APPOINTMENT TOOL
Questions to ask your psychiatrist
A practical one-page checklist for a first visit, a new diagnosis, a medication decision, or a follow-up. Choose the questions that matter most; you do not need to ask everything at once.
Choose 5–10 questions before the visit and use the blank lines to capture answers or add your own question.
Questions to ask your psychiatrist
Check what matters today. Start with the most important questions and write down the answers.
THE QUANTUM SELF PROJECT
VISIT CHECKLIST
First visit & diagnosis
- What should I bring, and what will happen today?
- What diagnosis are you considering, and how sure are you?
- What symptoms or results point to it? What else could it be?
- Have medical causes been ruled out? Are any tests still needed?
- What is your treatment approach, and how will we make decisions together?
Sources: NAMI, NAMI question guide, Mayo Clinic
Medication
- What is this for, and why this instead of the other choices—including no medication?
- How and when should I take it? What should I do if I miss a dose?
- When might it start helping, and what should I notice first?
- Which side effects are common? Which mean I should call or get urgent help?
- Could it affect sleep, weight, appetite, sex, driving, or interact with medicines, supplements, or alcohol?
- How long might I take it, and how would we stop it safely?
Sources: HealthyPlace / NMHA, PsychiatryRx, NAMI
The overall plan
- Does the plan include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a mix?
- What would improvement look like, and how will we track it?
- What can I do between visits?
- What is plan B if this does not help?
- How will you coordinate with my therapist, primary care doctor, or other clinicians?
Sources: NAMI question guide, NHS / BSMHFT, APA patient information
Follow-up, cost & safety
- How often will we meet? What should I track before the next visit?
- How can I reach the team between visits, and who answers when you are away?
- How do refills work? What if I run out?
- What will this cost? Does insurance cover it? Is prior authorization likely?
- What should I do in a crisis or after hours? Can we make a safety plan?
Sources: NAMI, PsychiatryRx, APA patient information
My question / notes
How this checklist was sourced
The questions draw from NAMI, Mayo Clinic, APA patient information and Choosing Wisely materials, NHS / BSMHFT, HealthyPlace / the National Mental Health Association, PsychiatryRx, and AHRQ. A dedicated APA “questions to ask” checklist was not located, so this page does not describe the questions as APA recommendations. Several supporting sources were available only through search-index summaries when reviewed on September 24, 2026.
AHRQ · QUESTIONS ARE THE ANSWER NYP · HEALTH LITERACY CHECKLIST NAMI · APA CHOOSING WISELY SUMMARY
