The first appointment procedure differs from doctor to doctor, but here’s a very general rundown of what you might expect from a good evaluation. Many psychiatrists will ask you to complete paperwork before the appointment, which may include filling out psychological tests and scales. Then expect to spend twenty to fifty minutes with the doctor telling him about yourself, your depression, and what led up to it. The psychiatrist will probably ask you some follow-up questions and then give you his diagnostic impression. Ideally, you’ll discuss the various treatment options that the doctor thinks might be useful for you, including their benefits and risks. If you both agree on a treatment plan, you’ll likely leave the office with a prescription and/or an agreement to do psychotherapy. If you need more time to come up with a mutually satisfactory plan, you’ll schedule another appointment.
In the first few sessions, it’s a good idea to make a list of the ways that your depression is keeping you from getting what you want in your life. During subsequent meetings, you can discuss your progress and improve the treatment.
- Sometimes my antidepressant seems to have failed and I feel sad again what’s happening?
- What if I have to wait too long to get an appointment with the psychiatrist I want to see?
- What should I look for in a psychiatrist?
- What should I ask a psychiatrist before I see her?
- How can I find a good psychiatrist?
- What are the advantages in seeing a psychiatrist over other health professionals?
- How are psychiatrists different from other medical doctors?
- Can all medical doctors treat my depression?
- What’s the first step in treating unipolar major depression?
- How can a doctor help me with my depression?
- Are these alternative treatments safe?
- Why do doctors prescribe Parnate?
- How does convulsant therapy work for depression?
- Is there a pacemaker on the market that stops depression?
- Can depression be eliminated with magnets?
- Is there any medical way to cure depression without medication?
- I read there is a new combined sleep and anti depressant medication coming up. What is it?
- Will there be any new MAOIs?
- Are doctors testing medications used for Parkinson’s disease to see if they treat depression?
- What is the newest development in modern anti depressants?
