Can't get help because of COVID-19

mattdadd · Mar 20, 2020 at 04:09 AM

A lot of things were supposed to happen. I was supposed to have a follow-up appointment with my physician, but they won't see any patients. I have a referral for the hospital that I can't go to because they're busy testing people for COVID-19. I promised my boyfriend that I would inquire about possibly having an eating disorder, but again, my physician isn't seeing anyone. And I can't see my therapist since their social services are unavailable.

I'm wondering if there are any alternatives I can use until this coronavirus stuff blows over. I hate that I'm forced to put mental health recovery on hold. The promise to my boyfriend is my biggest priority, so if anyone knows a way I can follow through without going to my physician, I'd love to know.

divine1966 · Mar 20, 2020 at 07:47 AM

I am not sure why promise to your boyfriend is the most important thing. Regardless what you promised, clearly this is a crisis time and he needs to be patient.

As about medical and mental health they’ll provide services online or over the phone. Call your doctor and therapist and ask how they want you to proceed and if sessions are offered over the phone and for the time being don’t worry about your boyfriend and what he wants. That could wait

mattdadd · Mar 20, 2020 at 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine1966

I am not sure why promise to your boyfriend is the most important thing. Regardless what you promised, clearly this is a crisis time and he needs to be patient.

As about medical and mental health they’ll provide services online or over the phone. Call your doctor and therapist and ask how they want you to proceed and if sessions are offered over the phone and for the time being don’t worry about your boyfriend and what he wants. That could wait

It's not really a priority because I promised my boyfriend. It just so happens that what I promised him is important. He told me he understands if I can't do it right away, and he'd just like me to do it as soon as I can. But until I can get help and solve this, my health is worsening and more people are growing concerned.

divine1966 · Mar 20, 2020 at 08:49 PM

Call your doctor and/or therapist and ask for help.

mattdadd · Mar 20, 2020 at 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine1966

Call your doctor and/or therapist and ask for help.

My doctor won't take my calls since she's not in office. My therapist is on the same boat as my boyfriend and wants me to get a diagnosis.

divine1966 · Mar 21, 2020 at 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattdadd

My doctor won't take my calls since she's not in office. My therapist is on the same boat as my boyfriend and wants me to get a diagnosis.

Call your insurance and ask for a name of a different doctor or ask your therapist to recommend a doctor for you. If your condition is worsening, you need to see a doctor, any doctor. I don’t know where you live but there has to be more than one doctor in the area.

Also if your doctor isn’t in the office there has to be a system that determines what a person should do in doctors absence. If there is no specific guidelines at doctors office, your best bet is to call your insurance. Many insurances provide you with over the phone or online consultations with doctors or nurses

divine1966 · Mar 21, 2020 at 12:17 AM

I have to add that if you have a referral for a hospital, they likely would take you in. The entire hospital can’t be possibly just testing for a virus and not provide any other treatments. That’s not possible. Call the hospital and ask when you can be admitted

mattdadd · Mar 21, 2020 at 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine1966

Call your insurance and ask for a name of a different doctor or ask your therapist to recommend a doctor for you. If your condition is worsening, you need to see a doctor, any doctor. I don’t know where you live but there has to be more than one doctor in the area.

Also if your doctor isn’t in the office there has to be a system that determines what a person should do in doctors absence. If there is no specific guidelines at doctors office, your best bet is to call your insurance. Many insurances provide you with over the phone or online consultations with doctors or nurses

I have to add that if you have a referral for a hospital, they likely would take you in. The entire hospital can’t be possibly just testing for a virus and not provide any other treatments. That’s not possible. Call the hospital and ask when you can be admitted

I don't have insurance. Everything is covered by taxes. And the hospital is solely being used for emergency purposes and COVID-19 testing for now. Or at least the hospital that I have a referral for is like that.

~Christina · Mar 21, 2020 at 01:41 AM

Well Unfortunately right now everything has been put on hold because of the Pandemic. Unless something is a true emergency like a heart attack, stroke or car accidents. Every thing just has to wait,Yes it sucks but it is our reality right now.

I have not heard of a single person seeing there Pdoc or Therapists, Yes some providers are offering Telehealth or phones call appts.

So what coping skills are you using to help manage life right now?

winter4me · Mar 21, 2020 at 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattdadd

A lot of things were supposed to happen. I was supposed to have a follow-up appointment with my physician, but they won't see any patients. I have a referral for the hospital that I can't go to because they're busy testing people for COVID-19. I promised my boyfriend that I would inquire about possibly having an eating disorder, but again, my physician isn't seeing anyone. And I can't see my therapist since their social services are unavailable.

I'm wondering if there are any alternatives I can use until this coronavirus stuff blows over. I hate that I'm forced to put mental health recovery on hold. The promise to my boyfriend is my biggest priority, so if anyone knows a way I can follow through without going to my physician, I'd love to know.

You could do some research yourself on line, not just on your symptoms/behaviors but also coping skills. You never have to put yourself on hold, the boyfriend could help. Check out the articles available on PC for a start.

divine1966 · Mar 21, 2020 at 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattdadd

I don't have insurance. Everything is covered by taxes. And the hospital is solely being used for emergency purposes and COVID-19 testing for now. Or at least the hospital that I have a referral for is like that.

I see that you are in Canada, makes sense about no insurance. So you called that hospital and they said they won’t take you? I’d ask them if they know if other hospital would take you? If not then sadly you might need to look for other resources

Does your therapist have any suggestions what to do in a meanwhile ?

mattdadd · Mar 21, 2020 at 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Christina

So what coping skills are you using to help manage life right now?

Quote:

Originally Posted by winter4me

You could do some research yourself on line, not just on your symptoms/behaviors but also coping skills. You never have to put yourself on hold, the boyfriend could help. Check out the articles available on PC for a start.

I don't have any working coping skills right now, but I'll look into some. Thank you for the help!

mattdadd · Mar 21, 2020 at 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine1966

I see that you are in Canada, makes sense about no insurance. So you called that hospital and they said they won’t take you? I’d ask them if they know if other hospital would take you? If not then sadly you might need to look for other resources

Does your therapist have any suggestions what to do in a meanwhile ?

When I called, there was only an automated voice telling me they'd get back to me at another time. Turns out, the hospital I got referred to happens to be the only one that became the region's coronavirus assessment centre. Since it's only an automated voice, I can't ask about other hospitals (and I only have a referral for the one). My therapist said they can counsel me over the phone if I need it, but I'll just have to put everything else on the back burner for now. Thanks for the help!

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divine1966 Legendary Wise Elder Member Since Dec 2014 Location: US Posts: 22,362 (SuperPoster!) 9 1,277 hugs given	Mar 20, 2020 at 08:49 PM #4 Call your doctor and/or therapist and ask for help.
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divine1966 Legendary Wise Elder Member Since Dec 2014 Location: US Posts: 22,362 (SuperPoster!) 9 1,277 hugs given	Mar 21, 2020 at 12:17 AM #7 I have to add that if you have a referral for a hospital, they likely would take you in. The entire hospital can’t be possibly just testing for a virus and not provide any other treatments. That’s not possible. Call the hospital and ask when you can be admitted
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