Sliding-Scale Psychiatric and Counseling Services

Update on 3/26/14

With the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), it’s hopefully easier for people to become insured and thus to find affordable psychiatric and counseling services.

The deadline to sign up is March 31st. To be honest, I’m not sure what will happen if you find yourself uninsured after March 31st.

For more details on the Affordable Care Act, please see my post on that subject.

(Last updated 5/14/12)

If you are uninsured or cannot afford your copay for counseling, it’s often helpful to contact universities and hospitals to see if they offer sliding-scale services and to call DBSA or your local NAMI to ask if they can provide you with some suggestions based on your location.

Compared to finding a therapist, it is much more difficult to find a place that offers sliding-scale psychiatric services so that you can see a psychiatrist and get prescription medication. It would be best to start out by calling DBSA or your local NAMI to ask for referrals. If those referrals don’t pan out, you might want to contact the closest City of Chicago Mental Health Center. Please note that due to budget cuts, several locations have been closed. There is a way to see a psychiatrist and get free medications from Stroger Hospital, but it is very time-consuming.

Below are some places that I have found so far. Please call them first to verify that they offer sliding-scale and to ask if their fees have changed. If you know of a resource that isn’t in this list, please feel free to leave a comment or email me.

Please also read my post How to Choose a Therapist.

Adler School of Professional Psychology
Dreikurs Psychological Services Center
65 E. Wacker Place
(312) 327-0959

Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital
938 W Nelson (Wellington Brown)
(773) 296-3220

C4
multiple locations
(773) 761-9000
Lowest is $8

Cathedral Counseling
50 East Washington Street
(312) 252-9500

Catholic Charities
641 W. Lake Street
(312) 655-7725

Chicago Center for Family Health
20 North Wacker Drive
(312) 372-4731

Jewish Child and Family Services
(773) 866-5035
Multiple locations including:
Adult and Family Services
3525 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL
773 866 5035

Family Institute at Northwestern University
(847) 773-4300
Multiple locations including one in Loop and one in Evanston
Therapist is a doctoral student
Individual and couples: lowest may be $0

Lakeview Center on Psychotherapy
3322 North Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 525-3322
DBT group led by doctoral student: lowest is $1
Individual DBT: lowest is $5
Might have other forms of individual and group therapy
*Also has a mental illness support group

Swedish Covenant Hospital
Anderson Pavilion
2751 W Winona Ave. Suite 253
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 878-8200
Therapist is a doctoral student
Individual and couples: lowest is $0 – $5
Does not offer group

———————————————————————————————————————-

City of Chicago Mental Health Centers (MHC)

Please call in advance to verify that the location you’re interested in hasn’t been shut down.

Englewood MHC
641 W. 63rd Street
(312) 747-7496
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Greater Grand/MID-South MHC
4314 S Cottage Grove
(312) 747-0036
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Greater Lawn MHC
4150 West 55th Street
(312) 747-1020
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Lawndale MHC
1201 S Campbell Street
(312) 746-5905
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

North River MHC
5801 North Pulaski Road
(312) 744-1906
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Roseland MHC
200 East 115th Street
(312) 747-7320
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

———————————————————————————————————————-

John H. Stroger Hospital
Fantus Health Center aka Fantus Clinic
(the walk-in clinic at Stroger Hospital)

621 S. Winchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
312-864-6221

From a guest editor in 2009:

Stroger is the absolute last-ditch option for anyone in Chicago with no health insurance. It is the city-run hospital, and one that is absolutely swamped with people right now. You can see a doctor every day (with common specialists also available), as long as you are willing to jump through as many hoops as possible.

First, you have to make it to the West Loop location by 7AM, or you’ve lost your chance completely. Then, you have to be one of the first 85 people checked in, or again they turn you away. Then you wait in the waiting room until they call your name, and you have to be seen before closing time, or you don’t get seen at all and are told to come back again the next day.

If you’re lucky enough to get seen, you also have to file additional paperwork for Stroger’s discount plan, information on which is only given out if you are already being seen. Luckily, any medications prescribed to you are then free, but you may have to wait a large number of hours to be seen at all.

