| With the pressures of our modern times, we can | | | | counselor your confidant. Most of these religious |
| experience many mental discomforts. Most are | | | | leaders have some training in counseling. For more |
| probably minor, but some may be more serious. How | | | | serious problems, you may want to consult with a |
| do you decide which type of Mental Health specialist is | | | | licensed therapist, who may be a social worker with |
| best for your particular needs? In southwestern Ohio, | | | | either a Masters Degree or Ph.D. |
| Cincinnati psychiatrists and Cincinnati psychologists | | | | But what if you are depressed or up and down all the |
| perform different types of services. | | | | time? In that case you might need medication to even |
| Most common are little problems that will not require | | | | out your moods. A starting place is your primary care |
| medications. You know that things could be worked | | | | doctor. While your primary doctor may not have time |
| out if you could just talk things out with someone. If | | | | to devote to counseling, he or she can prescribe an |
| you just have some problems that are bugging you, | | | | appropriate medication. Another possibility if you need |
| you may be able to just find a sympathetic friend who | | | | medication but do not need a lot of therapy would be |
| is a good listener. If you choose this solution, you need | | | | a primary care mood specialist or a busy managed |
| to be aware of one trait of most friends. I have found | | | | care psychiatrist. |
| that the tendency of most people is to listen to the | | | | If the problems are more serious and you feel that you |
| beginning of your story but then quickly take over the | | | | need both therapy and medication, other options are |
| conversation to talk about themselves and their | | | | available to you. Your first stop might be to see a |
| personal experiences. So, before you start to discuss | | | | psychiatric nurse practitioner. These professionals can |
| your situation with a friend, you may want to tell the | | | | give you more time that you need for discussion than |
| friend that you want them to listen to everything you | | | | the doctor might. At the next level would be a general |
| have to say and to focus just on you. If you want | | | | psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are |
| more anonymity, you may want to find a chat group | | | | also trained to provide intensive psychotherapy. If you |
| made up of others in your situation. In an Internet chat | | | | need significant time to sort out your problems while |
| group, you can give yourself a screen name and retain | | | | taking medication, a psychiatrist can provide this |
| your privacy. Talking with a friend will allow you to sort | | | | personal care. If the mental problems are acute and |
| out your thoughts and feelings. Things just seem to | | | | medically troublesome, you may want to be referred |
| make more sense when you say them out loud. | | | | to a mood disorder specialist, who has special training |
| However, if you need a bit more than friendly advice, | | | | in the treatment of mood disorders. |
| you may want to make a church pastor or other | | | | |