The distinction between psychologists and psychiatrists in the field of mental health has been the subject of debate for many years. In the annotated psychiatry dictionary, ‘psychiatrist is defined as a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental and affective disorders’, while the Turkish Psychological Association defines the term psychologist as ‘a person who has graduated from at least a four-year undergraduate program in the psychology department of a university’ (2006, Savaş et al. al.) Psychologists examine not only the normal behaviors of the individual, but also the abnormal behaviors that affect the relationships with himself or other individuals and include some disorders. Psychologists’ fields of study include educational psychology, sports psychology, environmental psychology, social psychology, forensic psychology, developmental psychology, etc. It is possible to count the sub-fields of psychology. In order for psychologists to work in the field of health, he states that ‘they must have the title of licensed clinical psychologist given by the Ministry of Health and this title requires three years of supervised practice’. (2006,Savaş et al.) A clinical psychologist is a psychologist who has completed his undergraduate education and gained the skills of observation interview, recognition and diagnosis of developmental problems that cause behavioral problems, personality structure, and psychotherapy with individuals / groups in the training of clinical psychology master / doctorate program. In clinical settings, clinical psychologists work as a part of the medical team in diagnosing mental illnesses and even in the treatment process with a psychiatrist.
Ernst Von Feuchtersleben used psychosis, which indicates a change in the interaction of physical and spiritual processes and a change in the whole personality, and psychopathy, which includes all mental illnesses. ) and ICD (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems). In short, psychosis is the deterioration of the individual’s perception of reality accompanied by hallucinations and/or delusions. When the individual with psychosis adopts this situation, he or she has feelings such as hopelessness and helplessness, and at the same time, by adopting these feelings in the family, the disease is approached. Today, ‘real treatment’ is perceived as evaluation, diagnosis and drug treatment, and the view that adaptation to life can only occur after this ‘real treatment’ process and after stabilization is dominant.(2019, Pekçetin) In addition to the great importance of antipsychotic use in treatment, antipsychotic It is claimed that if it is not supported by psychosocial treatment programs in addition to drug treatment, the effect of the treatment is less and it limits the treatment. Psychotherapy helps us in this process by accompanying drug treatment against situations that can cause problems in the individual’s thoughts, feelings and even behaviors, daily life or relationships with people. In the treatment of psychotic disorders, psychotherapy is a process of change and development carried out with scientific techniques, which usually proceeds in the form of conversation with the individual who receives special training on this subject from professional members of mental health (psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, etc.). The results of the change and development targeted by psychotherapy should be shared by the client and practitioner, clear, known and even measurable. Psychotherapies can be applied not only as individual psychotherapy, but also as group psychotherapy, marriage or family therapy.
When we look at the psychosocial approaches applied in the treatment of psychosis; While the effect of psychodynamic therapy continued until the 1960s, we see that it was replaced by supportive treatments later on. Today, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), which is beneficial in the treatment of resistant delusions in psychotic disorders, is used. In addition, the fact that CBT can be applied both as individual and group therapy (CBT) saves time in clinics with high patient density.
To summarize; It is an undeniable fact that the role of psychologists in the treatment of psychotic disorders is important. By providing psychological support to the individual and his/her family experiencing psychosis, psychologists become a protective shield against the shock, anxiety, rejection and feelings of helplessness that they will experience during this process. In addition, they contribute to the treatment with appropriate psychotherapy methods, since the use of drugs is not sufficient in the treatment of psychotic disorders.
REFERENCES
Aktürk, H. (2019, December) Transdisciplinary Working Model as a New Approach to Mental Health Services, Ankara University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Social Psychiatry
Dereboy, C. Senel, H. Ozturk S. , C. Şakiroğlu, M. Eskin, M. (2017) Psychotherapy: Three Monkeys of Mental Health Services?, Arch Neuropsychiatry 2017; 54:301-306
Gökçen, C. Şahingöz, M. Savaş, HA (2013) Investigation of Public Knowledge and Attitudes about Childhood Psychiatric Diseases and Specialists Working in the Field, Neuropsychiatry Archive 2013; 50:154-160
Pekçetin, M. (2019, December) Psychosocial Support Group Study with Psychosis Patients Staying in the Care Center, (Clinical Psychology Master’s Thesis) TC Maltepe University, Institute of Social Sciences, Istanbul
Savas, HA et al. (2006) Knowledge and attitudes related to psychiatry and psychology in the context of psychiatric disorders in southeastern Turkey: A cross-section from the city of Gaziantep, Anadolu Journal of Psychiatry 2006; 7:140-149
Sevi M. , O. Sütcü T. , S. (2012) Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy in Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders-A Systematic Review, Turkish Journal of Psychiatry 2012;23
Şahin H., N. (2006) Clinical Psychology in Turkey: Current Situation, Problems, Forecasts and Suggestions for the Future, Turkish Psychology Bulletin, December 2006, Year: 12, Issue: 39, p:28
