Help for nurses with mental illnesses

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I am a correctional nurse (LVN) who has been diagnosed with Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality. My last stay in a mental hospital was in June. I feel that my medication is not helping me, though I take it exactly as I should. I was in a hypomanic state after I was released from the hospital, but now I've sunk back down into severe depression, thoughts of worthlessness, and yes, self-harm. My insurance does not cover mental health care and My inpatient bills are outlandish. I do not know where to turn. This is affecting my ability to do my job effectively, and it may be affecting my life as well...

Suffering in Texas...Emily

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Also keep in mind that therapy can be life changing especially for personality disorders. If you can secure a therapist who does DBT that would be ideal if not there are books and workbooks you can do while attending any type of therapy. Good luck.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to Nurses with Disabilities

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I thought Obamacare fixed the disparity between medical care and mental health services. I can see an insurance company limiting visits to psychiatrists and therapists, but how does yours get away with failing to cover them at all?

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I thought Obamacare fixed the disparity between medical care and mental health services. I can see an insurance company limiting visits to psychiatrists and therapists, but how does yours get away with failing to cover them at all?

Self-funded plans are exempted from mental health parity laws

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

(I honestly believe that's why my former employer chose self funded plans then leaped at the loophole in ACA to cheap out and only offer bare bones "minimum essential coverage")

Specializes in Long Term Care and Dementia / Alzheimers.

I hate to say this, but if you are feeling that terrible, you might want to consider taking a leave of absence, cutting back your work hours, or quitting your job altogether. I know this is not always feasible, but may enable you to gain benefits through Medicaid/ Obamacare temprorarily, which would allow you to see the healthcare providers you need to and sort out which meds might work for you. As long as you stay on good terms with your current employer, they may give you your position back. I've seen in happen before. Otherwise, you may run the risk of your condition deteriorating or getting "in trouble" at your current job if you're in a condition where you're not able to provide quality patient care. I know everyone says this, but really, its true that you have to take care of yourself in order to provide good care for your patients! I hope it all works out for you!

Specializes in Psychiatric.

Go to a psychiatrist or psych np. I know you said insurance doesn't cover it, but you simply must stay well to keep your job. Like others have said, some therapists and psych docs have sliding scales.

I'd also consider the stressors of your job. Do you think that environment or stress level affects your mental health? If so, switching jobs may help, especially if the new employer offers better insurance that covers psych Tx.

I thought Obamacare fixed the disparity between medical care and mental health services. I can see an insurance company limiting visits to psychiatrists and therapists, but how does yours get away with failing to cover them at all?

Texas has some of the highest percentage of uninsured persons, they are one of the holdout states not fully implementing the ACA per Medicaid expansion.

I only see my psychiatrist once to get meds, then a few weeks later to see how the meds are working...then once every 6 months...I'd pay out of pocket if I had to to see him. I hope you find a great mental health center that operates on a sliding scale and has an NP and RN working along with the MD. Sometimes they can tweak things and be go-betweens so you don't have to come in and see the MD for every single thing.

I'm like that tea bag that only works in hot water when it comes to my mental health...I wait till I'm suffering to go see a doc, thinking I can work it out myself. But when the meds work, I'm always so glad...!

If you spring for a doc and see him a few times to get your meds right, then it won't be a constant expense, just a sometimes one. Glad you have prescription coverage!

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