Two questions - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

cubsfan76 · 04-07-2005, 11:30 AM

Two questions:

I got my handy insurance book listing the doctors that are in my plan and wonder if I should see a psychologist or psychiatrist? I wonder if I should go to someone and ask them for a referral (if needed) to someone who specializes in bipolar dx.

Does anyone else know what it's like to feel depressed/slow and have flighty thoughts at the same time? It's hard to describe- but sometimes, that is just how I feel. To others around me, it must appear that I'm just sluggish but on the inside, it's a different story.

Sometimes, it's just difficult enough to make it an issue of concern- though i'm positive it's not affecting my performance at work much. I like to think of it as me doing "okay to good" but know I could be doing so much better.

dragon25 · 04-07-2005, 01:58 PM

Hello,

It sounds to me like you may be having a mixed mood, where you have symptoms of depression and mania.

As for the doctor thing, a phsychiatrist is able to give you meds. A phsycologist is used only for talking. Do you already have a dr to prescribe you meds? If not I would go with the phsychiatrist.

Do you have an HMO or a PPO? With a HMO I believe you have to get a referral. I am not sure on this one though. The company I work for has a seperate program for mental health. I do not go through my regular insurance.

Good luck finding your doctor!!

maniasterisk · 04-07-2005, 05:35 PM

Dragon gave good advice.

If you're VERY lucky, you might even get to choose a Psychiatrist. If you're luckier still, you might find one that will listen, and even knows how to respond. If you're the luckiest son-of-a-gun in Chicago, then he or she will also have specialties in both BiPolar AND Psychopharmacology. AND if you're twice as lucky as the Power-Ball winners, then the Psychiatrist will also be versed AND appreciative of "mixed state" diagnoses (as Dragon indicated).

That's what I now have. Oh lucky me !!! I did have a great Pdoc, but he found a better job in St. Elsewhere... Se la vie...

~ M* ~

cubsfan76 · 04-07-2005, 07:20 PM

I do not have a doctor to prescribe me meds. The only medication I had ever been on was Welbutrin and that was for about a year d/t depression. I felt it worked but it was trying indeed at first. I thought the regular medicaion made me feel like I was in a dream, so I got panicky that I felt that way and, well, it just generally sucked. Then I took the 100 MG SR WB and that worked. Very low dose but I wasn't about to ask for more.

I believe I get to choose from a list of providers with my insurance. I think it's PPO and if I want to go out of network- then I pay a little more.

I called a doctor today and told the doc my story so she referred me to another doctor who she says she would recommend above all others.