Serious question.....Yeah, I know, that's rare.......?

Question

If I don't have any kind of health insurance (I'm a contractor for my company not an actual employee) and very little money how would I go about or who can I talk to about whether or not I have a serious problem with depression. I'm pretty sure I do. Do you think it would be a good idea to sign up for one of those free studies where they give some people the real medication and some a plecebo?

I'm not hearing voices or suicidal. I just tend to feel really depressed all the time and I do stupid stuff to try and make myself feel better.....usually spend money I don't have and I've gotten myself into quite a bit of financial trouble doing that. Then I feel worse and beat myself up about it, usually to the point of tears and sometimes to the point I make myself physically sick, then I buy more stuff, get into more money troubles and the cycle starts all over again.

Answer 1

I'd advise against turning yourself into a guinea pig. Maybe try to find a support group who can make recommendations in terms of finding a clinic that helps people who don't have insurance, these clinics charge on a scale according to your income.
I have a link to one network, for bipolar and depression. http://www.dbsalliance.org/

Answer 2

If you are fairly certain that you are having a serious problem with depression, then start researching on the Internet about the different tools you can use to prevent and recover from depression. Contrary to popular belief, not all serious depression needs to be medicated with a drug. There are proven methods available to people just like you and me who have no means to pay for treatment that really work. It has taken me 26 years with the help of God to learn these methods. But it doesn't have to take you that long, or anyone else for that matter. Here is a list of some of the things I have learned. I sincerely hope you try them because they worked for me. I can honestly say that, after 26 years of struggling with deep, dark, hopeless depression, I am only depressed on RARE occasions anymore.

1. Each day (forget about yesterday and tomorrow) set an extremely small goal for yourself, such as moving from the bed to the couch for the day. As time passes, those teeny tiny goals will get bigger.

2. Be good to yourself. Don't beat yourself up. Remember that the depression does come to an end and you will feel better. Allow yourself the luxury of time.

3. Let people help you. It might be embarrassing and humiliating for someone to come over and clean your house, but if you're in a serious depression you're incapable of cleaning your house. And a clean house would help you feel better. It always does. On the upside of the embarrassment and humiliation part, humility is a wonderful character trait--- it's a virtue. So, think of letting people help you as a way to learn humility. That way, the time spent coping with your depression isn't a complete loss. It's a character building experience. Having a purpose always helps a depressed person.

4. Another thing, and definitely not the least: You know the time you spend in silence feeling hopeless, the excruciating despair, the loss of the ability to simply change your attitude, the guilt due to the perceived pain you may be inflicting upon others due to your helplessness? Change your focus from all of that and PRAY!!! I'm so serious. Call upon God when you are in that kind of despair. I can honestly say that when I have done that, He has ALWAYS answered me. And He ALWAYS gave me a measure of peace.

Hoping the best for you!

Answer 3

No, at this point I would not sign up for a research program. Remember that in these places, you may or may not get medicine to help (though there is some merit to the placebo effect). First you need to find out more about your depression. Local community mental health centers, research hospitals and a variety of other providers offer free or low cost mental health treatment. Get your yellow pages out and start making calls to find places in your area.

Answer 4

for starters many states have free depression help and offer assistance through a crisis hotline. I would try a free study because you can get help for free in most major cities in the United States. But also consider that free studies are "trying" new medications that may have very harmful effects. Instead I would suggest calling a depression hotline and asking about free couseling or help. Many mental health departments offer free assistance to people who cannot afford healthcare. Try your local mental health clinic.

Answer 5

I like the "title" of your question. I agree that a serious question on here is rare. Thanks for asking one, but I'm sorry for the reason you had to ask it.

I agree with many of the others. Through some agency (probably county health department), you can find help that doesn't charge or charges on a sliding scale. If I was you, I'd stay away from a "free study"

By the way, I was self-employed for over twenty years. I recently got out of it and my mental health improved 200% after I got rid of that stress.

Answer 6

If you feel that you are sick, you need real treatment and most importantly diagnosis. Try a local clinic or contact your local hospital about medical care for noninsured individuals. Some have benefactors to help cover them as long as you qualify. some states also have a program that you pay a small amount into to get the coverage you need.

Answer 7

In most states there are any number of mental health clinics that can help you. By federal law most can not deny you help due to inability to pay. For example in California.....

Your Right to Emergency Medical Care


SUMMARY OF YOUR RIGHTS
You have the right to receive emergency care at any licensed facility with an emergency room.

You have the right to be treated until your emergency medical condition is stabilized when you go to a hospital emergency room.

You have the right be informed by the hospital of your right to receive emergency services, without regard to your ability to pay, prior to being transferred or discharged.

You have a right not to be transferred from an emergency care facility against your will.



You have important rights when you go to a hospital's emergency room, regardless of your insurance status. California law severely restricts and regulates the ability of all licensed health care facilities with emergency departments to transfer and discharge emergency patients.1 These laws expand upon the important protections in the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act ("EMTALA,").2 The federal protections under EMTALA and its regulations apply to all hospitals that participate in the Medicare program and apply to all patients that go to those hospitals, not just Medicare patients.

I hope this helps The "EMTALA" is followed by any and all clinics and hopspital that take medicare If they refuse you REPORT THEM

Answer 8

I think that you should call your local county department of health- there is usually a listing for mental health and usually you pay on a sliding scale based on your income, but its still much lower than a regular doctor. People tell me that you should try to exercise to get your endorphines going, and that helps with depression.

Answer 9

Its up to you. You dont have to pay any thing because it is a study so that maeans there is a higher possiblitity you will get some high sidefects. That is the way they get people into studies they use the free or pay them sulutions. Hey it could work but it might also make it worse.

Answer 10

Contact your county's department of social services. They will have a mental health office that you can go to. You pay based on your income. No, do not sign up for a clinical trial. There are MANY antidepessants out there that can help you.