Research options to find the best professional

If you have a feverish chills and your entire body aches, more than likely you’ll pay a visit to your doctor. But, what about other illnesses with less prominent physical symptoms, such as mental health disorders? According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 40 million American adults are affected by anxiety disorders, the most common mental health diagnosis in the United States.

Though anxiety disorders are treatable, only one-third of those with anxiety disorders are treated. Some may think the best way to live life with an anxiety disorder is to avoid stress, but the Anxiety and Depression Association of America disagrees: “Treating yourself as if  you are fragile and avoiding risk leads to feeling demoralized. Avoiding anxiety tends to reinforce it.”

A common treatment plan for anxiety disorders and other mental health disorders is therapy. ADAA reports therapy can help reduce worry and stress, and cognitivebehavior therapy may be just as or more effective than medication. This does not mean that you do not need medication for your mental health disorder, but discussing and managing your thoughts with a licensed therapist can be helpful.

When looking for a therapist, though, make sure you’re signing up with a therapist who has experience. One of the best ways to avoid unnecessary costs and ensure your therapist is licensed is through a referral from your primary care physician. Most insurance companies require a referral in order to help pay for any kind of specialized treatment, including mental health treatment. Check for academic degrees and certifications such as but not limited to an MD for a psychiatrist, a Ph.D. or PsyD for a psychologist and/or a master’s degree in mental health disorders, counseling or social work. In addition to academic degrees, make sure your therapist is up-to-date on his or her licensing and/or board certifications.

“The Internet is full of programs created by people with no professional training in health care, psychology or any relevant field. They’re generally people whose skills are in marketing and advertising,” writes psychologist Dr. David Carbonell on his website, anxeitycoach.com. Carbonell is affiliated with the ADAA, and his blog is listed as a resource.

However, if you are not comfortable with your mental health professional, the National Institute of Health recommends finding a new provider as it will be difficult to treat your disorder if you are not comfortable discussing your thoughts with this person. In addition to performing a basic Internet search in your area for providers, you can use resources such as PsychologyToday.com and ADAA.org to find providers in your area.

When searching for treatments, beware of those who promote quick, easy and instant cures, Carbonell said. “When you feel desperate, when your daily life has been so disrupted by chronic anxiety that you’re ready to try anything, it’s very tempting to log on and buy the next product you see. Maybe it will help. But there’s a good chance that you won’t get the promised results. The worse result then isn’t even the money you spent, it’s that you become less hopeful about ever solving the problem.”

Anxiety disorders alone cost the United States more than $42 billion a year, nearly one-third of the $148 billion mental health bill, according to an ADAA study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Mental health treatments are essential to recovery, whether that includes therapy, medication, or a combination, but they can be expensive, according to Mental Health America. The best way to combat unnecessary costs is to understand your health care plan.

You’ll more than likely need a referral for mental health treatment in order for insurance to pay. You also may need to find an innetwork provider, which you can usually find via a search on your insurance company’s website. You typically pay the least for innetwork providers, and some insurance companies have tiers of providers, offering partial coverage.

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Call your therapists to verify what health-care plans they accept. Though they may be listed as a provider on your insurance company’s website, it doesn’t hurt to double check. Remember that caring for your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you require immediate, crisis-intervention assistance, call 911 or 1-800-273-TALK.