How a psychiatrist arrives at a diagnosis is just as important as the diagnosis itself. This is why it’s important to make sure the psychiatrist takes into account things like your family history, other medical conditions, other factors that could be contributing to your symptoms, and the possibility of medication- or substance-induced symptoms. You have the right to understand what the psychiatrist thinks is going on and why the psychiatrist is leaning toward certain treatments.

A single treatment, like a prescription antidepressant, isn’t necessarily a complete treatment plan. Medication may be all you need, but you might need more, you should inquire about comprehensive treatment plans and your options with a doctor. A comprehensive plan may include a kind of therapy (like psychotherapy or behavioral therapy), a form of self-help, substance misuse treatment, lifestyle changes, family education, or other treatments. If a psychiatrist suggests medication, you’ll want to ask about any potential side effects, so you can avoid any of those side effects, the psychiatrist may be able to suggest a different medication or a treatment plan without a medication.

Treatments and therapies take time to work, and this means patience is necessary. In fact, some medications can take up to six weeks to work. Still, the psychiatrist should be able to give you an idea of what to expect from your treatment plan and when you can expect to start feeling a difference in your mental health. The psychiatrist should also be able to tell you when they will follow up with you and how they will monitor your treatment progress.

The psychiatrist can tell you how they will gauge your progress, and they can also tell you how you can gauge your progress yourself. For example, if you have a condition like depression, the psychiatrist may tell you that sleeping better, having energy, socializing more, and healthier thinking are signs of progress. The psychiatrist will also likely tell you that even if you believe you’re feeling better, you should still keep seeing the psychiatrist. This is because feeling better may convince you that you are better even if you’re not. This can be the case with a condition like bipolar disorder.

We hope you find those four questions useful! If you have any questions for us at MedSave Clinic, don’t hesitate to ask, as we’d be happy to answer them. We’d also be happy to introduce you to our psychiatrist at our clinic. Our psychiatrist can help with common mental health problems as well as alcohol and drug addictions, and more. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you believe you may need our services at MedSave Clinic. We’d be very happy to help you in every way we can. We serve patients from Columbus OH, Whitehall OH, Obetz OH, Lincoln Village OH, Worthington OH, and Urbancrest OH.