How long did you wait see psychiatrist?

My therapist is trying to send me to psychiatrist, but their earliest availability is in 3 months! How long did you wait to see a psychiatrist? Is it normal waiting time? I'm not sure my primary care can be a good alternative.

Well I was hospitalized so I mean I was directly put in a program with a therapist AND psychiatrist. Three months does seem like a long time, maybe get a referral from your primary care? Will that be faster?

2-3 months is normal for here.

My GP referred me in March 2010 and I saw a Psychiatrist in the May 2010. I use to see one monthly then 6-8 weeks then 3 months. Now every 5-6 months

Several months is pretty normal unfortunately from my experience. The only reason I ended up with a psychiatrist sooner than that was because I ended up inpatient, and my inpatient pdoc took me on as his patient. Unless someone cuts through the red tape for you, getting an initial appointment with a pdoc (and often many other specialists) can be a wait.

When I moved here I was told no Pdocs we're accepting new patients. So I talked to the new PCP and asked him to continue my meds as they were as no Pdocs were available. Don't know what he did but I've got an appointment for January! I am very stable right now but my history is rather serious so I think he wanted me set up sooner rather than later. When I lived in TX it took months to get seen.

Took me about 2-1/2 months to get in for my first appointment. Can you ask to be put on a waiting list for cancellations?

Can you try calling some other psychiatrists? The one I had been seeing left, so I've been looking for a new one. I've been able to get into two of them within a week or two after calling (first one wasn't right fit, seeing second one tomorrow). Another one I called wasn't accepting new patients.

Another option is to see if they have a cancellation list, and if so, if you could be added to it. So they would call you if another client cancels. You might not get much notice of an available appointment, but you might be able to get in much sooner, since patients cancel all the time. (Oops, just noticed AllHeart made same recommendation!)

I was told a several month wait twice. T called and convinced pdoc to see me on a Saturday, so I ended up waiting just a few days.

Three months is nothing. The wait times in my region are 3-6 months for adult psychiatry and 18-24 months for adolescent.

I lucked out however as both my family physician and psychiatrist are best friends. I was able to get an accepted referral in days yet I still had to wait 3 months for my first appointment.

Are you trying to see a psychiatrist in your insurance network? Out-of-network people might be more available if you can afford that, maybe just temporarily is you need help urgently.

I'm waiting about three months.

OK, so seems it actually normal. I'm looking for in the network. I found someone available in 2 weeks, but it's too far, and I can't afford. Maybe I should try waiting list. My primary care is prescribed medication, but it's not really working. It's so frustrating that I finally decide to try medication, and cannot see psychiatrist.

I had to wait 3 months from the day they put in the referral. I see my pdoc once every 6 months.

This is me too.

I waited about 3 months to see mine.