If I think I have depression, who should I contact first? General physician or psychiatrist?

Question

In case, I need therapy, who will confirm that I need therapy? is therapy generally covered by insurance plans like any other physical disease?

Answer 1

first see a theraphist.
he/she will tell you if u need medicine or not.
then if u need it, she will tell which psychiastrist u see.

Answer 2

Yes, the GP can confirm that you need therapy and he can get you started on anti-depressants before you start it so you may be able to see more clearly when talking with the therapist. No, therapy is not covered like any other physical disease. It's only covers about 30 visits a year, which isn't weekly visits. Short sighted considering that many physical problems are caused by mental illness. Nonetheless, you could work something out with the therapist. Your GP could also give you the names of some good therapist in the area.

Answer 3

See a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist will spend an hour with you and charge you about $200. A general practitioner or internist will see you for 10 minutes and charge you about $70. The psychiatrist is an expert on medications and depression since he did a residency in a psychiatric hospital for about 3 years. He also has extensive experience with his patient base. A gp or internist has much less experience with depressive patients since he only sees them for ten minutes and they may not return for six months. Either the psychiatrist or any M.D. can confirm that you need therapy, but it is your decision. Most insurance plans offer limited payment for therapy. Usually about 20 visits. If you are depressed, join a depression support group.

Answer 4

It's vitally important to go to your general physician first. There are many physical ailments that have symptoms including depression. A responsible psychiatric practitioner will refer you to your GP to rule these out anyway.

Either kind of doc can suggest you would benefit from therapy, but ultimately it is your choice...some people benefit from it, some don't.

Therapy can be covered by your insurance plan. You'll have to read the terms of your specific plan to see. I know of some plans that have high co-pays with few annual visits, and some that have unlimited benefits. It depends on what coverage your employer has purchased for you.

Answer 5

See your general physician first. He can check to make sure it is not a physical condition that is causing the depression and he can also steer you in the right direction for therapy or medication depending on the diagnosis and severity of the depression. Usually there is a mental health section in the summary of your health plan as they are covered in a different way than medical problems. Best blessings.

Answer 6

contact a psychiatrist. I thought my husband had depression, our doctor didn't think so. We went to a psychiatrist and found out my husband is bi polar. He was able to get on the right medications. As for insurance covering therapy, I'm not sure.

Answer 7

Your family physician first, just don't let him or her prescibe you anything, believe me, only let the psychiatrist prescibe them type of meds, it is their specialty, and not the family physician. Only use him for a recommendation for psychiatrist. Once I let a regular doc prescibe me something and it threw me into a much more severe situation, I had a really bad breakdown, caused by the meds that the regular doc gave me. Good Luck...One advice before I Go....Learn to say NOOOO....and your life will be better...

Answer 8

General physician first most insurances want referrals. Your doctor should be able to tell you whats covered

Answer 9

Be careful with going to your GP. they don't know what the treatments are for depression and may cause more harm than good. If you start with him and he agrees you are depressed do not take any medications until you consult a psychiatric m.d.

Answer 10

Yes, by all means go to a GP first to rule out any possible physical problems that may be causing it.

Answer 11

A GP since you have depression I really don't think that a psych would be much use for you. I could be wrong but psychs are for dealing with issues but you already know what's wrong.