Health Reform
New opportunities for the treatment of mental health
From Beth Goldman, MD, MPH, medical director of behavioral health at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
This is an exciting time for health care in the United States, especially in the area of mental health time. Because of the two laws, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as "Obamacare" and the Law of Mental Health (MPH) parity known, people with emotional and behavioral problems are more opportunities than ever before for treatment.
Coverage of mental health must be available on all plans ACA compliant health, because they are considered essential health benefits. In addition, deductibles, co-payments, annual limits or lifetime limits for mental health should be the same as that of the medical conditions. This is a big change for years, because most of them have much smaller and / or year limits the lives of mental health services, it has for the health plans.
First, you do not like that you impact. They are happy, "these" people can take the help they need, but you are normal. You do not need mental health services. Why is it important for you? The fact is that the vast majority of people, the treatment of mental health are like you and me - the "normal" people. Most are quite able to distinguish what is real and what is not real (ie, they are not psychotic) and most seem pretty normal for an outside observer.
But according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of about 26.2 percent of Americans over the age of 18 - about one in four adults - suffer from a mental disorder in a given year.
The two most common types of mental illnesses are disorders of mood and anxiety often go hand in hand.
Depression will be added from grief, loss of energy, sleep and appetite, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, irritability, guilt, difficulties, decisions, problems with memory and concentration, and sometimes thoughts in death or the desire to be able to take life.
The opposite of depression, often called "mania" can anxiety, insomnia, racing thoughts, too much money are, and do dangerous or risky option. Anxiety symptoms can have constant concern with the uneasy feeling on edge, fatigue, concentration problems, muscle tension and difficulties are falling / staying asleep or feeling tired even after a good night's sleep.
Other anxiety disorders include obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias and panic attacks. As you can see, most of the symptoms of anxiety disorders are similar to those of affective disorders. For this reason, if you think you have these symptoms - especially if for more than two weeks - it is important to get a proper diagnosis so that treatment can be effective. Sometimes even highly skilled profession have difficulties in determining the best treatment plan.
No need for a "mental disorder" to have received mental health treatment. Some people ask for help when they are "trapped" feeling in your life, especially if you find that seems to make the same mistakes, or start the same kinds of problems over and over again. Mental health professionals can also help if couples or families or not, when people realize that they have difficulties, or hold to have friends.
If you decide to go to a professional (MHP) to get an appointment mental health, you should go?
There are two main types of PSAM - may prescribe medicines, and those that can not. Doctors (obstetrician), some doctors and nurse physician assistants (PAs) are allowed to write prescriptions. Psychologists (PhD and Masters level), social workers, guidance counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists are not able to prescribe. However, in particular psychiatrist physicians who are able to write recipes and made many of them offer maintenance and therapy.
Some therapists can refer to a doctor if they feel medication is indicated, but there are some who are not in favor of drugs and it can not. Many people see a psychiatrist for medication and a therapist talk therapy.
If you see a non-doctor may want to ask if he or she thinks that medications can be helpful, and vice versa, if the medicine with your doctor or psychiatrist may ask whether maintenance therapy could be useful for You. You might want to spend some time on the phone with the MHP plan to see if you feel comfortable with him / her, and if you think he / she can meet your requirements. It is not uncommon for people after the One with whom they observed a "candidate" potential before finding feel comfortable.
No matter what you choose, it is important to know that getting help for mental illness is a journey that many have been. If you think that the journey will be long or short, it is worth the trip.
Beth Goldman, MD, MPH is the medical director of behavioral problems at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. More tips can be found bcbsm.com/101 health insurance or follow the hashtag # Covered101 in our social channels. If you have a specific question, please send your application online via our Action Center.
Credit: Only Ard
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