Getting Help When You Can't Afford a Diagnosis.

[Alaska]

Lots of people who self diagnose can not afford to go get an official diagnosis. I have seen it mentioned over and over on this site. I do not know a lot about this, but I have a few ideas about it. If other people here have any ideas, some members could use them.

One idea that I had was going to a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for help with a diagnosis. This is because a LCSW is cheaper to see than a psych. LCSWs do not seem to be able to make an official diagnosis on their own in most states. Some LCSWs work with a Psychiatrist or Psychologist , so that once the LCSW makes a diagnosis, the psych can check it for accuracy and sign the necessary papers for the diagnosis to be official. This can be cheaper than seeing the psych directly.

Be sure to share any other ideas you have.

 

[Momo]

This is my problem also, getting an official diagnosis would cost me way too much as it is not covered by Australian healthcare. I honestly don't know how to go about getting a diagnosis, I know you go to the GP get a reference and yadda yadda, but then the bills start to pile up. But that is the only way to get a diagnosis in Aus, that I have heard of anyhow.

 

[Streetwise]

there appear to be free clinics where medical students assisted by a psychiatrist offer mental health diagnosis and treatment for free i saw one in nyc and another on the eastern seabord my memory is near dementia state
i googled free clinics yesterday

 

[Crossbreed]

In the USA (once you get on medical assistance), check your local Autism Society of America affiliates for local experts in autism.

 

[SD_David]

It's sad that you have to pay for something so vital. :/