sj, perhaps you could tell them, "Our ceremony won't be complete with out a human sacrifice, and it's so hard to get volunteers these days." Then smile and ask what they're doing in six weeks or so.

I have told them that we'll let them know when we figure out what we're going to do, but now I'm getting weekly e-mails. And of course no one is bugging TCG, so he doesn't understand why I'm getting so upset. I'm this close to saying that we are no longer going to have a little party after the elopement because it's becoming too much of a problem.

Shiny!

Calli, I wish I could pull that off.

OK, I know the Bitches are down with the meds and the talky meat therapy:

So, if you feel like you are falling apart and suspect you may need both medication AND talky meat therapy, who do you call first? I don't want to call up a talky meat person who can't prescribe drugs if they decide I need them, but do they usually have a relationship with someone who can? Would they be someone on my insurance if the talky person was also on my insurance? Or do I call a psych person first? Or just go to my GP and start crying? That seems a tad melodramatic, but OTOH melodramatic is how I'm feeling these days...

Melodramatic is an accurate view of your symptoms, so there's nothing wrong with it if you want to go that route.

Other than that, IME, talky and prescribe-y people both tend to have networks that they work with and can give recommendations about -- in other words, you should be able to get a referral to either one from the other. But I'd start with the talky, since having a good relationship with them is more important; and obviously be sure that both are covered by your insurance. You can specify that, and they'll totally understand.

(At least around here, they're pretty much all covered by all the big providers, but we're also a big-time medical town, so it may be different elsewhere.)

So, if you feel like you are falling apart and suspect you may need both medication AND talky meat therapy, who do you call first?

Go to your GP and tell them how you feel. They should be able to give you recommendations for therapists AND be able to suggest what meds you may need (and prescribe them!). That's what I did last summer.

And meara, I am SO ANGRY with the universe for mucking you around about employment.

It's a pity you're not Cuban, meara-- we're big on the self-dianoses and the networking with which to obtain the meds without a lot of insurance interference, AKA, the Cuban Grapevine.

I think the first step is your GP-- they can usually get you the referrals you need. Actually, I've also gotten that sort of referral from my GYN, as well.

And meara, I am SO ANGRY with the universe for mucking you around about employment.

Shit, I TOTALLY forgot to say this part.

If you know and like your GP, that might be a good first step. S/he can probably prescribe some drugs (some will, some won't, and some will write scrips for things you've taken before but not other things, and all can refer to a psychiatrist) and give a referral to a talky person.