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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Action on February 8, 2004, at 7:42:52
Hi,
I do not have very much money and no health insurance. The psychiatrists I have called all want $250-$350 for a first visit and then $90-$120 for bi-weekly follow up visits. Then there is the cost of the medication. When I had medical coverage I only had a co-pay. I have been diagnosed with Social Phobia and tried numerous drugs to no avail.Now I would like to try Klonopin to help me get through job interviews but I do not have the money to pay these outrageous Psychiatric rates.
Does anyone have any ideas how to recieve simple psychiatric care cheaply? Is there some online Psychiatrist who may be less expensive. Does any one know a good Psychiatrist in the Washington DC area? Even if he or she does charge the usual rate?
Thanks,
Max
Posted by leo33 on February 8, 2004, at 12:09:12
In reply to Inexpensive Psychiatric Help?, posted by Action on February 8, 2004, at 7:42:52
In my experience there is no such thing as inexpensive psychiatric treatment. The thing that sucks here is that mental illnesses usually cause many financial problems but to try and fix them it costs a lot of money and hence usually inadequate treatments are applied. I am in the same boat as you, no money, good luck trying to do anything without money, it is our god here in america.
Posted by Ilene on February 8, 2004, at 20:30:32
In reply to Inexpensive Psychiatric Help?, posted by Action on February 8, 2004, at 7:42:52
I think George Washington University has a low-cost psych clinic, but I am not sure. There are several medical schools in the area. That's the first place I'd go, then I'd see whether the District or your county has a clinic.
Ilene
Posted by Bill LL on February 9, 2004, at 8:46:27
In reply to Inexpensive Psychiatric Help?, posted by Action on February 8, 2004, at 7:42:52
ACtion, I also live in the DC area. Psychiatrists are the only specialty in the area that do not accept Blue Cross / Blue Shield. There might be 1 or 2 pdocs who accept it, but I have never found one. They can therefore charge whatever they want. It's simply supply/demand economics. In contrast, all other specialties do accept insurance such as Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. Therefore an internist would generally cost $15 and the insurance company pays the rest. Even if you don't have health insurance, an internist wil be much less costly.
I have a really good solution to your problem, go to an internist instead of a pdoc. In my experience, internists are not only just as knowledgable about psychiatric drugs as pdocs, but they are generaly even more knowledgable. That's because the average internist treats more depressed patients each year than the average pdoc. Depression is one of the top conditions treated by internists. Pdocs are better at psychotherapy.
Remember that psychiatric drugs interact with non-psychiatric drugs and other medical conditions. An internist can therefore provide a more coordinated, or holistic treatment. Since they see more patients than pdocs, they also usually know more about the real side effects of antidepressants. I went to a pdoc 2 years a go who never heard that Paxil can cause weight gain. But he may have only had 1 or 2 patients on Paxil.
Posted by jlo820 on February 9, 2004, at 9:53:53
In reply to Inexpensive Psychiatric Help?, posted by Action on February 8, 2004, at 7:42:52
>> Now I would like to try Klonopin to help me get through job interviews but I do not have the money to pay these outrageous Psychiatric rates.
...This is not really a good reason to take a benzodiazepine."Everybody experiences anxiety from time to time—perhaps when giving a speech, facing a job interview, or driving along a slippery road. In cases such as these, anxiety is a useful emotion that helps us focus our attention and energy to avert any potential mishap or disaster.
"Some individuals, however, experience higher than normal anxieties and fear—persistent and overwhelming feelings that can greatly impact day-to-day living. These people suffer from anxiety disorders—a group of psychiatric disorders that can be terrifying and crippling."
Posted by action on February 10, 2004, at 2:21:40
In reply to Re: Inexpensive Psychiatric Help? » Action, posted by jlo820 on February 9, 2004, at 9:53:53
Hi jlo820,
I believe you may have overlooked an important part of my post.
"I have been diagnosed with Social Phobia and tried numerous drugs to no avail."Definition of Social Phobia:
"Social Phobia ( Social Anxiety Disorder ) is a persistent fear, without apparent justification of social or performance situations. A person may feel that their behavior well be scrutinized by others, leading to embarrassment and a anxiety response in the form of a situationally bound or a situationally predisposed Panic Attack."Some symptoms of my Social Phobia are twitching, uncontrollable shaking, heart pounding, mind racing, and a strong urge to get out of the situation. Due to my Social Phobia I am limited in what jobs I can do - night watch, where I do not have to deal with people. If I can make it through the initial interviews I have a chance of getting and keeping the job, I hope.
Xanax has helped me before for short term help but makes me very sleepy and dumb. So I would like to try Klonopin.
Sincerely
Action
> >> Now I would like to try Klonopin to help me get through job interviews but I do not have the money to pay these outrageous Psychiatric rates.
>
>
> ...This is not really a good reason to take a benzodiazepine.
>
> "Everybody experiences anxiety from time to time—perhaps when giving a speech, facing a job interview, or driving along a slippery road. In cases such as these, anxiety is a useful emotion that helps us focus our attention and energy to avert any potential mishap or disaster.