Free and Reduced Fare RTA Pass (Includes Psychiatric)

See: http://www.rtachicago.com/fare-programs/reduced-fare-program.html

Applying for a Reduced Fare RTA Pass

The process of getting a reduced fare RTA pass can be time consuming but relatively simple.

To get the pass, you have to get the application from downtown. The location is RTA’s Customer Service Center at 165 N. Jefferson in Chicago. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If you are affiliated with a social service they might already have some in their office for their clients or can help you get one. You will need to ask though.

Once you have the application, you fill it out and have your doctor write a brief letter about your condition and/or diagnosis. Psychiatric conditions do appear to be covered.

There does not appear to be an income or resources limit.

With the filled out form and a copy of your state ID, you then need to get a photo ID. You can get this done at multiple places, including having a passport photo taken. See http://www.rtachicago.com/CMS400Min/uploadedFiles/Sr_Registration_Centers.pdf for a list of locations to get your photo taken and drop off your application.

For example, at the Levy Center on Aging in Lincoln Square, you get your photo taken on a digital camera (so it was a color photo) and pay the person $1. They then submit you application and ask you to wait 4-6 weeks to receive your card.

Using the Card

One you have your card, you can load money onto the card and pay a reduced fare on the CTA. It’s 85 cents for a ride and 15 cents to transfer. Second transfers are free.

You can also use it on the Metra and PACE because it is part of RTA. However, they have different rates.

Monthly Reduced Fare CTA Passes

In addition, you can also purchase a separate reduced fare pass. Unfortunately, the only reduced passes are monthly passes, which are $35. There are no reduced passes for day, week, etc. To get this pass, you can get it where CTA passes are sold or purchase it online. To buy it online, visit http://faremedia.chicago-card.com/store/main.aspx?DepartmentId=34

When using the monthly pass, you first insert your monthly pass into the machine then your photo ID reduced fare pass. You have to keep your reduced fare pass on you even if you are using the monthly pass. If you accidentally insert your photo ID reduced fare pass first you will get charged and the money is unlikely to be refunded.

The Free Transit Card

There is also a People With Disabilities Ride Free program. This can be extremely difficult to get because you first need to be awarded Social Security Disability, then successfully enroll in Circuit Breaker, which does have income and assets guidelines, and then you are eligible for the free card. Once you have the free card, you can ride for free on CTA buses and trains, Metra, and PACE. You’ll have to reapply for Circuit Breaker once a year.

Finding and Starting Support Groups

One of the easiest ways to find a support group is through Meetup.com.

Groups exist nationwide, and you can even start your own group if you don’t have one in your area. Most Meetups are free or a few dollars to attend. The purpose of Meetup.com is to help people with similar interests meet up in person to share their interests, whether it be cooking, hiking, dogs, or something else. To find a support group, you will need to conduct a search using the website. Joining Meetup.com and creating a profile is free.

It may also be helpful to contact your local NAMI and DBSA to ask if they know of any groups. DBSA also has a Meetup mental illness support group.

Howard Brown LGBTQ-Focused Community Groups

When surfing the web I found this site:

http://www.howardbrown.org/hb_services.asp?id=45

I’m not familiar with these groups nor do I know how long it’s been since they were updated.

To save you some time from scrolling, there’s the mental health-related entry:

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Weekly support group for LGBT individuals diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder. Meetings, which are moderated by chapter leaders, are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals living with mood disorders. Meets Saturdays 11:00 am -12:30 pm at Howard Brown Health Center.
contact: Rob at 773-274-1461 or blanchetaughtme@yahoo.com

The Ark: Services for Uninsured and Low-Income Jews

All Services Are Free

The Ark

Homepage

6450 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60645
773.973.1000
Fax: 773.973.4362
ark@arkchicago.org

The Ark has regular business hours, is open later on Wednesdays for dinner and medical services, and closes at 2pm on Fridays. It is closed Saturday, Sunday, and during Jewish holidays.

Getting There

Bus: 155 Devon bus to California or 93 California bus to Devon
El stop: None nearby
Parking: Has its own free parking lot and some street parking. Please read signs carefully.

