How to Make Your First Visit Easier

• Make yourself a "From Birth to Now" bulleted list of your child's life (i.e., what was the pregnancy like, the birth, were developmental milestones met, was the child difficult or easy as an infant?, when did problems begin and what were the problems)
   
• Go over this list with your spouse, make sure everything you can think of it there.
   
• Print out the list and take it to every psychiatrist or therapist you see. This list will save you a lot of time and trouble in your meetings.
   
• Be Honest!!! Don't hold back because you are embarrassed to admit that your child has hit you or treats you badly or hurts other kids....you have to air all your dirty laundry.
   
• If you have tried any medications, don't be shy to admit it. I had given my daughter 1/2 an Ativan in the middle of a rage and it didn't phase her. Should I have given it to her? Well, it was a prescription medication that wasn't for her! But the information that it didn't phase her was more important, no one accused me of being a bad mother for it!
   
• List any medications (over-the-counter or prescription) that have had the opposite effect expected. Sudafed puts my daughter straight to sleep, most kids get wired by it.
   
• This list is your permanent record of your child's life and the problems/successes your child has had. You will need it several times so put it on your computer and save it!

Keep Track of Appointments, Medications, a`nd Doctors

Get a notebook, spiral bound book, whatever works for you and keep:

• Contact names for doctors, therapists, and psychiatrists. Include address, phone, and email if possible
   
• Take this with you to every appointment
   
• Write down any medication changes with the date you start and how to begin the medication (titrating up)
   
• Keep track of suggestions from therapists and psychiatrists
   
• Make notes of things you want to discuss with the doctor
   
• Keep track of lab results