Here’s How to Get a Second Opinion

Have you been seeing a psychiatrist, but aren’t improving? Do you think the lack of results could be due to a misdiagnosis or a plan of treatment that is ill-advised for you? If so, you may want to consider a second option. 

As a board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Ifeanyi Olele of Genesis Psychiatric Solutions provides a second opinion for patients seeking one. He can help you by confirming your current diagnosis, helping find an alternative treatment, or diagnosing the correct mental health issue. 

When to consider a second opinion

You should feel completely comfortable asking for second opinion if any of the following apply to you in your search for better mental health:

• Your diagnosis isn’t fully confirmed
• You’ve been receiving treatment but it isn’t working
• The doctor who diagnosed you isn’t a specialist
• The condition you’ve been diagnosed with has symptoms similar to other conditions

If you in any way feel uncomfortable with your diagnosis or treatment, you have the right to ask for a second opinion to either confirm your diagnosis and treatment plan or give you better answers and options.

How to get a second opinion

The easiest way to get a second opinion is to go back to your main care provider and ask for a secondary referral to a specialist like Dr. Olele. You might feel uncomfortable telling your current doctor you want a second opinion, but no reputable provider would object to your request for a second opinion.

That’s because psychiatric conditions don’t have cut-and-dried diagnostic criteria, and there are numerous treatment approaches. Your provider must use their training, experience, information from reliable sources, and research to formulate a diagnosis.

The varying approaches to diagnosis and treatment and the differences between patients mean there’s no definitive solution for any mental health management situation.

When you ask for a second opinion, your doctor or therapist should provide a copy of your medical records and notes to hand off to Dr. Olele. 

Getting a second opinion is a common practice and helps you make better health decisions. If Dr. Olele agrees with the original diagnosis, you can then choose to stay with your first doctor or switch to Genesis Psychiatric Solutions.  

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Olele, call our location closest to you or request an appointment online. We have offices in Alexandria and Fairfax, Virginia, and Washington, DC, as well as Los Angeles, California, and Boca Raton, Florida. Dr. Olele delivers services via telemedicine.