Mental Health Experiences with kaiser?

[HRPoppy]

I am an 18 year old girl who just had to withdraw from her first semester at college due to severe anxiety and depression (leading to suicidal thoughts).
I have always had very severe anxiety and honestly had a horrible time with kaisers child psychiatry. They never even had me see an actual psychologist, just a bunch of social workers and then this pathetic excuse for a group.
I called kaiser the day I got home and they're having me wait a week and a half for an appointment.
I am totally nonfunctional at this point. I'm either feeling so depressed I lie on the couch and cry for hours or so anxious I'm on the edge of a panic attack constantly. I actually had a panic attack over what to text someone. I end up bouncing off the walls, because If I stop moving I freak out.
I've been talking a very low dose of oxycodone and drinking just to make it through the days (which I never do).
The best I get is apathy. I am totally emotionless right now but I can feel the anxiety bubbling up again and I just need help.
How quickly will kaiser get me treatment? Should I tell them I've been through about four different kinds of talk therapy and none of it has helped at all?
Will they give me medication right away? Cause I really need not to feel like this. Right now I just want to die and I can't jump through kaisers hoops again.

 

[paranoid android]

What is Kaiser? Besides the German word for Emperor that is . As for getting actual treatment they may give you a few benzos to begin with but i wouldn't expect much. For that bad anxiety that's about all that's going to work. As for your depression a anti-depressant may help and some such as certain Tricyclics help anxiety as well. If you are having suicidal thoughts seek treatment asap as that is a medical emergency.

Keep in mind i am no doctor and can't give you medical advise. I am just drawing on y own experiences here and i have Bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety, Panic disorder and some social phobia. Though the anxiety is pretty much completely under control now and has been for years.

 

[szuko000]

It appears to be a form of health coverage. What she is saying is "I am young and dont think i have the resources to manage this due to the health care i have an lack of experience."

What you are experiencing is most likely deeper then just needing medication you will most likely need someone to talk to. The reason is you feel things for a reason and that reason is not because you need medication, the medication may help you get into a spot to deal with your problems or level you out so you can manage better but they are not solutions and cure alls.

First off congrats on coming here and asking for help, its a big step and often times a hard one. You can use the message boards, the people in them, and the blog feature to try to understand what you are going through as emotional and mental problems usually create and are exacerbated by isolation so even if its just someone responding to you it will help as i am sure reading a message directed to you does

Its also important to know that these feelings pass. We all find ourselves in hopeless situations at times and believe me a lot of us here have seen hell and have come out the other end after going through things they never thought they could only to discover they had it in them all along. I fully believe we are all capable of happiness provided we find the right tools to help us. The world is full of problems and issues and you need to have a good amount of "thick skin" coupled with a proper amount of "emotional venting" at the right times.

Somethings you can try for now are meditating and exercise. The point of meditating is to actually get you head to stop talking to you which is way harder then it sounds. Sit there and focus on your breathing and try to keep the entirety of your focus on nothing but that so no wondering thoughts at all. No fleeting, my foot itches or anything otherwise you broke your meditation. Believe me it can be very relaxing once you get it and its more difficult then it sounds. And exercising gives you goals to meet and it pushes you which can make you feel good and also tired, as people in your situation also tend to have bad sleeping patterns, it just happens with depression and anxiety.

I know its not the response you were looking for per say, i dont have insurance so i cant comment on any type. But it might help if you give it a shot. Feel better

 

[P0kemama]

Welcome to Bluelight, HRPoppy! If you are talking about Kaiser Permanente managed care organization, I understand your frustration. I had Kaiser for my health insurance about 5 years ago, and I felt like cattle being herded through a series of holding pens. Your experience of meeting with social workers and attending group in the past was the model they used to treat mental health patients, along with medication, which was generally prescribed through the primary care physician.

There is some hope, though... when you are assigned your therapist, sometimes called a care coordinator or care manager, whether they are licensed as a social worker or a mental health professional, you may end up with someone very empathetic and knowledgeable... it is a matter of luck. Because Kaiser manages such a huge number of patients, groups are a big part of mental health treatment, because there are not enough therapists to see clients on a weekly basis. By attending group weekly, you get a chance to "check in", Kaiser manages their liability by having eyes on their patients during group, and again, depending on the situation, some groups are great! You can learn skills to manage your anxiety and depression, you have other people who feel the same way you do, so that you don't feel so alone.

I read where you already have experience with talk therapy, and you do not find it helpful. However, I believe you may have to meet with a therapist at least a couple of times, as part of their treatment model for mental health issues. For me, trying to have a positive attitude makes a big difference in these types of situations... I try to look for at least one good thing in all that is offered.

In the past, the primary care physician would prescribe any anti depressants or anti anxiety medications, based on his assessment of your symptoms, and the input or documentation from your individual and/or group therapist. Iirc, that means you may need to also make an appointment with your PCP so that you can discuss medication treatment, if you are wanting that. One important point to remember as a member of a managed care organization: You need to be your own advocate!! It is important to speak up, of course being respectful and appropriate, so that you can express your needs and wants.

And, give yourself a break: being 18, you are newly an adult in this world of complexity known as the US health care system. It can be frustrating and overwhelming at times, even for those of us with years of experience working with the system. It may help to write down questions beforehand, and then write down the answers during your appointments. And remember: if you are feeling like hurting yourself or others, tell a family member so that you can get to the ER for immediate care and treatment.

Otherwise, you might want to Google "DBT" or "Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills" for coping skills to help you manage your anxiety and depression until you start treatment. Good luck!!

 

[cj]

If your symptoms are severe enough that you are considering suicide and self medicating with oxy and alcohol then I would head to the ER and get admitted to the acute phych ward. That's the best way to get fast tracked onto medication and seeing a therapist. I know that's a scary step but as long as you go to a decent hospital it wont be a horrific experience. Its basically just adult daycare with therapy thrown in. At the very least please stop mixing opiates and alcohol so many people die fro m that combo.