Let’s Find You Some Arm Floaties
Finding a doctor to help
If you have a primary care physician (PCP), start there.
If you don’t have a primary care physician yet and you have insurance, start by looking up which doctors are available and accepting new patients near you.
If you don’t have a primary care physician and don’t have insurance, start by looking for public health options in your area. They can help you find free/cheap care, and may be able to help you find coverage through Medicaid or other insurance options.Once you’re established with your PCP, or going to go see them for the first time, you can ask them about getting help. Some ideas of what to say:
”I’ve been feeling depressed/anxious and I’d like to get some help.”
”I feel down and don’t feel like doing the things I normally like to do. I think I might be depressed.”
”I’ve been struggling with anxiety and it makes things hard sometimes.”
What happens when you visit the doctor?
Once you’ve visited the doctor and told them how you’re feeling, they will probably ask you some questions, and will probably ask you to fill out a little questionnaire. The questionnaire asks about how often you feel certain things. Just answer it honestly and openly. However you feel, you’re not going to shock your doctor. (They have seen it all!)
After you answer the questions, your doctor will review what you’ve written and can then suggest different options that they think might work for you. They may prescribe you a medicine at this visit, or they may want to refer you to a specialist. (Typically a psychiatrist; a doctor that specializes in medicines for and treatment of mental health.)
If your doctor prescribed something:
If this is your first time trying a medication for mental health and they prescribe you something, they will likely have you come back within a month. This is normal and allows them to check back in with you after you’ve had some time to take it. It typically takes 3-4 weeks for many mental health medicines to start working. This is because it probably has to build up to a therapeutic level in your body. It’s really important to keep taking it, even if you feel like it’s not doing anything.
If your doctor didn’t prescribe something:
Sometimes a doctor might not feel that they can provide the necessary care to help you manage your mental health. Sometimes they may feel that your case is on the mild side, and would suggest therapy first.
If they suggest seeing a specialist, go ahead and get that referral and see that new doctor. If they suggested therapy, ask them if they have a referral to a therapist for you. Some health care systems have therapists on staff, and can refer you directly.
(See Finding Swimming Lessons for more on finding therapy.)
Go to your follow up appointments
After you’ve taken the medicine for a few weeks, the doctor will likely have you come back in and ask you about how you’re feeling. They may have you take the questionnaire again. If it seems to be working, they will likely offer a refill, and may increase your dosage. If they feel it needs more time to work, they may ask you to keep on with your current dosage. It’s pretty common, especially when trying a new medicine, to only get 1-3 months of a refill, and then have to come back for another follow up.
What if it’s not working?
Your doctor will likely suggest taking the medicine for at least a few months before deciding if it is or isn’t working. After the medicine has had enough time to reach a steady level in your body, if it’s still not working, the doctor may suggest trying something new. That will probably involve tapering off your current medicine, and then starting the new one.
What if there’s side effects?
Sometimes the medicine works, but it also causes some side effect issues. Some of the most common ones are sexual side effects. Maybe your libido has dropped a lot. Maybe arousal doesn’t happen when sexy times come around.
Whatever the side effects, talk with your doctor. They won’t be shocked, surprised, or find it embarrassing to talk with you about it. They may make changes to dosages, and may also add or switch medicines for you.
What now?
It may take some time to find the right medicine or combo of medicines to help, but hopefully your doctor has been able to help you find what works.
If you’ve not done it yet, try therapy too. Combining therapy with medicine tends to have the highest success rate for most people. You can find out about finding a therapist on the Finding Swimming Lessons page.