Neuropsych vs psychiatric eval

[Anonymous]

DD just had a neuropsych eval from a psychologist. The psychologist recommended speaking with a psychiatrist about meds for anxiety (she also has ASD). I've been calling the psychiatrists she recommended. Some of them seem to do a a full eval off the bat with testing and questionnaires. It feels like it might be really similar to the testing we just did? But if we do medication we do want to be absolutely sure. Have people done both a neuropsych and a psychiatric eval? Or is a 60 minute intake with a psychiatrist with the report from the psychologist sufficient to determine if medication is appropriate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD just had a neuropsych eval from a psychologist. The psychologist recommended speaking with a psychiatrist about meds for anxiety (she also has ASD). I've been calling the psychiatrists she recommended. Some of them seem to do a a full eval off the bat with testing and questionnaires. It feels like it might be really similar to the testing we just did? But if we do medication we do want to be absolutely sure. Have people done both a neuropsych and a psychiatric eval? Or is a 60 minute intake with a psychiatrist with the report from the psychologist sufficient to determine if medication is appropriate?

My psychiatrist sees every new patient for at least 90 mins to do a full assessment. He wants to use his own vast experience and opinion when making treatment decisions. A prior neuropsych eval would be helpful, but he'd never prescribe just based on that. Especially given how symptoms overlap. Trust the psychiatrists who desire to do a full eval themselves.

[Anonymous]

If I am going to trust a doctor to prescribe medications for my child’s psychiatric condition, I am also going to trust their opinion as to what information they decide they need before they decide what, if anything, they will prescribe. Don’t agonizing and prescribing for kids and teens is complicated and I want my kid’s psychiatrist to feel armed with all necessary information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I am going to trust a doctor to prescribe medications for my child’s psychiatric condition, I am also going to trust their opinion as to what information they decide they need before they decide what, if anything, they will prescribe. Don’t agonizing and prescribing for kids and teens is complicated and I want my kid’s psychiatrist to feel armed with all necessary information.

Well yes, but I am choosing between doctors with very different processes and costs (e.g. $1800 for evaluation vs $500 intake)

[Anonymous]

Our psychiatrist also does a 90 minute intake with conversation with child and parent separately and together. We also already had a neuropsych. Honestly for anxiety, it seems unnecessary to do a full psychiatric evaluation beyond a really good intake appointment when you already have a neuropsych. Maybe if you were dealing with something unclear or complex, but all psychiatrists should be able to see and treat childhood anxiety with the information you have.