Psychiatrist is mainly for medication assessment.

Focus on what your diagnosis is from your psychologist...depression with anxiety...pure depression.

Mention the discussion you had with your psychologist of why you are there...they only give you 15 minutes.

So...my therapist sent me to you because I am suffering "from" and I would like to try a medication for it. My past history with medication "IS" .....I'm scared of medication or I'm not.....and then let the psychiatrist take over - probably ask you a few questions to do their own assessment.

They will just be professional. Ask how you feel etc.......

I have only ever gone to a psychiatrist .......they lisen to what ever you need to say ...so you need to realy make sure that you tell them exactualy how you are feeling .....what you are feeling ...for ex ...are you crying all the time ....thinking all the time ...does your head not shut up ....is it loud ...do you think in circles about ..things that have hurt you .............in the past or things that are upsetting you now .......the more info you can give them the better they can look after you ....and ..what ever you say to them stayes between you and them ...so you don't have to worry ............and they have heard everything .......one thing I know and had to find out the hard way ..is that if we realy want to ...get better we realy need to talk ....everything that has ever hurt us has to come out ....I ended up in the hospital because I wouldent talk .....and one day I just shut dowen ..they had to give me ect ..because I was going Dowen to far to fast ........it was a life saver for me ...but let me tell you I talk now .....so .....you will be in a very good position .....to take full advantage ....and get the help you need ......I am from canada ......so I don't know how it works other places ...but regardless ....you realy need to talk ......take care ....I will keep you in my prayers all goes well ....God bless

Be as open and honest and complete as you can when answering their questions. Some people prepare a written statement, perhaps a summary, of what they are going through and what issues they have. That way you can minimize what gets lost and what does not get said.

The questions can get very personal. Resist the temptation to avoid questions, minimize answers, or lie by commission or omission. If you feel uncomfortable giving an answer, tell them that. They can then temper their advice and conclusions based on knowing that they have incomplete information rather than having to guess where they have incomplete or inaccurate information.

It can be a hard part of the journey, but if you manage it well it can be the first part of a great recovery!

Gentle hugs