How To Interview And Choose A New Psychiatrist

[Lady of Longbourn]

I have had a few psychiatrist over the years and I am currently looking for a new psychiatrist.

So...What are some interview questions you would ask a new psychiatrist to know they are the right one for you?

 

[mamachick]

Hi Ayesha,
Wow thats a tough question. I would say that if you have had a few before, there are issues that you have run up against that you would not have thought about before having a psychiatrist.

Personally, I would ask how long appointments are? Are they scheduled for 15 minutes, or 30 minutes. (that is because I only had one and he seemed to have 5 minute appt. slots.) My daughter had the most wonderful child psychiatrist in her teens and suspected ADHD and discovered a auditory processing problem. He appointments were a full 30 minutes, maybe the first was an hour, but she did not rush and she conversed.

Where I live and with insurance, they assign a psychiatrist to you if you end up in crisis. You are NEVER allowed to change psychiatrists. I got the short straw. He never even asked about SI but wrote that there was no SI in my chart. He would say-how are things going or how is your sleep-he did not seem to even be present, then in about 3 or 4 minutes after staring blankly at me, he would write a script and tell me to come back in a month. There was no questioning his reason for the meds or in my case, I thought one was making me feel worse.

I got to see a different one once when he was on vacation. He actually listened to my environment situation (not getting on with divorce) and said that I need to get closure to this and that my emotions are stuck in limbo and feel controlled. I could just tell that he connected, understood my feeling stuck, and assured me that life would be better after even if I have less money and a some unknowns. He was wonderful but I was not allowed to see him again. So for me, I would definately chose him after a 10 minute conversation, that is based a lot on gut feeling and his ability to inquire about what is going on in your life.

I would want to know if the psychiatrist allows patient to share in decisions of medication. (Im not resistant, but mine didnt listed when I told him it was wrong for me-would not change it). I would ask if he works/communicates with therapist if/when there is any problems, crisis, or medication issues.
This may be of no help but are just the little that I have experienced.

 

[roaminggnome]

I would ask the doctor to describe his or her personality. What I mean by this is he or she calm or high strung. For me I need someone who is calm around me or it makes me high strung.

I always ask where the doctor was educated. To me it matters. Also ask when the doctor is in the office in case you have a problem.

 

[HëllaBubz]

Well, when shopping for mine, I listed deal breakers or things that I had difficulty with when with my previous T.

So I said - I don't like medicating whilst pregnant, and refuse to be pushed into it. I'll discuss it, but don't push it if I'm doing ok.
I want to know what's happening, not be told that certain things don't happen, and then refuse to explain why.
Trying to break up myself and my partner is not acceptable, I want to fix my circumstances, not beat someone up over something.
Explain things that work well with me, and things that don't, ask them if any of that resounds with them.

That's just the stuff I did when looking for a T. I also found what seems to be the perfect T by going outside my comfort zone, and picking someone that I wouldn't usually, and she and I work really well together.