seeing a psychiatrist?

Question

Do you see one? How often? Did you find them helpful if you ever have or do? How long did the inital assessment take? Did they perscribe drugs that helped you?

any other information would be helpful as I am going to see one soon. I am not that worried just interested to know people's experiences etc

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

I go to see mine once a fortnight - she's lovely and helps me put things into perspective (I suffer with depression, and tend to over react to stuff). I actually look forward to my sessions with her.....I feel all kinda gloomy and stuff before I go in, but after seeing her, I feel all sunny and free....

The psychiatrist will have gotten some notes from your GP and will make an assessment of you from what the notes say and what answers you give.......usually only your GP can prescribe medication, but if your psychiatrist feels that you need it changed/reduced/increased they'll let your GP know......

I'm glad that you're not getting too stressed over it....it'll be fine .........

Best of luck, sweetie xx

Answer 2

Yes. About once a month, probably less once stabilized. Quite helpful. Initial assessment: 1hr, 30 minutes there after. Hopefully the meds will help.

Well, if you need medication, psychiatrists can be quite helpful. They should be well versed in the various medications for your condition and help you debate what types of side effects you may get (and are willing to deal with). Although, I think people expect too much from the psychiatrist. Their job is to prescribe medicines, not give individuals psychotherapy. I suppose there are ones that do, but it is fairly uncommon.

Hopefully, you will find that the experience was either positive or neutral (I mean, it's not the most exciting thing). If you feel ignored and your concerns are not addressed properly (and you have other options) it may be time to see someone else.

Answer 3

My son sees one. Initially, since he was very hallucinating and doing poorly (severely bipolar) he went 1 - 2 times a week. Now he goes every 2 months because he's pretty stable.

The initial assessment was done in one session. However, he has been to several psychiatrists. I took him until I found someone who was listening to me and truly understood the problem and CARED.

Some of the docs did not prescribe meds that helped. Some of the meds made him worse, some were so-so.

Take someone with you. Have your questions written down. Don't be afraid to go get a second or third opinion if you are unsure about what the psychiatrist says. Write down what he thinks is your diagnosis and anything else he tells you (or whoever you take along could do it).

Some of the psychiatrists are very nice. Some are jerks. Some think they are God's gift. The man we see now is so, so nice. I hug him. He tells us to call him by his first name. He gave me his own cell phone number at one time so we could call him if there was an emergency. The other doctors, we couldn't reach for weeks at a time.

I hope things go well for you. :)

Answer 4

Well, I have seen a psychiatrist twice, for an hour each time. I didn't get an initial assesment 'cause I'd been referred from a counselling service. Which I found a bit silly really but oh well. It didn't work becuase I found it irritating that the psychiatrist told me not to do things, and "banned" me from saying certain words, not helpful. Also I found that he didn't really listen to me that much either, it was a case of getting me in and out. I was one of his youngest patients, and I don't feel he took me very seriously.

Don't let this put you off - I know how much bottle it takes to get yourself there in the first place! I think the problem that I had was that I was used to counselling, and it's a completely different type of therapy. But if you're starting from scratch you will probably get on much better. I didn't get prescribed any drugs as I only saw the guy twice.

Best of luck and I hope you get things sorted!

Answer 5

hey there I've been seeing one for 8 months now and i go once a week and still going they are very helpful people if you let them. I got to say that i have never felt better as i am today and hopefully this will continue for the rest of my life. I have also found that the opposite sex helps out enormously because you feel more relaxed and comfortable, but the minus side is the drugs they give, i been taking drugs now for 10 months and they don't want to decrease the dosage i don't know why. The first 2 or 3 visits is the hardest but after its easy. just tell them the truth and how you feel, don't lie because you will be letting yourself down. after all will be just fine, hope this will help good luck for the future.

Answer 6

My assessment consisted of a psychiatrist who had the flu and just laughed at me. Sorry i'm not being encouraging. My assessment took an hour but then had to have seperate psychological assessments for two hours. Just the same old questions about ya family, schooling, friends, what you want out of life and what the problem is but it's all done in quite a factual manner and they're constantly writing notes. Good luck

Answer 7

Yes, I see a psychiatrist once a month and a psychologist once a week (now once every two weeks) and they were both enormously helpful. They diagnosed Traumatic Shock Disorder within 30 minutes and continued to watch and see if that was the proper diagnosis. They prescribed Lexapro and Trazadone and I have done very very well. Best thing that ever happened to me.
If you're like me, it will go beautifully.

Answer 8

i saw a therapist and that was best. Instead of prescribing drugs to numb the pain, they helped me work through some issues I had. I'm still in therapy now (different person though) but I like therapists as opposed to psychistrists who just drug you up. Sometimes facing the pain is best because it never goes away otherwise. Gentle care, and I hope it all goes ok with you and you work it all out : )

Answer 9

For me the 1st visit took an hour. It was the first time I got a proper diagnosis. I was getting treatment from my primary care doctor first and was misdiagnosed. I go once a month because I need medication changes often. They have found a medication that works really well for me and I feel more like myself if that makes sense. I feel like me only more comfortable.

Answer 10

The initial assessment may take an hour or a little longer, if you find one compatible, you will find it helpful depending on why you are there, it depends on what diagnosis you have whether you are prescribed drugs.