A common dilemma that people have is figuring out how to make psychiatric care most effective from the get-go. Here is my insider advice as a psychiatrist with twenty years in the field:
1. Look for a Positive Care Experience
Start by choosing a well-run office because the delivery of care is just as important as the quality of the psychiatric care itself.
If the person answering the phone is welcoming and the office seems friendly and efficient, chances are your care experience will be pleasant too.
2. Minimize Insurance Frustration
Dealing with insurance is frustrating. It’s helpful to know what out-of-pocket costs to expect so that you can budget accordingly.
Online tools can help. For example, Reimbursify [link] can calculate your out-of-network coverage and deductible balance. Out-of-network billing statements can also be submitted directly to your insurance, saving you time and aggravation.
3. Be an Engaged Patient
I like it when my patients are engaged and excited about learning and becoming healthier.
Setting goals for change and working on a plan to achieve them is the starting point for engaging with a psychiatrist.
If there is a problem with your medication, let the psychiatrist know right away. That way medications can be adjusted efficiently.
It’s worth asking about the ways that you can communicate with your psychiatrist between sessions. For example, my patients can write me through the confidential patient portal. This is important is because solving small problems drives better care. To illustrate, if you can get a medication refilled in a timely manner, address possible side-effects, or prevent a small crisis from spiraling, recovery is faster.
Summarize each session in a therapy notebook, your computer or phone. Write down questions and agenda items for your session. Track your depression and anxiety scores. Write down your to-dos or homework assignment.
I also think it’s particularly helpful to note key insights or psychological strategies so that they stick in your memory.
Engaged patients also share positive feedback about progress and life achievements. Be sure to share good news with your psychiatrist!
4. Involve Family or Friends
I feel that it’s important to involve family members or close friends in mental health care, where appropriate. Patients with physical illnesses such as cancer benefit from the help of family and friends. Psychological problems are no different. If you have good people in your corner, it’s easier to get better, no matter what the illness!
5. Find a Psychiatrist who Uses the Collaborative Care Psychiatry Model
The Collaborative Care model is where psychiatrists work closely with primary care doctors and psychotherapists. Research has shown that collaboration among professional improves both psychiatric and other health outcomes. In contrast, siloed care is where each professional works in their own lane.
As I say to my patients, “What will we have achieved if we cure the depression, but you develop diabetes or heart disease in ten years’ time?”
Reaching vitality means paying attention to mental, physical, work and relationship health. Interdisciplinary health professionals need to work closely to achieve these goals. If your psychiatrist can call you primary care doctor and psychologist to discuss your case, everyone can pull together.
6. Ask How Long your Treatment Will Be
It's worthwhile asking how many sessions are needed to treat your condition. For uncomplicated depression and anxiety, I suggest allowing about six sessions to see improvement and about ten to twenty sessions to see fuller results. The length of the treatment depends on the condition. Don’t drop out of treatment prematurely!
Take Home Message
Not all psychiatric care is the same and that’s why I suggest that you consider how to make your care as effective as possible. Remember, the goal is total vitality!
