Are these terms similar – Neuroscience, Psychology, Neurology, and Psychiatry?

Neuroscience deals with your nerves. Nerves are everywhere in your body, not just the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system). Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary science that is concerned with the study of the structure and function of the nervous system. It encompasses the evolution, development, cellular and molecular biology, physiology, anatomy and pharmacology of the nervous system, as well as computational, behavioural and cognitive neuroscience. While the majority of neuroscientists does focus on the brain, there are many who work on, for example, arm or leg prosthetics, or on the question how precisely the sinus node in your heart works.

Neuroscientific research may focus on:

·         understanding the human brain and how it regulates the body and behaviour, including giving rise to consciousness;

·         finding ways to prevent or cure neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Neuroscientists use tools such as:

·         antibodies and gene probes to identify proteins responsible for brain function;

·         fluorescent dyes to mark neurons and synapses with specific characteristics;

·         microelectrode arrays to study the activity of living neurons in real-time;

·         behavioural methods to study the processes underlying behaviour in humans and in animals;

·         computational models of neurons and their connections in the brain.

 

Psychology is first and foremost a quantitative research field. The study of the soul (psyche means soul; logy means study) which focuses on understanding the human mind. It encompasses the biological influences, social pressures, and environmental factors that affect how people think, act and feel. Psychology is both an applied and academic field that benefits both individuals and society as a whole. Clinical psychologists deal with patients with mood, anxiety, and habit disorders, monitoring treatment success and diagnosing them. The people in this field carry out research on people with behavioural disorders, depression, and addiction. The professionals also give counselling to the affected people. Psychology is the study of mind and behaviour. A large part of psychology is devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues, but that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the impact of psychology.

The Goals of Psychology

The four main goals of psychology are to describe, explain, predict and change the behaviour and mental processes of others

·         To Describe: Describing a behaviour or cognition is the first goal of psychology. This can enable researchers to develop general laws of human behaviour.

·         To Explain: Once researchers have described general laws behaviour, the next step is to explain how or why this trend occurs. Psychologists will propose theories which can explain behaviour.

·         To Predict: Psychology aims to be able to predict future behaviour from the findings of empirical research. If a prediction is not confirmed, then the explanation it is based on might need to be revised.

·         To Change: Once psychology has described, explained and made predictions about behaviour, changing or controlling a behaviour can be attempted.

 

Neurology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of disorders of the nervous system. The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates body activities, explains Dr P N Renjen – best neurologist for stroke treatment in Delhi NCR. Neurology is not limited to the brain but it covers from central and peripheral neuropathies over pain management, traumatic brain injuries, neurovirology (viruses that affect nerves). It has two major divisions:

·         Central nervous system: the brain and spinal cord

·         Peripheral nervous system: all other neural elements, such as eyes, ears, skin, and other "sensory receptors"

 

Psychiatry broadly deals with pathological expressions of self. It's a specialised professional course done by the physicians who treat the people diagnosed with mental disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other maniac and phobias. People seek psychiatric help for many reasons. The problems can be sudden, such as a panic attack, frightening hallucinations, thoughts of suicide, or hearing "voices." Or they may be more long-term, such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or anxiousness that never seem to lift or problems functioning, causing everyday life to feel distorted or out of control.

Difference Between a Psychiatrist and Psychologist

·         A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (completed medical school and residency) with special training in psychiatry. A psychiatrist is able to conduct psychotherapy and prescribe medications and other medical treatments.

·         A psychologist usually has an advanced degree, most commonly in clinical psychology, and often has extensive training in research or clinical practice. Psychologists treat mental disorders with psychotherapy and some specialize in psychological testing and evaluation.

 

Conclusion: Neurologists are the medical branch of neurosciences, while psychiatrists are the medical side of psychology. Today these things blend into each other, with prescribing psychologists and a stronger focus on psychotherapy in psychiatry, but they’re still different enough to warrant exploring what one really wants to do.