what to expect when seeing a psychiatrist

Hi @Former-Member,

Welcome to the Forums!

This is a great question. You're certainly not alone with feeling pretty nervous about seeing a pscyhiatrist for the first time. It can be a daunting experience.

Generally, they will want to do an assessment of your current situation. So they may ask you a few questions, and ask you to explain what brought you to them. There's a great post here about the types of questions that they may ask (although this is for a psychologist but, depending on their background, the questions might still be similar).

There's a few great resources too. There's this one by RANZP which explains what generally happens. And the Healthy Place's resource, has some advice on how to hand your first appointment.

@mrkotter wrote here about meeting their new psychiatrist. This wasn't his first appoint with a psychiatrist, but he was meeting a new one for the first time, which can also be nerve-wracking. I wonder if he can offer some insights. Also, I understand @BlueBay sees a psychiatrist, perhpas they can offer some suggestions too.

Let us know how it goes.

great thank you heaps @CherryBomb

ill have a look at those thank you.

any advice really is appreciated 🙂 have you yourself been to a psychologist or a psychiatrist before? and how did you find it? what is what you thought it would be like?

Hi @Former-Member,

I've been to a psychologst. The first time was tough. I found it uncomfortable to open up, but at the same time, it was great to talk through things with a stranger (they held no judgements). My psychologist also had a knack for asking me good questions to reflect and think about things.

My advice based off this? Hmmm, like seeing a doctor, be open and upfront. Perhaps think about what you're hoping to get out of the sessions. I found this a great way of starting the conversation. E.g., 'so I'm here because..., and I'm hoping to .......'.

Hope this helps a bit. I think @Appleblossom also sees a pscyh, perhaps she can also offer some advice?

CB

hey @CherryBomb

thank you for your advice i think anything helps 🙂

im not a very open person and find it really hard to open up to anyone so that why i worry esp going to see a stranger which is worse for me.

im not really sure where to start.. do they often ask the questions first to get answers and i dont know what to say or how to start it so it would be better is she was the driver of train and at least led the first session.

@Former-Member it's ok to go at your own pace too. It takes time to build trust and rapport. It's so important that you feel safe to open up, and your therapist should work to cultivate this.

The other thing to remember is that a 'good fit' is also really helpful. If you find that you don't really gel well with your psychiatrist, its ok to raise it (if you feel ok to do so), or look for another person.

Goodluck!

Hi @CherryBomb@Former-Member

I have been seeing a psychologist and a psychiatrist for the past 7 yrs. But last year after 5 yrs with one therapist I had to see a new one. It was a very anxious tyime for me, thinking what do i say, what will they ask me; what if i don't like them. etc etc etc

But the first session was better than i thought. it is hard when you are seeing someone for the first time. they ask so many questions and they want you to tell them so much about what's happened in your life.

But a suggestion - just try to be calm, it is hard for them as well. they also know that you will be nervous and they won't force you into saying anything that is uncomfortable until you are ready. They are there to help you not make things worse.

Good luck for tomorrow, if you need to ask anything pls don't hesitate to chat again.

blueay

Oh and like @BlueBay said, if there's anything you don't want to talk about, that's fine, just say you don't want to talk about it.

I highly recommend writing what you want to say down like @Former-Member said. That way if you're nervous or you forget you'll have it in front of you.

Wish you the best, my psych is awesome, hope yours is too.

Howdy @Former-Member Hope you're doing ok.

I've had two psychiatrists. First session is always hard and draining. They are going to ask you a lot of questions about symptoms, yourself, personal life, history of symptoms (when they started, have they got worse etc), and family history. Just try to be open and honest as you possibly can but if you are uncomfortable answering tell them that.

Each doctor is different (more on this later). Some may appear to be a bit distant and some will be a lot warmer. My first was the former and my current is the latter. Both are ok, in the first session the psychiatrist will be working really hard trying to figure out how to help you. If they appear distant it just means they are working really hard. Over time you will develop a relationship but for this first meeting you should just focus on providing open and honest answers to their questions.

As far as what happens next sometimes they will give you a diagnosis (and a treatment plan) and sometimes they won't. If this is the case they just need some more time to figure out what is best for you. This is a good time. Although seeing a psychiatrist can be really stressful being patient is part of the game. With my current pschiatrist after the first appointment she just told me to track my mood and come back in a month. In that second appointment we made some decisions.

You will form a relationship with your psychiatrist so in this first session I ask them questions too to see if they are a good fit. Feel free to ask about their background, why they chose psychiatry etc. But I advise to stay away from personal topics after all this is still a professional relationship.

Why I like both of the psychiatrists I've seen is because they take charge. My current one in particular. She just takes charge in such a way you just innately know she has got this, it's all going to be ok. For me both psychiatrists have been such a positive force in my life. I hope its the same for you.

Feel free to ask any more questions and let us know how you go.