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Visiting the psychiatrist ny
Diagnosing
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cannot be done by using one simple diagnostic technique.
A detailed history of the person is needed, but also several tests have to be
completed. These tests include: a complete physical examination, laboratory tests,
a neurological exam, and a psychiatric assessment. The whole diagnosis process
may be handled by a family physician or a team of medical professionals, which
may include: the physician, a neurologist, and a psychiatrist ny . Many times a psychiatric
evaluation is necessary to indicate other conditions which may be affecting you
or your loved one (i.e., depression, agitation, or anxiety disorders). Below are
some tips so you can be prepared for the visit with a psychiatrist ny .
Overview
of the Mental Health Evaluation
The psychiatrist ny may evaluate the
following: Behavior and appearance. Mood. Cognition (memory and thinking). Thought
processes and content (orientation to time and place). Ability to express yourself
(body posture, eye contact, and speech). Physical functioning (sleep, appetite,
or physical symptoms). Insight and judgment. Social skills (ability to relate
to others and assessment of present relationships).
How to Prepare
Find a psychiatrist ny .
Many times your primary care physician can
refer you to one. Some health insurance companies may need a referral from your
doctor anyway. Otherwise, call the Alzheimer’s Association-St. Louis Chapter,
at (800) 980-9080 for a list of psychiatrist ny s who treat people with AD or related
dementias. Figure out how you will finance the visit. This may affect which psychiatrist ny
you can go to depending on what insurance plans they accept (i.e., Medicare, Medicaid,
HMO’s, or other insurance).
Schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Many psychiatrist ny s have a waiting period of a week to several months, even for
an initial appointment.
Keep a diary or journal of physical or mental
complaints. The psychiatrist ny may need to compile a history of your symptoms, so
coming prepared will help ease your nervousness and provide a more accurate picture
for the psychiatrist ny . Record things such as: What symptom(s) have you noticed?
When did the symptom(s) first appear? How have the symptom(s) changed over time?
Know what to expect.
What to Expect
Physical
and mental health historyA psychiatrist ny may review your past medical history and
current medications you are on. He/She may obtain medical records from your doctor.
The psychiatrist ny may ask about any physical and mental symptoms, and whether treatment
has been previously sought.
Social history
The psychiatrist ny
may compile social history information such as: marital status, family composition,
education, and employment.
Lab tests
A psychiatrist ny may
order blood or urine tests or brain scans. Most likely, these have already been
done by your doctor or neurologist.
Mental health tests
The psychiatrist ny may use several questionnaires and rating scale tests. These
tests: Usually contain 20-30 questions each Require little time to complete May
include standard questions about current events or situations May ask you to draw
and/or or count Test your ability to do routine activities
Important
to Note
Most psychiatric evaluations will last 30-60 minutes, but
could last longer depending on the specific mental health tests chosen. If for
some reason this might be a problem, you may want to alert the psychiatrist ny and
do everything in two sessions instead of one.
Results
The psychiatrist ny may be able to discuss preliminary results of some of the tests,
but complete results may take several days.
What Now?
If a problem has been identified, further tests and/or follow-up visits may be
needed. Treatment may be recommended by the psychiatrist ny depending on the diagnosis.
Medication may be prescribed, so you may need to consider who will administer
the medicine
Do you need to find a psychiatrist ny ? Perhaps you are moving. Perhaps you want a new doctor, or this is the first time you've needed to see a "pdoc." Here are a few suggestions to help.
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
1. If you have a university within a reasonable driving distance, call their Department of Psychiatry. These psychiatrist ny s are often on the cutting edge of research.
2. Contact the local chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (formerly NDMDA) for a recommendation.
3. If the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) has a branch in your area, get in touch with their offices for a reference. You can also get in touch with their state offices.
4. Phone the psychiatric ward of a hospital in your area and ask the head nurse whom she would see if she needed a psychiatrist ny .
5. Review the list of approved mental health care providers from your insurance company.
6. Ask your general practitioner and therapist for their recommendations.
7. Scan the yellow pages. Look for certifications such as 'Board Certified in Psychiatry' or 'Board Certified in Pediatric Psychiatry.' Those who specialize in Psychopharmacology may be a good choice.
8. You may want to contact the information and referral (I&R) services of the United Way in your town - particularly if you are in need of financial assistance.
9. Many companies offer employee assistance programs that may be able to provide the names of psychiatrist ny s.
10. Ring a few of your family and friends for their advice.
11. Telephone the referral service of the hospitals in your city.
12. Your pastor or rabbi may be able to suggest the names of appropriate psychiatrist ny s to you.
Tips:
Before you start, think about what is important to you. Do you have a strong preference for a male or female doctor? Are the doctor's religious beliefs an issue for you?
Set up your first visit as a short consultation. This will allow you to meet the psychiatrist ny and his staff without shelling out a lot of money. Some may offer a free consultation.
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