Social Services

Medical Doctors
– Primary care, psychiatrist, dental, and some other specialists
– On-site pharmacy that dispenses free prescription medications and some over-the-counter medications
– People with health insurance are ineligible for these services

Psychological Services
– Individual and couples therapy with licensed social workers
– Outpatient day program with therapy groups including art therapy
– People with health insurance may be ineligible for these services

Kosher Pantry
– Clients can use the pantry once a month at specific times

Kosher Meals
– Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday lunches
– Wednesday dinner at 5pm
– Can request vegetarian meals
– On certain holidays, meals are delivered to clients’ homes

Thrift Store
– Located in Wicker Park, accessible by the blue line, buses, with limited parking by other stores
– Depending on your eligibility, it is possible to get vouchers for the thrift store in order to get household items for free

Homeless Shelter
– The Ark also runs a homeless shelter

Becoming a Client

To become eligible for the above services, you go through an intake where they verify that you are Jewish, financially needy, and assess what services you need. They serve all types of Jews (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, etc) though they are associated with an Orthodox synagogue. The workers appear to follow a conservative dress code, though this is not true of the people who utilize their services.

Religious Services

The Ark also offers talks on Jewish issues, services, and some holiday celebrations. The Rabbi gives talks as part of the Tuesday and Thursday lunches and is often present during the day.

If you go to The Ark for services, please feel free to leave a comment about your experiences.

Getting Medicaid When You’re Disabled

Eligibility

In Illinois, once you are certified as disabled by the federal government, that is, you are receiving Social Security Disability payments, you become eligible for Medicare regardless of income or assets depending on when you were certified as disabled. There is no further application process and you receive your medical card in the mail. In order to find out when you can expect the card, it might be a good idea to call and ask the caseworker who handled your Social Security Disability case.

In addition, once you are certified as disabled you may become eligible for Medicaid if you meet additional income and assets guidelines. Medicaid will help cover the costs of the Medicare premiums and co-pays. In this case, Medicare will become your primary insurance and Medicaid will be your secondary insurance.

Applying for Medicaid

However, you don’t automatically get Medicaid; you have to apply for it first.

Working with DHS offices can be very time consuming and difficult. While applications can be done online or by mail, if you have the time, it is generally best to go in person. Otherwise, when you follow-up on your application, you may find that DHS has no record of it and thus has not considered your case. By waiting in line and submitting the application in person, you can at least be assured that it got there.

It should also be noted that the Wicker Park DHS office has a tendency to not return calls, so if you are seeking to follow-up on your case, it is best to go in-person. The same is true if you need to reschedule an appointment. For each visit to this location, plan to allot at least forty-five minutes if you need drop off something and at least two to three hours if you need to speak to someone unless you have an appointment.

Once You Have Medicaid

Your Medicaid card will come monthly in the mail. It is actually a large slip of paper and not business card-sized. Be sure to look out for each new card so as to make sure that your coverage has not been interrupted.

Questions I Would Greatly Appreciate Help With

1) Can you get Medicaid once you are receiving Social Security Disability payments or do you have to wait until you are enrolled in Medicare?

2) What conditions can people without children gain coverage for without having been first found disabled by Social Security?

3) What is the best way to get questions about Medicaid
answered? While it is often easy to talk to a live person when calling Medicare, it is more difficult to do this when calling Medicaid.

If you’ve applied to or are enrolled in Medicaid, please feel free to leave comments about your experiences.

Thresholds – Dincin Center for Recoveries

Dincin Center for Recoveries
2700 North Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 537-3215 ‎
http://www.thresholds.org

Thresholds has many free programs for people with mental illness. One of them is a community center called the Dincin Center.

Dincin Center doesn’t have its own website but if you call or go in you can find out about what programs are going on that day, which generally include mental health groups, free cooked meals, and an activity. The building is really old and the offices a bit dreary, but the people inside are generally friendly. There is a lot of area to hang out or sit quietly by yourself. The building also contains a computer room with printers, an activity room with a large TV, a craft room, a piano, a pool table, a washer and dryer, and a free clothing room that could use some organizing. Available on-site are other services including case management and employment support.

The Dincin Center serves only people with mental illness. To get a case manager you have to attend groups and come in several times a week. After this, you can become a member and gain access to other services.

