I feel so defeated...

[Rachel]

I was supposed to go to the psychiatrist on the 29th, and was actually kind of excited to start on a path to getting better, but I just got a call from the psychiatrist's office saying that my insurance did not cover their services and that to go without the insurance would have cost 274 dollars...which is so out of my price range.  So I had to cancel my appointment. I am just so upset now and feel like I have been kicked down yet again.  I just don't know what to do...   Anything I do just doesn't seem to help.  I am so hopeless.

[Jamie]

Have you given CBT a try yet? Try and find a group as they are usually affordable. The CBT book by Sam Obitz is really good and short and the TEA form exercise in it has been the thing that has helped me the most. Good luck!

[swan6893]

You need to call your insurance company yourself and see if they just would not cover that particular psychiatrist, they might have a list of ones that you can see. Thats how mine works.   If not call the other one back and see if there is a free place that you can go.  Don't give up!!!

[Rachel]

I haven't tried any type of therapy yet, so that's why I was really let down that my first attempt was shot down.  I don't think my insurance covers any mental health stuff, as it is a temporary plan.  The receptionist that talked to me was nice and said that I could call back and they would help me try to find something else or I should go through my county and look for some resources there.  I think the main reason I wanted to talk to a psychiatrist was so that I could avoid drugs and learn some coping techniques for my anxiety and depression.

[marc]

I would buy some books to help you through your issues. I like the books "Worry" by a psychiatrist
Edward Hallowell and anxiety and depression for dummies. They give you certain techniques to use.
There are also herbal  and vitamin remedies that are supposed to help anxiety and depression such
as magnesium, GABA, valerian, 5HTP and Vital Adapt. When I read books it helps me cope when I
have difficulties. I have tried some of the herbal and vitamin remedies and they seem to help
somewhat. I understand a good quality omega 3 is supposed to help also.

[Rachel]

I get what you're saying.  I am actually really not wanting to use drugs for my anxiety. I do not want to rely on them for my happiness.  I really wanted to learn some good coping techniques though.  I definitely believe that perhaps not being able to do this is God telling me to find another way to cope with my anxiety.  For the past few days I have been using mind over matter to dismiss any of my anxious thoughts.

[MissWhat_If]

Hey Rachel--

Great points by all above.  But I'll give you my opinion:  most counties have a community mental health center where people without mental health coverage are seen for free.  In my county, therapy and medications are offered.  People are either pro or con medication, and it sounds like you might be leaning towards "con".  The fact remains, many people with anxiety disorders *need* medication.  Please seek out free professional help and explain to the doctor your reservations about being on meds, that you'd like to try CBT first.  (CBT teaches coping skills.)  See what they can offer you.

[Rachel]

Thanks, Misswhat_if.  I am thinking about possibly looking in to support groups in my town or country, etc.  I definitely am 100% against medication, for ME.  I definitely don't begrudge others the opportunity to find relief from their anxieties, but it just isn't for me.  I am more in to the holistic approaches like acupuncture, yoga, praying, etc. 

[NightOwl]

From experience I have had, a therapist can help a lot in the beginning.  Then I've had to find other ways to help me becuase it seems like at some point they stop knowing how to help.   Maybe you will find a better one than the ones I have gone to though.  Mine never seeemed to sue CBT much with me which I can't understand since it's a big way to get better!  For the most part I've had to find coping methods without the psych telling me how I guess.  I think books have helped a lot.  You should get some cognitive behavioral therapy books until you figure out what to do about the psych.  A combination of a therapist and books combined would help a lot I bet.  I hope you're able to feel a lot better.  Well I know you will at some point, but hopefully soon.  ;)

[mattsmom]

Hang in there I take Lexapro for my GAD and Wellbutrin because anxiety makes me a complete b---tch.  I was so worried that if I didn't get medication for my GAD I would lose my husband due to my mood.  I want to not pass on to my children my lack of coping skills  However it would be great to learn to cope with my fears and deficiencies

[Rachel]

I definitely think it will be a lot of personal work and lots of reading up on GAD and maybe systematic desensitization or something similar.  Thanks NightOwl!  I know that a psychiatrist is probably definitely overrated and the same stuff they would tell me is probably what I tell myself all the time.

