Anonymous wrote:Okay, I just stumbled on this thread the day after starting Zoloft and Klonopin for post-partum depression and anxiety. I'm on very low doses of both and am intending for this to be a short-term solution until the baby gets older and I can start getting more sleep and get into more therapy. I was planning to apply for a new life insurance policy but was waiting until after this last baby and for my health to stabilize. Now I'm concerned that FINALLY getting help for my PPD/PPA is going to mean I can't get life insurance! Argh. I didn't even think about this as an issue before starting these meds. 13:20, I'm glad to hear your experience. Our plan was to insure me for at least 1M. I'm otherwise in excellent health.

See my PP above. You will be FINE. Honestly.

Okay, I just stumbled on this thread the day after starting Zoloft and Klonopin for post-partum depression and anxiety. I'm on very low doses of both and am intending for this to be a short-term solution until the baby gets older and I can start getting more sleep and get into more therapy. I was planning to apply for a new life insurance policy but was waiting until after this last baby and for my health to stabilize. Now I'm concerned that FINALLY getting help for my PPD/PPA is going to mean I can't get life insurance! Argh. I didn't even think about this as an issue before starting these meds. 13:20, I'm glad to hear your experience. Our plan was to insure me for at least 1M. I'm otherwise in excellent health.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only those who need to know for medical reasons- doctors, etc. Unfortunately that includes life insurance companies, who will use the fact that you have used antidepressants to deny you coverage.

OP here - will (can) they really deny you? Or will they just jack up your rates?

Not the PP, but yes.

They will flat out deny a new application.

OP, I don't think this is true - you may have to shop around more, and you may get a higher rate, but I don't think you'll always get a blanket denial.

More importantly, don't let this derail you now. If you feel you need the medicine, then give it a chance to help you.

As you can probably tell, I have BTDT.

This used to be true but is not anymore. I have been on SSRI's for years. Got a 2M life insurance policy last year in the highest-preferred (lowest risk) group for my age.

Anonymous wrote:OP, my DH and I got great rates on life insurance from State Farm five years ago and we were ( and still are) both on anxiety meds. I think the people flipping out about this forgot to take theirs.

this is a troll, no way someone in this situation would make a joke like this at the expense of others in the same boat.
If you aren't a troll you are a terrible person and I hope you figure out how to be better sooner than later.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only those who need to know for medical reasons- doctors, etc. Unfortunately that includes life insurance companies, who will use the fact that you have used antidepressants to deny you coverage.

OP here - will (can) they really deny you? Or will they just jack up your rates?

Not the PP, but yes.

They will flat out deny a new application.

ACA changed that, they cant deny you now.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you to everyone for the encouraging words. For those who asked, I was prescribed lexapro.

I have avoided coming back to the thread because I didn't want bad financial news to further cloud my decision to get help. After thinking about it for the last couple of days and thinking about what is best for me and my family I have decided to start the rx and see if it helps.

I started this thread because I was pretty proud of myself for getting the courage up and discussing this with a doctor and getting help. I was raised in a family where the outlook for dealing with problems was along the lines of 'deal with it, everyone has problems.' Therapy was for people who had the luxury of time and money. Only as the years (decades) have passed have relatives started to acknowledge and openly discuss that anxiety and depression are prevalent in our family. While I don't think I will proactively tell people, I'm not ashamed and, in fact am proud of myself. To the pp who mentioned discussing it with their kids when they are older, I like this approach. I want them to know that it's ok to get help.

I would like to be a better version of me, for myself and my family. I hope this is the first step in the right direction.

Thx

This is great. I hate the stigma against mood disorders. No one would consider not filling a prescription for an asthma inhaler or insuling, and yet people feel ashamed of treating their chronic mood disorders. But getting treatment is a sign of health and strength, of doing what needs to be done to get better and be a happier and better person and parent and spouse and friend. Best of luck!


