Preparing for an appointment

You may start by seeing your primary care doctor. After an initial appointment, your doctor may refer you to a mental health provider, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

• Any symptoms you or people close to you have noticed, and for how long
• Key personal information, including traumatic events in your past and any current major stressors
• Your medical information, including other physical or mental health conditions
• All medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and other supplements, and the doses
• Questions you want to ask your doctor so that you can make the most of your appointment

Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Someone who has known you for a long time may be able to share important information with the doctor or mental health provider, with your permission.

Basic questions to ask your doctor or a mental health provider include:

• What's likely causing my symptoms or condition?
• Are there any other possible causes?
• What treatments are most likely to be effective for me?
• How much can I expect my symptoms to improve with treatment?
• How often will I need therapy sessions and for how long?
• Are there medications that can help?
• What are the possible side effects of the medication you may prescribe?
• Do I need to take any precautions or follow any restrictions?
• I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• How can my family or close friends help me in my treatment?
• Do you have any printed material that I can take? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

A doctor or mental health provider is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to save time for topics you want to focus on. Possible questions include:

• What are your symptoms? When did you first notice them?
• How are these symptoms affecting your life, including your personal relationships and work?
• How often during the course of a normal day do you experience a mood swing?
• How often have you felt betrayed, victimized or abandoned? Why do you think that happened?
• How well do you manage anger?
• How well do you manage being alone?
• How would you describe your sense of self-worth?
• Have you ever felt you were bad, or even evil?
• Have you had any problems with self-destructive or risky behavior?
• Have you ever thought of or tried to harm yourself or attempted suicide?
• Do you use alcohol or recreational drugs or misuse prescription drugs? If so, how often?
• How would you describe your childhood, including your relationship with your parents or caregivers?
• Were you physically or sexually abused or were you neglected as a child?
• Have any of your close relatives or caregivers been diagnosed with a mental health problem, such as a personality disorder?
• Have you been treated for any other mental health problems? If yes, what diagnoses were made, and what treatments were most effective?
• Are you currently being treated for any other medical conditions?