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Archived Messages>
---thanks to Penny Brown
A question about insurance for depression [1-26-05]
10 Mar 2005
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Why, do you think, is the U.S. almost alone among industrial nations in not treating depression and other psychological/psychiatric problems like any other disability? I.E., what about our cultural beliefs influences us to not demand coverage of treatment for depression? |
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A related question--What in our cultural beliefs, embedded deep in our psyches, causes many of us to feel ashamed or like we or less than we should be if we take medication for depression? What in these instilled attitudes causes many to resist taking meds long beyond the point where they should have been getting some relief?
Ron | |
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Ron,
People refuse to admit their depression by avoiding any kind s of pills, because they either think they really dont need it or can deal with whtever its bothering them. They also have an erroneous thoughts that depression is equal or leads to insanity. Culture makes people think that insanity is a behavioral problem that is caused by wrong upbringing, wrong influences, wrong thoughts, and no-one likes to be called loco (crazy) I was told that God was punishing me, that I was cursed and I believed it. I had repented for any/all my sins and this is one of the reasons why I isolated from the rest of the world.
depression is a brain malfuction, disfunction or lack of brain chemical and it should be treated as such, the brain is one of the main wonders of life. I believe that anybody with depression is more crazy if they don't treated. I add to that : goodbye taboo
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Ron
I felt slightly depressed before I was dianosed ,and I couldn't figure out why.I certainly had no reason to be depressed.As you know however this is not uncommon.I myself waited a long time before asking for help.Silly how we let our pride get in the way of helping ourselves.I was angry at myself for not being able to cope ,thus adding more unneeded stress. I also had a neurologist who sent me back to my family doctor as if this wasn't part of my pd.I'm sorely tempted to sent him a copy of that article you posted on depression and pd.
Thank you for printing that article, although i have read lots of stats about depression and pd it was interesting to read the scientific explanation for it .
I wonder how many of us are still in denial about depression because of misconceptions and fear.
Hopefully this little discussion will confince anyone who is suffering to get the help they need and deserve
Mary Alice. | |
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Ron,
Im not sure about other states, but mental health benefits are mandated here in Hawaii. Mental health in and outpatient as well as detox and substance abuse treatment are standard benefits. We found though, that a large percentage of anti-depressant meds are prescribed by Primary Care physicians as opposed to psychiatrists, who are the experts on medication management for behavioral health conditions. This sometimes forces patient to try one or two standard anti-D until they find one. Frustration on changing drugs, sometime, causes a patiens to give, Here, we have a shortage of psychiatrist accepting new patients. Some of the questions and comments we get suggest that patients fear that the contents of their charts or simply that they are seeing a mental health professional, could get back to their employer somehow, jeopardizing their job or their image. We remind them of the HIPAA Privacy law and the providers confidentiality obligations. Also, employers receive overall utilization data only, in comparison to the previous year, to determine a rate increase or decrease. No other information is released. | |
Ron Crawford
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