What happens during a typical session with a psychiatrist?

What happens during a typical session with a psychiatrist?

Christopher Reist (Academic Psychiatrist, Co-Author of “Psychiatry”) gives expert video advice on: How do I know if I should go to see a psychiatrist?; How does a psychiatrist diagnose a patient?; Is a psychiatrist allowed to tell others about me? and more...

A typical first visit to a psychiatrist would begin with questions about why you are there. That's obviously the most important point to understand. What is it that's bothering you? Following that, there's going to be a more comprehensive assessment of your current social and occupational situation, your relationships, how well you're working; trying to understand how much this complaint that you have is interfering with those important things in your life. The interview will then also include your medical history, to understand what kind of medical disorders you have that might be important, as well as what kinds of medications you're on and what kind of past treatment you've had for your psychiatric illness. It'll also include information gathering about your family; what kinds of diseases have been present in your immediate family, and what kinds of illnesses have been in your aunts, uncles, and other blood relatives, because this can be very important in making a diagnosis. Another part of the initial exam would be a mental status exam, in which the psychiatrist would systematically go through a number of symptoms to really complete his picture of what is going on with you. The final part would be an initial diagnosis and plan for therapy. Having said that, it's important to realise that sometimes you can't get to the final diagnosis in one session. Sometimes it may require more time. It may require review of past records. Sometimes it's important to interview the significant others or family members to help differentiate possible disorders.