"My hunch is that the disease/defect model of depression, is unwittingly contributing to the ongoing stigma of depression. Through the lens of the disease model, the legions of the formerly depressed are a “broken” people who need lifelong assistance. I would like to see a more revolutionary public education approach, with campaigns that emphasize the unique strengths that are required to endure depression. Even if a person is helped by drugs or therapy, grappling with a severe depression requires enormous courage. In many ways, a person who has emerged from the grip of depression has just passed the most severe of trials in the human experience. If we acknowledge that surviving depression requires a special toughness, we will not see formerly depressed people as a broken legion, but as a resource who can teach us all something about overcoming adversity." Jonathan Rottenberg, Ph.D.

Anonymous wrote:

OP here. Of course, now I'm freaking out. I have good life insurance through work, but was looking to get a private policy to supplement because our kids are young. I've even have the card of our local insurance guy. Just needed to call him back.

I wish I had known this before I got the rx filled or even mentioned it to my dr. I've lived with anxiety my whole life (and with all the stomach issues other wonderful symptoms that goes with it). As much as it sucks, if I had known the cost, I would've just found more time to run, which is what I've done to relax.

I haven't taken the medication. Does this matter at this point? Can I simply decide not to take them, never refill and get the policy set up. Then revisit medications ne t year? I've googled and it seems like there are insurance brokers who specialize in medically impaired applicants, so there is a possibility to shop for a company with a good rate?

Needless to say, this revelation isn't helping my anxiety issues.

The fact that you have been diagnosed with anxiety is what will cause the problem, not the fact that you take or don't take medication. But really, this is far down your list of concerns. Your kids might never need your life insurance, but your anxiety will affect them (and you) every day. Take the meds.

As for the original question, my husband and my doctors know. I'm an attorney, so the state bar knows (note: it did not prevent me from getting my license). The government knows, because I am a federal employee who had to undergo a background check. I have told some friends and relatives who were going through depression or dealing with depression in a loved one. I'm not super-secretive about it, really. I don't randomly tell people or anything, but I don't think it's something to be ashamed of and so I don't actively conceal it or lie about it.

OP, good for you! I'm a therapist and so many of my clients have benefitted from lexapro and and other antidepressants. Wishing you all of the best -- hope the medication helps.

OP here. Thank you to everyone for the encouraging words. For those who asked, I was prescribed lexapro.

I have avoided coming back to the thread because I didn't want bad financial news to further cloud my decision to get help. After thinking about it for the last couple of days and thinking about what is best for me and my family I have decided to start the rx and see if it helps.

I started this thread because I was pretty proud of myself for getting the courage up and discussing this with a doctor and getting help. I was raised in a family where the outlook for dealing with problems was along the lines of 'deal with it, everyone has problems.' Therapy was for people who had the luxury of time and money. Only as the years (decades) have passed have relatives started to acknowledge and openly discuss that anxiety and depression are prevalent in our family. While I don't think I will proactively tell people, I'm not ashamed and, in fact am proud of myself. To the pp who mentioned discussing it with their kids when they are older, I like this approach. I want them to know that it's ok to get help.

I would like to be a better version of me, for myself and my family. I hope this is the first step in the right direction.

Thx

OP,

Your life insurance rate may change, but better than living every day in unnecessary pain.

http://www.retirementoptionsrx.com/can-you-be-denied-life-insurance-if-you-have-anxiety-or-depression/

Anonymous wrote:It's considered a pre existing mental disorder. I don't take them even though I desperately need them for this reason.

Please take your meds, PP. You're not helping anyone but especially yourself. Don't live in fear.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone that asks. I am not ashamed of it, they have saved my like.

+1. I am actually pretty open about it if it comes up or someone asks. I figure that it might help others get over the stigma. I avoided taking anti anxiety drugs for years because I was concerned about what others would think and possible professional repercussions. I am so so glad I finally got treatment. I could function alright before Zoloft but my quality of life has improved dramatically.

There are 6 million Americans taking anti depressants.