Preparing for Your First Appointment with Your Psychiatrist

Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff
If you've had signs or symptoms common to a panic attack, make an appointment with your primary care provider. After an initial evaluation, your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for treatment. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do in advance

• Make a list of your symptoms, including when they first occurred and how often you've had them.
• Write down your key personal information, including traumatic events in your past and any stressful, major events that occurred before your first panic attack.
• Write down all of your medical information, including other physical or mental health conditions with which you've been diagnosed. Also write down the names of any medications you're taking.
• Ask a trusted family member or friend to be present for your appointment, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor at your initial appointment include:

• What do you believe is causing my symptoms?
• Is it possible that an underlying medical problem is causing my symptoms?
• Do I need any diagnostic tests?
• Should I see a mental health specialist?
• Is there anything I can do now to help manage my symptoms?

Questions to ask if you are referred to a mental health provider include:

• Do I have panic attacks or panic disorder?
• What treatment approach do you recommend in my case?
• If you're recommending therapy, how frequently will I need therapy sessions, and for how long?
• Would family or group therapy be helpful in my case?
• If you're recommending medications, are there any possible side effects?
• For how long will I need to take medication?
• Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
• How will you monitor whether my treatment is working?
• What can I do to reduce the risk of my symptoms recurring?
• Are there any self-care steps I could take to help manage my condition?
• How much do you expect my symptoms will improve with treatment?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared in advance, don't hesitate to ask for more information at any time that you don't understand something. What to expect from your doctorA doctor or mental health provider who sees you for possible panic attacks or panic disorder may ask:

• What are your symptoms?
• When did your symptoms first occur?
• How long do your attacks last?
• How often do your attacks occur?
• How often do you experience fear of another attack?
• Does anything in particular seem to trigger an attack?
• Do you avoid the locations or experiences that seem to trigger an attack?
• How would you say your symptoms are affecting your life, including school, work and personal relationships?
• Did you experience significant stress or a traumatic event shortly before your first panic attack?
• Have you experienced significant trauma — such as physical or sexual abuse or military battle — in your lifetime?
• How would you describe your childhood, including your relationship with your parents?
• Have any of your close relatives been diagnosed with a mental health problem, including panic attacks or panic disorder?
• Have you been treated for any other mental health problems?
• Have you been diagnosed with any medical conditions?
• Do you use alcohol or recreational drugs? How often?
• Do you exercise?
• Do you use caffeine?

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