Getting Ready for Your Next Psychiatric Medication Management Appointments

Preparing ahead of time for your next psychiatric appointments can help you to feel more organized and to have a more productive session. Having a plan for what you’d like to go over and questions you may want to ask can help things to go smoothly and allow you to leave your session feeling that you have accomplished what you set out for. This can be effective, however, it can also feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Let’s explore ways you can prepare before your next appointment together so that you can feel more in control of your mental health care. 

Start By Asking Yourself Some Basic Questions

There are a few things you can do before your next psychiatric appointment to feel organized and ready. Asking yourself these questions can help: 

1. How have you been doing lately?  Ask yourself how you have been feeling, what has your mood been like, how have you been sleeping, what has your anxiety level been 1-10, what has your energy level been etc. Journaling at the end of each day can be a great way to keep track of your mood and symptoms so that you can review when you see your provider. 
2. How consistent have you been with your medications? Being aware of any missed doses can help you to communicate with your prescriber regarding your consistency with medications. This can contribute to your functioning and symptoms. Being able to give them a clear picture can make a world of difference. 
3. Any big changes? Life can throw us a lot of curveballs, though we can be quick to minimize their effect on us. Jot down any changes you’ve experienced since the last time you saw your provider and be sure to let them know. 
4. Don’t forget about your physical health, has anything changed there? Your prescriber needs to know if your health has changed in any way or if you’ve started any new medications. Perhaps your dosage of other medications has changed? Any medical changes should be communicated in your appointment. 
5. Have you had any questions for your provider on your mind? Most of us experience that phenomenon of remembering multiple questions we wished we would have asked right after an appointment. That is natural, write them down! Keep a running list of questions that you have for your provider between appointments so that you can communicate them when you see them. It can make a world of difference!

This list is NOT exhaustive, but it can get you thinking. Take note of how you are feeling and functioning. Be mindful of your symptoms and whether they are improving, staying the same or getting worse. Ask questions! All of these things can help you to feel better prepared for your psychiatric appointments. 

Take an Active Role in Your Psychiatric Care 

Carolina Counseling Services contracts with caring, effective licensed psychiatric professionals. You deserve to feel and function at your best. Providers are in network with most major insurances including Aetna, Aetna State Health Plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) and many more. If you are looking for psychiatric care in Cameron, NC call CCS now to schedule your first appointment!