If you have decided to seek professional help for depression, you may wonder what to expect at your first appointment. I hope that this article will help to answer some of your questions.
When you call a therapist's or psychiatrist's office to schedule your first appointment, you will probably want to know:
Is this person on your insurance plan? If not, what do they charge?
If you have a history of hospitalization for depression, or if there's a chance you may need to be hospitalized, find out if the person is affiliated with a hospital.
How does the secretary treat you on the phone?
Once you have made an appointment, keep it. If you can't keep it, call and cancel at least 24 hours in advance.
Arrive early to fill out paperwork. If you arrive late, chances are the therapist or psychiatrist won't be able to exceed the allotted time limit with you. Nor should they be expected to, as the patients following you must be seen on time. Also be aware that "an hour" is usually 50 minutes. The clinician needs time after the session to make chart notes, which is also an important part of their work.
Know what medications you are taking, whether they are for depression or high blood pressure. Know the names, dosages, when you take the medications, and why you take them. Also be sure to let the clinician know if you are using hormones, food supplements, vitamins, herbs, or any over the counter medications (like ibuprofen or allergy medication). There are a couple of very important reasons for this: one is that some medications can actually cause or worsen depression; the other is that certain antidepressants may interact with certain herbs or medications.
Be honest about your symptoms. If you feel that you can't be honest with the clinician you're seeing, you need to find one with whom you are comfortable.
Be prepared with some knowledge of your family's mental health history. Most mental health professionals will want to know if any of your blood relatives have suffered from depression, anxiety, addictions, or other psychiatric illnesses; and what treatments have worked for them. They may also ask if anyone in your extended or immediate family has ever attempted suicide or has been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons.
Ask any questions you may have about your treatment. If you're seeing a psychiatrist who wants to prescribe medication, ask about potential side effects and benefits. If you're seeing a therapist, what types of therapy does she use?
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