Personal referrals are the best way to find a good doctor. Ideally, you should seek out someone who has experience with schizophrenia. Get a recommendation from your primary care doctor and ask her the reasons behind her judgment.

Ask everyone you trust if they can refer you to a good psychiatrist. This may include friends, family, members of social clubs and religious groups, or colleagues.

Professional Recommendations

Call the closest Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) and ask to speak to someone about your interest in consulting a psychiatrist or other professional mental health care provider. CMHCs have a twenty-four-hour toll-free telephone referral helpline: (800) 662-HELP (662-4357). You can also consult the nearest medical school or teaching hospital, particularly if it has a large, well-regarded faculty.

Next-in-Line Recommendations

You can also check with a professional organization such as the American Psychiatric Association (APA; www.psych.org). The APA will be able to tell you where you can find one or more qualified psychiatrists near you. However, the APA and other professional services will not be able to gauge the quality of care. These referrals are based on whether a doctor is affiliated with a particular organization.

You can write to the APA Answer Center at the American Psychiatric Association, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825, Arlington, VA 22209. To phone the APA free of charge dial (888) 35-PSYCH (350-7924); from outside the United States, including Canada, call (703) 907-7300. E-mail the organization at apa@psych.org. Tell the association how to contact you by providing a complete mailing address, e-mail address, or fax number.