* Page to be updated in February 2008 - OCD-UK members will receive the article in their members magazine prior to the website update.
Before any kind of treatment for OCD can commence you should always consult your GP. Because a GP is unlikely to be qualified to treat your OCD he/she will more than likely refer you to an appropriate psychologist or psychiatrist who will ensure correct diagnoses and a course of treatment. You may be treated by either the psychologist, psychiatrist or another mental health professional although you will always be usually under the overall supervision of a consultant psychiatrist.
In this section we will look at the different types of therapists and try to explain how each works.
Possibly more important than the qualification of the person treating you is ‘can I develop a good relationship with this person?’. Often the success of failure of therapy will be simply down to the communication relationship between patient and therapist. Some sufferers have found it useful to ask their GP to be referred to another therapist because of this. However it is important to give the relationship time and if things are not working don't be afraid to say this to your therapist, asking for another referral should always be the last choice.
For details on how to make a complaint should you feel you have not recieved
the care you deserve visit our know your rights section.
Psychiatrist
These are medically qualified doctors who have specialised in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. A consultant psychiatrist is the senior member of the psychiatric team, with overall responsibility for a patient's assessment and care.
A psychiatrist will study medicine and specialise in its application to mental health problems by specialising in psychiatry. A psychiatrist is more likely to take a medical view of your problem, diagnosing mental illness, in this case OCD.
Psychiatry is the study of mental disorders and their diagnosis, management and prevention.
Psychologist
Clinical psychologists have specialist training and will study human behaviour and the mind, but they're not medical doctors and do not prescribe drugs. They will work with you towards a mutual understanding of the OCD obsession in which you may be trapped and assist you to find new ways of thinking and behaving in order to solve the problems.
They can also help with a variety of problems connected with health and well-being, including depression, sexual or relationship difficulties, the effects of trauma and problems with alcohol or drugs.
Psychology is the study of people: how they think, how they act, react and interact. Psychology is concerned with all aspects of behaviour and the thoughts, feelings and motivation underlying such behaviour.
What is the difference between a psychologist & psychiatrist?
The simplistic and very basic answer is that a psychologist usually has to work with the backup of a GP to prescribe any medication that may be needed. A psychiatrist will have studied medicine so can prescribe medication without the supervision of a GP.
Often you will initially be assessed by a psychiatrist who will then refer you onto a psychologist (or other mental health professional) for the treatment.
Counsellors and Psychotherapists
Both are trained to listen, giving people time and space to explore important issues. They're not there to find answers to your problems but to allow you to find your own answers through guided discussion.
Psychotherapy allows people to explore their difficulties and worries in depth. There are several types of psychotherapy, using different approaches.
Community Mental Health Nurses (CHMN) and Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPN)
These are psychiatric nurses who work in the community rather than in hospitals. They may be attached to GP's surgeries, community mental health teams, mental health centres or psychiatric units. They may also visit you in your home. Their role includes offering emotional support and helping you explore ways of living with your problem and anxiety management techniques, and administering psychiatric drugs. They also work with your GP's and psychiatrists, psychologists to plan treatment and monitor your progress.
In some cases CPN's might also be trained in CBT and can safely and effectively deliver Cognitive Behavioural Therapy whilst visiting you at home.
Social workers
In some cases you may also be assigned to see a social worker. They can carry out mental health 'needs assessments', and they're involved in the management and planning of care. They may help with benefits problems and can also arrange breaks for carers.
Approved social workers have undergone additional training and, along with mental health professionals, help to assess whether a person should be compulsorily admitted to hospital, and to consider the alternatives.
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