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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
who should you see for depression?
DH is finally ready to talk to someone about his possibly depression (yay?).
He tried to use his EAP system, but got the run around, so he kinda nixed it. But, he still decided he wants to see someone, so he's going to just pick someone out of his health care providers book, but who/what kind of doctor should he see? I suspect he needs some kind of medication and would benefit from some kind of talk therapy too. What kind of therapist should he look for?
I know there are psychiatrist, social workers and psychologists. . . probably others too.
Re: who should you see for depression?
BFP#1: 01/10, M/C 6w -- BFP#2: 06/10, M/C 5w -- BFP#3: 09/10, DS born June 1, 2011
BFP#4: 07/12, M/C 5w3d -- BFP#5: 12/12, EDD 08/18/13
Decorate This
His primary being dismissive really sucks. That's the last thing he needs!
The place I went (this was a long time ago) was kind of a combo practice, but I'm sure not all are. I would start with a therapist though. Maybe some people on here would be willing to PM you a rec (mine was such a long time ago, I'm not sure it's a valid rec anymore!)
BFP#1: 01/10, M/C 6w -- BFP#2: 06/10, M/C 5w -- BFP#3: 09/10, DS born June 1, 2011
BFP#4: 07/12, M/C 5w3d -- BFP#5: 12/12, EDD 08/18/13
Decorate This
there are some good places in Columbia that are pratices which will have you start with a therapist and from there they typically have a psychiatrist who you will see less regularly
The one the comes to mind is Psych Associates Care...I would call and they'll set you up with a therapist that works in your insurance plan, works with depression, and is accepting new patients
9520 Berger Road
Suite 203
Columbia, MD 21046
Phone: ( 410) 290-6940
He needs to see both a psychiatrist and a psychologist. They don't need to be in the same practice but it does help when the two doctors communicate. He can start with a psychiatrist and they can recommend a psychologist that they work with.
Kudos to him
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1)
to you because I know this is something that you've mentioned before being concerned about for DH.
2) Good for your DH! It's not easy to admit to it. What we've found is that a lot of the times PCP's are dismissive because of the complexities of mental illness. They don't want to be responsible for medication management because there are so many different things associated with it.
First I'd check with his healthcare plan to see if he does in fact need a referral. One of the thingsHealthcare Reform did was to make "Healthcare Parity" between PCP and Mental Health providers...meaning some plans consider this "direct access" healthcare and you can go right to provider in-network without referral. You also only pay a PCP copay and there are unlimited visits. If this affected his plan, I would start first with a therapist (LCSW's are included in this and there are TONS of therapists around). Let the therapist make the initial evalutation and then determine whether or not he should also see a psychiatrist for medication management. Sometimes they're in the same practice and sometimes they're not. The important thing is that he likes and feels comfortable with whomever he ends up going to see. DH bounced around to 3 psychiatrists before finding the one he has now. The first 2 were really pompous and arrogant. It happens. Also, there aren't as many psyciatrists as there are therapists and sometimes the wait to get in to see one for meds can take weeks. Since you're down towards DC (well, closer than I am in White Marsh), there do tend to be more down in the area. But getting in to see a psychatrist generally isn't something that happens overnight (just as a heads up). And if he does go on meds, it's a trial and error period until the medication management is just right. We found this out the hard way. My DH wanted the first medication to be the "magic pill" and cure him and it wasn't. It's taken almost 1.5 years to get to the point where it finally seems like the right combo. So patience is key!
Also, the mental healthcare system in general SUCKS! It's not easy to navigate the system and this too can make it discouraging. Tell him not to give up!
The bottom line is that he's willing to get help and this is a big, giant victory step for both of you. If he does happen to be diagnosed with anything, be supportive (I know you will!) and gentle. I found it very comforting to go to therapy myself when DH was first diagnosed with his bipolar. It helped me emotionally deal with some of the outbursts and manic depressive moments. I learned a lot and would definitely recommend to go even if it's just one time to vent your frustrations with him and learn how and what you can do for him and for yourself.
I'm sorry for the word vomit but it's just something that I sort of had to become passionate about in order to care for DH and to understand myself what was going on. I also spewed it all out because I think it's so important for those who may be also struggling to read this and recognize that they're not alone and that there's help available. If you (or anyone) ever wants to chat, let me know.
GL to DH and to you too!