Many people overlook the role of their family doctor in mental health care. For people who are uninsured or underinsured, the family doctor can often be the first point of contact, because mental health care is not within their financial reach.
Evaluation
It is not uncommon for you to occasionally be evaluated for your mental health during triage. The medical assistant might want you to fill-out a questionnaire or they might ask you questions about mental health. It is important to be honest about how you are feeling, otherwise, it is impossible for anyone to know there is a problem. If you answer honestly, the medical assistant might raise these concerns with your doctor, but not always. Even if your answers to the screening questions are consistent with someone who has depression or another mental health condition, it doesn't mean this information is relayed to your doctor. Take the initiative and speak with your doctor about your mental health. There may be additional screening they want you to do, like take a depression inventory.
Starting Medications
In some cases, it can take weeks or months to find resources for mental health, especially for people who cannot afford these services. One of the benefits of working with your doctor is you an often start trying medications for your condition while you wait for other resources to become available. Many family doctors will start their patients on selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) if they are struggling with depression or anxiety disorders. SSRIs are the safest medications to start and generally have a low side effect profile. For people without insurance, there are many SSRIs on the generic list at major retailers, making them a few dollars for a month supply. The generic list also contains other medications, such as mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, which your doctor may want you to try if they believe you have more complex issues, such as bipolar disorder.
Assistance Programs
If you are already facing difficulties accessing mental health care, it is unlikely that you can afford the out-of-pocket costs associated with trying certain medications. When you have tried some medications on the generic list, but they are ineffective or you need medications for conditions like bipolar disorder, but your doctor wants to reduce the risk of side effects, they can help you find resources. Many pharmaceutical companies have patient assistance programs that help the uninsured and underinsured afford more expensive medications that are not in generic. In some cases, there may be state or local resources that can help.
When you have mental health concerns, it is important to speak with your family doctor to find resources for treatment. Fortunately, many family doctors are comfortable addressing your concerns and starting you on treatment or helping you find the necessary resources.
Contact a group like Choice Medical Group to learn more.
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