Using Music to Understand Mental Illness

While most forms of mass media portray the experience of mental illness inaccurately, music tends to have a better track record, perhaps because it is based on the songwriters’ own experiences rather than what a corporate executive thinks will make money (though music isn’t always immune to this sort of influence).

I’m creating this post in hopes that it can be used by people with mental illness to feel less alone and also to better explain to friends what they’re experiencing.

Note: Personally, when depressed, I have a strong desire to listen to depressing music, which can sometimes make me feel far more depressed. If this happens to you as well, please carefully monitor your mood to avoid making it worse.

My husband and I have tried to go through the original list and take off as many of the songs that don’t seem to be related to mental illness. A look at the full list, with the deleted songs, would show just how little most people know about the true effects of mental illness.

Attribution: [L]ist of songs about mental illness. (2007, March 18). On Crazyboards.org. Retrieved 20:38, July 30, 2009, from http://www.crazyboards.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=22335. Text originally based on text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (deleted page). Any songs that I’ve added to the original list are in bold. I haven’t listened to most songs on this list, because I simply don’t have the time.

0-9

* “19th Nervous Breakdown” by The Rolling Stones
[…]
* “4st 7lb” by Manic Street Preachers (about anorexia nervosa)
[…]

A

* “A Better Place, A Better Time” by Streetlight Manifesto (anti-suicide)
[…]
* “A Good Man Is Hard To Find” by Sufjan Stevens
[…]
* “About To Crash” by Dream Theater
* “Adam’s Song” by Blink 182 about Depression and Suicide – personal favorite
[…]
* “A Long December” by Counting Crows
* “Alcohol” by Barenaked Ladies
[…]
* “Another Stranger Me” by Blind Guardian
[…]

B

[…]
* “Basket Case” by Green Day (Billie Joe Armstrong’s song about his struggle with anxiety)
[…]
* “Be All, End All” by Anthrax (anti-suicide: “Be all, and you’ll be the end all, state of mind, euphoria”)
* “Bed Of Razors” by Children of Bodom
* “Beethoven (I Love to Listen to)” by Eurythmics (about obsessive-compulsive disorder)
[…]
* “Behind Blue Eyes” by The Who (“Nobody knows what it’s like, to be the bad man…”)
* “Behind Grey Walls” by Richard Thompson
* “Between A Laugh And A Tear” by John Mellencamp (anti-suicide: “and thats as good as it can get for us, and there aint no reason to stop tryin’”)
* “Beyond the Grey Sky” by 311
[…]
* “Bipolar” by Blonde Redhead
[…]
* “Bi-Polar” by Assemblage 23
* “Bi-Polar Bear” by Stone Temple Pilots
* “Bi-Polar Disorder” by The Lord Weird Slough Feg
* “Black Crow Blues” by Bob Dylan (bipolar protagonist, sometimes “too high to fall”, sometimes “so low, I don’t know if I can come up at all”)
[…]
* “Bleed American” by Jimmy Eat World
* “Bleed Like Me” by Garbage
[…]
* “Blood Makes Noise” by Suzanne Vega
* “Borderline” by Sufjan Stevens
* “Born To Lose” by Social Distortion
[…]
* “Brain Damage” by Pink Floyd (“the lunatic is in my head”; later receives a lobotomy, “you raise the blade, you make the change”)
* “Breakin’” by The Music
[…]
* “Brian Wilson” by Barenaked Ladies (narrator has bipolar disorder, compares himself to Brian Wilson)
[…]
* “Burning Herself” by Harry Chapin (song about a girl who burns herself with cigarettes)

C

[…]
* “Can You Believe It” by The Bolshoi
[…]
* “Carrying Cathy” by Ben Folds
* “Cars and Calories” by Saves the Day
* “Cherry Blossom Clinic” by The Move
* “Chronic Schizophrenia” by Wesley Willis
* “Cinderella Man” by Rush (about a man whose transition from poverty to wealth has made him manic depressive)
* “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk” by Rufus Wainwright
* “Cocoon” by Assemblage 23
[…]
* “Coffee and Cigarettes” by Augustana
[…]
* “Compulsive Prep” by Mest
[…]
* “Courage” By Superchick about having an eating disorder
* “Cracking” by Suzanne Vega
* “Crackle And Drag” by Paul Westerberg
* “Crazy” by Barenaked Ladies
* “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley
* “Crazy Man Michael” by Fairport Convention
* “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne (“Mental wounds still screaming, driving me insane, I’m goin’ off the rails on a crazy train”)
* “Cut” by Plumb is about self-harm.

