How does one find psychiatric help?

[Rahxephon91]

So yeah it's about time I do this.  I'm afraid I'm becoming something I'm pretty afraid of myself. Something like that Elliot guy and so I do need to seek help.

The only thing is I'd rather keep it down low. I rather my mother not know. Also it's not like I have plenty of time or money. I belive I have benefits from my retail job but nothing amazing. Do places like Target even cover stuff like that.

So where do I even begin searching?

[VomKriege]

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help/index.shtml#part_150431

Not sure what you did already. You're in the US, right ? Maybe try to see someone at a public funded facility (as mentioned in link : health dept. attached to local government or at universities) for an assessment of what you may need first.

Don't self-diagnose. Also without sounding like a fucking hippy or play doctor : be cautious if at some point you get some chemical medication. They're sometimes necessary and a powerful tool but it's unfortunately not uncommon for people to get addicted.

[zomgee]

Visit someplace that offers therapy, get signed up, be honest about your problems on the intake sheet, be honest about the problems on your intake sheet, do not diagnose yourself on the intake sheet, you are not in a movie, be honest about your problems on the intake sheet.

If you are in crisis, they should have a hotline. Your intake interview or initial therapist should be able to determine if you need to speak with someone who can talk drugs, but be honest and listen.

[Madrun Badrun]

Go to a public place and bit a strangers ear off. 

[Am_I_Anonymous]

Shut up, dork /\

The best place to contact is a local large hospital chain and self admit man. My cousin went through this.

[Purrp Skirrp]

Make sure whoever's administering therapy practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It's more effective than meds alone, and if you decide to take medication you're better off combining the two.

You can start Googling for these types of professionals in your area:

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Licensed Professional Counselors (MA, MS): These professionals have a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or another mental health specialty. In addition, they usually have at least two years of supervised clinical experience. They can diagnose mental health conditions and provide talk therapy.

Licensed Social Worker (LCSW, LICSW): Social workers offer a range of services depending on their education and license. Master’s level licensed social workers can diagnose mental health conditions and offer talk therapy.
 
Psychiatric Nurse or Mental Health Nurse (RN, BSN, MSN, APRN, PhD, DNSc): These nurses have various types of degrees, from Registered Nurse (RN) to Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc). Depending on their education, they may offer talk therapy and other mental health services. In some states, they can also prescribe medicine.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner or Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): These nurses have specialized training in treating mental health issues in addition to an advanced nursing degree. Some offer talk therapy and other mental health services. They are also able to prescribe medicine, although in some states they need to practice under a psychiatrist.
 
Psychiatrist (MD, DO): Psychiatrists are medical doctors (physicians) who have four years of extra training in treating mental health conditions. Those who are board certified have passed an exam given by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry. In addition to providing talk therapy, psychiatrists can prescribe medicines and give psychological tests when needed.

Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist (PhD, PsyD, EdD): Psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology and are licensed in the state in which they practice. Psychologists cannot prescribe medicines, but they can give psychological tests and evaluations. They also provide talk therapy. Clinical psychology is a specialty within psychology that focuses on treating psychological, mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.

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[bluemax]

I used https://psychiatrists.psychologytoday.com/rms/ to find my last therapist. I think it lets you search by type of therapist, insurance types, location etc.

[Rahxephon91]

Shut up, dork /\

The best place to contact is a local large hospital chain and self admit man. My cousin went through this.

I did this once and I don't think it was a very positive experince. I was just a vaguely ethnic middle class guy with problems and they put me in a mental ward where no one when actually talk to me on an equal level. The environment felt more like a prison then anything. Easily one of the worst experiences of my life.

I'm looking for an expert who honestly talk to me and listen and yes I guess straight up tell me whats wrong with me and go from there.

[Human Snorenado]

First of all, this is a positive step and good on you for taking it. There's nothing wrong with having therapy, or even taking anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds, etc, despite society's stigmas towards them.

