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.
Therapy Question
Hi, my name is Jamie. I posted here for the first time a few months ago, about the problems that I was having adjusting to my new lifestyle, after getting married in July and moving across the country. Things have not gotten better, unfortunately. A lot of it is my fault, I know.
So, I'm pretty sure I'm depressed. I just finished four years of a psychology degree which, while I know 100% that doesn't qualify me for anything, it does mean that I've had the symptoms of depression drilled into my head a thousand times. I fit a lot of those symptoms. I don't know if it's purely situational - the moving and the unemployment and the isolation and whatever else - or what, but I'm fairly certain that it's there. I want help, I think I need help, and I'm writing this post while I feel motivated enough to do so. I've considered writing this post a dozen times already, but couldn't seem to make myself do it.
I think I need to talk to someone, professionally, but I have absolutely no idea how to go about doing that. I don't even know how to go about getting a check-up done, which is slightly irritating in its own right. I've never gone to a therapist/psychologist/whatever before, and I'm assuming there's a procedure for finding someone/making an appointment via the military. I've gone to the Military One Source site, but it's not very intuitive for me (maybe because the thought of actually doing something about this causes my anxiety levels to skyrocket).
I'm sorry this is so ramble-y, but I'm afraid that if I go back to read it right now, I'll end up deleting it without posting. Thank you in advance for any help or advice that you can give.
Re: Therapy Question
Thank you. I wasn't sure if Tricare was just regular insurance, or if I had to go through some particular channel/specific provider.
Edit: Does it work the same way for normal doctor's appointments? I'm super excited for getting to see a doctor, since I was uninsured for about four years.
The website is definitely confusing. Give Military One Source a call though and they can at least give you some direction. 1.800.342.9647
Do you have anyone that you can confide in and make them hold you accountable for calling MOS or setting up an appointment with a doctor?
I just went through this process myself. I know it's hard to make yourself make the phone calls or take the steps to get help. Hang in there, take it one day at a time and you'll get through it.
With TriCare you can self-refer to an in network counselor for up to 8 appointments in a fiscal year. If you and the provider you choose decide you need a longer treatment, the provider can do the paperwork to get TriCare to cover that. I personally chose a Marriage and Family Therapist, but I had tried a psychiatrist at first, so you're not locked into a specific type of provider either.
As far as how to select one: this link should help you get a list of TriCare providers in your area. I normally look at the full list, and check out websites like ratemydoctor to read patient/client reveiws before making a decision. That site might also help answer some questions about how to be seen for your other health care concerns.
If you'd like to you can feel free to PM me for more information/help or just someone to talk to.
Yes, thankfully. Once I'm a little more confident that I know how to accomplish it, I'll do that.
Thanks. I've been going one day at a time for months now, and I've come to terms with the fact that it just isn't sustainable. I'm hoping that this will help me get over that mindset, and into a place where life is something enjoyable, not just a series of checklists.
Thank you for the link! I'm on that site right now; it looks very useful. Now, to get the courage to actually call someone...
First, I'm so glad that you're reaching out to get help. Please continue to check in with us here. You'll always find someone to chat with.
To answer your second question, do you know if you have Tricare Prime or Standard? If you have Prime you can probably call the appointments line for your local MTF or clinic (Google will be your friend to find this number) if you want to keep your location private, or ask if anyone on this board is stationed there if you don't mind sharing the information. If you're on Standard I'd recommend going to your local board and asking for physician recommendations. Then call the office and ask if they accept Tricare.
28/100
LittleL 8/10/07
Baby E 11/27/10
Check out my makeup and reading blog:
Books and Beauty
I HIGHLY recommend Military One Source (www.militaryonesource.com). Go onto the website and look for counseling services, then fill in the questionnaire. They'll have a consultant call you, then help you find a local counselor or therapist who can help. The first 6 visits are covered by Tricare, and if you need more you can be referred. If you think you are depressed, then they should be able to get you to a psychiatrist who can prescribe meds, as well.
I have absolutely no idea. My H got me enrolled in Tricare during some orientation thing for which I was not present.
What does MTF stand for? It sounds familiar, but I can't think of it right now.
MTF = Military Treatment Facility (normally a base/post clinic or hospital)
That link should also help you find your local MTF.
I'd also recommend you call TriCare and go over your coverage and region information. They'll be able to tell you what coverage you have and should be able to point you in the direction of your local MTF and other provider options.
With Mil One Source, you can arrange the counseling via phone or Skype if you don't find someone you're comfortable with in town.