How to Prepare for a Psychiatric Consultation
It’s important to remember that a psychiatrist is a specialist who treats various mental health conditions. Patients coming in for consultations often bring multiple symptoms accompanied by significant psychological suffering. A psychiatrist will respond to the reported symptoms or complaints with great respect, tact, and genuine kindness.
What's the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist
In practice, patients sometimes find it difficult to differentiate between a psychiatric consultation and a psychotherapy session, especially if they are already engaged in individual psychotherapy. As a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of mental disorders, the psychiatrist focuses on the reported mental health symptoms. This distinguishes the psychiatrist from the psychotherapist, who in sessions addresses emotional issues, carefully listens as the patient explores their personality or response patterns. During a psychiatric consultation, the psychiatrist will concentrate on the symptoms, make a diagnosis, and propose medications that may help alleviate these symptoms. It’s essential to note that psychiatric medications do not change long-standing emotional response patterns or one’s personality, but they can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, bulimia, or attention deficits associated with ADHD.
Psychiatric consultation
During the consultation, the psychiatrist will ask not only about mental health symptoms but also about their history and any previous treatments, including the names of medications previously or currently being taken. To conduct a differential diagnosis, the psychiatrist may also inquire about symptoms related to other bodily systems, such as cardiovascular issues, gastrointestinal symptoms, neurological symptoms, or seizure episodes.
Therefore, it’s helpful to bring medical documentation, including results of previous tests, discharge summaries from hospitalizations (psychiatric, cardiological, or gastroenterological), and a list of currently taken medications with their exact doses. This information will help the doctor better understand the health situation and select appropriate treatment. There is no need to have blood or urine tests done before the first psychiatric consultation, but the psychiatrist may be interested in recent lab results from the past few months, so if such tests have been done, it’s good to bring them. You can also bring any prior neuroimaging tests (MRI or CT scans of the brain).
The psychiatrist will also ask about any family members’ experiences with mental health issues or medications for these conditions, so it’s helpful to share this information during the visit. Information about the effectiveness of medications and their impact on a family member’s well-being may also be important.
It’s a good idea to arrive for the consultation about 10 minutes early to have time to calmly complete the formalities, such as the consent for personal data processing (the GDPR form). This allows the visit to start without rush, helping you to relax right from the beginning.
First visit to a psychiatrist
It’s understandable that a first visit to a psychiatrist might evoke various emotions—from fear of judgment to anxiety about disclosing personal struggles. An unconscious fear of stigma, combined with shame, can be significant barriers to seeking psychiatric care, potentially prolonging psychological suffering. Feelings of shame are entirely understandable but largely unwarranted. Psychiatrists are usually aware of these feelings in first-time patients and approach them with kindness and acceptance of all their difficulties, while also being deeply committed to providing compassionate help. Modern psychiatry has made great strides, and the treatment methods available today, including modern medications, are highly effective. Pharmacological and therapeutic treatment often brings immense relief to patients, freeing them from long-standing psychological suffering. It’s worth reading the article on psychotropic medications in the KNOWLEDGE section for more information.
Many people who begin treatment notice a significant improvement in their well-being and quality of life after some time. Seeing a psychiatrist or starting psychotherapy often helps individuals regain their mental balance and live in harmony with their needs once again. It often turns out that the decision to consult a psychiatrist was a step toward a better life and a release from the burden they had been struggling with for a long time. Delaying the visit only led to unnecessary suffering.
The team of psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and reception staff working together at the IN-MED Center is here to provide compassionate and effective help. The goal is not to judge, but to offer support based on understanding and empathy. A visit is a wonderful first step toward positive change, and everyone who seeks treatment deserves great respect for making the courageous decision to care for their mental health.
If you have any questions or concerns, the IN-MED team is at your disposal.
