Signs and Symptoms

Your psychiatrist, as a medical doctor, is very interested in understanding the details of how you’re feeling and functioning, especially if you’ve been prescribed psychiatric medications. Signs are objectively observed phenomena (such as the results of blood tests or the existence of hand tremors). Symptoms are what you experience firsthand and typically may not be observable to your psychiatrist during your visit. Symptoms may include oversleeping or trouble falling asleep, tearfulness, experiencing acute anxiety, or feeling scattered and unable to focus.
By explaining symptoms clearly, you help your doctor make the right diagnosis and develop the best treatment plan. It is helpful if you can describe the severity, how often they occur, how long they’ve been happening, and if you notice possible triggers or patterns to the symptoms. Please don’t hesitate to mention symptoms even if they seem embarrassing (such as sexual functioning or changes in bowel habits).
It can be helpful to make yourself a note to bring with you to your appointment in order to avoid forgetting important information during your visit. Include new symptoms you’ve had since your last visit, how things have improved and any questions you have. At times, people may minimize their symptoms and say they feel better than they really do. Unfortunately this might prevent your psychiatrist from making adjustments that could help your treatment be more effective.
Read more about psychiatric appointments from the American Psychiatric Association.