To those of you in New Jersey, I could use some assistance in understanding their system. I know someone that is under the care of a psych nurse practitioner there. Currently only being treated for ADD, though there is a history of serious depression as well. He is in a bad way. I'd suggested contacting his psych, as that is what they are there for, and that maybe an AD needs to be put back on the plate. (He has been been dx'd MDD and prescribed various ADs over the years, so that should all be in his records. Don't know if that is a relevant factor or not, so included it to be thorough.) He assured me that he has an appointment lined up. But he doesn't hold much hope on that front because...

He is under the impression that the state requires months of counseling sessions before med changes (or maybe it is additions?) are allowed. This makes no sense to me. Is he misinformed? Is it because the psych is an NP? (Their parameters there are different from what my state has, which is why I ask that.) Does one need to go inpatient to get prompt meds help? (Is the thinking that if it's so bad they can't wait that they should be in a hospital???) Or am I just way off? Like I said, the diagnosis and medications are in his files from here, so it's already there in the history. It's not like it's something new.

What is the deal? And more importantly, any words of wisdom on how to handle this?