[brickbybrick]

I need help finding a doctor. Does anyone have personal recommendations, names or offices you've had positive experiences with?

There has to be a better way then muddling through google or my insurance provider's website and going on seemingly endless, costly appointments until I find someone who's a fit, right?

For a long time I've either neglected or intermittently addressed my mental health needs, but over the last couple years I've come to suspect that on top of chronic severe depression, anxiety, and adhd (all diagnosed by professionals and medicated, to a degree, off and on) that I'm truly bipolar, rather than my first hunch of bipolar II. I've had some episodes, with increasing intensity and frequency lately, that have truly frightened me. So someone who has some specialty in that area would be wonderful.

My current psychiatrist is largely perfunctory and distant, is happy to write prescriptions but not much else. My mind feels like a minefield of ugly surprises these days that have been dizzying to navigate, needless to say it's not been all that helpful to have side effects without support or much improvement.

I live in New York (Brooklyn/Manhattan, but also willing to travel), any other fellow city-dwellers reading this know someone?

Personal experiences finding doctors/therapists/etc. would also be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[*Laurie*]

Hmm...when I've needed to find a doctor I called my insurance provider and I googled (for example) "psychiatrists in"...my town.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by brickbybrick

I need help finding a doctor. Does anyone have personal recommendations, names or offices you've had positive experiences with?

There has to be a better way then muddling through google or my insurance provider's website and going on seemingly endless, costly appointments until I find someone who's a fit, right?

For a long time I've either neglected or intermittently addressed my mental health needs, but over the last couple years I've come to suspect that on top of chronic severe depression, anxiety, and adhd (all diagnosed by professionals and medicated, to a degree, off and on) that I'm truly bipolar, rather than my first hunch of bipolar II. I've had some episodes, with increasing intensity and frequency lately, that have truly frightened me. So someone who has some specialty in that area would be wonderful.

My current psychiatrist is largely perfunctory and distant, is happy to write prescriptions but not much else. My mind feels like a minefield of ugly surprises these days that have been dizzying to navigate, needless to say it's not been all that helpful to have side effects without support or much improvement.

I live in New York (Brooklyn/Manhattan, but also willing to travel), any other fellow city-dwellers reading this know someone?

Personal experiences finding doctors/therapists/etc. would also be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

the way health care now works in the USA is that every one must have health insurance. the insurance company sends you a members booklet that tells you what your insurance package is and what treatment providers the insurance company will pay for.

from there you either call your insurance company and they will (or have already) assigned you a doctor, therapist and dentist based on which treatment providers have not met their quota for number of patients.

or you choose a treatment provider from your membership booklet listing and call your insurance company, tell them which treatment provider you want and the insurance company looks to see if that that choice is available, if not you choose another from the listing or ask the insurance company to assign you one.

yes you can google and what have you but if who you find is not on your insurance plans treatment provider list then you will have to pay out of pocket rather than having your medical insurance pay for it.

my suggestion is contact your insurance company and let them know you would like to change treatment providers and why. they will let you know who in your area is available to you.

[caretothepeople]

Might be worthwhile checking out the Depression and Bipolar Alliance's website. They have a provider search tool and other info for finding local support groups.

The International Bipolar Foundation has a great article on their site about finding a good therapist, that include specific questions to ask. Part of the process is interviewing therapists or having consultations to find someone who feels like a good fit for you. That's really important. I can't post the link here, but if you google "IBPF" "How to find a good therapist", it'll come up.

You can cross reference the info you get from your insurance provider with reviews on places like Yelp, ZocDoc, Healthgrades, etc.

[avlady]

I need help finding a dentist in my area that takes medicare and medicaid. not any in my area i found out by searching for one. The one i have now is great and nice but it takes an hour and a half to get there, i also have been having some dental issues and had a tooth pulled last week. i love the dentist and all the people that work there but it takes so long to get there.