What to expect from psychiatric assessment tomorrow?

[NinetyNineRedBalloonsGoBy]

We've waited 6 months to have this (private) appointment for ds 16. I'm so nervous so please could any one share their experience? All I know is that it's 1 hour face to face with a adolescent psychiatrist at The Priory.

Will she speak to me and ds together? Him alone? Me alone?

Will she offer a diagnosis at the end?

Will she offer medication (if she thinks it's required) to take home that night?

Will her written report go to me and the GP or just our GP?

Any experience would be really appreciated.

I am not sure how it works in the private field, but I would say a thorough assessment would involve time with you 1:1, time with your child 1:1, plus an opportunity to see you both together. Even better would be if they liaised with school/ college if consent is given, and any other services who may be involved. I guess a diagnosis will be given if requested and required i.e for the sake of making recommendations about treatment plans. I would say good practice would involve the psychiatrist writing to both you and the GP, again if consent is given by you.

Thank you so much for the response @Littleguggi it's really calmed me

When dd had her first private assessment. Consultant psychiatrist at a private hospital. The Dr spoke to us together, then dd alone for about 40 minutes then to us both together again. At the time dd was depressed and anxious, cutting and had taken a few small overdoses (which at that point I knew nothing about).

Depression and anxiety were diagnosed at that meeting. DD was referred to a private counsellor/therapist for some CBT. It wasn't that successful and dd didn't "click". She had 4 sessions I think. She had seen a counsellor/therapist before that, recommended by the GP after CAMHS refused to help her but didn't click with that one either. She saw the psychiatrist every two weeks for a while. After the 4 therapy sessions that she didn't want to continue with, dd was started on Fluoxetine. She also had propranolol to help with the anxiety from before she saw the psychiatrist.

It was quite slow progress op, but the fluoxetine helped, (and via D) as did the psychiatrist. On the 4th attempt (and via Relate which is means tested) dd did click with a Counsellor. Counsellors are a bit like new shoes - I think you have to try many pairs to find one that fits comfortably. If it doesn't work the first time, 0lease don't be disheartened. Looking back I think dd needed the fluoxetine to get her into a better place for the counselling/therapy.

This went on for about 7/8 months when dd was assessed for ADHD and ASD. ADHD was diagnosed with some ASD traits but not in the psychiatrists option enough for an ASD diagnosis. As soon as the ADHD was diagnosed so many parts of the puzzled fitted together. DD made significant progress at that point.

This was nearly 7 years ago and since that awful year or two dd finished her A'Levels, has graduated and is now working successfully. Her ADHD is managed with medication and she manages her anxiety and depression which likely will always lurk.

It was a long old road op and lots of tiny steps forwards and some steps backwards but she (and we got through it). Love and acceptance help and over time I learnt how to manage her ebbs and flows as did she.

It's bloody hard op. Good luck with it all and please try to look after yourself too because you need to stay well for her. .

Hi OP how did it go?