How to Get a Second Opinion on Psychiatric Medication

Why people look for a second opinion

Wanting a fresh set of eyes on your treatment is not a complaint about anyone. It is a way to feel confident in a plan that affects your daily life. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says there is no one-size-fits-all treatment, and that you may want to consider getting another opinion from a different health care provider.

People tend to ask for one in situations like these:

• Side effects that are hard to live with, or that worry you.
• Little change after giving a medicine time. NIMH notes it may take several tries to find the medication that works best with the fewest side effects.
• Symptoms coming back. NIMH says some people find a medication helps for a while and then their symptoms return.
• A new or uncertain diagnosis, or a sense that the diagnosis does not quite fit.
• Several medicines from more than one prescriber, where no single person sees the whole list.

Keep taking your medicine while you ask

This is the most important step, and the easiest to overlook when you feel frustrated. NIMH advises that people should not stop taking a prescribed medication, even if they are feeling better, without the help of a health care provider. It adds that stopping a medication too soon may cause unpleasant or harmful side effects.

MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, gives the same advice: take your medicines exactly as your provider tells you, and do not stop taking them unless your provider tells you to. If you notice side effects, tell your provider.

If something feels urgent, do not wait for a second appointment. NIMH says to call a health care provider right away if you have problems with your medication or are worried it might be doing more harm than good.

How to bring it up with your current prescriber

Many people worry that asking for a second opinion will hurt the relationship. It does not have to: the request can be made simply and kindly. NIMH encourages people to ask questions, share concerns about a treatment they are not comfortable with, and ask whether there are other options.

You might say: "I'd like to get another opinion on my medicines so I feel sure about the plan. Could you send my records, or tell me what would help the other prescriber?" Your current prescriber may also have ideas worth trying first, and you can still ask for a second look afterward.

NIMH also notes that discussions with a health care provider are private and cannot be shared without your expressed permission. Records move between prescribers when you agree to it.

What to bring to a second opinion

A second prescriber can only work with what they know. Gathering a few things ahead of time makes the visit far more useful.

1. 1A complete medicine listInclude every prescription and over-the-counter medicine, vitamin, supplement and herbal product. MedlinePlus notes that one provider may not know about medicines another provider has prescribed, and suggests giving all of your providers a copy of your list.
2. 2Your medicine historyNIMH suggests telling a provider about problems you had with medications in the past and reminding them of any allergies. Note what you tried, roughly when, and how it went.
3. 3Records and notesAsk your current prescriber's office for recent visit notes or a summary. Bring any evaluation reports you have, and a few notes in your own words about how you have been feeling.
4. 4Your questionsFor example: Does this diagnosis fit what you see? Is there anything in my list that could interact? What would you watch for? What other options exist?

What a second opinion can and cannot do

A second prescriber may agree with your current plan, suggest a change, or ask for more information before saying anything. Each of those is useful. Agreement can bring peace of mind, and a different view gives you something concrete to discuss.

A second opinion does not have to mean switching. Some people take what they learn back to their current prescriber. Others decide to move their care. NIMH notes that you may need to talk to a few providers to find someone you are comfortable with, and that treatment works best when you have a good relationship with your mental health professional.

How we can help

A licensed psychiatrist on our team, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), sees people by secure video who are physically located in Pennsylvania during each visit, and he is open to new patients. Read about medication management, what a psychiatric evaluation looks like, or, if you are thinking of moving your care, switching psychiatrists.

We cannot promise any particular outcome or medicine; decisions are made with you after a full conversation. Our therapists do not prescribe. Therapy is online for clients physically located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Arizona, Colorado or Florida during sessions. Outside Pennsylvania, medication questions go to your own prescriber. Ask about coverage on our insurance and fees page, and start on our booking page.

If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services.