Cost of Depression and Anxiety Treatment

Due to this article’s nature, there are references to suicide and self-harm. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, help is available by calling the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or local emergency authorities at 911.

Depression and anxiety treatment options and costs

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and reduced energy. Anxiety on the other hand can cause nervousness, dread, or worry. While these two conditions are different, a person can experience them both at the same time.

When it comes to treating anxiety and depression, there are many options that can help. It’s important to not only consider the direct costs (inpatient care, outpatient care, medications, emergency department visits, and more) of treatment but also the indirect costs, including missed work and other societal costs of depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety carry a heavy economic burden for these behavioral health issues to affect a person’s productivity at work. This economic burden is one reason depression and anxiety care is such a focus of many employers. Broadly, treatments include medications, therapy, and self-care or lifestyle adjustments.

Medications

Antidepressants are one treatment option for those suffering from depression and anxiety. While antidepressants do not cure these conditions, they can help reduce the symptoms. There are many different types of antidepressants available, and they can affect your brain’s neurotransmitters in different ways. The two most common antidepressant types are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). While antidepressants are generally safe, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that all antidepressants carry a black box warning. In some cases, those under the age of 25 may have increased suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking certain antidepressants. It’s important to monitor you or your loved ones when taking a new medication. Contact your primary care provider or seek emergency help if you have suicidal thoughts.

The price of antidepressant medications can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the type of medication you’re prescribed, the exact dosage, whether it’s a name-brand drug or a generic, your health insurance coverage, and whether you take one or more antidepressants. For example, according to GoodRx, a generic 30-day supply of sertraline (50 mg) might cost around $7, while the brand name – Zoloft – could cost over $400 for a 30-day supply without insurance.

Therapy

Another treatment option for mental illnesses is therapy. Therapy helps with a variety of mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. For those with anxiety disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be especially effective. In this type of therapy, patients get exposure to their fears and then gain mastery over these fears. For those with depression, CBT can be useful, as can interpersonal therapy. With the advent of telemedicine, therapy options are becoming more readily available, making treatments much more accessible for patients. In some cases, you may need a referral from your primary care provider.

The costs of therapy can vary quite a bit, sometimes costing over $100 an hour. This cost can vary based on where you live and your insurance coverage, including your copay. However, there are a few other options for treatment, including sliding-scale fee therapists and federally funded health centers. Sliding-scale fee therapists charge a discounted rate that you agree upon before receiving care. Federally funded health centers usually charge you a certain rate based on your income. Virtual therapy is another blossoming addition to the therapy field, and it can be a more cost-conscious option for many.

Self–care and lifestyle adjustments

It can feel like an uphill climb, but taking small steps to prioritize your health when you can can have a big impact on your mental health. Here are a few things you can do:

• Exercise regularly: Exercise can help improve your mood and your health. Even going on two 15-minute walks during the day can be helpful.
• Eat healthy meals: Eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water can help you improve your daily mood and focus.
• Get enough sleep: Tiredness can trigger anxiety and depression, so try your best to stick to a regular sleep schedule.
• Utilize relaxation apps: Some apps can help you meditate, reflect, or practice breathing, all of which can help reduce stress.
• Limit drug and alcohol intake – Substance use can make many people more anxious or depressed and make it more difficult to recover from these mental health conditions. If you or someone you love needs help, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline (1-800-662-4357)offers free, 24/7 referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

Now that you have a sense of the treatment options available, let’s look at some of the most common barriers to anxiety and depression care.

Barriers to depression and anxiety care

Despite the overwhelming number of people who need depression and anxiety medical care, accessing it can still be difficult for many. There are many barriers to getting care, including a lack of professionals, geographic barriers, and insurance issues.

Professional shortages

The shortage of mental health professionals is not a new issue. However, as the US population continues to face rising mental health conditions, the need for more psychiatrists is more pressing than ever. According to a 2018 study, over half of the counties in the United States had no practicing psychiatrists. These shortages affect everyone, but especially those in certain geographic areas.

Geographic barriers

Rural communities have disproportionately low numbers of practicing mental health professionals. Therefore, many underserved communities unfortunately cannot access professional therapists like those in urban centers. In bigger cities, there are generally more practitioners, while there are fewer options for rural communities. In the same 2018 study, researchers found that in nonmetropolitan areas, 65% had zero psychiatric care options in the county, while only 27% of metropolitan counties lacked care options.

Counseling websites like Brightside, BetterHelp, TalkSpace, and Talkiatry are helping Americans in communities throughout the country gain access to counseling.

Difficulties with insurance

Perhaps the largest issue concerning treatment for depression and anxiety lies with insurance. There are a few issues with the current state of insurance as it relates to this kind of care: finding a provider, the high out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network providers, and not seeking care as a result of these high costs.

Finding a provider can be a difficult effort, as it can be tough to figure out which providers not only take your insurance but also accept new patients. This can lead patients to seek out-of-network providers, which can lead to higher healthcare costs. Some psychiatrists do not accept insurance at all for mental health treatment, due to the low reimbursement rates they receive. Patients with Medicaid coverage often have a hard time finding coverage because Medicaid reimburses providers at lower rates than Medicare or private insurance. Finally, insurance companies may restrict patient access to mental health services if they do not find these services to be medically necessary. If you’re seeking access to mental health services but need a hand paying for them, crowdfunding can help.

Crowdfunding for depression and anxiety treatment

It can be hard to ask for the help you need. But sometimes, it’s easier than you think. Crowdfunding is a way to raise funds by utilizing your network. While you’re doing all you can to lower the cost of depression and anxiety treatments, crowdfunding can help you supplement to get the treatment you need.

When you crowdfund on a platform like GoFundMe, you’ll reach a wider audience by creating an easy place to share your story and reach your fundraising efforts. Whether you’re setting up a GoFundMe fundraiser for yourself, a family member, a friend, or a coworker, getting started only takes a few minutes. With GoFundMe, there are no long waiting periods to receive your funds, so you can get the help you or someone else needs quickly.