How can you see a psychiatrist as soon as possible?

Reports show the U.S. is currently facing a significant psychiatrist shortage. This can make it more difficult to see a psychiatrist through traditional avenues. Some psychiatrists may have availability right away, but in some areas, you might not be able to get an appointment for weeks or even months. Still, if you need to see a psychiatrist as soon as possible, there are routes you can take.

Whether you need an emergency prescription or are facing mental health symptoms that affect your well-being and need to be addressed quickly, online options can make it easier to find a psychiatric provider who has availability and can meet with you soon. 

Reasons you should see a psychiatrist quickly

It’s not always necessary to see a psychiatrist as soon as possible. But often, people who are looking to see a psychiatrist are doing so because they’re facing mental health symptoms that need to be managed right away. Sometimes, it could even be dangerous to wait too long to see a psychiatrist. So, time is definitely an important factor.

Some reasons you might need to see a psychiatrist or other provider quickly or immediately include:

• You’re experiencing intense mental health symptoms that get in the way of your day-to-day life. For example, your anxiety may have gotten so severe that you’re no longer able to go to work or maintain a healthy social life.
• You’ve run out of medication and need a new prescription. Stopping prescribed medication suddenly and without the supervision of a medical professional can be uncomfortable and dangerous. If you’ve run out, you need to see a psychiatrist right away to get a prescription refill.
• You’re facing uncomfortable side effects which are either having impacts on your daily life or causing you to consider stopping the medication altogether. Side effects are sometimes a sign that the dosage or even the medication itself needs to be adjusted. Seeing a psychiatrist quickly can help resolve these issues.
• You’re engaging in risky and impulsive behaviors that put your well-being at risk. For example, if you’re having angry or violent outbursts toward loved ones, it could be a sign that you need to see a psychiatrist immediately.
• You’re dealing with an eating disorder that’s harming your physical health. Eating disorders are some of the most fatal mental health conditions, and it may be essential to see a psychiatrist right away before things get worse.
• You’re having thoughts about hurting yourself or others.* If this is the case, it’s important to receive immediate intervention at an emergency room. The health professionals there can connect you with the appropriate providers to keep you and others safe.

*If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts or thoughts about harming themself or others, please call or text 988 on any phone for the Suicide & Crisis lifeline, contact a local crisis line, or head to the emergency room immediately. Any of these resources will ensure that the person in crisis receives support right away. For more information on getting help, go to 988lifeline.org. If you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency or you need immediate help, please call 911.

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Three steps to getting a psychiatrist appointment fast

Unfortunately, many areas are facing a psychiatrist shortage, so you might not be able to get an appointment as quickly as you need. If you’re having a hard time getting an appointment through more traditional methods like your insurance, you can consider these options to get urgent psychiatric care. 

1. Explore online options. Online mental health platforms widen the number of psychiatrists available to you so that you’re not limited to only those who are local. You may be able to get a psychiatrist appointment sooner through these platforms. 
2. Tell them it’s an emergency. Sometimes, psychiatrists can see you at an earlier appointment if you’re having an emergency — especially if you’ve already been working with the psychiatrist. When you call to schedule an appointment, make sure to let them know specifically what you’re going through and why you need to get an appointment sooner rather than later. For example, if you’ve run out of medication, the psychiatrist may be able to send through a refill even if they can’t schedule you for an appointment right away.
3. Work with your primary care physician. If you’ve already established care with a primary care physician, they may be able to make a referral to get you in to see a psychiatrist sooner. If they can’t, they may be able to provide basic assessments and prescriptions while you wait for a psychiatrist appointment.

How a psychiatrist can help you

Psychiatric providers can either be medical doctors or nurse practitioners. Both are certified and trained to deliver psychiatric care. The main differences between a psychiatrist (MD, DO) and a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) lies in their training, education, and (sometimes) approach to care.      

Psychiatrists are doctors who have graduated from medical school and completed residency. They often take a biological approach to care. PMHNPs are advanced registered nurses who hold a master of science in nursing degree. They take a more holistic approach to care, often considering social, environmental, and biological factors. 

Both of these providers specialize in psychiatry and can evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients. However, some states limit PMHNP capabilities, like with prescribing medications. Both types of psychiatric providers are specifically trained in mental health issues, putting them in a unique position to help you compared with mental health therapists and general care physicians. 

If you’re in crisis or dealing with a situation needing immediate attention, a psychiatrist can assess your symptoms and determine whether medication, a higher level of care, or another type of intervention is most appropriate. In many cases, they can provide you with medication the same day as your appointment — especially if they determine if the situation is urgent.

They can also support you in creating a longer-term plan for managing your symptoms. This might include medication management, therapy referrals, or recommendations for lifestyle changes to help manage symptoms. 

Psychiatric Providers  can treat many different mental health conditions, including but not limited to:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Schizophrenia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Psychiatrists aren’t only trained to prescribe medication but to also consider how your physical health, medical history, and mental health symptoms interact.

Find care with Rula

You deserve care without unnecessary delays or long waitlists. It’s important to see a psychiatrist as soon as possible if you’re out of your prescription medication, experiencing severe mental health symptoms, facing uncomfortable medication side effects, engaging in risky or impulsive behavior, navigating an eating disorder, or having thoughts about harming yourself or others. Rula is here to help you find a psychiatric provider quickly, so you can get the care you need when you need it.

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

Find a provider with Rula