Treatment Options

It may be cheaper if you see a counselor first and then, if you later need medication or think something is being missed, come and see a psychiatrist.

It may be cheaper to have your family doctor prescribe medication and see a counselor. If you do not get better or have problems with medication interactions or have trouble waiting to get better,then you could see psychiatrist. You might want a second opinion if you wonder whether you are on the right medication or the right dose.

Some situations may be particularly risky to see someone other than a psychiatrist-if you are suicidal, if you are bipolar and get treated with antidepressants by mistake and you get manic, if you are having a psychotic episode or post partum depression with psychosis, and if there is another physical disease behind your symptoms that is going untreated.

If feel your provider is missing something and you are not getting better or you are tired of waiting and wondering if maybe you have not connected with the therapist, consider seeing a psychiatrist.

If you feel there may be organic components in your problem that are being overlooked you may want to look into talking with your personal care provider or calling psychiatrist.