By

Nicole Brynes, DNP, PMHNP-BC

It can be quite overwhelming the first time you meet with a psychiatric prescriber. You may be fearful, unsure, perhaps a bit excited. However you feel coming to that initial visit, make sure that you come with a few important things prepared. These few rules of thumb will help make the  most of your visit and give your prescriber the best insights into you, and help guide treatment.

Before your first appointment make sure you write down a detailed history of your medication history and your behavioral health treatment history. Include what medications and doses you were taking and when; what types of therapy you've engaged with; and if you've ever done an inpatient psychiatric program, rehab, or an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Make sure to ask if any family members have ever taken any psychiatric medications. If they have had particularly positive or negative experiences with various medications, this can be of great value to your prescriber in determining what is best for you. Make sure to come ready with which pharmacy you use.

At the appointment - if you feel like having a support person there with you for part of the appointment, most prescribers will be delighted to have either a person who makes you feel more comfortable. If you are brining someone who knows you very well, perhaps you would like them to share their thoughts on your situation to give your prescriber better insight. Always make sure you ask the prescriber first, as everyone feels differently about having you bring a support person, though in this practice, I encourage it. Most prescribers will ask quite a few detailed questions regarding medical history, is this is often an important part of many people's experiences, and there are quite a variety of medical concerns that can impact mental health, or maybe critical to note in determining what, if any, medications are the right fits for a given individual. Always be willing to tell your prescriber if you do not want to talk about something, whether you are not ready or you just prefer not to. If something they ask is not clear, let them know - it is the responsibility of your prescriber to be clear and understandable in their language. Ensure you have a clear sense of what the plan is before you leave, and an idea of when you will see your provider next.

After the appointment - make sure you take some extra time for yourself that day. It can be difficult discussing deep and challenging past and present emotions. Recognize that this is a day to perhaps give yourself an extra breath before going back to work, family, responsibility if possible. Make sure you follow up with your prescriber if you think of additional questions later.

The best care is within a collaborative partnership - so be ready to work together with your providers to give feedback on various medications or treatments, reach out if you have any questions, and let your therapist know what's going on as well so that they can also communicate with your prescriber. Ultimately, psychiatric prescribing is truly both an art and a science, and the best plans are made as a team with important details of who you are as an individual in mind, and with you as an active participant.