Choosing the Best Depression Psychiatrist: Factors to Consider

Finding the best psychiatrist is a highly personal decision. While all psychiatrists have specialized training and are licensed to conduct medical exams, they also differ in their approach to treatment.

Start by asking for referrals from trusted healthcare professionals or therapists. Search online psychiatrist near me depression that allows you to filter providers by gender, location, and experience.

Credentials

Depression is a mental health condition that can have serious consequences. Fortunately, it is highly treatable with therapy and antidepressant medication. However, choosing the best psychiatrist to manage your symptoms can be challenging. You should find someone with extensive training and experience in treating depression.

In addition to assessing a patient’s symptoms, a psychiatrist should also look for any physical pain or discomfort related to the depression. The doctor should also review the patient’s medical history to ensure no physical conditions could contribute to depression, such as thyroid issues or vitamin deficiencies.

Psychiatrists often offer psychotherapy services in addition to prescribing medications. To teach patients how to recognize damaging thought and emotion patterns and swap them out for more uplifting ones, they employ various therapy techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Unlike psychologists, some psychiatrists are also qualified to administer ECT treatments, which have traditionally been reserved as a last resort treatment for severe cases of depression that don’t respond to other therapies.

Experience

When people seek treatment for depression, they typically start by visiting a standard healthcare provider such as a family doctor or internal medicine physician. These physicians are well-versed in screening for depression and may prescribe antidepressants. However, suppose someone feels their medication isn’t working or needs a change in dosage or a different type of antidepressant. In that case, they might need a psychiatrist to help them find a more effective solution.

Psychiatrists are highly specialized and know mental health and psychiatric medications inside out. They can tell a patient exactly how long it will take for their symptoms to improve or which meds might cause specific side effects, for example.

While a psychiatrist’s credentials are necessary, patients should also consider their comfort level with the doctor. It’s a good idea to share your preferences early on, such as whether you prefer a female or male psychiatrist or are more comfortable with virtual appointments. This information will help narrow your options and make finding the proper care provider more accessible.

Medication management

Psychiatrists are trained to recognize depression symptoms and often prescribe antidepressants. They are also familiar with other mental health disorders that can co-occur with depression, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety. In some cases, it may be possible to treat these other conditions with psychotherapy or lifestyle changes.

A good psychiatrist will take the time to listen and get a complete picture of your medical history before making any diagnosis. They will take a physical exam and ask questions about your mood. 

Some doctors prefer to start with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), or fluoxetine (Prozac). Other psychiatrists will try a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) or venlafaxine (Effexor XR), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine or paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva). Finally, some doctors may prescribe monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as marplan, nefazodone, or trazodone.

Telemedicine

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health and can prescribe medications. Many people start with a counselor or psychologist, but this isn’t enough for those with severe depression or other mental illnesses. A psychiatrist can provide a complete assessment and address medication and talk therapy.

When choosing a psychiatrist, consider their credentials and areas of focus. Checking their websites and contacting the doctor for more information is helpful. You can also ask friends and family for recommendations or look at online directories.

When you choose a telemedicine psychiatrist, ensure your Wi-Fi connection is strong, and you have everything you need for the session, including water and tissue. Reviewing your records and listing questions, you can also prepare for a video session. Some online psychiatrists offer a free trial, and others charge for each appointment. Make sure you’re aware of these costs before you schedule a visit.