Hi,I'm new here

LadyStardust · Apr 28, 2005, 12:47 AM

Hello. I am really happy to find these boards. It is so good to feel that I am not alone! I have been suffering from anxiety and depression for about ten years. I am finally now ready to get help. I am now in the process of looking for a doctor/therapist who will accept my health insurance. Though the thought of seeing a doctor really scares me I feel that I have no choice because my anxiety has totally taken over my life.
I have a question about meds. Do you usually get a perscription at your first visit or do you have to go through a lot of medical test first?

wi_fighter · Apr 28, 2005, 04:09 AM

Hi LadyStardust. Hi,I'm new here

Welcome aboard.

From my experience, I've gone to my general practioner or internist and explained my problems, and they'll prescribe depression or anxiety meds without any tests. But, yours might be different. You might want to take some of the quizzes here. (The link is at the top of the page). You'll probably get the same sort of question sheet at the doctor. Don't be afraid of going, though.

I'm prescribed a pretty low dose of Celexa (10-20 mg) and it keeps everything in check, but without insurance I can't afford it right now. Like you, though, it can take over my life if I let it, so the out-of-pocket expense would be outweighed by the improved quality of life.

Good luck with the insurance coverage. I think you will be pleasently surprised and relieved to find out doctors help people like you and me every day and don't bat an eyelash. Hi,I'm new here

(I'm a medical transcriptionist, so I can [bold] really [/bold] attest to that fact).

eskielover · Apr 28, 2005, 04:49 AM

Hi LadyStardust & welcome to PC,

I am wondering how you have been able to make it for the last 10 years without outside help? That is about the time when Anxiety & Depression hit me & the past was so dark I doubt if I would have made it by myself. Of course it was initially work related so had to have the Dr's to Dx for the workman's comp case that I ended up losing anyway.

Initially went to just my GP & was prescribes a light antianxiety (Busbar). Then had to find a psychiatrist that my insurance would accept. They provided a list of providers that they approved of. That limited my options, but gave the initial direction that I no longer have in order to find someone to help. The problem with the limitation is that a psychologist isn't that easy to make work for you....it's not like picking a name off a paper makes a working relationship it is really more personal than that. It wasn't for a while that a psychiatrist prescribed any meds due to the fact that they were trying to figure out what was really going on at the time. Over the years, it has evolved many times & the list of meds that I have gone through are almost everything available out there. Many Dx's have come & gone with only Anxiety & Depression sticking.

If you have a good psychiatrist, he will work with you & not cram you into a little box right off the bat. Sometimes it is good if you can go to a Therapist/psychologist that is tied in with your psychiatrist (or the other way around) so they can work together with you. There really are good ones out there & really can do a lot of good for you. I was scared also & was intimidated by the whole mental health field at first. Yes, 11 years later I am still at it but with other problems that have come up, & needing to find other professionals that are able to handle those problems.

I wish you the best of luck in your search for Doctors. It is good when you are the one that decides that you need help. It is easier to accept at that point.

Please keep us posted & ask any questions that you feel might help you. This is a great place to get suggestions & helpful information along with being a great place when you need a sounding board.

Debbie

Apr 28, 2005, 10:06 AM

welcome to psych central...you're gonna love it here!!

Parker10 · Apr 28, 2005, 11:47 AM

Welcome to this site, and good luck working with your insurance co. and finding a doctor ! (I HATE that insurance companies, so little pimply faced kid behind a desk who probably has never been sick a day in their life) can dictate who we can and cannot see due to insurance - like WHERE did insurance companies get their medical degrees????? Ahhhhhhhh - dont get me started on this one !!!! LOL !!! Again, welcome, this is a great site for sharing, caring, asking questions, venting, etc etc etc !!!

chitown · Apr 28, 2005, 11:51 AM

Welcome Ladystardust! Come on in, take your shoes off, get comfy and enjoy. This is a place that will help you and make you feel sooo much better.
I highly recommend that you see what docs you can go to with your insurance. You would be supprised with some docs and their commitment to you. I have two one for meds and a Therapist I can call them whenever I need to and they are there to help. They give me positive reinforcment and support.
I have suffered for at least 25 years and have just recently gotten help. My anxiety was something that I just put off and "delt" with, however it became out of control. I would highly recommend talking to the docs and let them help you. Be open to their suggestions on Meds, treatment, etc. Make sure that when you talk to them you are honest! If they ask about how a med is making you feel. Tell them exactly. That way they can adjust accordingly to you. Everyone is different and everyone reacts to meds or even Theropy differently. You can do it!
I would also highly recommend getting the "anxiety and Phobia workbook" This is a great book that can assit you with what you have going on.
Welcome! and enjoy