Comment by mavrc | Hacker News Reader

Comment by mavrc | Hacker News Reader

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> As a former therapist turned software engineer, herein lies the problem. 87% antidepressants? How are we defining "treatment?" Depression is a complex beast, and does it always require "treatment"?

This is, admittedly, speculation on my part based on personal experience. Here goes. I'm sure you know this, but I'd like to throw it out there.

If I want to see a my regular GP and talk about mental health, I schedule a regular appointment and pay my co-pay for the visit and for any pharmaceuticals he prescribes.

If I want to see a mental health professional, I have to call my insurance company, describe my problem to someone who is not a mental health professional, have them pre-authorize visits (if they will), find an in-network therapist and complete treatment in the maximum 5 authorized visits per issue.

A system like this drives people to antidepressants.

There is one thing you forgot with the mental health professional: There is often a waiting time, especially if you get public assistance. I understand, in a way, as it is a specialty field, but then again, you might not have the bravery and motivation for all that long, yet not really qualify for even a semi-emergency visit.

My first spouse was bipolar/schizo affective: We were lucky enough to get a doctor fairly quickly, unfortunately it took a suicide attempt to figure things out. If he had to cancel an appointment, however, sometimes the waiting time was at least a month unless he was having a difficult time. Then it might be a couple weeks: More difficult than that probably meant hospital time. Luckily either the insurance I carried was flexible or the hospital was really good at negotiating with them so that wasn't an issue.

On the other hand, my nephew has needed a psychiatrist and therapist for some time. My sister had trouble even getting one in network, a harder time finding one to work with children, and generally had a long waiting time. Difficulty all around.

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