My Pdoc just did a general intake, emotional state, diagnoses, physical stuff. Then I got a script for a low dose of some antidepressant.

I find that a pdoc is good for asking a lot of med questions. Like any doc there are good ones, mediocre ones, and bad ones. Some think they are bringing the word of God from down on high and others are aware of the limitations of their field. My Pdoc is good at pharmacology and so even when I've had consults with other physicians, I won't agree to anything until I've run it by him. I had *two* pdocs recommend something and then when I asked him about it he was like, "Oh, no, the way that drug works it generally does x, y and z so it doesn't do what you hope it does at these other doses." The first pdoc that had recommended it hadn't listened to a word I said (ugh) and the second wasn't very experienced.

The other thing to remember is that it's about finding a balance of quality of life. Only you can say whether or not a drug and its side effects are worth tolerating but also talking about those side effects with a talented pdoc is going to yield insight and hopefully better options.