My mom takes lexapro too, mattsmom...it seems to make her even moodier if that's possible.  If I find any good methods, I'll let you know!

I'm in Wisconsin, Zazen.

[Jamie]

Hey Rachel--

Great points by all above.  But I'll give you my opinion:  most counties have a community mental health center where people without mental health coverage are seen for free.  In my county, therapy and medications are offered.  People are either pro or con medication, and it sounds like you might be leaning towards "con".  The fact remains, many people with anxiety disorders *need* medication.  Please seek out free professional help and explain to the doctor your reservations about being on meds, that you'd like to try CBT first.  (CBT teaches coping skills.)  See what they can offer you.

Great advice

[Jamie]

Thanks, Misswhat_if.  I am thinking about possibly looking in to support groups in my town or country, etc.  I definitely am 100% against medication, for ME.  I definitely don't begrudge others the opportunity to find relief from their anxieties, but it just isn't for me.  I am more in to the holistic approaches like acupuncture, yoga, praying, etc. 

Rachel I hope you have looked into trying CBT or at least found something that works for you :)

[mommy_2_4_babies]

Is there not any income based Mental Health centers in ur area if not community service centers should help u pay the  bill hope that u get the help

[Jamie]

Sometime colleges offer mental health services for very little or no charge also.

[AmInormal?]

I have found CBT to be very helpful.  I try and talk myself down when I get all hyped up.  I usually try to breathe and count myself down from 100 by fives.  Also, you could try breathing in using the 7 / 11 rule.  Breathe in for 7 and out for 11 seconds and it usually helps me.  These are tools to put in your "box" so to speak until you can get to a psych. 

[Jamie]

Good Advice AmI :)

[Xalatimo]

I recommend CBT as well.  There might be some who didn't get much out of it, but it's the same with everything.  You still have to work on some of your anxiety on your own.  CBT is not magic and you wont be instantly cured but the therapist is there as a guide and it is up to you to follow the advice.  It works if you let it.  A lot of it is just common sense too.  Anxiety is based on fear.  If you know how to combat fear, you know how to combat anxiety.  A lot of it is just realizing it is anxiety in the first place.  Even you feeling defeated is just the anxiety talking.  When you're anxious/depressed, it gets the best of you.  When you aren't, these things just seem like little bumps in the road.  Like Zazen said, medication isn't the entire solution.

[Jamie]

I recommend CBT as well.  There might be some who didn't get much out of it, but it's the same with everything.  You still have to work on some of your anxiety on your own.  CBT is not magic and you wont be instantly cured but the therapist is there as a guide and it is up to you to follow the advice.  It works if you let it.  A lot of it is just common sense too.  Anxiety is based on fear.  If you know how to combat fear, you know how to combat anxiety.  A lot of it is just realizing it is anxiety in the first place.  Even you feeling defeated is just the anxiety talking.  When you're anxious/depressed, it gets the best of you.  When you aren't, these things just seem like little bumps in the road.  Like Zazen said, medication isn't the entire solution.

This is one of the best posts I have seen on here. I like the if you know how to combat fear, you know how to combat anxiety part. That's brilliant

[Jamie]

Hey X,
How are you doing? I am great and loved re-reading your post. I hope all is well with you buddy!

[niteriders1]

I would call you insurance and find one that they do cover. I had to call my insurance company and they found me one. Therapy helps out alot.

[Jamie]

I would call you insurance and find one that they do cover. I had to call my insurance company and they found me one. Therapy helps out alot.

Good advice but be sure to see that it is real cbt as many health plans say they cover cbt but put you with a non-cbt trained therapist (who just often took a weekend course in cbt) in order to save the health plan money.

[rml313]

iam new here what is cbt

[Jamie]

rml313,
CBT is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. If you do the exercises like The TEA regularly it can reduce your anxiety immensely over time and you usually start to see results in a matter of weeks and months, not years like a lot of other therapies. Let me know if you have other questions?