FAQs Archive - Page 2 of 2

Q: What happens at a first psychiatric consultation?

I will take a history from you of what is troubling you now and of your past medical, personal and family history. If needed, we may order blood tests, brain imaging and do brief rating scales. Many people are nervous to come to see a psychiatrist and have taken a long time before deciding to do so, I understand this and most of my patients find this first consultation is a huge relief. Evaluations often require 1-4 sessions and in this time we will decide if I am the right person to help you reach your treatment goals. It will help to make a list of your previous and current medical and psychiatric treatments and bring it with you. Many people forget the names of the medications they are taking; bringing the packaging can be useful.

Q: When should you consider seeing a psychiatrist?

You should see a psychiatrist if you: are unsure what is troubling you and want to know whether you have a mental illness that may require medication; are not clear whether your health concerns are physical or mental; think you might benefit from medication to help you to feel better emotionally; have been started on a psychiatric medication by your doctor and would like this reviewed by a specialist; think you may need admission to hospital as you are emotionally exhausted and not functioning in your daily life; have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness that requires psychiatric medication and cannot be adequately helped by therapy alone; have been attending therapy sessions with your psychologist, and they have recommended medication to help you further; have been diagnosed with a mental disorder and are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.