What does a psychiatrist do?

I was prescribed 20mg for depression in January. However following a visit to an occupational health specialist, work referred me due to absences, the specialist is concerned that as I described feeling worse since taking the meds and there have been a couple of instances in my history of mania. She believes I'm bipolar.

She requested I return to my GP and tell her everything I told occupational doc. And said I have to attend counselling and visit a psychiatrist.

I have no experience of a psychiatrist and was hoping some of you might share your experiences.

My psychiatrist is awesome. He's the most caring doctor I have met. A psychiatrist is a doctor that specializes in mental health. Your appointment will be similar to a new gp but it'll be more specialized questions. You may have your height, weight and blood pressure taken. You'll be asked about your family history and your own history, what medication you are on and your symptoms. You'll discuss your potential diagnosis and your treatment options.

My first appointment went like this: I'm not taking anything besides welbutren because that was the only medication that has worked, I liked it and it didn't make me gain weight. He smiled said that he's sure I liked welbutren but that was never going to happen. That right now I need brakes. He went over what he was willing to prescribe . while I completely bad mouthed each one and explained why none of his options were okay. We had conversation about technology and random things until I was comfortable somewhere he slipped in I have bipolar disorder. At the end of our conversation he asked me if I want to try any of the medications. I asked if he had to which would he take and why? The fact that he answered that thoughtfully is the only reason I am on medication. He has agreed to work with me med free if I choose. I had my intake with a case worker before my appointment. My intake was 4 hours and not completed. My husband's intake took an hour and was completed.

Don't get me wrong, I like my pdoc (psychiatrist) he's great but I usually walk out feeling like I've been put through one of those old fashioned dryers!
They ask lots of questions about everything and anything. But I've found that they aren't as gentle as a therapist, counsellor or psychologist (T). That may just be my pdoc but I guess they are under more of a time pressure than the T. I have 1/2 hour pdoc visits while I have an hour for T visits (not that I go anymore).
My current pdoc is very good with meds so we spend a lot of time discussing and changing that as required.

psychiatrist gives you meds until a combo works for you.

If you're lucky, you'll get an awesome psychiatrist like mine who also does therapy in addition to medication management. (A lot of them don't do therapy.) My appointments are always 50 minutes and sometimes I get a little extra if he doesn't have any other patients after me.

The intake appointment is usually pretty long. You talk about your current symptoms, go over your medical and personal history, meds you're taking/have taken, what your childhood was like, and etc. You may or may not get a diagnosis on your first visit. Don't be surprised or disappointed if this happens; it just mean the doctor is taking his/her time and being careful to get it right. S/he may also talk about starting therapy and/or medication, usually a mood stabilizer if bipolar is a possibillty. Then you make a follow up appointment if the pdoc feels s/he needs to see you again (if the appointment is only a psych consult, you'll go back to your regular doctor).

Hope that's helpful. If you need one, a good psychiatrist is worth his or her weight in gold, and I mean that. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for mine.