D

[…]
* “Delusional” by Saves the Day (paranoia)
[…]
* “Depression” by Black Flag
* “Destroyer” by The Kinks (narrator has “paranoia, the destroyer”)
[…]
* “Ding Dong” by Nellie McKay
[…]
* “Dirty Knife” by Neko Case
* “Disconnected” by Rollins Band
* “Disorder” by Goldfinger
[…]
* “Down in It” by Nine Inch Nails (depression/bipolar: “I was up above it, now I’m down in it”)
[…]
* “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by The Who (analogy made in discussing alcoholism; “When I drink my potion, my character changes”)

E

* “Ease Your Feet In The Sea” by Belle & Sebastian
[…]
* “Ellsworth” by Rascal Flatts (about Alzheimer’s)
[…]
* “Emergency Exit” by Beck (suicide)
[…]
* “Escape” by Muse
* “Evaporated” by Ben Folds Five
* “Escher” by Teenage Fanclub
[…]
* “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. (told from the point of view of someone comforting a friend who is suicidal)
* “Everybody Knows That You Are Insane” by Queens of the Stone Age
* “Everything For Free” by K’s Choice
* “Everything is Alright” by Motion City Soundtrack
[…]

F

[…]
* “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor (recovery from depression)
[…]
* “Fix Me” by Rise Against
[…]
* “Flying High Again” by Ozzy Osbourne
* “Free Fall” by In Flames
[…]

G

[…]
* “Get in Line” by Barenaked Ladies (paranoia)
* “Girl Anachronism” by The Dresden Dolls (suicide)
[…]
* “God of Wine” by Third Eye Blind
[…]
* “Gone” by Bouncing Souls
* “Gotta Get Away” by The Offspring
* “Grey Street” by Dave Matthews Band
[…]

H

[…]
* “Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse” by Of Montreal
[…]
* “Hey Foxymophandlemama, Thats Me” by Pearl Jam (includes recorded statements from real patients in a mental hospital)
* “Hey, Hey, I’m Down” by puressence
* “Hey Man Nice Shot” by Filter
* “Hold on” by Good Charlotte (personal favorite – anti-suicide)
* “Hold on” by Kim Wilde
* “Holy” by The Golden Palominos
[…]
* “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails and covered by Johnny Cash (drug addiction and guilt)
[…]

I

[…]
* “I’ll Be That Girl” by Barenaked Ladies
[…]
* “I Think I’m Gonna Kill Myself” By Elton John (suicide)
[…]
* “Into the Ocean” by Blue October (suicidal ideation)
[…]

J

[…]
* “Japanese Gum” by Her Space Holiday (The girl mentioned in “Japanese Gum” has Borderline Personality Disorder, and the boy mentioned is someone that desperately wants to help her.)
* “Jeremy” by Pearl Jam (personal favorite – can be triggering)
[…]
* “Jugband Blues” by Pink Floyd
* “Jump They Say” by David Bowie
* “Jumper” by Third Eye Blind

K

(none)

L

* “Largactyl” by Amebix
* “Last Resort” by Papa Roach
* “Last Straw” by Jack’s Mannequin
* “Lean On Me (I Won’t Fall Over)” by Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine
[…]
* “Lithium” by Evanescence
* “Lithium” by Nirvana
[…]
* “Longview” by Green Day
* “Loaded Gun” by The Reverend Horton Heat (suicide – may be triggering)
* “Loose Lips” by Kimya Dawson (personal favorite)
[…]
* “Lucky” by Britney Spears
* “Lucy at the Gym” by Jill Sobule

