On my small depression journey, I've encountered many other individuals with depression, in addition to people without a mental illness. Now the reason why I sharing this along with you, is the fact that I'm amazed at just how few individuals really know what a psychiatrist actually does.
For example, multiple people I have talked to think that all that a psychiatrist does is write prescriptions for medication, there you have it!
The reality is that psychiatrists achieve this even more than just dish out medication prescriptions...
... psychiatrists are medical doctors whose speciality is within mental health.
10 Things to consider When Finding A Psychiatrist
- To begin with, you will probably need to get a referral letter out of your general practitioner. Try not to worry, most general practitioners already have a summary of their favorite psychiatrists whom they can recommend. I use the work "favorite" as your doctor is a great resource for recommendations as their patients often provide them with feedback which psychiatrists are accomplishing well. Also your physician may have heard from other doctors which psychiatrists get good feedback.
- Inform you for your doctor regardless of whether you prefer visiting a male or female psychiatrist. I only say this because when I was known my very first psychiatrist, he would be a male and that i didn't understand him (or the next 2 male psychiatrists!). It truly is a personal choice. For me, I've found that I am able to be more open and say what I want to say having a female psychiatrist than I could having a male one.
- Once you have a referral, phone the psychiatrist's office and make an appointment. Please do not be discouraged if you have to wait several weeks prior to a scheduled appointment as that seems is the standard time period.
- At your first appointment (usually about 1 hour) together with your psychiatrist, it really is a get to know you appointment. The psychiatrist will ask you a lot questions to enable them to better understand you and what your expectations are regarding seeing them. It is unlikely that any CBT will require place only at that initial appointment.
- Now, please pay close attention to this factor when finding a psychiatrist. While you may have needed to wait a couple of weeks for the appointment, however, you don't feel comfortable with the psychiatrist for ANY reason - don't feel obliged to see them again.
- Trust me, in the past Two decades, I've had to determine more psychiatrists than I care to remember, before I discovered one who I could use and trust. The defining factor in all of my first appointments was this "Is this psychiatrist hearing me?" Basically felt that they weren't, i then would swiftly proceed to the next psychiatrist. My point here is when a psychiatrist is not hearing you, then how on earth can they speak with you about how you feel and what issues you may have. The answer is simple: they cannot! I will let you in on a secret... ...psychiatry is just like any profession, you will find great people there are also some very ordinary individuals. My advice for you is don't give up! Visit someone else. I'm well aware that it may be difficult that you should cope with your feelings and finding a partner who you enjoy talking to - but it's well worth it to persevere.
- At the first appointment, I suggest that you simply mention the problem of privacy. The best way to approach this? Well, I got my psychiatrist to agree that any information that I provide during an appointment is private. Seriously, you need to know your rights! And those rights include your psychiatrist keeping that which you let them know confidential, if you don't give them express permission to waive that right. It would be amiss of me basically did not explain that there are very limited circumstances where they are able to break this confidentiality. These circumstances are: Whenever a court orders them to provide information, o When the psychiatrist believes that you or another person reaches risk of serious harm. I urge explore to let these rare circumstances put you off finding a psychiatrist. In over Two decades, my information has never been distributed to anyone without my consent.
- Another factor to consider in finding a psychiatrist, is the cost. Don't be afraid to inquire about a psychiatrist just how much you pay. If you're not able to afford a personal psychiatrist, then in most instances if you see a psychiatrist who works at a community health centre or for the government in a hospital, then you do not need to pay anything.
- Let's say that you've applied the 8 factors above to find a psychiatrist what you are confident with. Good for you - I am talking about that! Happen to be on the right path to managing your depression. For most people the need to face up to medicine is very strong - I'm among those people! So when my psychiatrist (number 5 or 6, I forget!), discussed prescribing an anti-depressant for me, I was totally against it. Why? If I had to take anti-depressants then that has to mean that I'm not "normal"! Oh boy, how naive I had been back then! I've since learnt that taking anti-depressants is an extremely effective way to handle my depression - in fact, I would go so far as to state that anti-depressants have saved my life...literally. Now we all know that's a bold statement, however it happens to be true. Without visiting a psychiatrist AND taking my medication, there is no way which i would have the great quality of life that I have finally.
- This factor follows on from factor 9. Once you have gone through the necessary steps for find a psychiatrist, you should take their advice - they are the experts after all. However if you simply don't agree or understand their advice, then let them know. This gives the psychiatrist a chance to explain their reasoning and thoughts on why CBT, IPT and/or medication might be ideal for you.
Okay, there you have it! See, it really isn't that difficult finding a psychiatrist, keep these 10 factors in your mind and I am certain there is also a great psychiatrist.
This is a blockquote. It is located in the text toolbar. You can use it to highlight quotes within your site.
– Person you are quoting
Make a free website with Yola