Start a few days ahead
A first psychiatric appointment can last around an hour, and it moves quickly. Most of that time is spent on your history. The more of it you have to hand, the more time is left for what matters most: understanding what is going on and planning what to do.
Try to start about a week before. That gives you time to:
- Ask your GP practice for a summary of your records, if you want to share one.
- Look out old clinic letters or discharge papers.
- Complete any questionnaires or forms the service sends you.
- Talk to a relative or old friend if the assessment is about symptoms that began in childhood.
- Book time off work, or arrange childcare, so you are not rushing.
The day before, open the confirmation email. Check the date, the time and how you will join.
What to gather
This checklist is designed to be printed or copied onto paper. Tick each item as you go.
| Item to have ready | Why it helps | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Current medicines, with strength, dose and timing | Avoids guesswork and unsafe combinations | ☐ |
| Over-the-counter medicines, supplements, alcohol and other substances | These can affect mood, sleep and how prescribed medicine works | ☐ |
| Past mental health treatments, with dates and what happened | Shows what helped, what did not and any side effects | ☐ |
| Summary from your GP practice | Gives diagnoses, allergies and recent test results in one place | ☐ |
| Physical health conditions and recent blood pressure or blood results | Some treatments depend on physical health checks | ☐ |
| Family history of mental health conditions | Some conditions run in families | ☐ |
| Completed questionnaires sent by the service | Lets the psychiatrist review them in advance | ☐ |
| For ADHD: school reports and views from someone who knew you as a child | Adult ADHD assessments look at when symptoms started | ☐ |
| Your own notes: main symptoms, when they began, real examples | Stops nerves wiping your memory | ☐ |
| Your list of questions | Makes sure you leave with answers | ☐ |
| GP practice name and address | Needed if a letter is to be sent | ☐ |
The NHS page on adult ADHD says the specialist will ask about the history of your symptoms, especially whether they started in childhood and how they affected you at school. It adds that the specialist may want to contact someone who knows you well, such as a family member or close friend. Ask that person in advance whether they are willing, and what they remember.
Setting up your device and room
Technology problems eat into appointment time, so test everything the day before.
Device. A smartphone, tablet or computer that can make video calls will work. A laptop or tablet on a table is usually steadier than a phone held in your hand.
Power. Charge fully and keep the charger plugged in during the call.
Connection. Sit close to your router if you can. Ask others at home to pause big downloads or streaming for the hour.
Camera. Place it at eye level, with a window or lamp in front of you rather than behind you. The NHS suggests a well-lit, quiet and private space so the clinician can see you clearly.
Sound. Check your microphone and camera are switched on. Wired headphones often give clearer sound and keep your conversation private.
Backup. Keep your phone nearby and make sure the service has your number. If the video will not connect, the clinician can ring you.
Log on five to ten minutes early. That leaves time to fix a problem without losing part of the appointment.
Keeping it private at home
You will talk about personal things, so plan for privacy as carefully as the technology.
- Choose a room with a door that closes, away from shared walls if possible.
- Tell others at home that you need an hour undisturbed. A note on the door helps.
- Use headphones so the psychiatrist’s voice cannot be overheard.
- Turn off smart speakers in the room if they make you uneasy.
- If home is not private, consider a parked car, a friend’s spare room or a bookable private room at work.
If someone is nearby and you cannot speak freely, say so at the start. You do not have to explain why. The psychiatrist can adjust questions, suggest another time, or agree a simple phrase you can use if you need to stop.
Questions you are likely to hear
Knowing the shape of the conversation makes it far less daunting. You do not need rehearsed answers, but it helps to think about these areas:
- What brings you now. Why now, rather than a year ago?
- Current symptoms. Mood, worry, sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, and how they affect work, study and relationships.
- Timeline. When things started, what made them better or worse, and any turning points.
- Past history. Earlier episodes, diagnoses, treatments and hospital stays.
- Physical health. Long-term conditions, medicines, allergies and recent tests.
- Substances. Alcohol, cannabis, other drugs, caffeine and nicotine. Honest answers keep treatment safe.
- Background. Childhood, school, work, relationships and family mental health.
- Safety. Thoughts of self-harm or suicide. These questions are asked of everyone.
- Your goals. What you hope will be different after treatment.
Questions worth asking back
A consultation is a two-way conversation. Pick the questions that matter most to you and write them down:
- What do you think is causing my symptoms, and how certain are you?
- What are my options, including ones that do not involve medicine?
- If you suggest medicine, what are the common side effects, and how long before I notice a difference?
- Are any physical health checks needed before or during treatment?
- Would talking therapy help, and how would I find it?
- When is my next review, and what will it cost?
- Who should I contact if I feel worse before then?
- Will you write to my GP, and can I have a copy?
After the call ends
Take ten minutes straight afterwards to jot down what you remember. The NHS suggests writing down what the clinician says so you keep a record.
Written summary. Look out for a letter or clinical summary. Check it for mistakes, such as a wrong medicine name, and ask for corrections.
Prescriptions. If you were prescribed something, find out how the prescription reaches you and which pharmacy to use. Private prescriptions usually carry a pharmacy charge for the medicine.
Your GP. GMC guidance asks doctors consulting remotely to seek consent to share details of treatment with your GP. If you agreed, expect your practice to receive a letter.
Follow-up. Book any review you were offered, and put test appointments in your diary.
Medicines. Do not stop, start or change any medicine unless you have spoken to the person who prescribes it.
If you feel worse after the appointment and fear for your safety, dial 999 or head to A&E when a life is in danger. For urgent support, call NHS 111 (Wales: 111 and press 2; Northern Ireland: Lifeline 0808 808 8000) or Samaritans on 116 123.
Access needs and interpreters
Tell the service about any access needs when you book, not on the day. Examples include:
- Being deaf or hard of hearing, and needing captions, a British Sign Language interpreter or a text-based option.
- Needing a spoken language interpreter.
- Needing written information in large print, easy read or another format.
- Needing a longer appointment or breaks.
In England, providers of NHS and publicly funded adult social care must have regard to the Accessible Information Standard. It covers support such as a British Sign Language interpreter, alternative formats and longer appointments. Private services may work differently, so ask exactly what is available and whether it costs extra.
Avoid relying on a relative to interpret if you can. NHS England guidance warns that informal interpreters, such as family and friends, increase the risk of medical errors. It also notes they can stop people sharing sensitive information.
If you are thinking of booking with Happy Clinic and have an access need, contact the team before you book. Happy Clinic’s support team is on +44 (0)330 133 0855 and support@happyclinic.co.uk, Monday to Friday between 11am and 7pm.
Still deciding who to see? Work through the checklist for choosing an online psychiatrist, or read what a telepsychiatrist can and cannot do by video.