How Can You Start Taking A More Active Role in Your Psychiatric Care?

Your mental health is essential to your overall wellbeing. Taking an active role in your mental health care is necessary to ensure that your treatment is effective. You deserve to function at your best and feel that your care is geared toward your unique needs. It is hard to feel this way if you aren’t actively participating in your care. 

Psychiatric medication management can help to treat your symptoms and allow you to begin feeling like the best version of yourself. When you are on the right medications for you, you can better show up for yourself and others. The more prepared you are for  your sessions, the sooner this can start to happen.  

Getting Ready for Your Next Appointment

Have you ever gone into an appointment with your doctor with so many things you wanted to address and then completely forgot everything the second they walked through the door? I know I have! Preparing ahead of time can make a huge difference. There is a lot of value in bringing notes with you on how you have been doing and questions that you may have for your provider. 

While you may know you need to bring notes, it can be difficult to know what to say or even what to ask. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to get your wheels turning before your next visit. 

  1. How have I been showing up lately?  This is a loaded question, and it’s meant to be. We rarely check in with ourselves, this is your opportunity. It’s good to do this on a routine basis, perhaps daily, but starting now is great. Ask yourself how your mood has been, your sleep, your appetite, your energy, your joy. Get curious about how you have been feeling and functioning. This information is helpful for you AND your prescriber. 
  2. Have I been taking my medications as prescribed? Medications only work if you take them. It isn’t fair to you or your provider to show up to your appointment saying  your meds don’t work when you know you haven’t been taking them consistently. It’s okay, we all forget medications from time to time. Be honest with yourself and your prescriber so that you can figure out how best to move forward. Besides, it may not be safe to increase a dosage that isn’t even being taken in the first place!
  3. What has changed since last time? Sometimes we get so wrapped up in trying to get through the day that we forget a lot can happen between appointments. Don’t forget to tell your provider if you’ve experienced any big changes in your day to day. This can be moving, a breakup, job promotion, job loss, death in the family, getting married, buying a new car. Change can be difficult, even if it’s a good change. Be sure to note what is going on in your life in your next appointment. 
  4. Has anything changed for me physically? What goes on with our physical health can have a large impact on our mental health. If you have been sick, had surgery, a recent diagnosis etc it’s important to tell your prescriber as this can impact your medication regime and your mental health. Be sure to tell them if any of your other medications have changed because this can impact your psychiatric medications as well! 
  5. What questions have I had? Most of us think of great questions for our providers AFTER our appointment, so what did you think of since last time? Keep a running list of these questions so you can review them in your next appointment. It is important to get answers, don’t be afraid to ask.

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. 

It can be helpful to keep notes in your phone as most of us have our phone with us the majority of the time. This way if something comes to mind you can get it down before you forget (or make yourself anxious trying to remember it).  

Start Actively Participating 

Working with a provider you can talk to is important. 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 Fuquay-Varina, NC call CCS now to schedule your first appointment!