[cgriffin77]

I recently moved to another state and am now looking for a new psychiatrist.

Usually there is only one psychiatrist that is near me that I am able to see but now I have a few different options. How do I go about finding one that is right for me? I have appointments with a couple different ones in the next couple weeks but it almost feels like I am "cheating on" one of them already. Is it okay to go to multiple dr's at the same time until I find one that is right for me? Should I let the dr's know ahead of time?

Not sure how to go about this or even how to know what to look for in a pdoc.

Much thanks in advance for replies.

[~Christina]

There is nothing wrong with "test driving" a few pdoc's. The most important thing is seeing a Pdoc that is going to work with you to find the best treatment plan for you. You dont need to advise them that you are seeing others... Pdocs are use to patients "shopping around", its not a big deal.

Good luck

[Victoria'smom]

I've had bad psychiatrists and a good one. I'd interview as many until you feel comfortable.

[jordan23]

Just go to one you like and feel comfortable with.

[cool09]

Just don't pick someone out of the yellow pages. Try to get a recommendation from someone for a good, reputable PDOC. If you are near a large city halfway-decent PDOCs will be associated with hospitals (and lousy PDOCs are associated with hospitals, as well). Get a recommendation from someone. Search the net for reviews. You don't want to get stuck with someone who has a bad beside manner or doesn't put a good effort into prescribing meds or even someone who gets angry with you if you have horrible side effects and refuses to let you stop taking them. Look at the Dr.'s years of experience and the quality of their experience. Some Medical Universities have outpatient programs - call them for some guidance.

[BipolaRNurse]

I've only had one psychiatrist, and he is the standard by which any future pdoc will be judged. (Hopefully I'll never have to go to anyone else, but you never know.....) I think the best attributes are honesty---you don't want someone who will sugarcoat things---and a willingness to listen to you. It's no good to go to a doctor who dismisses what you tell him and acts like he's the only one who knows anything.

I would add to that a sense of humor. Psychiatrists are not generally known as having that quality, but mine's a hoot! He can be VERY serious when he has to be, but he uses humor to loosen me up and get me to spill things I hadn't even intended to talk about, which makes for better therapy. This approach probably doesn't work for everyone, but it does for me.

Good luck in finding the right doc; sometimes you have to do some shopping, but hopefully you'll get lucky. A good psychiatrist is worth his/her weight in gold.....if it weren't for mine, I wouldn't be here to make these recommendations.

[Hottiedepressed]

Just go with your gut feeling!!

[HALLIEBETH87]

Well if you were in Ky I could help you but I don't know about other states.

[cgriffin77]

I have 3 different appointments so I'm certain I'll find a good fit

[Velouria]

I always ask them initially what school of thought they belong to (Psychoanalytic, Behavioral, Humanistic, etc.) so that I know where they're coming from and have an idea of how they might treat me.

[cgriffin77]

I will have to look into that