question about getting a shrink?
96430
hey , since you're a cool smarty girl you probably already no there is no shame in asking for and accepting help from outside resources when your fam can't quite cut it... my family was (i guess you could say) kinda poor too...definitely couldn't afford a therapist on our own, but anyways, everybody is right, express a need at your school and they will likely assign you a caseworker and a therapist (i even had something called a rap worker, rap was some sort of acronym)whatever... i'm just proud of you for being so young and openminded enough to consider therapy!!good luck to you!!! my thoughts and well wishes are with you!\np.s. \nsome peops will look at your choice as a weakness but as i mentioned earlier, you sound too smart to buy into that crapola...it takes strength to embark on the journey you are about to take, as you will soon find... inner strength that many people spend their whole lives in search of!!
208354
You really should start by asking your regular doctor to refer you to a psychologist to talk about your problem and if they feel it is appropriate they will send you to a psychiatrist who will have dozens of different medicines available to help you. To answer part 2 of your question they attack me several times a year and last for 1-3 months. Good luck.
262652
Here's a screening quiz I found that can help give you an idea:\nhttp://psychcentral.com/depquiz.htm\nIf you think you need help, by all means get it.  I'm not sure of your situation, but talk to a psychiatrist, a counselor, a school official, a social worker...even if you don't have money to pay for a psychiatrist visit there are ways to get help - talk to a counselor at school or at work to see how.  If you are depressed, there's a good chance that medicine and/or talk therapy can get you back to your old self.
950652
First, you see a psychologist (or preferrably a psychiatrist, who is also a medical doctor) who sees this kind of patient.\n\nThen you talk.  Why do you think you want to change?  There will be questions and tests.  The shrink will let you know if you have gender dysphoria.  If you don't, there is consultation to discuss the root of your concern or explanation of what sex change is all about and what it involves.  If you are, there is a well-established set of benchmarks where the shrink and an endocrinologist helps you on the way or stops you if you can't tolerate the hormonal and lifestyle changes.\n\nIt often takes a couple of years and is very expensive.  But first, it starts with a visit to a mental health professional.
234938
There are free or low cost therapists and psycologists in many areas. You can just fill out paperwork and they'll work with you. If you qualify, apply for Medicaid and get a therapist that way. You just have to get out there, the resources are available. Good luck.
788322
Honey, deal with the pain. See a psychologist. If an MD gave this to you, throw it away. They are not trained to diagnose and assist in mental issues, psychologists and psychiatrists are. \n\nLook up a psychologist in the phone book. Make sure they are board certified when you call them up. Set up an appointment and start therapy. Don't throw out the drugs until you talk to them since that CAN have a devistating effect neurologically, particularly if you are under 18 (in that case you shouldn't be on depression drugs anyway). THEN if a psychiatrist or psychologist determines you need drugs, follow their orders. Drugs are necessary sometimes...but only if given and monitered by professionals who are specifically geared toward mental health.\n\nYou can do this for yourself as well. Get out and do some yoga. Believe it or not, yoga is a therapy all in itself. I used to be depressed until I started yoga. Anyone can do it, just make sure you have a certified yoga instructor (aka don't just pick up a book and do it, go to a yoga studio). Also, take Alive Multivitamins...they really help me all around. \n\nI am sorry for your loss. Hopefully things will start getting better for you. *hug*
655509
if you have medicare it is easy to get one.you just have to get a doctors order. also easter seals can help. If you have a independant living center in your area, call them. If you dont have insurance or just medicaid you can still get one but it is much harder. you will need doctor report and therapist. I got one and the medicaid denied me for almost a year. the chair provider has to work with you.
1161503
You have to choose the right person to tell, someone you're close to, or your therapist (if you have one, if not, I recommend it).  I've found it easier to tell people things by email or over IM, and not in person.  But it actually might be easier to tell a therapist, since she or he probably won't judge you for it, or at least not as much as someone you're close to.  As a former cutter myself (haven't cut myself for any reason for about 2 1/2 years), I would recommend DBT (dialectical behavior therapy, also a common treatment for borderline personality disorder, but it's effective for other things as well).  It IS possible to stop, and it does get a LOT better.
