[Hopefull]

I'm new to all this. I had an assessment earlier this week with a MSW/LCSW. Will my insurance think I am crazy? I had to admit that a previous PhD had theorized that I had Dysthymic Disorder. I have slept bad for almost three weeks and want to cry a lot. Will she try to get me to see a pyschiatrist and take some type of anti-depressant? I have never touched an mind altering drug of any kind except caffeine. Ugh. What's it like to take an anti-depressant?

[JimmyClifton]

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Hopefull said:
I'm new to all this. I had an assessment earlier this week with a MSW/LCSW. Will my insurance think I am crazy? I had to admit that a previous PhD had theorized that I had Dysthymic Disorder. I have slept bad for almost three weeks and want to cry a lot. Will she try to get me to see a pyschiatrist and take some type of anti-depressant? I have never touched an mind altering drug of any kind except caffeine. Ugh. What's it like to take an anti-depressant?

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You don't have to take any medication if you don't want to. It would be nice if you could find a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist.

Best of luck to you.

[Overcastbutclearing]

Hopefull....I am sure the people who are processing your insurance claims type codes in and keep on going.
Relax a little...take a deep breath. Be proud of yourself for going to get an assessment because you know something just isn't right.
If you need to see a pdoc and he/she puts you on meds it could be a wonderful thing for your mind to stop racing and for you to get into therapy with a person who is a professional and who you can trust. The combo of the two and mostly your willingness to want to feel better are what is going to make the big difference.

[JustBen]

There's nothing "crazy" about Dysthymic Disorder, Hopefull. It's a problem that a lot of peope have. I think it's great that you're seeking help. No one is going to force you to take an anti-depressant against your will. As for your insurance company...why would you care what they thought of you? They have so many customers that they probably care very little about you personally. (That probably sounds a little harsh, but it's true, so you can draw some comfort from that.)

[DaveyJones]

Hopefull,

Insurance paying for psychiatric care is quite normal these days...they're not going to put you on a "list" or anything...

As for drugs, it's really different for everyone--some have side effects, some don't; one drug will work great for one person, not at all for the next. Unfortunately, it's really kind of trial and error. What is for sure, research has shown that drugs plus therapy work better than either by themselves. I tend to agree, try to find a therapist who does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy...This one tends to address the behavior itself, and the thoughts that drive it. It has been shown to be pretty effective in treating depression.

Whatever you do, though, don't go isolating yourself from your friends or loved ones...you will need them more than anything else as you recover.

Hope this helps, and I wish you well. We're all pulling for you!

DJ

[Hopefull]

Thanks for the responses. But the Dysthymic Disorder was theory from 10 to 12 years ago. So I know about negative thought processes and how to correct them already. I am not sure what the current problem is. Just that it feels similar to my childhood except more annoying sleeping problems and sadness. I had kept the Dysthymic Disorder theory out of my records for all those years. But, now that I want to go back to a counselor I had to tell them. Arg. I don't know if I am depressed or not. I am happy some but I think I am sad more often than happy. Sometimes my happy has a lesser joy to it than it did about a month ago.