Question 1

would it be considered inappropriate to ask a psychiatrist for certain meds?

Accepted Answer

No, however...: You can ask, but if your psychiatrist does not feel it is in our best clinical interest, or there is a strong concern for addiction, they may not prescribe you the meds you are asking about.

Question 2

important questions to ask a psychiatrist before he prescribes me something for anxiety and sleep if he does decide to? i'm terrified of addiction..

Accepted Answer

Good question: Some possible questions: are there non-medication treatments that can be used?  Is this medication addictive?  What are possible medication side effects?  How long should it take before this medication begins working?  Are there possible interactions with other medications that I am taking?

Question 3

which sort of questions will a psychiatrist ask me?

Accepted Answer

Interview: A comprehensive psyche evaluation usually includes vital signs, interview & any necessary labs. The psychiatrist may palpate the thyroid gland or do a neurological examination. Some psychiatric evaluations will not include a physical examination.  The interview will touch on what brought you in, past psychiatric hx, family hx, social hx to include substance use, as well as screening questions.

Question 4

why would a psychiatrist ask questions like what year is it, whos the president, where are you ?

Accepted Answer

Mental status: These questions assess cognitive function, and the doctor wishes to make sure that your symptoms are not secondary to a dementia, such as Alzheimer's.

Question 5

what are reasons why would a psychiatrist ask you to stick out your tongue?

Accepted Answer

Physical exam: Psychiatrists are physicians as well. Sometimes they need to do a physical exam to ensure that  the patient's psychiatric symptoms are not due to a medical problem.

Question 6

i'm having migraines and consulted a neurologist who did a scan and found nothing. he asked me to consult a psychiatrist as it could be from depression. what else could it be?

Accepted Answer

Migraine treatment: Migraine a common condition of severe headaches causing debility plus nausea, vomiting, avoiding lights & noise etc. Diagnosed thru history (the story) not thru mris or tests. Treatment should be directed at decreasing severity & how often attacks occur (cure is unrealistic). Depression  should be excluded. & if present, treatment of depression may improve headaches. Migraine meds still needed.

Question 7

20mg of paroxetine not helping enough against my depression and social phobia. results are almost nihil. should i ask psychiatrist for a higher dose?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Usual paroxetine dose range for depression is 20 - 50 mg per day. After a few weeks at 20 mg, if not effective, can increase by 10 mg. Please with your psychiatrist for further management.

Question 8

i am currently taking concerta (108 mg/day) and i am completely satisfied with the treatment. however, i am overweight and have read that vyvanse may provide greater weight loss than concerta. should i ask my psychiatrist about a trial of vyvanse?

Accepted Answer

: Continue taking the medication that is effective and try another method to lose weight. Good Luck

Question 9

i don't have a psychiatrist anymore and i'm out of meds...where do i go?

Accepted Answer

Need meds: If you are out of medications of any type, you may call your previous prescribing clinician for a 1 month supply to provide time to get a new clinician. Otherwise,  contact your primary care provider/physician or go to the emergency room/urgent care as a last resort. Call your insurance company for names of local psychiatrists. Call until you get set up for an intake appointment.

Question 10

why  can't a community mental health center employ psychiatrists.  why are they only contractors?

Accepted Answer

Money & Stigma: Until very recently and after congress passed what are known as "parity" laws, mental conditions did not even have to be covered by insurance companies. Even now, the rates doctors are paid for seeing mental health patients who have insurance is less than for other diseases. The fees for psychiatrists to see medicaid patients is even lower. Mental patients, sadly,  have always been stigmatized.

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Doctor answers about:

Ask a psychiatrist

A member asked:

Would it be considered inappropriate to ask a psychiatrist for certain meds?

A member asked:

Important questions to ask a psychiatrist before he prescribes me something for anxiety and sleep if he does decide to? i'm terrified of addiction..

A member asked:

Which sort of questions will a psychiatrist ask me?

A member asked:

Why would a psychiatrist ask questions like what year is it, whos the president, where are you ?

A member asked:

What are reasons why would a psychiatrist ask you to stick out your tongue?

A member asked:

I'm having migraines and consulted a neurologist who did a scan and found nothing. he asked me to consult a psychiatrist as it could be from depression. what else could it be?

A member asked:

20mg of paroxetine not helping enough against my depression and social phobia. results are almost nihil. should i ask psychiatrist for a higher dose?

A member asked:

I am currently taking concerta (108 mg/day) and i am completely satisfied with the treatment. however, i am overweight and have read that vyvanse may provide greater weight loss than concerta. should i ask my psychiatrist about a trial of vyvanse?

A member asked:

I don't have a psychiatrist anymore and i'm out of meds...where do i go?

A member asked:

Why can't a community mental health center employ psychiatrists. why are they only contractors?

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