We know attending a psychiatry appointment can be anxiety provoking, especially if you have never seen a psychiatrist before. Here we break down what you can expect during your first appointment, why you do not need to feel anxious and how you can get the most out of your assessment.
We know it is a privilege to be a psychiatrist. We often hear personal details about people’s lives and sometimes even things that they have never shared with anyone else. We want you to feel safe to talk about what’s on your mind, have the time you need to open up and feel you are being heard. You may have seen mental health professionals before or already have a diagnosis. The initial appointment allows us, as psychiatrists, to understand your current challenges, history and work with you to develop a treatment plan.
Why do people visit psychiatrists?
There are lots of reasons you might want to see a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is medical doctor who has completed specialist additional training in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Mental health problems are really common. 25% of people living in the UK will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. You are also more likely to have struggles with your mental health if you are female, LGBTQ+ or have a chronic health condition.
Here are some examples of common mental health conditions:
- Anxiety Disorders – 8% have generalised anxiety disorder, 3% have a specific phobia
- Depression – 4 in every 100 people
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – 6% of people (probably more when you include complex PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) – 2 in 100 people
You do not need a diagnosis to see a psychiatrist. Sometimes you may have struggles with your mental health but you may not know what is wrong. Psychiatrists have years of experience talking to people from many backgrounds, with different life experiences and symptoms. We can help explore what is going on for you and work out what might help. You may have symptoms related to previous trauma or challenges with sleep. You may feel overwhelmed at work but not know what is wrong. You may have had a big life transition and be struggling to cope. Psychiatrists are trained to explore symptoms, think about your physical and mental health and look for patterns that might explain what is going on for you. Psychiatrists are also trained to assess and manage neurodevelopmental conditions, like ADHD and ASD. Sometimes you may need a separate assessment for these.
What do you need to prepare before your first appointment?
When you book an appointment you will be sent questionnaires to fill in. These usually ask questions about your physical and mental health, as well as any medication you are taking. Mental and physical health often influence each other and we want to support you to be as healthy as possible. You might find it helpful to write down anything you want to make sure you remember, or any questions you have for us. If you have notes or letters from previous practitioners then it can be helpful to see these too. We also know you might have researched your symptoms before coming to see us so we want to give you time to explore your thoughts and ideas. The main thing to know is that it is the psychiatrist’s job to make sure they have got the information they need – we have years of training asking questions. If you forget something, don’t worry, it will not affect your assessment!
What will happen at your appointment?
You will have a private, confidential space to sit and discuss your concerns. We want to make sure you feel comfortable and only talk about what you are happy to discuss. Our appointments last for 90 minutes. This is to ensure we have enough time to cover everything. You will be asked questions about these subjects:
- Your current symptoms.
- Your sleep, appetite and general enjoyment in life.
- Your lifestyle, job and support system.
- Any history of mental health struggles.
- Your physical health.
- Your family and their health.
- Your current medication.
- Your background – time as a child, school, friends, life experiences.
We will also ask you whether you have ever thought about suicide or self harm, or acted on these thoughts. We ask everyone this. If you do not want to answer questions, then you do not have to do so. Please know that we have heard everything over the years. We are not easily phased and we definitely are not going to think you are “weird” or “mad” or whatever else you may be worried about!
We know it can feel like a lot of questions. You can take a break if you need to and we sometimes need to meet you several times to understand fully what is going on. It is important to get a sense of all the aspects of your life that may impact your mental health. We can then build a holistic treatment plan with you.
Will you get a diagnosis?
At the end of every appointment there is time for us to talk to you about our findings. You may be given a diagnosis at the first appointment if we feel it is relevant. Sometimes we might suggest some physical investigations, such as blood tests, if we think there might be something physical influencing your health too. In some cases we may need to meet you again to get to know you better or offer you a longer assessment for a specific condition, such as ASD or ADHD. We will always explain to you our logic for this and it is always your decision. Even if there is not one specific diagnosis it does not mean that you are not struggling and we can still help.
Your treatment plan
Treatment planning is collaborative between the psychiatrist and you. We will always talk about the evidence for any options we suggest. Treatment options may include medication, psychological therapies and lifestyle changes. Any treatment should be an informed decision and one that meets your needs. You will never be forced to do something that you don’t feel is right for you and we will respect your wishes regarding therapy and medication. We can prescribe for you and arrange for you to pick up medication at a pharmacy or have it delivered to your home.
What happens after your appointment?
The psychiatrist will write to you summarising the appointment, plan and follow-up within 1-2 weeks. If you consent we will also send a copy to your GP. Our letters will outline your current symptoms, your background, our impression and any diagnoses that have been given, alongside your treatment plan. If appropriate a prescription will be recommended or provided. You will also be offered a follow-up appointment to see how things are going.
Final thoughts…
Seeking help and seeing a psychiatrist can feel anxiety provoking, but it is a positive step to improve your mental health. Mental health conditions are very treatable and accessing compassionate and collaborative care will have a beneficial impact on your quality of life.
You can contact us with any questions you may have in advance, or book your initial assessment with a consultant psychiatrist today at The Mind & Psychiatry Clinic.
Dr Amy Martin is a consultant psychiatrist, and co-founder of The Mind & Psychiatry Clinic. She provides private psychiatric services in Edinburgh and via secure video consultation across the UK.
