Where to Turn when Mental Illness Strikes

Mental illness can strike almost anyone, anywhere. The term is used to describe almost any form of illness that causes a disruption of a person's behavior. Sometimes some sort of physical or chemical cause brings on this change. Other times it's due to something situational such as stress at work or a traumatic event. Depending on the illness and the source, sometimes there are clues leading up to its manifestation, while other times they seam to appear out of thin air. No matter what the course or cause, it's important to know where to turn to for help.

Whatever course of action you take, you should always talk to your primary physician about your condition. In fact, turning to your family doctor can be a great first step in getting help. Keep in mind; if the illness is severe he or she probably won't be treating you. Some family physicians have become comfortable with prescribing anti-depressants but if you are dealing with something more serious, make sure your doctor refers you to a specialist. Even if you choose one of the other starting points listed in this article, you still want to keep your doctor in the loop. This will ensure greater care in all facets of your treatment.

Your health insurance provider is also a great place to start. If the situation is not urgent, then take the time and get out all of the paperwork your insurance provider sent you when you enrolled. It probably includes information regarding mental health referrals. Many times insurance companies require a pre-authorization for this type of treatment. Because of this fact, you may have to spend some time on the phone. The good news is, they often have a list of providers in their network and can make a referral to someone who is conveniently located. Keep in mind that there are probably limits on the number of sessions you can use under the plan. What you feel is an appropriate amount of treatment and what the insurance company authorizes may be two different things.