Picking out a Psychiatrist

JessiS · 11-23-2008, 11:34 PM

I think I may be depressed. I've not been diagnosed, but I'm going to assume the 3 hour crying fits I've had during the last month and not sleeping can't be right. I think I need to find help, but how does one pick out a Psychiatrist? So many names on my health care provider's list, but which one to choose?

I don't feel like I can talk to anyone about this, as I don't have any friends who are close enough to bring this up. This includes my boyfriend, we're relatively new together, and I don't want to put a burden on him. I wish I could just pull it together and get over it.

kuiks8 · 11-23-2008, 11:37 PM

are you looking for a psychiatrist to put you on medication or a counsellor to talk to? I think you need a referral to a psychiatrist and they usually deal more with the medication side of things...

sophie274 · 11-23-2008, 11:43 PM

Do you have a primary care physician? Normally you would ask him for a referral.

Psychiatrists can give you medication, if they deem it appropriate.

Therapists/counselors will try to talk you through your problem.

Most people (doctors, lay men) I have talked to think that a combination of therapy/medication, when appropriate, is the most successful way to combat depression. I used to see a psychiatrist/therapist - so she did both therapy and prescribed meds. I found that combination great - she could really do her job better as a psychiatrist given that she saw me every week, and I loved not having to see two people.

When choosing a therapist it is usually recommended that you try a few out, to see which style/personality you are most comfortable with.

Good luck!

JessiS · 11-23-2008, 11:44 PM

I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I am really not savvy for what the path would be to get help. Anyone have insight into that as well?

kuiks8 · 11-23-2008, 11:45 PM

I would definitely recommend a counsellor...try a cognitive behavioral therapist...they will help you reframe your negative thought patterns that you might not even know you have...

i don't do medication, i hate the side effects etc...I would see a naturopathic doctor to see if you are lacking any nutrients etc before going the pharmaceutical route...

pianoguy · 11-24-2008, 12:07 AM

You should talk to your family doctor if you have one and they should be able to refer you. Do you have a primary care physician?

11-23-2008, 11:34 PM	#1
JessiS Offline Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ames, IA Age: 27 Posts: 10	Picking out a Psychiatrist I think I may be depressed. I've not been diagnosed, but I'm going to assume the 3 hour crying fits I've had during the last month and not sleeping can't be right. I think I need to find help, but how does one pick out a Psychiatrist? So many names on my health care provider's list, but which one to choose? I don't feel like I can talk to anyone about this, as I don't have any friends who are close enough to bring this up. This includes my boyfriend, we're relatively new together, and I don't want to put a burden on him. I wish I could just pull it together and get over it.

11-24-2008, 12:07 AM	#6
pianoguy Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Boston Gender: Male Age: 25 Posts: 1,343	You should talk to your family doctor if you have one and they should be able to refer you. Do you have a primary care physician? __________________ "A productive and happy life is not something you find. It is something you make." Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Be kind. Everyone you meet is engaged in a great struggle." -Plato "I have sad misgivings that I shall never find any consolation in life save in music" - Bela Bartok

11-23-2008, 11:37 PM	#2
kuiks8 Offline Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver Gender: Female Posts: 3,273	are you looking for a psychiatrist to put you on medication or a counsellor to talk to? I think you need a referral to a psychiatrist and they usually deal more with the medication side of things...

11-23-2008, 11:43 PM	#3
sophie274 Online Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,062	Do you have a primary care physician? Normally you would ask him for a referral. Psychiatrists can give you medication, if they deem it appropriate. Therapists/counselors will try to talk you through your problem. Most people (doctors, lay men) I have talked to think that a combination of therapy/medication, when appropriate, is the most successful way to combat depression. I used to see a psychiatrist/therapist - so she did both therapy and prescribed meds. I found that combination great - she could really do her job better as a psychiatrist given that she saw me every week, and I loved not having to see two people. When choosing a therapist it is usually recommended that you try a few out, to see which style/personality you are most comfortable with. Good luck!

11-23-2008, 11:44 PM	#4
JessiS Offline Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ames, IA Age: 27 Posts: 10	I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I am really not savvy for what the path would be to get help. Anyone have insight into that as well?

11-23-2008, 11:45 PM	#5
kuiks8 Offline Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver Gender: Female Posts: 3,273	I would definitely recommend a counsellor...try a cognitive behavioral therapist...they will help you reframe your negative thought patterns that you might not even know you have... i don't do medication, i hate the side effects etc...I would see a naturopathic doctor to see if you are lacking any nutrients etc before going the pharmaceutical route...