Can a psychiatrist prescribe medication on the first visit?

[Anonymous]

And is it professional to do that?

[Anonymous]

It depends on too many different factors to give you a simple yes/no answer. For some patients, yes, it's appropriate. For other patients, no.

[Anonymous]

In my experience, they haven't, but I imagine it would depend on the circumstances and whether the diagnosis is straightforward.

For example, I can imagine a new psychiatrist represcribing a medication that has worked well in the past (e.g. you moved to a new city and have taken Zoloft successfully for years, new doctor would probably prescribe) or if the diagnosis was very clear (e.g. ADHD diagnosed by a neuropsychologist the psychiatrist trusts).

In our case, my son was in crisis when we saw the psychiatrist, and we did 3 visits in about a 2 week period, and got a prescription at the 3rd.

[Anonymous]

Mine did.

[Anonymous]

Of course.

[Anonymous]

Sure. Often by the time people make it to a psychiatrist they need meds ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Sure once you get testing done

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure once you get testing done

+1

[Anonymous]

Can? Well, sure. Should? Depends on the patient, condition.