M

[…]
* “Mad World” by Tears for Fears (I prefer the version by Gary Jules – personal favorite, depression)
* “Major Tom” by Peter Schilling
* “Make Me Bad” by Korn
[…]
* “Manic Depression” by Jimi Hendrix – This song describes both the euphoric highs associated with creating music (“Music, sweet music/I wish I could caress”) as well as the desperation and suicidal tendencies perhaps associated with mixed states (“Really ain’t no use in me hanging around”).
* “Mary Jane” By Alanis Morissette (depression)
* “Mary Jo” by Belle & Sebastian
[…]
* “Meds” by Placebo
* “Medication” by Garbage
* “Medication” by Modest Mouse
[…]
* “Medicine Bottle” by Red House Painters
* “Melancholia” by The Who
[…]
* “Memory Lane” by Elliott Smith
* “Mental” by Eels
[…]
* “Modern Chemistry” by Motion City Soundtrack
[…]
* “Monster” by The Automatic
[…]
* “Mother” by The Police
* “Mother Stands for Comfort” by Kate Bush – The song is about a madman finding comfort in his mother. The lyrics “Make me do this, make me do that…” are about the voices in his head.
* “Mother’s Little Helper” by The Rolling Stones – This song is about Valium addiction.
* “Mr. Self-Destruct” by Nine Inch Nails
[…]

N

[…]
* “Narcolepsy” by Ben Folds Five
* “Narcolepsy” by Third Eye Blind
[…]
* “Natalie Marie and 1cc” by The Spill Canvas
[…]
* “Night and Day” by The Good Life – Discusses self-harm, specifically cutting
* “Nightminds” by Missy Higgins (bipolar)
* “No Place For You” by Paul Westerberg (suicidal ideation)
* “No Rain” by Blind Melon
* “No Self-Control” by Peter Gabriel
* “Nobody Home” by Pink Floyd
* “Not an addict” by K’s Choice (personal favorite)
* “Not There” by James
[…]

O

[…]
* “Outburst” by Wesley Willis
* “Out of Mind” by The Cure
* “Out of Mind” by Queensrÿche from Promised Land (album)
* “Out of My Depth” by Everclear
* “Out The Window” by Violent Femmes
[…]
* “Overkill” by Men at Work (personal favorite)

P

[…]
* “Panic Attack” by Dream Theater
[…]
* “Perfect Blue Buildings” by The Counting Crows
[…]
* “Poem” by Taproot
[…]

Q

(none)

R

* “Rainy Day in June” by The Kinks
* “Rainy Day Parade” by Jill Sobule
[…]
* “River Man” by Nick Drake
* “Rope Ends” by Pain of Salvation (suicide)
* “Roses In The Hospital” by Manic Street Preachers
* “Round Here” by Counting Crows
[…]

S

* “Sad Lisa” by Cat Stevens (depression)
[…]
* “Scars & Stitches” by Guster
[…]
* “Schizophrenic Conversations” by Staind
* “Seasick, Yet Still Docked” by Morrissey
[…]
* “Shadow Creator” by Skyfire
[…]
* “She Misses Him” by Tim Rushlow (about Alzheimer’s Disease)
* “She’s Falling Apart by Lisa Loeb
* “She’s Got Issues” by The Offspring
[…]
* “She’s Lost Control” by Joy Division
* “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” by Pink Floyd
* “Shooting Star” by Harry Chapin
* “Sick” by Lagwagon
[…]
* “Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence” by Dream Theater (bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, autism, post-partum depression, and dissociative identity disorder)
[…]
* “Sleepless” by King Crimson
[…]
* “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” by Elton John
* “So Nice, So Smart” by Kimya Dawson (personal favorite
[…]
* “Soul to Squeeze” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
[…]
* “Stan” by Eminem (dangerous obsession)
[…]
* “Steven” by Senses Fail
[…]
* “Still Life” by Iron Maiden
* “Stockholm Syndrome” by Muse
[…]
* “Sucked Out” by Superdrag
[…]
* “Suicide Solution” by Ozzy Osbourne
* “Sunny Skies” by James Taylor
* “Sunrise, Sunset” by Bright Eyes
[…]
* “Sweetest Perfection” by Depeche Mode
* “System” by In Flames

