Also, if in your state they can prescribe meds--try a psychiatric nurse practitioner. They spend much more time w/you each session (& cheaper). Been w/one for about 14 yrs. & she is wonderful. Spends 45 min. to an hr. or actually whatever I need. She knows ME & my life & asks questions about my daily life to see how I am doing. She gave me her cell ph. # so I could call her at any time.

Pdoc I had before her was strictly prescribing his favorite medication (Depakote) which helped w/agitation (was in a mixed episode; bipolar 1 disorder) but did nothing for the depression. He thought as long as "the radio wasn't giving me special messages" that I should just stay on Depakote! I never had that as a symptom!!

Find someone you trust & can be totally honest with as he/she needs to know your thoughts/emotions/behaviors in order to help you. My intakes usually take 1.5-2 hrs.

Good luck & keep seeking if first couple of pdocs or specialists are not a good "fit."