Table of Contents
What happens on your first visit to a psychiatrist?
The first visit is the longest. You’ll fill out paperwork and assessments to help determine a diagnosis. After that, you’ll have a conversation with the psychiatrist and an NP or PA may observe. The doctor will get to know you and come to understand why you are seeking treatment.
How do I prepare for my first psychiatrist appointment?
Before the Psychiatric Appointment
- First Appointment.
- Bring a Loved One.
- Be Open and Honest.
- Write Down Everything the Doctor Says.
- Ask Questions.
- Your First Should End with a Plan.
- Understand Prescriptions.
What do you say at your first psychiatrist appointment?
Seeing a psychiatrist for the first time can be stressful, but going in prepared can help….Be prepared for the psychiatrist to ask you questions
- “So, what brings you in today?”
- “Tell me what you’re here for.”
- “How’re you doing?”
- “How can I help you?”
Should I bring a loved one to my first psychiatric appointment?
It doesn’t matter what your concerns are, believe me, the psychiatrist has heard them all before. It can be really difficult to sit in front of a stranger and pour out your heart and admit to things you’d likely prefer to forget. But you have to, so bring a loved one to your first psychiatric appointment to make it easier.
Is it stressful to see a psychiatrist for the first time?
Seeing a psychiatrist for the first time can be stressful, but going in prepared can help. As a psychiatrist, I often hear from my patients during their initial visit about how long they’ve been putting off seeing a psychiatrist out of fear. They also talk about how nervous they were leading up to the appointment.
Should the psychiatrist lead the session?
Even though the psychiatrist leads the session, go in with the mentality that you’re meeting your psychiatrist to see if they’re the right fit for you as well. Keep in mind that the best predictor of successful treatment depends on the quality of the therapeutic relationship.
How long did it take you to find a good psychiatrist?
It took 7 years of navigating psychiatry to finally find a clinician that I felt safe with. Seven. Years. This is due, in large part, to the fact that I simply accepted whatever treatment I was given, rather than advocating for myself.