When Should You Consult a Psychiatrist?

The choice to see a psychiatrist for your mental health can be life-changing. They can help you manage a range of mental illnesses and their symptoms, such as major changes in mood or ability to perform daily tasks.

According to a survey by John Hopkins, around 8.9% of adults said they had experienced a mental health crisis in the last year. Around 72.6% reached out for help, and 53.2% sought the help of a health care provider, such as a psychiatrist.

Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist

Psychiatrists and psychologists are two specializations that are often confused. They both treat and prevent mental disorders. They can also both use therapeutic techniques such as talk therapy.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor and can provide medication for your mental health. Medications that are often prescribed by psychiatrists include:

• Antidepressants
• Stimulants
• Ketamine
• Antipsychotics
• Sedatives
• Mood stabilizers

What Mental Illnesses Do Psychiatrists Deal With?

Psychiatrists use a resource known as the DSM V when evaluating psychiatric symptoms. The DSM V illustrates how mental health conditions are classified and diagnosed. They also use clinical interviews, screening and diagnostic tools, and medical information such as labs and imaging to help diagnose mental health disorders and rule out medical causes of mental health disorders. Examples of mental health disorders include:

• Major depressive disorder 
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• ADHD
• Bipolar disorder 
• Eating disorders
• Substance use disorders 
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) 
• Panic disorder
• Personality disorders
• PTSD
• Postpartum depression
• Schizophrenia
• Sleep disorders

What Are The Signs You Need a Psychiatrist?

Properly timing a psychiatric consultation is important to get the best results. One of the best times to get professional help is after major life events, such as the birth of a baby, loss of a child or infant, or difficulty with getting pregnant. These life stressors can lead to negative emotions that are difficult to deal with alone.

There are other signs that you should see a psychiatrist. You may begin to notice changes that affect your daily life, such as:

• Mood changes
• Irrational fears
• Risky behavior
• Changes in sleep or diet
• Substance use
• Declining school or work performance
• Social withdrawal
• Paranoia 

You may have tried other treatments for these issues before with no noticeable improvement. This is another major sign to start seeking psychiatric help.

What to Do Before You See a Psychiatrist

Any thoughts of self-harm also need to be addressed immediately. According to the most recent data from the CDC, approximately 14.3 million adults seriously considered attempting suicide in 2024. The number of suicide attempts was around 2.2 million.

There are several crisis hotlines. Reach out to them before seeing a psychiatrist if you start to have serious thoughts or plans of harming yourself. Call the National Suicide & Crisis Hotline at 988.

Talk to your primary care provider. They can rule out any other medical conditions that may be causing you trouble with mood, anxiety, sleep, or appetite. Healthcare professionals should work together to create complete care plans that include mental health. KyCOMPASS's mission is to connect healthcare professionals to help patients find the psychiatric care they need.

What to Expect When Consulting a Mental Health Expert

An initial mental health consultation is similar to what you'd experience going to any other health professional.

Bring your medical history with you. It's also helpful to have documented information about your symptoms ready.

The consultation will begin by discussing your symptoms and the reason you came to the office.

The psychiatrist will use a variety of tools to arrive at the right diagnosis. These include everything from a patient health questionnaire to open discussions.

You'll discuss any recent changes in your life. You may also be led to talk about your past and your family. These questions are all about finding the best ways to improve your mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sessions does it take for a psychiatrist to diagnose me?

This depends on the complexity of your mental health.

A psychiatrist can often give you a mental health diagnosis in a single session. In more complex cases, it may take more sessions. 

The timeline to a diagnosis may be lengthened if you have more than one diagnosis at the same time, which is common. Complex conditions such as trauma or personality disorders also take longer for even the professionals to wrap their heads around.

Remember that a diagnosis is not always necessary for a psychiatrist to treat you. They may have different diagnoses in consideration at any given time, and these diagnoses may evolve or change over time. It is always important that you continue to update your psychiatrist about your life and current symptoms to ensure the best care. 

What If My Treatment Doesn't Feel Like the Right Fit?

Finding the right psychiatrist is an important part of your mental health journey. Most psychiatrists are dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care and work closely with patients to develop individualized treatment plans.

If you ever feel that your concerns aren't being heard or your treatment isn't meeting your needs, it's okay to ask questions or seek a second opinion. Open communication is an important part of effective mental health care.

During your appointments, you should feel comfortable discussing:

• Your symptoms and how they're affecting your daily life
• Questions about medications, including benefits and potential side effects
• Other treatment options, such as therapy or lifestyle changes
• Your goals and preferences for treatment

If you continue to have concerns after discussing them with your provider, consider speaking with your primary care provider or another trusted healthcare professional about your options. Finding the right fit can make a meaningful difference in your treatment experience.

How Mental Health Resources from KyCOMPASS Help Psychiatrists Help You

Has your mood or ability to function suffered? You may need to see a psychiatrist.

KyCOMPASS is the Kentucky Consultation & Outreach Program for Maternal Psychiatry and Support Services. We help Kentucky healthcare professionals connect with pregnant or postpartum women experiencing mental health or substance use concerns. That extends to all women of reproductive age.

We offer peer-to-peer resources, screening tools, and more. Our goal is to make high-quality care easily available statewide and strengthen the quality of our healthcare providers.

Reach out to us today for resources to support a population in need of mental health care.