1044067
I am bipolar with mild OCD, My husband is currently hospitalized from a more severe case of the same problems.  I can't stress enough how important it is to get help for this sooner rather than later, believe it or not it can get WAY worse than your current situation.  Don't wait until you lose the job or trash your house or hurt yourself to get help. The bad news is mental health is decades or even centuries behind physical health, so our treatment options are somewhat limited.  Often behavioral or cognitive therepy can be extremely effective, even without drugs. If you don't have a psychologist, get one ASAP. \n\n            Is there a reason you don't want to use medication?  No one WANTS to use drugs if they are unnessasary, but I wonder if the anxiety about drugs is really worse than the anxiety we feel due to the compulsions. Today's drugs are compartively safer and often have fewer side effects - my only side effect from the drug I have been on for 7 years now is a mildly increased number of cavities. Even if you do decide to use drugs, talk therepy is still and important step.  If you have trouble affording it, call some local churches, they often have a marrage and family counselor on staff who will take a lower payment.  If you have insurance - your therepy, should be covered.  A good therepist should be able to help you explore non-drug options for your particular issues.  I reccomend you read up on it for yourself as well.   All the information the doctors have is availible to you at the library and online.  Know the DSMV-IV definition and the American Psyciatric Association's Treament Guidlines for your condition.  Go to a NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill)class.  You can find all of these online.  Always remember, this trouble is not because you are stupid or lack will power.\n\nOne idea for this compulsion, create a "uniform" for work.  If you are close to anyone there, and feel you can share this with them, you might even take them shopping with you.  If you wear the same one or two things every day, you will know you won't be sent home, because you weren't yesterday.  Many "normal" professionals do this, just changing the scarf or necklace and wearing basically the same thing every day.  It saves a fortune in wardrobe costs, and it has worked for me before.  Even if it works, this is a temporary fix - you need to have a therepist to help you work through the inevitable future compulsions.  Goodness, I sound like my mother.\n\nThat is all I can think of for now. Just talk, talk, talk.  Nothing fights stigma and shame like communication. Get as many positive, sane friends to put good thoughts in your head as you can.  It will give you a mental army to fight the bad thoughts.  May God bless you with an easier road in the future.
776195
If i were you I would call the hospital and talk to someone in patient accounts. i had a friend who was told they had a brain anurism (sp?) and they shipped him to another hospital etc etc and racked up alot of bills and the wife called and ended up they didnt have to pay it. Chances are you will have to pay for the first one though, it was part of your treatment.
957701
Before you get worried about needing a "neurological" workup, you should see a doctor.  If it's a question of money/no insurance....just contact your county's department of social services.  They will get you in to be seen by their mental health department for either free or hardly anything.  Once you talk to a doctor about your symptoms, he/she will refer you for any testing you may need (also for either free or hardly anything).  They can also get you any medications you may need, too.\n\nPlease start there.  Don't get ahead of yourself.  Let the doctor guide you.
812229
Hi... I'm sorry you guys are having to go through this. I can totally relate to this... I am 21 and am diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depression that's recurrent and severe, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and DDNOS. In the past year and a half, I've been hospitalized 9 times and have seen several psychiatrists and therapists. I've been on many different medications. So I do know what he is going through. \nI have been out of work since January of 2005. I first had to apply for Temporary Disability and be on that for 6 months before I could apply for Social Security Disability. But when it came time to apply for SSD/SSI I was nervous because I had heard from MANY people that it was a long process, and you almost always get denied on the first try. It took 8 months for them to give me a decision, and thank god, I was approved on the first try. I think that I was approved on the first try because of all the documentation I had... from the doctors, hospitals, and therapists. So I would definitely recommend getting as much support as you from his treatment team. \n\nI hope that everything will work out. Don't listen to the people on here who are saying nasty things. They have obviously never had to deal with severe mental illness before. You and I and everyone else who has suffered from it either personally or through a loved one knows that mental illnesses truly are debilitating. \nGood luck!\n~Julie~
527220
go to a shrink instead
137159
Tell you therapist and your psychiatrist. Make sure they both know you took medication previously but that you think you needed a stronger dose. If you don't tell them what's going on, they can't help you.
93736
You should probably ask that question to a psychiatrist, you undoubtedly need one. You should get locked away.
867850
Yes, it dose. I’ve seen a counselor myself (for reasons I’d rather not disclose), and I can vouch for the helpfulness thereof. I’ve even heard it said that to become a good psychologist, you should have any personal issues addressed to another counselor. Everyone has mental and emotional issues just like everyone gets sick from time to time. There’s no shame in seeing a counselor; to say that neither you nor anyone in your family tree has ever had a mental problem is just as reasonable as saying no one in your family tree has ever had a cold. If you feel that you need to speak to a councilor, go ahead, and I wish you the best of luck.
1153736
I have a counsellor.  You generally have a preliminary assessment the first time you go.  they as why you have come to see them and what you wish to get out of your visits.  They will ask further questions relevant to what you say, and will encourage you to analyse what you are saying by reassessing what you say, as you say it.  They make ask you to think of things abstractly, e.g. if you had to give the thought or feeling a picture or colour, it would be...\n\nDon't worry, they're very understanding, and if you find it hard to talk they will provide you with other means, eg pen and paper etc.  PLease be honest with them about everything - it makes things so much easier and you'll be surprised how much insight they can generate, using your own analystical skills, and theirs.\n\nCounselling is really helping me, I hope it does the same for you.  Good luck. xXx\n\nP.S. Yes, we did want to know.