During my travels I have met many people who are very anxious and free from mental illness. Now that I have a reason to share this with you, I wonder how few people know what psychiatrists do.
For example, most psychiatrists I’ve talked to believe that prescriptions are written and nothing more!
The general fact is that psychiatrists do more than prescribe medication.
Psychiatrists specialise in mental health (depression is just one part of mental health).
This means that you can use therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) – see the meaning of these terms in the notes at the end of this article – and let me explain.
Not all depressed people see a psychiatrist, but my extensive experience with depression (over 20 years) has helped me to see a psychiatrist and use antidepressant medication to manage my depression.
Here are 10 things to keep in mind when looking for a psychiatrist.
You must first get a referral letter from your GP. But don’t worry, most GPs have a list of psychiatrists they offer. I use “best” because they are a great source of advice for your doctor, as their patients often say they do great work. Also, your doctor may have heard from other doctors seeking good advice from a psychiatrist.
If you would like to see a male or female psychiatrist, please tell your doctor. I say this because when I first saw a psychiatrist, I felt uncomfortable with him (or the next two psychiatrists!). This is a personal choice. For me, I think instead of telling people, I can talk to psychologists.
After referral, call your psychiatrist to make an appointment.
If you wait a week before the appointment, don’t despair, as it may seem like a normal time limit.
Your first appointment (usually an hour) is an appointment with a psychiatrist to get to know you better. The psychiatrist will ask you a lot of questions to help you better understand what to expect from his vision. CBT is unlikely to be the first.
Now, when looking for a psychiatrist, keep this in mind.
Even if you wait two weeks for an appointment, you won’t be bothered by a mental illness for any reason – don’t wait to see again.
Trust me, I have to find more psychiatrists than I can remember in the last 20 years before I can find someone to work with and trust. The limit on my first visit was, “Does this psychiatrist listen to me?” If I didn’t think so, I’d go to the next psychiatrist right away.
If the psychiatrist I’m talking to doesn’t listen to you,
how can he talk about your feelings and the problems you have? The answer is simple: you cry! Let me tell you a secret … Psychology, like any other profession, has great people and ordinary people. I advise you not to despair! Go see each other. I learned that finding someone you like can be very difficult – but it takes perseverance.
On the first day, I asked about privacy concerns.
What is the best way to handle this? Well, my psychiatrist agrees that the information I give in my appointments is personal. Seriously, you need to know your rights! These rights include the confidentiality of what you tell your psychiatrist without your consent. I mistakenly said that the breach of this privacy statement is very limited.
These are just some of the reasons why psychiatrists think you or others may be seriously harmed when a court orders you to release information. I urge you not to be confused by this unusual situation. For over 20 years I have not shared my information with anyone without my permission.
There are other things to consider when looking for a psychiatrist. Don’t be afraid to ask your psychiatrist for a fee. If you cannot have a private psychiatrist, you will most likely see a psychiatrist who works at a local health centre or public hospital.