>
> "Some individuals, however, experience higher than normal anxieties and fear—persistent and overwhelming feelings that can greatly impact day-to-day living. These people suffer from anxiety disorders—a group of psychiatric disorders that can be terrifying and crippling."
>
Posted by action on February 10, 2004, at 2:26:59
In reply to Re: Inexpensive Psychiatric Help? YES, posted by Bill LL on February 9, 2004, at 8:46:27
Hi Bill,
I really appreciate your informative helpful response. Since we both live in the DC area do you have an internist who may be able to help me out? Maybe you could e-mail the info to me at gdday2u@hotmail.com.
Thanks
> ACtion, I also live in the DC area. Psychiatrists are the only specialty in the area that do not accept Blue Cross / Blue Shield. There might be 1 or 2 pdocs who accept it, but I have never found one. They can therefore charge whatever they want. It's simply supply/demand economics. In contrast, all other specialties do accept insurance such as Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. Therefore an internist would generally cost $15 and the insurance company pays the rest. Even if you don't have health insurance, an internist wil be much less costly.
>
> I have a really good solution to your problem, go to an internist instead of a pdoc. In my experience, internists are not only just as knowledgable about psychiatric drugs as pdocs, but they are generaly even more knowledgable. That's because the average internist treats more depressed patients each year than the average pdoc. Depression is one of the top conditions treated by internists. Pdocs are better at psychotherapy.
>
> Remember that psychiatric drugs interact with non-psychiatric drugs and other medical conditions. An internist can therefore provide a more coordinated, or holistic treatment. Since they see more patients than pdocs, they also usually know more about the real side effects of antidepressants. I went to a pdoc 2 years a go who never heard that Paxil can cause weight gain. But he may have only had 1 or 2 patients on Paxil.
Posted by jlo820 on February 10, 2004, at 3:52:13
In reply to Re: Inexpensive Psychiatric Help?, posted by action on February 10, 2004, at 2:21:40
> I believe you may have overlooked an important part of my post.
> "I have been diagnosed with Social Phobia and tried numerous drugs to no avail."No, I noticed it. We all, presuably, know what social phobia is, but thanks for the refresher. My point was that if you are going to see a doc, "I need it for a job interview" is probably not going to get you what you want/need.
Good luck!
Posted by Simcha on February 11, 2004, at 1:02:07
In reply to Re: Inexpensive Psychiatric Help?, posted by action on February 10, 2004, at 2:21:40
Action,
I'm sorry you got such an insensitive response.
Bendzodiazapines are the first line of treatment for anxiety disorders.
Klonopin is great. I've been on it. It lasts all day.
Good luck in finding the best help for the least money.
> Hi jlo820,
>
> I believe you may have overlooked an important part of my post.
> "I have been diagnosed with Social Phobia and tried numerous drugs to no avail."
>
> Definition of Social Phobia:
> "Social Phobia ( Social Anxiety Disorder ) is a persistent fear, without apparent justification of social or performance situations. A person may feel that their behavior well be scrutinized by others, leading to embarrassment and a anxiety response in the form of a situationally bound or a situationally predisposed Panic Attack."
>
> Some symptoms of my Social Phobia are twitching, uncontrollable shaking, heart pounding, mind racing, and a strong urge to get out of the situation. Due to my Social Phobia I am limited in what jobs I can do - night watch, where I do not have to deal with people. If I can make it through the initial interviews I have a chance of getting and keeping the job, I hope.
>
> Xanax has helped me before for short term help but makes me very sleepy and dumb. So I would like to try Klonopin.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Action
>
> > >> Now I would like to try Klonopin to help me get through job interviews but I do not have the money to pay these outrageous Psychiatric rates.
> >
> >
> > ...This is not really a good reason to take a benzodiazepine.
> >
> > "Everybody experiences anxiety from time to time—perhaps when giving a speech, facing a job interview, or driving along a slippery road. In cases such as these, anxiety is a useful emotion that helps us focus our attention and energy to avert any potential mishap or disaster.
> >
> > "Some individuals, however, experience higher than normal anxieties and fear—persistent and overwhelming feelings that can greatly impact day-to-day living. These people suffer from anxiety disorders—a group of psychiatric disorders that can be terrifying and crippling."
> >
>
>
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 11, 2004, at 8:11:32
In reply to Re: Inexpensive Psychiatric Help? » action, posted by Simcha on February 11, 2004, at 1:02:07
> such an insensitive response.
It's great to support Action, but please don't, while you're doing that, post anything that could lead someone else to feel accused or put down.
If you have any questions about this or comments about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways to express yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
or redirect a follow-up to Psycho-Babble Administration. Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Simcha on February 13, 2004, at 1:00:59
In reply to Re: please be civil » Simcha, posted by Dr. Bob on February 11, 2004, at 8:11:32
Posted by katia on March 7, 2004, at 3:30:10
In reply to Re: Inexpensive Psychiatric Help? » action, posted by Simcha on February 11, 2004, at 1:02:07
Simcha honey,
Are you still at JFK? now that they have moved?
kAtia
This is the end of the thread.
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