Help for a Person without Insurance

[Dylan]

Hello,


I suffer from severe social anxiety, and I have been using medications to help deal with the symptoms. I found out today that I will be losing my insurance, and thus lose the ability to get my medication. With the looming threat of a panic filled world again, I was hoping someone may have experience with an issue like mine. I work in a retail position so I am fairly dependent on being able to talk to people, so any coping advice you could give would be great.

 

[Alex]

There are several ways you can still get help. I assume you are in the US? Can you get insurance anywhere else? Have yo contacted any mental health charities for advice as they may know of some insurance companies that are more sympathetic to this?


I would also advise some therapy or counseling as taking medication doesn't solve the issue, but helps you tick on during the day. There are places that offer therapy so you should look for them, as they do it free or subsidized. It depends on your area and what there is available. I helped a friend look in Connecticut, so it's very regional and I'm afraid it can be limited by your zip code if you are in the US.

 

[hades_leae]

Well this is a time when you can try and manage without the insurance coverage. I believe that you can do good, but you have to be mentally strong and come up with ideas to help you in those moments when you get anxiety.


I don't think that many people out there who have anxiety should always rely on 3rd party stuff. You should work and work to keep yourself in a state where you are in control. I started doing this many years ago, and I don't have social anxiety as much as I used to. I didn't want to rely on medication so I came up with natural things I could do.

 

[PurplePanda999]

There are programs that help the uninsured and the under-insured. Some drug companies offer their medications at a reduced cost for some individuals. Talk to your doctors.


As far as non-drug solutions, yoga (or any exercise for that matter) and meditation may be helpful.


There are herbs that may be helpful as well. I've been experimenting with Kava Kava. Not the stuff found in health food stores, but the root grown in the South Pacific. Kava is not cheap and tastes pretty nasty, but it gives me a feeling of well being.


Take care and remember to breathe.

 

[Amber B.]

There are mental health resources for people without insurance. Consult with Google about local mental health facilities or programs. A lot of offices now have sliding fee scale arrangements too, to alleviate the out of pocket cost. I hope you find something in your area, as I'm currently without insurance as well. It's hard to get help unless you have money or good insurance.

 

[brdwlk]

There are resources you can search for online, but this may be the universe telling you that you are strong enough to live without the drugs! I would view this as an opportunity as opposed to a problem.

 

[kgord]

i am not sure where you are located, but many communities in the US have low cost clinics that can help you with Doctor's appointments. You could see if you might be eligible for the Affordable Care Act. You might also be able to get some assistance with the drug manufacturers to get some of your medication at low cost. Mail order prescriptions are another way to save money. It is just another way to get affordable meds.