Psychiatry Appointment Wait Times: Why They Happen and How to Get Seen Sooner

You finally decided to get help, made a few calls, and heard the same thing again and again: the next opening is months away. Long psychiatry appointment wait times are frustrating, and they can feel discouraging right when you're ready to take action. The good news is that there are practical ways to get care sooner, and steps you can take to stay supported while you wait.

Key takeaways

• Waits for psychiatry can be long because demand for psychiatric care is high and there aren't enough psychiatric providers in many areas.
• Telehealth, practices with psychiatric physician assistants and in-network practices can widen your options.
• Getting on a cancellation list and being flexible with times can help you get in earlier.
• Your primary care doctor may be able to start treatment while you wait for a psychiatry appointment.
• If you're in crisis, don't wait for an appointment. Call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.

If you're struggling right now: If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call 911 in an emergency, or text HOME to 741741. You can find more options on our crisis resources page.

Why psychiatry appointment wait times can be long

Waiting a long time for an appointment isn't a sign that your concerns aren't serious. It mostly reflects supply and demand.

Many people are seeking mental health care, which is a good thing. As stigma eases, more people recognize that conditions like depression, anxiety and ADHD are treatable. But the number of psychiatric providers hasn't kept pace, and many communities have fewer psychiatrists than they need.

Other factors can add to the wait:

• Longer first visits. A full psychiatric evaluation takes more time than a typical follow-up, so new-patient slots are limited.
• Ongoing care. Psychiatric providers often see patients regularly over months or years, which leaves fewer openings for new patients.
• Network limits. If you need an in-network provider, your options may be narrower.
• Specialty needs. Child and adolescent psychiatry, for example, often has fewer available providers.

Practical ways to get seen sooner

You can't control a practice's schedule, but you can widen your options. Here are approaches that often help.

Consider telehealth

Telehealth removes the need for a provider to be near you. That can open up appointments with practices across your state, not just in your neighborhood. For many concerns, video visits work just as well as in-person care.

If you live in Illinois, you can learn more about how our telepsychiatry visits work. You'll generally need to be physically in the state during your appointment.

Look for practices with psychiatric physician assistants

Practices with a team that includes psychiatric physician assistants (PA-Cs) or other advanced practice providers often have more appointment openings. These providers evaluate, diagnose and prescribe, and in a physician-led practice they work closely with a psychiatrist. Our guide to psychiatrists and psychiatric PAs explains how that teamwork looks.

When you call, it helps to say you're open to seeing any provider on the team. That simple step can make more openings available to you.

Check in-network practices

Your insurance plan's online directory lists in-network psychiatric providers, though directories aren't always up to date. Calling member services can help. Many plans also have care coordinators who can help you find available mental health providers.

If you're not sure whether your plan requires a referral, sort that out early so it doesn't delay your first visit. Our post on whether you need a referral to see a psychiatrist covers how to check.

Get on a cancellation list

Many practices keep a list of patients who want an earlier appointment if one opens up. Ask about it when you book. Then make it easy for the office to reach you, and be ready to take a slot on short notice if you can.

Be flexible with times

Early morning, midday and late afternoon slots sometimes open up more often than popular times. If you can adjust your schedule or take a video visit from a private spot at work, mention it.

Book with more than one practice, carefully

Some people put their name on more than one waitlist. If you do, cancel any other appointments as soon as you've chosen a provider. That frees up a slot for someone else who's waiting.

Ask your primary care doctor to start treatment

Primary care doctors treat many common mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. Your doctor may be able to:

• Screen you and talk through your symptoms
• Order lab work to check for medical causes, such as thyroid problems or anemia
• Start a medication, if appropriate, and monitor how you respond
• Refer you to a psychiatrist and share notes so your care is coordinated

Starting with your primary care doctor doesn't replace psychiatric care. It can help you get relief sooner and give your psychiatric provider useful information later. If you're already on a psychiatric medication, talk with your prescriber before starting, stopping or changing it, even if you're frustrated with the wait.

What to do while you wait

Waiting doesn't have to mean doing nothing. A few steps can help you stay steady and make your first visit more productive.

• Keep a simple symptom log. Note your mood, sleep, energy and any changes. Patterns can help your provider understand what's going on.
• Gather your history. List past diagnoses, medications you've tried, and how they worked. Our guide to your first psychiatry appointment has more on preparing.
• Protect the basics. Regular sleep, meals, movement and time with people you trust can help you cope.
• Lean on support. Let someone close to you know what you're going through.

What to do in a crisis while you wait

Some situations can't wait for a scheduled appointment. Get help right away if you:

• Have thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself or someone else
• Are seeing or hearing things others don't, or feel very confused
• Can't care for yourself, such as not eating, drinking or sleeping for days
• Feel unsafe in any way

In these situations, call or text 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. Outpatient practices, including ours, don't provide 24/7 crisis services, so these resources are the right place to start in an emergency.

If you're looking for treatment options in your area, SAMHSA's FindTreatment.gov can help you search for mental health and substance use services.

Our availability

Our practice is currently accepting new patients. We see patients ages 4 and up in person in Chicago and by telehealth anywhere in Illinois, and our team includes a board-certified psychiatrist and psychiatric physician assistants. Openings change often, so the best way to know current availability is to reach out.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to wait months for a psychiatrist?

Long waits are common in many areas, but they aren't your only option. Trying telehealth, practices with psychiatric PAs, cancellation lists or your primary care doctor can often shorten the time until you get care.

Can I go to urgent care or the ER for a psychiatric problem?

Yes, if it's urgent or an emergency. An emergency room is the right place if you're at risk of harming yourself or someone else. For less urgent needs, your primary care doctor is often a better first step.

Will seeing a PA instead of a psychiatrist affect my care?

Psychiatric physician assistants are trained medical providers who evaluate, diagnose and prescribe. In a physician-led practice, they work with a psychiatrist, so you benefit from a team approach.

Should I stop my medication if I can't get an appointment?

No. Don't stop or change a psychiatric medication on your own. Ask your current prescriber or primary care doctor about bridging refills until you're seen.

Take the next step

You've already done the hard part by deciding to get help. At Musec Medical, we're accepting new patients in person in Chicago and by telehealth across Illinois. Get started with online registration, and our team can help you find a time that works.