Just like any other doctor you need to see, your psychiatrist will ask you questions about the reason you are seeking help. They will try to find out how long the problem has been going on, and what has helped or worsened it over time. They will ask you questions about your own medical history and your family medical history. Psychiatric conditions are complex by nature as they are affected by many biological, psychological, and social/personal factors. To get to know you better and understand the context of your symptoms, a psychiatrist will delve a little bit deeper into your personal history, and might ask questions about your narrative such as where you grew up and how that experience was. Sometimes a psychiatrist will ask to speak with a family member you trust to get to know their viewpoint as well.

I like to think of the difference between the two as analogous to an orthopedic surgeon and a physiotherapist – both perform necessary and complimentary interventions aiming to heal. Similarly, in the realm of mental health, both psychiatrists and psychologists play crucial roles, but their approaches and areas of expertise differ. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. They are trained in both psychotherapy and medication management, often prescribing medications to alleviate symptoms. On the other hand, psychologists hold advanced degrees in psychology and typically provide psychotherapy, counseling, and psychological testing. While they cannot prescribe medication in most jurisdictions, psychologists excel in understanding human behavior, emotions, and thought patterns, offering valuable insights and evidence-based interventions to help individuals achieve mental well-being. Ultimately, the choice between a psychiatrist and psychologist depends on individual needs and preferences, with collaboration between the two professions often resulting in comprehensive and effective mental health care.

It would be really helpful if you could write down a list of previous medications you have tried noting what you recall about any benefits or side effects of these medications.

Most initial appointments last between 45-80minutes depending on the complexity. Follow up appointments are 15-30 minutes.

No, I am a native Arabic speaker and can comfortably assess patients from most of the Arabic-speaking world.