I Think I Need to restart Therapy

[grlNIN]

"Restart" as in i haven't seen a therapist/psychologist since i was about 16/17 years old...when my father stopped allowing me to go because i was being prescribed Prozac (unnecessary in his eyes-hypocrite).

Over the past few months i have had very intense bouts of depression, anxiety and stress. I've chalked it up to really throwing myself hard into school work and some rising tensions at my job. My boyfriend and i have also been experiencing some hurdles with our relationship, a majority of it dealing with issues of trust on my part.

I have told him when the going gets really really tough (which is accentuated by sleeping for longer on the weekends, my emotions being very erratic, extreme and sometimes ( the worst of all cases) laying for hours without being responsive) that i know my depression is resurfacing and that it scares me a lot.

I want to find a therapist to work through all the conflict but i don't know how much money it would run me and honestly, i felt like i could handle myself. I haven't had any signs of my depression reoccurring until i went and moved in with my brother (a year ago roughly) but i've left there and i guess it just followed me?

I think it might be overdue and the stigma attached to going to see a therapist is putting me off way more than it should, seeing as i've had experiences with them before. I know my boyfriend and whoever would support me but i'm cautious because i feel that people might take this as a sign of me being in more dire straits than i actually am.

Maybe it's just the winter.

[topless_mike]

it could be the winter blues.
or, it could be some anger towards something.
what gives you these trust issues? thats what, imo, should be addressed.

rather than a therapist, have you tried just venting to somebody that you know, but doesnt know your history ?
sounds like you need an objective, open ear'd position just to listen.

[Tall_James]

You insurance may cover a certain number of therapy sessions with only a co-pay involved. I'd call the number on your membership card, ask about mental health benefits associated with your plan.

I hope everything works out for you.

[grlNIN]

The way our relationship sprouted and things that have occurred over the last 5 months or so. I am not unhappy in my relationship, don't get me wrong but i just can't seem to get over a few things.

I do vent to friends but in the end they have their own problems and shit like that and even though they offer advice it doesn't seem to help me because of the difference in the type of people we are.

[topless_mike]

don't get me wrong but i just can't seem to get over a few things.


this, at least from what i can see, might be a source. for this, i would seek a pro, regardless of cost. check your ins from work; mental health may be covered, or partially covered.

i hope you can work things out and work towards a happier you (in general).

[Thebazile78]

What kind of resources do you get through school?

If you're a full-time student, there are usually counselling services available. You may not have to pay for them, either, because the costs are included as part of your student fees.

The free counselling services were how I didn't attempt to slash my wrists during the worst breakup of my life, Junior year of college. I still had issues, like not eating and picking up smoking, but once I felt better, food was back on the table and cigarettes were out of the question.

If you're interested in a remedy, St. John's Wort works BUT it does make any hormonal birth control you might be using less effective, so make sure you're using a backup method. (SJW interferes with pretty much everything, though, so this is not news.)

[Ritalin]

Don't most schools have people available for their students? You should look into it there, and if you can make it work, you should go.

Not that I'm saying that there's anything wrong with you - I'm not - but if you're feeling like you ought to go then finding a way to go seems like a good idea. Friends are good, but they're just that - friends - and they're not equipped to deal with the kind of things you're talking about. Friends support you while you're going to therapy, friends aren't therapy.

And who knows, you might go to one session and find that it's not the answer for you. But it sounds to me like a healthy place to start.

[grlNIN]

I go to school part time, work part time. however i work for the VNA and i think i get mental health as a part time benefit. I'm going to call and inquire about that as soon as my boss leaves for the day.

School doesn't offer anything for me and im not sure what (if any) mental health coverage i get through United Health Care but we'll see.

[Tall_James]

School doesn't offer anything for me and im not sure what (if any) mental health coverage i get through United Health Care but we'll see.

I have United Health Care and their MH benefits (for my plan) are excellent.

[grlNIN]

Well that's looking up!

[keithy_19]

I just switched health insurance from United to Aetna. I hate Aetna. United was really good. So that's good.

I say going to a proffesional would be good. Considering you had been treated in the past it is in your best interest to get back in.

The last few days have really made me realize how imporant going to a therapist is with people with depression.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. :smile:

[Freitag]

Although I can't offer advice in regards to therapy (I've been to several doctors and they didn't help me at all) I do appreciate the votes of confidence for United. I may be in open enrollment soon and the only reason I was with Aetna was name recognition.

[FUNKMAN]

hope ya start to feel better, keep the chin up...

[Thebazile78]

Although I can't offer advice in regards to therapy (I've been to several doctors and they didn't help me at all) I do appreciate the votes of confidence for United. I may be in open enrollment soon and the only reason I was with Aetna was name recognition.

No, the only reason we're with Aetna is because that's what my company offers us and that's it.

Our UHC plans were too expensive for me when I first started working, so I didn't look at them at all. Their mental health coverage is great, though. (The costs are probably why the company stopped offering them.)

I've had generally good experiences with Aetna myself, but maybe that's because I've only been offered the Open Access plans.

As far as the MH coverage, we had both coverage through our insurance companies (X number of outpatient sessions/Y number of inpatient weeks or whatever, plus a one-time only pre-cert) and a free counselling service through the company ... called the "employee assistance program."

[Freitag]

No, the only reason we're with Aetna is because that's what my company offers us and that's it.



I did have Health Care before you, you know.

[grlNIN]

Just a small update.

Yesterday i printed out a bunch of local in network therapists and talked to my boyfriend about really going to start seeing one now. He internalized it a little bit, feeling like he could have prevented me from feeling this way but i assured him it's due to other things and ultimately he gave nothing short of his support.

Today i have been calling people from the list i printed (which sucks because it's almost 98% voicemails and that made me uneasy). After an hour or so I found one, close to home, weekend appointments-just what i was looking for. I chatted with her for about 5 minutes and she seemed really nice, been in private practice for 10 years as well as working at a school.

I just got off the phone with UHC to go through all my benefits, copay, authorization, etc. etc. and set up a time to call the therapist back with all of the information I've obtained from that to see where we'll start.

I've also scheduled a visit to talk with a counselor at school about transferring. She was recommended by my professor who is very active in the department of my course study, so, well see how that goes.

Things are looking on the up and up so far, hopefully everything will stay on course.

[topless_mike]

:clap:

[keithy_19]

:clap:

2nd!

[Contra]

I think it's great you are getting some help to sort through things. I think it will help you with shit you've had brewing for a while. The best of luck to you!