T

* “Take Me Home” by Phil Collins
* “Take This Life” by In Flames
* “Teenage Depression” by Eddie & The Hot Rods
[…]
* “The Becoming” by Nine Inch Nails
[…]
* “The Enemy Is You” by Elliott Smith
* “The Final Cut” by Pink Floyd
[…]
* “The Gash” by The Flaming Lips
* “The Glass Prison” by Dream Theater
[…]
* “The Test That Stumped Them All” by Dream Theater
* “The Trial” by Pink Floyd
[…]
* “Things Have Changed” by Bob Dylan
[…]
* “Today” by The Smashing Pumpkins
* “Tomorrow Tomorrow” by Elliott Smith
[…]
* “Too Much On My Mind” by The Kinks
[…]
* “Try Not to Breathe” by R.E.M.
* “Twisted” by Joni Mitchell
* “Two Points for Honesty” by Guster

U

* “Uncorrected Personality Traits” by Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians
[…]
* “Unwell” by Matchbox Twenty
[…]

V

* “Various Stages” by Great Lake Swimmers
[…]
* “Vincent” by Don McLean
[…]

W

* “War on Drugs” by Barenaked Ladies
* “War Inside My Head” by Dream Theater
[…]
* “Weep for Jamie” by Peter, Paul and Mary
[…]
* “When I Fall” by Barenaked Ladies
[…]
* “Who Can It Be Now?” by Men at Work
* “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?” by Travis
[…]
* “Withdrawn” by James
[…]

Y

[…]
* “You Gotta Be Crazy” by Pink Floyd
* “You Knew Me To The End” by Geri Karlstrom
[…]
* “Your Evil Soul” by The Spill Canvas
[…]

Z

[…]

I will be updating this post over time. If you have any songs you’d like me to add, please leave a comment. If there are songs that you think don’t belong here, please tell me which ones and why. Thanks!

Tips on Researching Medications

Note: My friend JC is acting as a guest poster. The writing and opinions below are his.

With the boom in the number of types of psychiatric medications today, it’s easy for the average person to get lost in trying to figure out what their actual medication does and how it works. This information has long been available to medical professionals, but by the nature of their work these resources speak in technical terms, which many patients are unfamiliar with.

While I personally use the Nursing Drug Handbook published by Lippincott, which may be useful if you have an average amount of medical terminology knowledge, even this resource can be over the heads of many people. With that in mind, here are some resources that I myself have used in the past, and which may be useful to other people.

CrazyMeds.us

Somewhat poorly named site aside, CrazyMeds.us is a comprehensive site in plain English written by a man who has extensive experience with psychiatric medications. He compiles information from prescribing information sheets (the papers included in every package of pills received by pharmacists, which describes to doctors and pharmacists information on the medication), research articles, and other sources, then presents it in an easy-to-understand format. Medications are broken down into class, so that you can also see what type of medication you are taking.

Unfortunately, the site also suffers from a problem with ease of navigation. The text may be a little hard to read, and finding your specific medication may be difficult at first. However, once you find what you’re looking for, I’m sure you’ll find that this site is an invaluable resource.

Wikipedia

These days, I’m sure everyone is familiar with Wikipedia. As a result of this popularity, many medication articles on the site are pretty well written. Being an encyclopedia, it also describes the technical side of the medication, which may be confusing, but after that section it goes into the patient-oriented side of the medication. These sections often prove very useful, since it goes not only into the scientific side of things, but often the history of the medication and any issues that may have arisen over time.

Unfortunately, depending on the popularity of the medication and random factors, some articles may not be written yet, or may be just a shell. Wikipedia is an entirely voluntary system, and if no one has written anything yet, it won’t be there. Another thing to keep in mind is that, by virtue of being completely open to edits, sometimes incorrect information may sneak into an article. Keep a critical mind, and Wikipedia can be useful.

Conclusion

The immense amount of information on the Internet has opened up new sources for people to find more information on their psychiatric medications in plain English. By using the above resources, you can be more informed about what you’re taking, and maybe learn some interesting tidbits along the way.

Important note: Remember, nothing you read online can replace the trained knowledge of your doctor. The above resources are meant to complement, not replace, the relationship with your doctor. If you are concerned about any information you find on the above resources, see your doctor immediately. Do not make changes to your medication without your doctor’s knowledge and approval. Neither of us are licensed medical professionals.