Anyone have to go through County Mental Health?

Dave&Blondie · 09-20-2005, 03:51 AM

Hi all...this may sound like a strange thing to ask but I was hoping someone out there has had no insurance and had to go to the county mental health to get some help? I have been taking prozac which I have taken on and off for about 15 years or so. It normall works for me but for some reason what I am dealing with is way heavier! I am acutally wondering if its a toxic thing and the new meds (met 2000mg a day and Spiro 100mg) I take so many meds and I hate that I am but it seems without them I am just miserable and I need and DESPERATELY WANT my life back!

So...I am dealing with more of a stigma thing than anything. I would just like to know what this "intake" thing involves and if I can ask for an actualy Dr. and not any of these foo foo marriage and family counselors! I feel weak for even considering it! I am so blue that I am afraid I am gonna loose everthing around me unless I do something to change this! I also struggle with the belief that God should be the one to cure me of my depression but I can't seem to feel connected to God in that way for some reason and it just isn't working on its own. I tried Christian counselors and regular MFCC's but not a true Psychologist. I think that is the level I am at. I have been thinking things that are scary! I don't understand why I am thinking these things or why I am so depressed. I have been through so much in my life and am so strong (I thought) but this time I am struggling to actually get up each day!

SO...just wondering how you all went about getting a Dr. and if you had to do it without health insurance. I have absolutly NO money to see someone out of pocket. UGH!

Thanks Ladies...not sure what I would do without this board!

(((huggs)))

MoodSwings · 09-20-2005, 05:22 AM

Im going thru county too, and it sucks! But here is a program that has changed my life for the better. www.stresscenter.com this program is a life saver! Im not fully recovered but Im getting better everyday!

Take Care, God bless.

Dave&Blondie · 09-20-2005, 07:21 PM

Thank you so much for that! The test was informative but there is no way I can even afford the program!

I am so glad it worked for you! Maybe if I get some win-fall I can try it out.
I appreciate your help!

Thank so much!

oaktreegirl · 09-21-2005, 12:15 AM

I'm not familiar with the American health care system, so unfortunately I don't have advice there. But I hope you find the help you're looking for.

Quote:

I also struggle with the belief that God should be the one to cure me of my depression but I can't seem to feel connected to God in that way for some reason and it just isn't working on its own.

I'm not a Christian, but I just wanted to mention, that just because you see a doctor does not mean that God will not also help you. Maybe speaking to a doctor will help you come to a place where you can feel connected to God to help you through this.

nicole47 · 09-21-2005, 12:31 AM

You're in San Diego? It might be worthwhile seeing if any of the universities (or teaching hospitals) out there have studies where they will give you free treatment in exchange for you taking part in academic/clinical studies. The place I went to for anxiety treatment (in Boston) charged on a sliding scale for income and offered free treatment for study participation.

I think if you google "san diego" "clinical trials" and "depression" you might find some. Otherwise call up clinical psychology/psychiatry programs at UCSD, SD state etc. directly and ask if they have any suggestions.

And my 2 cents on depression and religion... it is my belief that God helps those who help themselves (I can still remember parts of the sermon our minister gave on the subject when I was in high school). If you have a chemical imbalance, God helps to guide you someplace that can help you fix that and gives you strength to keep trying when/if the first thing you try doesn't work. If it's something that can be helped with a specific therapy, God gives you the strength to complete it. God doesn't (often) cure disease directly, He helps you change what you can, deal with what you can't, and learn from the experience.

nicole47 · 09-21-2005, 12:37 AM

It looks like this webpage has information on clinical trials:
http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/studies/area17.html
Here's one in SD that looks like it's open:
http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/studies/stu55612.html

Good luck!

pink76mom · 09-21-2005, 02:02 AM

Shari-
Just wanted to say that I am sorrt that you are going through a rough spot (to say the least!!). Being without insurance makes things so hard. At one point, I accessed county mental health services. I had to get to the point where I was very sick before I qualified for many services, but I am in Iowa and programs tend to be limited here. So many fall throught the cracks.
I would check your teaching hospitals. I know that the Univ of IA does offer services for those without health insurance. Some county mental health agencies offer sliding fee scales.
Sometimes a good therapist at these agencies will be your best bet if they communicate with the doctors. It seems like they actually get to know you better and sometimes doc's will really listen to their recommendations. I have had a really hard time finding good care, so my heart is going out to you. It is like trial and error and sometimes we feel too desperate to take that much time... I really get that.
I am sure that your intake is the first step. Makes your needs known. They will try to form a plan of care from that, to determine how to best serve you. All I can say is that you are not out anything for trying. I have found that I have had to be very persistant in regaining my emotional health.
From what you have written your depression sounds very chemical. It really may be as simple as a new med. As far as God goes, I understand about wanting him to heal you. Sometimes I feel guilty, like I am doing something wrong in God's eyes. I just try and think of it as a medical disorder (which depression is). We would never question a cancer patient seeking medical treatment, so why would a person with a chemical imbalance in their brain be expected to cure themselves through prayer and obedience??
Just wanted to you that you are heard. Feel free to PM me at any time. I wish you all the luck. When is your intake?? Please keep me posted. I will keep you in my prayers.

