I'm finally going to a psychiatrist. but im wondering...

what will the appointment be like? is there any way that i should prepare? maybe write down the things i feel beforehand so i dont accidentaly look over anything when im there? is it as laid back as it seems in the movies, meaning is like going to therapy or more like a doctors appointment?
most importantly.. Will they be able to help me in the first visit or will it take a while for me to feel any better?

[erin626]

Normally the first visit is a bit impersonal. Its just for the therapist to get a bit of your background and get a better idea as to what you are dealing with. The first time I saw my therapist she did the same thing. She asked me some pre set questions that she had. But they do that so they now how to begin the therapy process because everyone is different and everyone's problems are different. You should try to see them a couple more times and if you're still not happy search for a new doc. I actually was seeing two therapists at the same time to figure out who I liked better. But overall I've seen about 5 different therapists before deciding to stick with the one I have now. I like her because she's straight to the point and we have a lot in common. It can be frustrating to have to continuously search for docs but finding the right one makes the search worth it.

I hope you will try therapy with the doc you saw a couple more times before giving up. And don't be nervous to be truthful in front of your mom. It will help her to help you as well. And if you don't like the med they put you on let them know. They can switch it up. Just like therapists, not every med works for every person. Good luck. I hope you will stick with therapy. Its incredibly beneficial in the long run.

[turkee23]

yea making alist is a good idea incase you get nervous and forget. they are just going to ask you why you are there, or what brought you in today. it will be a just getting to know you the first time. it will probably make you feel better after talking with them, but it will take a few visits so they can teach you the skills you need to know.

[argelfraster]

I started going to a physchiatrist for anxiety very recently, but i had seen the same doc for depression a few years ago, definitely make a list of what you're experiencing. I've had nothing but good luck with my therapist, its less like a doctors appointment and more like talking to a good friend who understands what you're going through and fully knows how to help. Mine taught me a relaxation technique to help control panic attacks the first time i went.

congrats on going =] you wont regret it

[mathewcashew123]

Maybe it was just because it was my first visit, but the appointment was very impersonal. He basically just asked me questions off of a sheet in front of him. He didnt even ask for detail. I also made the mistake of answering the questions with my mom in the room so i was nervous and didnt answer the questions fully, making it seem much less urgent than i believe it to be. He proscribed me a small dosage of medicine use to treat schizophrenics(risperidone). Its been about a week and a half and it hasnt done anything but make me anxious and irritable. My doctor was some sort of asian too so it was hard to understand him, making it worse.
Next visit im going to a different doctor who doesnt have an accent, and hopefully will care a little more. Im unhappy at how it went.

[plomeli]

Sorry to hear that, it's happened to me too, sometimes you have to kiss a couple of frogs to find  the prince or princess lol! Keep searching don't give up because this is one of the things you can do to get better!!!! Good luck.

[erin626]

Normally the first visit is a bit impersonal. Its just for the therapist to get a bit of your background and get a better idea as to what you are dealing with. The first time I saw my therapist she did the same thing. She asked me some pre set questions that she had. But they do that so they now how to begin the therapy process because everyone is different and everyone's problems are different. You should try to see them a couple more times and if you're still not happy search for a new doc. I actually was seeing two therapists at the same time to figure out who I liked better. But overall I've seen about 5 different therapists before deciding to stick with the one I have now. I like her because she's straight to the point and we have a lot in common. It can be frustrating to have to continuously search for docs but finding the right one makes the search worth it.

I hope you will try therapy with the doc you saw a couple more times before giving up. And don't be nervous to be truthful in front of your mom. It will help her to help you as well. And if you don't like the med they put you on let them know. They can switch it up. Just like therapists, not every med works for every person. Good luck. I hope you will stick with therapy. Its incredibly beneficial in the long run.