who specializes in the diagnosis prevention and treatment of mental disorders?

Answer 1

A medical Doctor Who treats the mentally ill is known as a Psychiatrist. Since this person is a medical doctor, a Psychiatrist may prescribe medication. As a result, and due to medical attitudes to mental illness, they are likely to prefer to treat those patients who have conditions that only respond to medication; such patients tend to be severely mentally ill and include schizophrenics, bi-polar patients and the severely depressed.

A person with an academic doctorate in the subject of psychology who treats the mentally ill is known as a Psychologist. As this person is not a medical doctor, a Psychologist may not prescribe medication. They may engage in group therapy, talk therapy, hypnosis or a wide range of other therapies. They may be referred to as Analysts or Therapists.

A person with a masters degree in social work, who is employed by the state, and who treats the mentally ill is known as a Social Worker. They provide a wide range of services to the mentally ill.