? re: mental health care/social anxiety

Hey guys, I am hoping someone can help me or give me advice...I have a sucky health insurance plan. I visited my regular doctor for a physical and during the exam, I was talking to her about social anxiety and depression. She prescribed a month's supply of Wellbutrin and suggested that I follow up with a therapist. I have severe social anxiety. I've had it for years. I even dropped out of school because I couldn't take it, being around so many people like that. I get nervous and heart starts pounding, feel like I am dying, etc...

Well, the medicine actually ended up working for me, but I ran out a about a week ago. My health plan doesn't cover a visit to a therapist. So here I am, out of med and I would like to get more but its not covered. I don't have the money to pay for doctor visit and the med out of pocket. Meanwhile, I'm going crazy or something because I stopped the medicine. I'm withdrawing and having trouble going to work and stuff because of it. I can't even pick up the phone to call anybody, but it doesn't matter becasue I don't know who to call! Does anybody have any suggestions of what I could do? Are there any type of free doctors through the government?? Like planned parenthood type of place for mental health? I'm not sure what to do. I've thought about going back to my regular doctor, but is there any point? Can she continue to prescribe it or do I have to see a therapist? I can't even bring myself to call her office. I don't want to look stupid asking a stupid questions.

 

If you have a job you can pay for the prescripions yourself. Of course it will be expensive but if you have the money its worth it.

 

Yeah, that's what I plan to do. Unfortunately, to get the prescription, I'm going to have to see a doctor. Visits to therapists aren't covered under my policy, and its gonna cost me an arm and a leg...unless anyone has suggestions?

Even if I do have to end up paying out of pocket for the visit, it's gonna take me a while to get the money together. In the meantime, I think I'm worse coming off the medicine than before I started taking it.

 

Do you guys have clinics or a county mental health there?

Wellbutrin withdrawls are horrible, I am so sorry!
Maybe just call the doctor, leave a note with her nurse that you cannot afford a visit or a perscription and are looking into low cost alternatives but ask if you can have some samples in the meantime. I was really sick and not working a lot last year and my doctor hooked me up with lots of samples.