Home › Instruction sheets › Your first psychiatry appointment

For anyone coming to the psychiatry clinic for the first time, and for a family member who may come along.

Drawing: Two chairs for a conversation, your old records, a list of questions, and a quiet room. — Two chairs for a conversation, your old records, a list of questions, and a quiet room.

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Patient's name Date Appointment Assessment

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Bring with you

All earlier prescriptions, discharge summaries and reports
A list of every medicine you take, including ayurvedic, unani, homeopathic and herbal products, or the strips themselves
A family member or friend who knows you well, if you agree. They often notice things you may not.
A note of what you most want help with. It is easy to forget in the room.

What happens

The doctor asks about what you are going through, how long, your sleep, appetite and work, your health, your family and your past.
You can ask to speak to the doctor alone for part of the visit.
The diagnosis comes mainly from this conversation. Blood tests may be done to rule out other causes.
Treatment may be advice, a talking therapy, medicine, or a combination. Ask what each option involves.

Your rights

What you tell the doctor is confidential under the Mental Healthcare Act 2017. It is shared only with those involved in your care, or where the law requires it, for example to protect someone's life or safety.
You may ask for a copy of your basic medical records.
An adult may name a person to take decisions for them if ever needed. This is a nominated representative.
An adult may also write down in advance how they wish to be treated. This is an advance directive. Ask the doctor about both.

The psychometric assessment

This is a set of questionnaires and tasks that measure things such as mood, memory, attention, personality or a child's learning. It helps the doctor reach the right diagnosis. It takes about an hour, sometimes more.

Do

Sleep well the night before and eat before you come.
Bring your spectacles and hearing aid.
Take your usual medicines unless told otherwise.
Answer honestly. There is no pass or fail.
For a child: a parent comes along and brings school reports.

Do not

No alcohol or extra sleeping tablets before the assessment.
Do not practise answers or look up the tests beforehand. It spoils the result.
Do not rush. Ask for a break if you are tired.

If you cannot wait for the appointment

If you have thoughts of harming yourself, or feel unsafe: tell someone close to you now and do not stay alone. Call Tele-MANAS on 14416 (free, 24 hours, in Indian languages), or go to the nearest hospital with an emergency department. If you have already harmed yourself, or are in immediate danger, call 108. Family: stay with the person, listen, and take them for help. Caspian does not have a psychiatric ward.

Questions about this sheet? Call Caspian Healthcare reception on +91 89193 41154. A doctor is on duty at all hours for problems that are not critical. Caspian has no emergency department: in an emergency call 108.

Where this comes from

Prepared by Caspian Healthcare from the sources above. Last reviewed October 2026. General information: your own doctor's written instructions come first.