both a neuropsychologist (for testing and reintegration strategies) and a physiatrist for cognitive fatigue, pain, and other issues. They work together as a good team.

Hope this helps.

The neuro psychologist I saw after my shunt revision ran me through a battery of tests to determine cognitive deficits. He checked memory, hand/eye co-ordination, association skills, and other skills I would need to return to my job and life as I knew it. He was not there to resolve any pre-existing psychiatric disorders (God knows that would have taken way too much time). He then forwarded the data to my neurologist, who discussed it with my wife and me. I hope this helps some.

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.