How long does it take to get a first appointment with a psychiatrist?

[LimeGreenTea]

I recently talked to my GP on the subject of my mental health, they gave me a referral to a specific psychiatrist and said to make a booking with them. I did as they said but the earliest possible booking is for November (for future reference it's currently June). Is this normal?

[jess334]

Hi LimeGreenTea,

Wow that is a crazy long wait. I have waited 8 weeks before, but not 5 months.

Can you ask to be put on their cancellation list? Maybe that will move you up sooner.

Otherwise, I'd suggest shopping around. Gps are usually happy to change the name on the referral letter. Give a few different places a call and book an appt at the one you can get in soonest. Then have your gp change the referral.

During the wait period there are some great mental health places you can call if you are finding it difficult to get by. The Beyond Blue line is available 24/7.

Kind thoughts Jess

[SarahZ]

Hi LimeGreenTea,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for reaching out.

November seems like an exceptionally long wait! I've previously worked at a clinic and 2-3 months was already a really long wait. I think because of the current pandemic heaps of healthcare clinics are being inundated with people.

I agree with jess334 - GPs are usually more than happy to refer you to a new psychiatrist if you ask them to. If you feel the wait until November is doing you more harm than good then you should definitely ask the GP to refer you to someone else who has a shorter waiting-list.

Wishing you all the best!

[smallwolf]

I only had to wait about a month. I was told it could take up to 2 months but I was obviously lucky.

Tim

[Guest_1643]

Hello Lime Green Tea 🙂
I think it is kind of normal, for good psychiatrists. It might be worth talking to the office about options for cancellations
I would also add that sometimes very good ones have waiting lists - so I'd be wandering if your gp specifically chose this doctor because of his skill.

For reference, I saw a psychiatrist who advertised that he could see any new patient within one week. There was no waiting times
It turned out he was incredibly unethical and would cancel and move around current patients to fit in new ones, and also that he generally wasn't very good. Sometimes very good ones are busy, although it could also be that he works part-time. I would personally stay on the waiting list for this psych, meanwhile doing research into others in case one pops up who can see you sooner and fits your criteria. Good luck!

[hello1]

Its May 2021 - first contacts psychiatrist referral in Feb this year - chased up as the referral specialist had closed books and was passed over to see if anyone else would take the referral in the clinic - followed up in March still waiting for a decision from Doctors, called today to be told they had advised GP that no one else would take on the referral, spent all day on phone trying to get an appointment or put on a waiting list - only 1 said October at the earliest the rest have lists closed, I know we are going through a crisis with mental health but what am I supposed to do in the meantime, counsellor has advised to See psychiatrist so has GP, stuck and feeling lost for my son as do not know how to help

[smallwolf]

Hi. I saw your other post on the FAQ thread that was replied to by Sophie_M. about your adult son. It must be very frustrating when trying to get help to have to wait for so long! In your post above you said that you do not know how you help.

firstly, beyond blue has some web pages and documentation on supporting someone. It might worth your time having a look at these? A starting point is ...

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/supporting-someone

I would like to say that education is also helpful - reading up on the issues, but if you are having to see a psychiatrist (to get some diagnosis?) that might be difficult.Perhaps if you were to start a thread for your own story and perhaps a little about what your son

[smallwolf]

(Somehow I hit post button?!? Sorry.)

... I might be able to offer some other suggestions. It is difficult when you want to help someone you very much care about. I hope you will come back to share some more - the people here are very supportive.

[Guest_1643]

hey, that is really disappointing

I know it's really hard waiting for a good psychiatrist. I think the good ones really do have wait times - and also if you are in crises sometimes they can push u forward on the list.
Can ur doctor email another referral saying you have no other MH support?
i was waiting a while to get in with someone and was told because i was currently supported by a MH professional already, I wouldn't be prioritised.

I know it's so hard to wait... no one should have to wait that long. It is unfair. But it's sometimes true that good psychiatrists have long waiting lists.

There will be some who have no waiting lists at all and even make websites to scout new patients... sometimes that's because they don't have the same reputation. Everyone wants to get in with the good ones!

[TheBigBlue]

Unfortunately I don’t think it is that unusual.

in 2019 my GP referred me to a psychiatrist & it was a 3 month wait! I felt completely abandoned by the entire mental health system.

I went back to the GP, I don’t think she honestly thought the wait could be so long. So she called the psychiatrists office on my behalf. Couldn’t get me in any quicker, tried for ANY psychiatrist in the that office, nope, still a 3 month wait.

I’m just very, very lucky the GP had recognised how vulnerable my situation was & that I needed immediate help. She just started ringing around all over the city to find someone who could see me within the week.
She did find someone, but it took some time & effort on the doctor’s behalf. A year on & I’m still seeing that same psychiatrist, but I like this psychiatrist & feel comfortable so it pried thankfully worked out.

perhaps you could try your GP again for assistance? Maybe they can at least give you some options & you could ring around yourself to see if anyone can see you quicker?

I know how worthless it makes you feel when the medical treatment is out of reach through absolutely no fault of your own. But things CAN get better, even if it takes longer than you would like.

Take care of yourself