Demystifying Psychiatry: What You Need to Know About Mental Health Treatment

We know that seeking mental health treatment can be an overwhelming and confusing process, especially if you’ve never done it before. If you’re new to mental health treatment, use this guide to better understand the ins and outs of psychiatry and the importance of finding the right provider for you.

What Is Psychiatry?

So, what is psychiatry? In basic terms, psychiatry is the specialty in the treatment of mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorders and mood disorders. Psychiatrists specialize in medication management and assisting patients with finding a diagnosis. Finding a good psychiatrist can be the key to unlocking better mental health and an improved quality of life for people with mental health conditions.

How to Find a Psychiatrist

If you’ve never sought mental health treatment before, trying to find a psychiatrist may not feel easy. A good first step is to search for psychiatric providers in your area and see if they accept your insurance. This can be done by looking at the provider’s website or calling the practice during business hours. If you’re struggling to find a practice that accepts your insurance, it may be a good idea to contact your insurance company and ask them for a list of in-network resources.

If you’re struggling with a specific mental health condition, it may be beneficial to find a provider who specializes in that condition. Many psychiatric offices list provider biographies on their website, where you can learn more about the providers and their specialties. These biographies usually also list whether the provider is currently seeing new patients. This can be a great way to ascertain whether a certain provider will be right for you.

How to Get Started with Scheduling

Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to start reaching out. Some practices accept new patients without the necessity of a referral, while other practices need a referral from a primary care provider before taking on a new patient. Your primary care provider can be a good resource for finding mental health treatment near you, and they may be able to provide a referral to a practice you’re interested in.

Once you’ve found your practice, you can make an appointment at a date and time that’s convenient for you. If there are no appointments available soon enough for your preference, many practices utilize waiting lists that allow patients to wait for a sooner appointment time in the case of cancellations.

What to Expect at Your First Psychiatry Appointment

During your first appointment with a psychiatrist, you will undergo what is called a preliminary psychiatric evaluation. This is an important step in finding a diagnosis and discovering the treatment that will work best for you. During this evaluation, your psychiatrist will ask questions about your history and how you’ve been feeling lately. Be honest; this is a non-judgmental environment, and your psychiatrist needs to know your honest thoughts and feelings in order to help you as best as they can.

After the evaluation, your psychiatrist will develop a treatment plan. This plan may include medication, counseling with a therapist, additional testing, or a combination of these things. Your provider will work with you to make sure the plan suits your needs and will help mold the plan to fit your lifestyle as time goes on.

Take the First Step Toward Better Mental Health

While seeking mental health treatment can be intimidating, there are plenty of resources that can assist you in finding the right psychiatrist for your specific needs. Here at Apogee Behavioral Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing a wide variety of services and helping those who need them. 

If you’re seeking mental health treatment and don’t know where to turn, we’re just a call away at (336) 649-9000. You can also check out our website to learn more about our locations, our providers, and how to schedule same-day appointments, available both in-office and via telehealth. 

Mental health treatment doesn’t have to be scary. We’re here to help. Start your recovery journey today!