Preparing for a Doctor’s Appointment or Initial Therapy Session

The typical doctor’s appointment only lasts 15 minutes. By making a list of concerns and/or issues ahead of time you can ensure that all of your questions are addressed and appropriate treatment is provided. Things to consider before your visit are: any alterations in mood (such as increased anxiety or irritability); general symptoms or changes (in appetite or energy level, etc.) and current medications or ones prescribed or stopped (including herbal remedies, over-the-counter drugs, supplements and vitamins, along with their dosages) since your last visit; difficulties in taking medicines as prescribed or on time (i.e., modifications in your response to them or the development of side effects); and anything you have tried on your own to feel better, along with what makes you feel worse.

For individuals with existing mental health issues, compiling the number of panic attacks they have had or the strength of their compulsions (including the time spent on them), delusions and/or hallucinations will be helpful. Before an initial therapy session, the clinician likely will send you intake paperwork to complete, including a questionnaire about your medical history, any prior mental health services you have received and what you hope to accomplish in therapy. During the first appointment, you may want to ask about the frequency and length of sessions, the policy for canceled or missed visits, and the therapist’s credentials, educational background and philosophy.

Mental illnesses have physical symptoms. Describe all of them, including specific details about when they began and their frequency and severity. Focus on the ABCs: antecedents, behaviors, and consequences. Is there a pattern? For example, if you are depressed, how many hours are you out of bed each day, how long is your attention span, are you hungry and do you have any social interactions, etc.? Be sure to share any recent life changes or major stressors that could be triggering or contributing to symptoms. Writing down individual events and actual quotes also can be helpful. If symptoms are present in just one setting or with only a certain group of people, the cause can be quite different than if they occur universally. Be prepared to honestly discuss how they are affecting your daily life. Information you share with your health care provider is confidential and cannot be shared with others without your permission.

Review your family history. Because there appears to be a genetic component to certain mental disorders, having a close relative with one could increase your risk of developing the condition. Informing your doctor or therapist will allow him or her to recommend ways to reduce your risk and permit both of you to look for early warning signs. While the most helpful information comes from “first-degree” relatives (children, parents and siblings), “second-degree” family members like aunts, grandparents, half-siblings, nieces, nephews and uncles also provide beneficial data. The United States Surgeon General’s “My Family Health Portrait” can help you organize that history.

Consider bringing a relative or friend to your appointment. It can be difficult to absorb all the information your doctor provides, especially if you are not feeling well, and your companion can provide support, take notes and later help you recall what was discussed. If your health care provider suggests a treatment with which you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable, state your concerns and ask if there is another option(s). Remember that for psychiatric medications, you need to take regular doses for a certain amount of time before you feel the full effects (for instance, antidepressants require 4 to 6 weeks). For all new prescriptions, ask your doctor about side-effects you should watch for. Maintain a mental health treatment notebook, recording between visits any problems, issues with medication or questions that develop. Bring it to appointments where you also can write down your provider’s recommendations and the day and time of future sessions.

Presenting symptoms can have many different causes so ensuring an effective appointment or evaluation is essential. Obtaining help for a mental health condition depends on you as much as your doctors and other clinicians. Taking responsibility for your care, especially by preparing fully for appointments, plays a significant role in your recovery.