What can I expect from my first psychiatrist visit?

Question

I'm 16, and I'm going in for help with PMDS [basically, really really bad PMS, including reoccurring suicidal thoughts].

Any thoughts on what I can expect? I've never seen a psychiatrist, so...

Answer 1

I'm not exactly sure about first visits to a psych becuase I just went straight to the nut hut and was given one right away. I told all of my symptoms to a psych nurse and the doctor just seen me a couple of mintues during the morning. I can tell you what visits will be like after your first visit. It will be about ten to fifteen minutes in length and they will ask you the same questions every time. Mine are is your mind playing tricks on you, how are your moods, and is there anything you want to tell me. So the thing they do is just have you come in for med maintenance. and then they kick your *** out the door.

Good luck hope he/she helps you.  

Answer 2

Going to a psychiatrist is a lot like going to any other doctor. Doctors all have their specialty so there will be those little differences. Like a lot of the doctors who want to examine parts of your body, the psychiatrist is there to exam your brain.

They are trained in mental health. They specialize in prescribing medications that help with mental disorders. Just like an ob/gyn, or cardiologist, or pulmiologist, or family doctor are specialized in their fields.

As for what will happen at the first visit - you will go into some sort of office. If you have the paperwork with your diagnosis, or if it was sent to them, they will talk to you a bit about that to see if they agree with it. Sometimes they will spend time asking you questions, such as if you have trouble concentrating, if so what does that look like; what other symptoms do you have; etc. They might also ask you about depression, racing thoughts, hearing things, mood swings, or many other things.

They then will ask you about medications, if you are taking any, have you heard of some you are interested in, are you willing to take medication, things of that nature.

They will talk to you about medications that can help you. You two will talk about these and try to make a decision. This can depend on insurance, amount of money there is for medications, how willing you are to work with side-effects, etc.

Psychiatrists usually do not do a lot of therapy. Most have tight schedules like a lot of other doctors. If they have time they might offer some suggestions on what you can do for something if you need it.

This will not be exactly what happens, but it should be fairly close. Remember they are there to help you. They do not get paid by drug companies for writting prescriptions. They do what they do because they want to make your life better.

Best Wishes!!!

Answer 3

If it's your first visit you'll usually have to fill out some paperwork & a survey-type thing asking you about your mental health over the past few months (i.e. how often you think about suicide, feel anxious/depressed, etc). Then when you meet with the doctor they'll just ask you to explain the problem as best you can and ask you some follow up questions. There's no pressure whatsoever. They may or may not prescribe medication and/or schedule a follow-up visit.

Answer 4

expert to be looked at all the time like none stop because they want to see if your lying or not.

and expert that they are listening to you but they act like they care which they dont they care about the £250 pounds they are going to get after seeing you.

and the ask you quiet a few questions.

Answer 5

Psychiatrists are just like your regular doctor except they only focus on the mind and how it functions. nothing else, theyre specialists. first visit you'll probably fill out paper work from your doctor that reffered you, what meds your on, such like that. then when ur taken in they just ask you whats goin on with your life, what your feeling, and the medications ur on. once he hears you out, he'll alter your medicine to what he feels would best help you. its nothing bad. and dont think that you'll be admitted to the hospital. the only way your forcefully admitted is if your like in the office screaming your oging to kill yourself. if you just have suicidal tendencies, they wont admit you, as long as your taking your medicine.

Answer 6

from my experience they will ask you a lot of questions.  They might even repeat a few questions (but worded differently) to see if you are lying.  You might also expect to be put in the hospital for a few days if they think you are a danger to yourself and others.

Be honest and straight forward about everything.  It will be scary when you first go in there but they should make you feel more comfortable.

Good Luck

Answer 7

you will be fine!  they usually do care.  they will ask you a lot of questions, the visit should be an hour.  they will try to diagnose you and see if they think you would benefit from medication.  nothing to worry about.

Answer 8

If the shrink or your parents think you are truly suicidal, you can be committed to a hospital by the shrink. She will ask you a lot of questions about your feelings. Are you having any suicidal or homicial thoughts? Do you hear any voices? If so, what do these voices say/tell you? Do you have periods of great mood highs and great mood lows? Plus she will ask you about s*x. Just tell her what you are comfortable with since you are only 16. Most likely, she will prescribe some medication for your PDMS, as opposed to putting you in a hospital. However that will depend on the severity of your condition and also input from your parents. Suicidal thoughts, especially at your age, are normal in many people. As I said it depends on the severity, your parents, and what the shrink thinks.