It was really helpful when you said that researching a psychiatrist is the first step. My cousin has been struggling with really bad depression for the past couple of weeks, and he was telling me last night about how he wants to make sure that he can find the right psychiatrist to help him with feeling better. I'll make sure to pass these tips along to him so that he can know what to look for when finding a psychiatrist.

I hadn't thought about interviewing a psychiatrist before we will hire them, but I appreciate that you mentioned it because it seems like a great way to make sure that they are going to be a good fit for us. My wife wants to find a psychiatrist for our son because of his recent mental health diagnosis, and it is going to be important for us to know that we could find the best one. To be sure that they are going to be good, I am going to interview them.

Thanks for the tip about considering what kind of treatment philosophy a psychiatrist has. It would be good to consider this philosophy because it would show that they are qualified. My husband and I are looking for a psychiatrist for our son, so we'll have to consider their treatment philosophy.

Finding the right psychiatrist is a difficult task to do. It should be someone you you can trust as well as a person you feel can understand you. I hadn't ever thought about the questions to ask the doctor while seeing them for the first time. You can learn a lot about them and how they will be able to help you by finding those answers. If I'm ever in need of a psychiatrist, I'll be sure to learn about them.

My sister was telling me that she might need to see a psychiatrist, and I was curious about how she would find the right one. It's interesting that you say to interview them and see what kind of treatments they use. It would be nice to make sure that she is comfortable with everything.

I think it's a really good idea to actually interview the doctor that you want to go with. Like you said, it is important that they are a good fit for you. Plus, I think it's a good opportunity to see just how nice and orderly the psychiatrist's office is. If the office doesn't have a friendly atmosphere, then it could be a lot harder for you to actually make it to your appointments.

My sister has been struggling with some severe depression and anxiety for a few months now. She has decided to see a psychiatrist, so she can try to overcome it. I agree that it is important to ask about an emergency, and what the doctor would do in that situation. It is always better to be prepared. I will pass this on to my sister.

Ah, if it were only that easy... Psychiatrists are specialists and as such you often require a referral of some type in my area. Sometimes you get stuck on a wait list before you get in. I've tried shopping around but most of the really good doctors aren't taking any new patients. I just happened to get lucky. My doctor recently moved to Canada from England and I was one of his first patients. Things have seemed to work out well for me so far.
For those that are interested there's also a website called ratemds.com for Canada and the USA that's very similar to HealthGrades.com. The doctors are broken down by specialty, location and gender and are rated by patients and their experience with them. Some of the newer doctors may not yet be listed.

I feel really comfortable with him after nearly 5 years. As I said… I got lucky.

Finding doctors through websites is a good option.Knowing them by name and location is good and getting feedback and background will be great information to patients. Thanks for sharing informative post.

RE: Healthgrade.com for a p-doc is for U.S./ is there any similar place like this for Canadians.
I do have a p-doc now which i was referred to by my physician, but up in here in Canada it is not that easy to get a psychiatrist. I had been waiting along time to get one and i had to keep checking with my physician for a couple years if there was one available. I dont' have a therapist either and am seeking one now. I used to have a counsellor but she moved just over a year ago, & haven't seen one since.
Any info or help wud be appreciated.

This issue is of great importance for oneself patient and for psychiatrist as well. The diade patient-psychiatrist is very intrigued, insidious and challenged social situation. For this reason it should be mindful and vigilant when You decide to choose any psychiatrist who would help you to overcome your mental difficulties. Among preliminary information on the aforethought psychiatrist, the socio-cultural background of the same is crucial. The first interview, also has outstanding role in the course of therapeutic process. There are different and personal expectancies that embrace impressions on pertain psychiatrist. However, every psychiatrist should be prepare and engaged to help you in substantial manner, that appeared through verbal and emotional communication. It is our innate skill to detect if our psychiatrist besides its professional capabilities possess adequate psychological deeds to treat us in humane and sincere manner. This interpersonal performance should't be disguised, hence it is the best way to evaluate right from the start if the treatment process would go in good side.

This is a great definition of a good Psychiatrist. My first one forever told me how well I was doing. However, I never felt comfortable with him. I later found out he was telling my then wife that I was malingering. No wonder she threw me out of our marriage.
In the beginning I did not take to my current Psychiatrist either. He seemed preoccupied whenever I was with him. Now, years later, I have an excellent rapport with him.
I totally agree that the right Psychiatrist is of the utmost importance for each of us who need one.

I just recently relocated to Killeen,Tx and im freaking out about finding a new doc. I literally had an anxiety attack due to the stress of the move falling in love, inclement weather, bad hair days you name it lol but anyway Im kinda picky when it comes to my doc. Im not picky on the male/female thing i just need them to be matter-of-fact with me. Not no by the book junkie UGH, hate those. I wanna get off 1/4 of my medz because the weight gain is out of control. Ok im rambling again, so in short, I feel ya!!! lol Peace&Love

I lucked out and got a decent shrink from a hospital inpatient referral. He's always willing to adjust dosages and try different med combos to keep me on an even keel. I feel really comfortable with him after nearly 5 years. As I said... I got lucky.

This is great advice.. I love my psychiatrist but I referred another family member and they dont like him.. he has a great rep and we have been successful together but a psychiatrist is really a personal choice.. Thanks for this post and the good advice.
Shauna

Jeff, i was in the same boat, so i bit the bullet and i pay for my doc out of pocket, which makes him falling asleep that much more frustrating! Some docs do a sliding scale if you pay yourself. They are hard to find though. The whole process of finding a doctor is really hard and doing so while you are in the middle of a crisis is almost impossible. At one point, i called the EAP program offered by my employer and found a few docs thru them. Glad to hear you have a good one.
-Robin

I have HMO insurance with its own network of providers. The choices you have for pdocs are only of those in their network. I have the choice of one in my vicinity. And she's so overbooked that the wait is three months for an initial evaluation! They had two but one moved on to somewhere else. My next closest choice is almost an hour away! Fortunately, I think my current doc is doing a pretty good job. I get the feeling she's really trying to do what's best for me.
Jeff

this is great. I have never know how to interview a doctor. Im getting my mustard up to look for a new doc. I decided this when my current med doc fell asleep while i was talking to him and when he asks me what meds I am taking.

Hi Mef123,
That's a great success story, thanks for sharing. Sometimes a second opinion is exactly what is needed to feel better.
- Natasha

This is really good advice. I spent 3 years with a doctor that didn't fit, I liked him as a person but not as a doctor. He just kept adding med after med until I was up to 10 meds and felt terrible. I switched pdocs and got off of sone of the meds and put on another and in the five months I've been seeing him I have felt better for about 2 months. I don't know if it is coincidence or that he just found the right med combo better than my previous pdoc could. I do know that he listened to me when I told him that I felt I was on too many meds. That I appreciate.
Michele