You should probably not think of it in terms of "right and wrong" but "healthy and unhealthy." Right now you're not feeling healthy, and therapy sessions can help you get healthier, as can the right amount of meds prescribed by a professional.

I would recommend using the link bluemax posted above. Good luck.

[Momo]

I dont know how your systems in the US work, but I want to say good luck and I hope for the best for you.

[Cerveza mas fina]

It takes courage to take this step, you can feel pride in that. Good luck Rax.

[thisismyusername]

Make sure whoever's administering therapy practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It's more effective than meds alone, and if you decide to take medication you're better off combining the two.

Only if you take to it. I'm doing rapport therapy since CBT just has me scoff and roll my eyes.

Also do ask if they can see you for cheaper/free. Some places may have a rotating (due to gradation/leaving) graduate students that need the hours so they'll do it "pro bono." Otherwise you'll need to make sure you can pay the bills.

[Steve Contra]

Find someone who specializes in whatever you have or think you have, and someone who does talk+meds.  It might take some stumbling around at first.  Also seriously consider who you are really comfortable talking to.  Man, woman, gay straight etc.  It might seem like you're willing to talk to anyone but when you actually do it you realize that it's not easy to share certain things with certain people.  Good luck, be 100% honest with whomever you're talking to and don't be afraid to admit that you found the wrong person and move on if it's not working.

[zomgee]

Make sure whoever's administering therapy practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It's more effective than meds alone, and if you decide to take medication you're better off combining the two.

Only if you take to it. I'm doing rapport therapy since CBT just has me scoff and roll my eyes.

It's funny you say that about CBT. I've always felt like CBT forces you to pretend you're not in therapy, or like you're forcing ignorance to your own methodology. It's like I realize I'm trying to overcome something by helping myself and just... stop.

[Purrp Skirrp]

Make sure whoever's administering therapy practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It's more effective than meds alone, and if you decide to take medication you're better off combining the two.

Only if you take to it. I'm doing rapport therapy since CBT just has me scoff and roll my eyes.

It's funny you say that about CBT. I've always felt like CBT forces you to pretend you're not in therapy, or like you're forcing ignorance to your own methodology. It's like I realize I'm trying to overcome something by helping myself and just... stop.

I recommend it because it has the most evidence to support it, obv it'll vary person to person whether it's a good fit for them

What's helped me most with depression/anxiety is a ketogenic diet (exercise is good too), probably because it reduces inflammation and a lot of psychiatric illnesses are now known to be rooted in that.

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

I agree with a low carbohydrate diet.  I feel like total shit now if I eat enough carbohydrates and if I eat enough, I feel pretty depressed and nihilistic.  Hell, I feel better if I intermittently fast than eat a lot of simple carbohydrates.

Obviously each person is different but diet and exercise does make a difference.

[Atramental]

Ditto with the low carbing.

Some people will poo-poo on it (I sometimes wonder what these people look like physically) but I myself notice a world of difference with my outlook on life when I don't eat hardly any carbs or sugary foods for a whole week. Also, I've been trying cut way back down on drinking alcohol as well as energy drinks.

Plus I'm no longer at 225 lbs, like I was during the beginning of this year, but back down to 195 lbs. Soon to be 185 to 175 lbs (my "normal" range) if I keep this up.

[CatsCatsCats]

This thread needs an update from Rahx

[thisismyusername]

Make sure whoever's administering therapy practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It's more effective than meds alone, and if you decide to take medication you're better off combining the two.

Only if you take to it. I'm doing rapport therapy since CBT just has me scoff and roll my eyes.

It's funny you say that about CBT. I've always felt like CBT forces you to pretend you're not in therapy, or like you're forcing ignorance to your own methodology. It's like I realize I'm trying to overcome something by helping myself and just... stop.

CBT in my experience has been:

"I want you to do this and then challenge those thoughts." Which doesn't work on me since my thoughts are more "yeah, I think that *because* it's true. Not because it *isn't*." So the challenging fails.