What to expect from a psychiatrist visit
If you have never been to a psychiatrist before, the first appointment can be a little daunting. Unlike going to your primary care physician for a routine check up, a visit to a psychiatrist requires some important prep. Knowing what to do beforehand and choosing to arrive prepared can help ease any anxiety you are feeling about the process.
As recently reported by Huffington Post, there is a is a national shortage of psychiatrists in the U.S., so you may experience long wait times to get an initial appointment.
Contacting your insurance company for a list of doctors is a good way to start. Note that the insurance company may not have an up-to-date provider list, so be sure to do some research of your own by corresponding with the psychiatrist about billing before your session.
Here's your cheat sheet:
Psychiatric appointments differ from a regular therapy session. The doctor will most likely ask about your family’s medical history as well as generalized lifestyle questions. Take the time to sit down and think about your ancestral background as it relates to mental health
The session may be shorter than a therapy session because most doctors are just prescribing medication
There will be lots of give and take with the medicine
The drug or drugs that you are prescribed can take up to 6 weeks to work
Some medicines do not work on their own and the doctor may combine one with another
You may have to try lots of different combinations or dosages to find the right balance
Always ask the doctor directly about which side effects are most commonly associated with the medication ordered. As tempting as it is to read medical sites, most will give you the entire list of side effects even though some only happen to a tiny portion of the population
Once you start on a medication, take notes in between your follow up sessions. Write down any side effects, changes in mood or behavior, and sleep habits. Ask friends or family members to tell you if they notice personality changes. These notes will be helpful to share with the doctor during your follow up session to determine whether the medication is right for you.
Don't stop taking a medication abruptly. Always talk to your doctor before making changes.
Share your interesting psychiatrist stories in the comments section below!