What a first psychiatry appointment is actually like
Your first psychiatry appointment can be daunting and overwhelming, especially depending on the severity of your symptoms and the impact they have on your life.
It’s important to be patient with the diagnostic and treatment process. Our team will always be open to feedback and adjustments, so it’s okay to make different decisions during your treatment.
What to expect from your first psychiatry appointment
Your first psychiatry appointment will most likely review your symptoms to get an idea of your most prevalent issues. We may or may not prescribe medication during the first appointment.
Realistically, your first psychiatry appointment could be short—maybe under or around 10-15 minutes. If your visit is in-person, one of our nurse practitioners, or another member of our trained staff, may check your vitals (weight, blood pressure, heart rate), then a provider will visit to assess your symptoms and plan the best course of treatment for managing those symptoms.
Some tips for your first psychiatry appointment:
Bring a list of all medications you’ve been prescribed for mental health matters. You might want to note the dosages you were prescribed, and your experiences with those medications.
Write down immediate symptoms, such as sleep disturbances or panic/anxiety attacks, especially if they are your most prominent symptoms.
Reasons why you are seeking help, and what your goals are with psychiatric treatment.
What to expect from us
Our providers can assess your symptoms and establish a treatment plan to manage those symptoms. As far as learning coping mechanisms and techniques, and working with your feelings, you may consider visiting with a licensed psychologist or therapist. You may also consider consulting one or more provider before deciding on the first step of your treatment plan.
An important idea to know is that psychiatry may not be the solution to your mental health struggles, but a tool for building those solutions.