Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 12916

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

First Psychiatrist Appt.

Posted by Thumper on October 9, 1999, at 21:29:20

In 2 weeks I'm going to my first apointment with a psychiatrist. Meds I've been on previously were through my former GP. I'm kinda nervous (guess I always am...) and wondered what happens at a initial visit? Does he just asked about history & symptoms? Yet another Beck Depression Scale? What should I expect? Thanks.

 

Re: First Psychiatrist Appt.

Posted by Bob on October 10, 1999, at 0:10:07

In reply to First Psychiatrist Appt., posted by Thumper on October 9, 1999, at 21:29:20

I imagine it varies pretty widely. My pdoc is an old timer. He just wanted to sit and chat. I gave him my medication history with my GP, then what got me into therapy in the first place, then back even further for family history and such. Very concerned about my current state at the time. Getting the story only from me, he wanted to make sure I wasn't a suicide risk. The main thing he did, after getting all the "pertinent info" out of the way, was to lay the basis for a relationship. As a result, I trust him and feel comfortable with him -- an experience I have never come close to having with a male therapist before.

So, for me, pretty laid back and reassuring sums it up,
Bob

 

Re: First Psychiatrist Appt.

Posted by Noa on October 10, 1999, at 0:10:41

In reply to First Psychiatrist Appt., posted by Thumper on October 9, 1999, at 21:29:20

The real question is, what would YOU like to ask HIM? You are getting a consult with a specialist. What would you like to know? Would you like to know a bit about how he thinks about diagnostic decisions and decisions about choosing medication options?

 

oops! also wanted to say ...

Posted by Bob on October 10, 1999, at 0:14:08

In reply to Re: First Psychiatrist Appt., posted by Bob on October 10, 1999, at 0:10:07

... you go, Thumper!

It's a good move, going to an expert -- no matter how good or well-intentioned your GP is, a good pdoc will be much better. Good luck!!

 

Re: First Pdoc Appt. (HEY NOA - GO TO SLEEP!)

Posted by Bob on October 10, 1999, at 0:31:45

In reply to Re: First Psychiatrist Appt., posted by Noa on October 10, 1999, at 0:10:41

> The real question is, what would YOU like to ask HIM? You are getting a consult with a specialist. What would you like to know? Would you like to know a bit about how he thinks about diagnostic decisions and decisions about choosing medication options?

She shoots, she scores! Good idea, Noa ... and here's a copy of something JohnL posted above to help you out with that:

----------------------
Hey, what magnificent timing. I just discovered a site I haven't seen (thought I'd seen them all!) Go to www.execpc.com/~corbeau/

Then click on "Andrew's Depression Resources Thingy". Then choose "Collected Writings of Dr Ivan
Goldberg" (a prominent psychiatrist)....

... there are examples of exact questions to ask a psychiatrist or a psychoanalyst when screening them. Exactly the ammunition you need to weed through the choices. Ask these questions and you will definitely find the right doc. You might weed out quite a few though before finding the expert you need. But the right doc will answer these specific questions correctly. All others won't.
--------------------------

Words of wisdom from JohnL ... thanks, bud!
Bob

 

Re: First Psychiatrist Appt.

Posted by saint james on October 10, 1999, at 0:40:37

In reply to First Psychiatrist Appt., posted by Thumper on October 9, 1999, at 21:29:20

> In 2 weeks I'm going to my first apointment with a psychiatrist. Meds I've been on previously were through my former GP. I'm kinda nervous (guess I always am...) and wondered what happens at a initial visit? Does he just asked about history & symptoms? Yet another Beck Depression Scale? What should I expect? Thanks.

James here....

Try answering the question "Why are you here and how can I help you ?"

j

 

Re: First Psychiatrist Appt.

Posted by JohnL on October 10, 1999, at 9:20:47

In reply to First Psychiatrist Appt., posted by Thumper on October 9, 1999, at 21:29:20

Hi Thumper. I've had 3 pdocs. They usually start with basics such as symptoms, time-frames, family history, previous treatments, method of payment,etc. It's easy to become intimidated to where THEY ask all the questions. Be sure to ask some of your own. You can usually judge a lot about your new doc by how they answer YOUR questions. Through it all, always keep the perspective that YOU are the paying customer. You must ultimately be satisfied with the service you buy.

Things I like are good bedside manners, easy accessibility by phone or short-notice appointment, pharmacology expertise (not someone who just throws SSRIs at you), and open-mindedness to my own ideas. My current doc has excellent bedside manners, he is available by voicemail and can squeeze me in his schedule on as little as a week's notice, he's an oldtimer and knows a lot about these drugs, and he welcomes input from my own research. For example, my current trial of Naltrexone was initiated when he became enthused with info I printed out from this very site. If it fails, no matter, I've received the service I wanted. With continued good service, hopefully the next drug choice would work better.

