Where do I go? Who do I call?

[sweetfeet]

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[QueeTheBean]

Maybe start with your insurance company. They could give you the information you need to get going. For instance, my ins. company gave me a list of names and then I had to call one, get an appointment, and then call the ins. company back for authorization. Sheesh--all this red tape is jsut what a depressed person needs, right? But at least I knew it'd be covered.

Actually, I first started with my gp, but regret it, 'cause she just gave me a prescription without really asking a whole lot, so I am afraid to get it filled now--what if I'm not depressed?? What if it is something else? KWIM? I think it'd be better just to a psych or therapist. They'll probably suggest you get a physical and/or blood tests anyway, but ya gotta start somewhere!

Good luck--let us know what you do.

[sweetfeet]

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[QueeTheBean]

I think what happened with me in the past is that I started out with a therapist & after a while, we realized I should look into meds, so she reffred me to a psychiatrist for that. I only went for an initial evaluation & then periodic followups to be sure that the meds were working, side-effects report, etc. I continuted to see my regular therapist for weekly sessions. Does that make sense?

It is hard to decide who to go to--look up names in the phone book? Ask friends? I knew I wanted a woman, so that helped narrow it down. I ended up really liking her a lot, but maybe I was just lucky (I picked her out of the phone book--"Amy Alfred"--she was like the first name!!). Don't really know how to go about choosing someone in a more rational way!

Donna

[mama2girls]

I would definitely recommend going to a psychiatrist. I spent a year and a half on Paxil, rxed by my fam doc and it was ok, but now I've been on Zoloft for a couple of months and it's great!! I finally saw a psych and he has so much more info. As for referrals, can you ask your gen prac for a referral? Talk to a lactation consultant at your hospital and see who they recommend? Good luck, you're not alone out there.

[ekblad9]

I went to my family practitioner. It did absolute wonders for me. I scored a 75 on the test originally. Hang in there and keep us posted.

[sweetfeet]

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[Jish]

I would go to a psychiatrist. My internist wrote me off as a hypochondriac while all the time I was having extreme anxiety and panic attacks that landed me in the hospital for six days. My psychiatrist (who also happens to be AM Mom's pdoc also) is well informed on which are the best meds to take while breastfeeding, pregnant, etc. He is wonderful about letting me take the lead in how I think the meds are working, but will step in if he thinks I'm off track, which is good, cause we all tend to want to come off as strong and not admit that we need help just to make it through the day. Print out the copy of the PPD eval that you took on the site in the sticky and let him/her take a look at it.

If you are looking for a good psychiatrist, talk to a lactation consultant at your hospital, or with someone at LLL, they might know women who have suffered from PPD and know of a good pdoc with experience working with ppd.

Most importantly (and I've said this many times, but it bears repeating) remember, PPD (and clinical depression) is a chemical imbalance in your brain, not a charactor flaw.

[Jish]

How are you doing, Meghan???