How to Prepare for a Psychiatric Evaluation in Enfield — and What Happens After

There's no special preparation required for a psychiatric evaluation — but a little bit of thought beforehand makes the hour go better. For Enfield residents meeting with Sindhia Shyras, APRN for the first time, the goal of the first appointment is simple: give Sindhia the clearest picture of what's been going on so she can figure out what you're dealing with and what to do about it. You don't have to have your symptoms perfectly organized. You don't have to be a good historian of your own mental health. Just come ready to talk honestly, and she'll take it from there.

What to Bring to Your Evaluation

If you're doing the evaluation in-person at the New Britain office, bring a photo ID and your insurance card. If you've been prescribed any psychiatric medications before — even if you're not taking them now — bring a list of what they were, the doses, and roughly how long you took them. Same for any current medications, including supplements. If you've had prior mental health treatment — therapy, hospitalizations, previous diagnoses — write down what you remember. You don't need documentation. Just whatever you can recall. For telehealth visits, have this information nearby before you start the call.

What to Think Through Before the Appointment

Sindhia will ask about your symptoms — and the more specific you can be, the better. When did things start feeling this way? Has it gotten worse recently, or has it been a slow build over years? Is it constant or does it come and go? What makes it worse? What — if anything — helps? She'll also ask about how symptoms are affecting your life: sleep, work, relationships, the things you've stopped doing because of how you feel. You don't need to have written answers. But thinking about these things before the appointment means you'll be less likely to draw a blank when she asks.

What Happens After the Evaluation

By the end of the first appointment, Sindhia will tell you what she's seeing and what she recommends. If medication is part of the plan, the prescription goes to your pharmacy that day. A follow-up visit gets scheduled — typically two to four weeks out — to check in on how things are going. If medication needs to be adjusted, that happens at the follow-up. If you also want to work with a therapist, Sindhia can talk through how to find one in the Enfield area. You won't leave the evaluation without a next step.

Frequently Asked Questions