Hopefully you'll receive the service YOU want. Just remember, who's paying who?

 

Re: First Psychiatrist Appt.

Posted by Sean on October 11, 1999, at 11:51:10

In reply to First Psychiatrist Appt., posted by Thumper on October 9, 1999, at 21:29:20

> In 2 weeks I'm going to my first apointment with a psychiatrist. Meds I've been on previously were through my former GP. I'm kinda nervous (guess I always am...) and wondered what happens at a initial visit? Does he just asked about history & symptoms? Yet another Beck Depression Scale? What should I expect? Thanks.

Don't be nervous- I'm of the opinion that psychiatrists
are on average, much more intuitive and capable
than GP's when it comes to emotional disorders
(which you might expect!) and their treatment. I
really wish insurance companies would treat them
with the full respect that other medical specialists
get and that GP's would refer to them more often.
I have a hard time with GP's handing out Prozac
after a 10 minute visit and a Beck - it's just not
good medicine. Go forth to the psychiatrist...

Sean.

 

Re: First Psychiatrist Appt.

Posted by allison on October 11, 1999, at 17:35:31

In reply to Re: First Psychiatrist Appt., posted by Sean on October 11, 1999, at 11:51:10

My first appointment (two years ago almost) was pretty uneventful. Mostly an introduction: I told him a bit about myself and current problems, he explained how things work on his end. We set appointments for every other week at first, which was way too long a time to wait. Then when I got my insurance figured out, we made them for every week. He explained how the drug part works (I was against it at first, but conceded because I was suicidal and knew I needed help). I was paranoid for awhile about telling him things because I didn't know what he'd do. But after a while was able to trust him.

My pdoc touches base pretty regularly, asking me how things are going with treatment... looking for feedback. It's sort of a job evaluation. It gives me a chance to bring up housekeeping topics or things that have been bugging me about therapy.

He's very responsive. If I have a problem, say with a perscription, he takes care of it the same day or by the next morning, and he always calls to let me know what he's done to remedy the situation. When I got into in a really bad situation one night a year ago last summer and didn't have anyone to call, I called him (long-distance, no less) and he called me right back, talked me through the situation, and helped me figure out how to find a safe place to go for the night.

I didn't know to ask these things when we first met. But the responsiveness is something I'd look for now were I looking. The other big factor of course is personality, as I suppose it is with any doctor. But it's more important here when you're seeing them often and talking about such personal things. (My GP is a toad, but I see him once a year or less, so it doesn't matter.) But I'm not sure personality can be judged with just one visit.

My biggest frustration is not getting better faster. I'm a whole lot better than I was, but I know there's a ton of work ahead. I wish it wouldn't take so very long. Hours and hours and hours, not to mention dollars. After my mortgage, this is my greatest expense.

Good luck and I wish you well...

 

Re: First Psychiatrist Appt.

Posted by Thumper on October 11, 1999, at 19:02:52

In reply to First Psychiatrist Appt., posted by Thumper on October 9, 1999, at 21:29:20

Thank you to all. What a bunch of bright, supportive people hang out here. John - you'll be happy to know I typed up a list of questions for him. Let's see if he passes the JohnL quiz.

Also spent some time prepping meds history, etc. and am I feeling much less "freaked". (Its like right before you get to the GP's office, your throat isn't as sore.)

I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Re: First Psychiatrist Appt.

Posted by JohnL on October 12, 1999, at 17:34:03

In reply to Re: First Psychiatrist Appt., posted by Thumper on October 11, 1999, at 19:02:52

> Thank you to all. What a bunch of bright, supportive people hang out here. John - you'll be happy to know I typed up a list of questions for him. Let's see if he passes the JohnL quiz.
>
> Also spent some time prepping meds history, etc. and am I feeling much less "freaked". (Its like right before you get to the GP's office, your throat isn't as sore.)
>
> I'll let you know how it goes.

Sounds like you're well prepared. That helps the whole session go smoothly. Will help you relax and stay focused too. Don't know what questions you might ask of the doc, but whatever is important to you is all that matters. Sounds like it should be a very encouraging meeting for you. I know I always get a feeling of excitement and renewed hope prior to a psychiatrist visit. I like the visit, but it goes too fast! A 15 minute visit seems like a heartbeat, and an hour visit seems like 15 minutes! Anyway, have fun! Hope he/she is everything you would hope for. :)


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