Question: How to see a psychiatrist?

Fatpot · 03-18-2007, 10:57 PM

Finally decided that my mental health isn't getting any better and that I should probably seek some professional help. Anyone know how it works? I don't have a doctor or anything, so I don't know.

**annie24** · 03-18-2007, 11:03 PM

Do you have health insurance? I don't know how it works in canada, but here in the US, you would first have to get refered by your general doctor. First have an appointment with the GP, who can schedule a consultation for you.

Are you a university student? Many universities offer free therapy sessions with a therapist, and/or psychiatrist if you are a student.

Fatpot · 03-18-2007, 11:56 PM

Hm....I live in Canada. All I got is something called a carecard, not sure if it's health insurance or not. I'm currently attending a private career college so we don't have anything like that

**annie24** · 03-19-2007, 12:00 AM

do you get regular dental and medical checkups? who would you go to if you got sick and needed antibiotics?

Leonhart · 03-19-2007, 12:11 AM

If you live in Ontario and are legal citizen, you should have OHIP. Doctors' visits are covered under OHIP. You could go to a doctor, or even a walk-in clinic and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist.

But if you don't have a drug plan, I don't know how you could be able to pay for the medication they would prescribe. Some of that stuff is very costly.

Aside from Ontario, though, I don't know how it would work.

fredthebread · 03-19-2007, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fatpot

Finally decided that my mental health isn't getting any better and that I should probably seek some professional help. Anyone know how it works? I don't have a doctor or anything, so I don't know.

Hi, I am not sure if its the same on your side of the atlantic, but a psychiatrist over here prescribes drugs and that is pretty much all they do. Talk to you for ten minutes, then dole out the prescription. If your symptoms are not that severe that they need immediate medical control, I would go see a psychologist or counsellor first before you develop a dependency on prescription drugs. The psychologist or counsellor, if they are properly qualified, should tell you if they think you need medical help. Otherwise they may be able to help you without involving 'mothers little helpers'. I was on medication (antidepressants) for a while but hated it, side effects etc. So I worked on dealing with the underlying issues and now I am medication free. If you have a serious psychiatric condition, go to a psychiatrist and never come off your medication without their supervision.

Fatpot · 03-19-2007, 01:08 AM

Ah.....thanks for the help guys. I live in BC. Looks like I'll try the councellor and such before headin to the psychiatrist, forgot that prescription meds are expensive. I havn't went to a doctor or dentist since I was......maybe 4-5 years old

rikka · 03-19-2007, 01:58 AM

I know in order to see my psychiatrist I had to have a referral from a GP that I had seen "no less than 5 times" - so I am not sure that a walk in clinic would work.

And just to add the other side of the coin, I have talk therapy sessions with my psychiatrist as well. The benefit is, I get all of my care from one professional - instead of seeing a counsellor and then having to see a psychiatrist for meds if they are required.

I am also not sure what is specifically covered under our national health care. I know my psychiatrist visits are covered, and some of my meds are subsidized by provincial coverage.

03-18-2007, 10:57 PM	#1
Fatpot Offline Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada Gender: Male Age: 23 Posts: 53	Question: How to see a psychiatrist? Finally decided that my mental health isn't getting any better and that I should probably seek some professional help. Anyone know how it works? I don't have a doctor or anything, so I don't know. __________________ One can only dream...

03-18-2007, 11:56 PM	#3
Fatpot Offline Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada Gender: Male Age: 23 Posts: 53	Hm....I live in Canada. All I got is something called a carecard, not sure if it's health insurance or not. I'm currently attending a private career college so we don't have anything like that __________________ One can only dream...

03-19-2007, 12:11 AM	#5
Leonhart Offline Join Date: Feb 2007 Gender: None Specified Posts: 2,411	If you live in Ontario and are legal citizen, you should have OHIP. Doctors' visits are covered under OHIP. You could go to a doctor, or even a walk-in clinic and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist. But if you don't have a drug plan, I don't know how you could be able to pay for the medication they would prescribe. Some of that stuff is very costly. Aside from Ontario, though, I don't know how it would work. Last edited by Leonhart; 03-19-2007 at 12:15 AM.

03-19-2007, 01:08 AM	#7
Fatpot Offline Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada Gender: Male Age: 23 Posts: 53	Ah.....thanks for the help guys. I live in BC. Looks like I'll try the councellor and such before headin to the psychiatrist, forgot that prescription meds are expensive. I havn't went to a doctor or dentist since I was......maybe 4-5 years old __________________ One can only dream...

03-19-2007, 01:58 AM	#8
rikka Offline Gold Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Gender: Female Age: 28 Posts: 813	I know in order to see my psychiatrist I had to have a referral from a GP that I had seen "no less than 5 times" - so I am not sure that a walk in clinic would work. And just to add the other side of the coin, I have talk therapy sessions with my psychiatrist as well. The benefit is, I get all of my care from one professional - instead of seeing a counsellor and then having to see a psychiatrist for meds if they are required. I am also not sure what is specifically covered under our national health care. I know my psychiatrist visits are covered, and some of my meds are subsidized by provincial coverage. __________________ The opposite of war isn't peace, it's CREATION - La Vie Boheme

03-18-2007, 11:03 PM	#2
annie24 Online Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Age: 29 Posts: 26,827	Do you have health insurance? I don't know how it works in canada, but here in the US, you would first have to get refered by your general doctor. First have an appointment with the GP, who can schedule a consultation for you. Are you a university student? Many universities offer free therapy sessions with a therapist, and/or psychiatrist if you are a student.

03-19-2007, 12:00 AM	#4
annie24 Online Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Age: 29 Posts: 26,827	do you get regular dental and medical checkups? who would you go to if you got sick and needed antibiotics?