Dave&Blondie · 09-21-2005, 10:52 PM

So ladies allow me to ***** about my day! I called weeks ago and asked how to get started someone said an "intake" appt but you have to walk in! SO...today I be brave and I CAN"T FINE THE PLACE!!!! I end up in the clinic and cry all the way home!!! This is not going well!

nicole47 · 09-21-2005, 11:16 PM

That's so frustrating! But keep trying! When's the next time you can walk-in? Have you tried any other options? Can you call them up and ask for better directions for next time?

Dave&Blondie · 09-22-2005, 03:13 AM

Thanks girls....slept after I got home. Don't feel great still. I just wish there was somewhere I could call to find out about these meds I am taking.

I can't tell you how I appreciate your support!!!! ((((hugs))))

omcv · 09-22-2005, 05:00 AM

In the past I did ... the intake process is just to access who they are going to assign to you. They are going to take a history. I was off my rocker when I went, so I had my Mom go with me. Once they assigned me to my dr it was fine. Nice thing about it is some counties have the meds there at the clinic. They do it so they get to you to come back into see them. I could only get my meds if I went into see the dr. That way they can keep tabs on you and see how you are doing on the meds.

All in all I had a very good experience.

Dave&Blondie · 10-01-2005, 07:50 AM

hi all...
just wanted to give an update. I went to my first appointment which was just orientation. My mother took me. Ya know...she has been such a support its amazing! We have our days but I think we are all stressed.

I am actually out of prozac so not sure what to do now. Its gonna be 2 weeks at the most till I get in to see a real doc. Obviously its not working.

I keep asking God to take this away or at least help me deal with it. I dont have any idea how!

Maybe I should start a Christian Depression thread. Although it may be controversial! LOL

Thanks for you prayers and suppor ladies! You will never know what it means to me!

Dave&Blondie · 10-10-2005, 05:43 AM

You may not have noticed but I have been rather "quiet" these last few days. The major reason is I am really sick. I sound like a trained seal. My body just can't go on! This is the time of year I dread! I sware I get sick if someone even LOOKS at me! I spend more days in bed (oh wait....I live my life in this bed!) Ever feel like your body has completely betrayed you????

So anyway...Wednesday is my first appt. with the actual doc. I was hopin for a woman but getting a man. They say he is quiet and very caring. Two things I need right now. I feel like this is a last ditch effort. If this psych doc can't help me, I don't know what I will do!

I think I may have said this already in a post but I have some how grown up with the thinking that if you needed a "shrink" there was something seriously wrong about you. Like you aren't a "normal" person. I have no idea where that thinking came from but its there! You know how people say they don't commit suicide because of how it will hurt those you love. Well I feel the same way with this! I love David so much...never met a man like him and probably never will. His father was with CDF and they think all the sun and heat from fires litteraly fried his brain. I can't even imagine what the pain is like for David. I don't want to have him feel like "uh oh...here I go again". Does that make sense to anyone? Also, about 3 years ago my best friends dad killed himself. It was quite a shock seeing as he was a MFCC and highly respected in the "counseling" relm. He was the one who got me to go on Prozac 15 years ago. BUT...I have the same feeling for her! I don't want to bring up any bad memories or anything. I told her she could bail out at any moment!

I honestly and truely believe my brain is broken!! I don't know how else to put it! What possible reason could God have for giving me depression so deep that it cannot be controlled with basic biblical principals. I feel like I have failed God. (man that hurt just to say that) I know He made me special but I just can't understand why He would choose that I have this long list of medical issues with major depression to top it off!!!

This poor doc is gonna have his hands full! WHEW Sorry to go on and on. Guess I need to clear my head a bit. Thanks Ladies!

I will be around more in a few days hopefully if I start feelin better!

nicole47 · 10-10-2005, 01:40 PM

Best of luck and I hope you start feeling better in every sense of the word.

We can't understand God's plan, but maybe He has given you (or He has not yet taken away-- I don't believe that God makes our lives miserable on purpose, we do enough of that on our own, He gives us faith to deal with our problems and to learn and grow from them) this depression to make you a better stronger person in the future so you can help other people with theirs.