meeting psychologist

[starshadow]

i tried to get a psycholist session.
However, Can anyone tell me is this covered by health insuance or it has to be paid by myself. and how much is the average price for one session.

Probably this is not a right place to ask, if i can't ask this kind of question here. please disregard my message.

[starshadow]

thank you so much for your suggestions.

Let's hope we can overcome the panic attack.

Thanks a lot

[Sammie4258]

One more thing, ipods and headphones are wonderful.  I don't go anywhere without them because it helps me keep my mind on something I enjoy.  Just getting into my music out in public helps me.  I also have a convesion disorder where I have seizures that are brought on by stress, anxiety and noises.   Turning on the blinker in the car causes me to have a siezure or panick attack.  so you can do this.  I go into a certain intersection here in town and I start to have instant anxiety.  Still don't know why, but my ipod and headphones help me.  Try it.

[Sammie4258]

I found the quickest way to get out of a panick attack is to use distraction.  Only instead of counting backwards, I use a chore to do list.  for example: Oh, I have to do the dishes, and then I have to vacuum and then I have to call so and so.  while you are doing this, get up and walk very quickly while using distraction.  What is happenin is that you are getting an adrenalin rush.  If you get up and walk quickly and distract at the same time, it uses up the abundance of adrenalin.  This may  or may not work for you but for most people it does.  Pay attention to your breathing.  Meaning just take deep slow breaths.  If your breathing speeds up, then deep slow breaths and relax your shoulder muscles and your arms.  
Also, panick attacks don't kill you.  You may pass out at sometime, but the good news is that the body has a natural mechanism that kicks in when you pass out and if you look at passing out differently,you will realize that passing our with regard to panick attacks is a good thing.  In otherwords, not a threat but a natural way of putting the body and breathing back in sinc.  don't worry to much about passing out.  Your not going to die from this.  I know it is so scarry.  
Usually, panick attacks let up after a while.  If you can try to discover the source or thought that caused the panick attack in the first place, sometimes tuning in to that will prevent the panick attack.  also, your panick attack can triggered by something that actually happened three days earlier and three days later, you see something that sub-consiously triggers the anxiety or recalls that memory, that brings on the panick attack.  Strange stuff. but just tuning into your thoughts a  little more can help you identify the source of conflict.  
Just know, you don't die from panick attacks and if you should pass out, this is a good thing because it puts your breathing back in sinc.  Your hyperventilating. This causes a fainting feeling and tingling in your chest and arms legs.  Try to look at panick attacks differently once you understand them more,  you can help prevent them and lessen the frequency.  I too suffer from these.  If I have an  unterrupted thought and not allowed to think a thought through before i move on, it will cause a panick attack.  so I always try to backtrack my thoughts to finish thinking them through. And then have to conclude whether of not the thought is of importance or not.  
you will be okay.  I know it seems hard and scary but good news,YOUR GOING TO LIVE.  Hey, we are here for you. You will be okay.  don't let  them take over your life.  yOu have the power to fix this without medication.  Usually.   Try to identify what happened to bring them on.  It will take  some time. but you will get there.  
Also, there are agencies out there where you can get help without insurance.  like mental health agencies. don't be afraid to use them.  I know in my church, we actually have a program where you don't even have to pay.  Bless you heart.  Hang in there.  you will be okay.  
sammie

[starshadow]

my problem is i get panic attack once i was blocked inside of something ( like train is not moving, traffic is not moving) even for a small amount of time like one or two minute.

I am so scared of taking subways, and driving. However, i have to go to work everyday, so it become miserable for me everyday. i used some technic to deal with panic attack, like count number backward, deep breath. nothing works. I feel i am going to pass out or sufficate during panic attack. Moreover, i feel if i am going to die of panic attack,i can't get any emergency help anyway, since we are inside of tunnel not at a station. I think i am so scared of dying.


My doctor gave me ativan for panic attack, but i have to take it everyday, this is no good. i don't want to be dependent on the pill. and psycologist consulting is so expensive.  i really don't know what should i do. maybe should i quit my job relax for a while.

thank you for the encouragement for let me write my story

[RubyWitch]

We will all be looking for more posts from you, got it? We care very much, so please don't just go away!
Our motto here is "finding cures together," and we mean that.
Peace
Greenlydia

[starshadow]

thanks so much

[RubyWitch]

Since your doctor is the one who suggested you look into therapy, perhaps someone in his office would be able to help you find a therapist you can afford.
If you would be comfortable with group therapy, it is often less expensive and may be an alternative solution for you.
Many therapist also work on a sliding scale according to what you can afford. It would be worth looking into that as well.
I hope you find the help you are looking for. In the meantime, please join us here! We are not doctors nor therapists, but combined, we have an amazing wealth of knowledge! You can talk to us..........there is nothing we haven't heard and we have "been there and done that!" Just know that you never have to be alone!
Peace
Greenlydia

[Suzyq0826]

Sorry, didn't realize you were in Canada....that's a whole different health care system, so I'm sorry if I wasn't much help.
Good luck!
Suzy

[starshadow]

i am in canada, and my family doctor refered me to a psycologist, and my talking session is not covered by OHIP. it need to be covered by extended health care. I do have this, but it only cover 300 per year.

Her sesseion is so expensive first session one and half hour which will cost 260 and future session is  55 minutes each will cost 160. Oh my god, it probably is for rich people.

thanks guys for the information

[Sammie4258]

I have united healthcare too.  but I am allowed 60 visits per year.  Not sure what my co-pay is but I have two other insurances so I never have to pay anything.  I must be under a different plan than you.   interesting.  
sammie

[Suzyq0826]

I might be able to help you...without knowing who your insurance provider is. I just made arrangements for my first ppointment with a psychologist yesterday and insurance was a big portion of the conversation. I have United healthcare and this is how it works in my plan...there are two types of mental health coverages. One is biologically-based mental health care. This is covered just like any other physician visit and there are no limitations to the number of visits or treatment, just my regular $15.00 per visit co-pay. From what they explained to me yesterday, circumstances covered in this area range from anxiety disorder to bi-polar to schizophrenia. The other coverage is called just that, "Other mental health care." Under that portion of the plan, my co-payment is the same $15.00 per visit, but I need pre-authoriztion and also am limited to 20 visits per calendar year.
My first visit is not until July 24th, but when I talked to the doctor he thought that I would be covered under the biologically-based coverage, however, I did call and get the authorization for the "other" care, just in case I needed it.
So, not knowing who your insurance is with I can't say for sure what your coverage is, but that is how mine works. As for what the cost is without insurance coverage, what I've seen so far ranges between $75.00 and $90.00 per visit.
Good Luck!
Suzy