[cwiktorski]

As my title indicates, I seem to be having a problem.

Some background on myself. 25 (next week at least), working a decent job but find myself without medical benefits.

As I'm not in that wonderful 18-23 age bracket anymore, I find that I am having trouble finding a clinic that works on a sliding scale basis. I don't have a lot of money, but I realize that my mental health is something that is needed for me to continue being a productive part of society as a whole.

My conditions: Depression and Anxiety. The most troubling currently is the anxiety, as the rate of attacks and actual attacks themselves have become worse over the last month.

I've dealt with the depression without meds for a very long time now (5 years or so) and anxiety at the same time. I had requested that my doctor remove me from the medications, as I was very unhappy with the mood swings that I had picked up and the apathy that had begun to plauge my thoughts and actions. I had begun to care for nothing and that was a scary place for me.

What I am seeking is a list or a resource where I can find clinics that may be able to help me with either only my anxiety problem or the problem with depression as well. I understand that seeking counciling is going to help a great amount, but I currently cannot afford that, but want to have some help with what is currently going on in my body.

I'm in the greater Seattle area, so any listings in that area would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[kimmydawn]

CW,

Almost all counties have a Community Mental Health Center or organization. Call human services for your county to find out where. They will know who you can contact. The CMH's accept sliding scale fees. If income is low enough, fee is cut completely.

I have excellent mental health insurance benefits and see a wonderful psychologist at our local center. I couldn't be more blessed there.

Good luck and let us know?

KD

i pay nothing for my therapy, my Pdoc and my meds. county health clinic.

[wi_fighter]

I have no insurance and use the county health services too. Based on sliding scale, I'm supposed to be billed no more than $180 a month. But the billing dept. said as long as I pay even $5 a month consistently, that's fine. (For a point of reference for you, I brought in 34K in 2004 and have 2 kids. Sliding scale also is based on size of household, not just income).

I make too much to qualify for a grant for free meds, but, oh well. I figure that if the meds will help me be more productive and bring in more income, it's worth the added cost for the first out-of-pocket Rx fill. I've been getting freebies while we're in the "figuring out what meds I need" stage, but I've been told it won't last for long.

I'd definitely check into it if I were you. I've used the county system and the private sector and I can't even say there's a difference in the quality of care. (Except my case worker/T is really pushing me to break old, bad habits and it's ticking me off because it's hard. ) The psychiatrist I'm working with is also a psychopharmacologist, so he really knows his stuff.

Good luck.