A medical psychologist is a psychologist that has post-doctoral training in the field of medicine to be able to work in consultation with a physician on the treatment of illnesses. While psychologists in California cannot prescribe medicines, most medical psychologists understand how medications work and can explain them to patients.
A health psychologist has specialty training at a post-doctoral level to work with promoting health. The field of health and medical psychology works with patients that are undiagnosed, or have chronic, serious or terminal illness or psychological problems as a result of a medical condition. We can differentially diagnose psychological or psychiatric conditions from medical conditions. We can help people get accommodations for illnesses that impact functioning at work or at school. We can help people find resources such as services for the disabled or help to document functional impairment for agencies like Social Security.
An average medical appointment with a physician or nurse practitioner lasts less than 15 minutes. An average appointment with a health or medical psychologist lasts 50 minutes. That amount of time allows for more information to be provided to the patient. Medical psychologists also work with complementary medical providers such as acupuncturists, chiropractors, nutritionists, and others. Treatment is often quite brief and focuses on quick improvement in functioning or improved coping skills.
Many medical conditions cause difficulties with psychological functioning. Infection, hypertension, or a mild concussion can cause depression or anxiety that will not respond to typical psychological treatments. A number of medical conditions will mimic bipolar disorder, attention or memory problems. Psychological testing can help document how much of the symptoms are caused by psychological issues and how much is more medical in nature. It can also clarify for physicians how to communicate more effectively. Treatment can assist with desired lifestyle changes, and improved compliance with medication and treatment. In some cases it can save lives.
Jonathan was considering treatment options for occasional episodes of chest pain. It wasn’t bothering him much. He sought out cardiologists and had one tell him he didn’t likely have anything serious, one tell him that changing medication should be sufficient, and one suggested an angiogram to look at his arteries. I reviewed his history with him and suggested the angiogram. One of the arteries to his heart was 98 percent blocked and was opened during the procedure lessening his risk of a heart attack. I also reviewed with him how he was taking his blood pressure medications and explained how those medications worked so he would understand them better.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Margaret Donohue, Ph.D. at 818-389-8384 or www.healthandpsychology.webs.com.