Is better help able to connect me with someone who could potentially prescribe medication?
Hello Sass! Thank you so much for your question.
So it appears you are looking for guidance on being able to receive medication and find someone to give medication for a possible mental health diagnosis.
So I think this is a common misunderstanding of the differences between psychiatrists and therapists. Therapist training is to understand the connection of the brain, thoughts, emotions and our behaviors. We are trained in the understanding of the brain functioning and how to heal through changing your thinking process, understanding emotions, and making behavioral changes that allow growth towards a life worth living.
Psychiatrists are trained medically to understand the dynamics within the brain that change based on possible mental health diagnosis. They are trained in understanding of specific medications and how they might impact someone struggling with a specific mental health diagnosis if that makes sense.
BetterHelp does not (at this time) employ psychiatry services, and this would have to be something you likely would gain a referral through your primary care physician for. I would encourage you to ask your provider about options for medication
Unfortunatley because of the ramification on the BetterHelp platform we also cannot formally diagnosis any clients on the platform. A formal diagnosis is likely something that will be needed for you to gain the right type of medication, and usually this is something that we have to encourage clients to get outside of the platform because of the guidelines as providers we have to uphold.
BetterHelp should not be utilized if your main goal is to obtain medication and a formal mental health diagnosis. Because I cannot provide an official mental health diagnosis on this platform, providers including myself are unable to provide documentation or letters that need a formal diagnosis such as supporting with any emotional support animal paperwork or referrals, communicating with outside therapy resources or other providers on your treatment time, writing letters for FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) needs, or even giving the information to a psychiatry provider would be prohibited by the Terms and Conditions of this platform.
If you are looking to learn more about thinking patterns, emotions, and strategies that COULD help you pull yourself out of this dark cloud... then you are in the right place!
Something I want to remind you about medication is it is in fact a WONDERFUL option and incredibly healing for many ; however, there is no "magic pill" that can decrease hopelessness entirely. A lot of the times I find my clients become incredibly successful when they utilize medication as one option but also incorporate other healthy coping skills and learn patterns to hopelessness and what core beliefs or wounds might be driving that difficult.
For example, through the process of therapy your therapist will begin by establishing a clinical rapport and relationship with you. Many times the relationship is a BIG factor in the way you may or may not heal in the process. If you do not feel a connection with your provider whether this is a counselor, psychiatrist, or otherwise I encourage you to always switch and find someone you feel heard and valued with.
Secondly as you begin building that relationship, your counselor will be asking questions about your childhood, background, past experiences and begin to uncover any negative core belief systems that might be driving this difficulty with hopelessness.
Core beliefs you can think of somewhat like wearing a pair of colored glasses and looking at the world. EVERYTHING you encounter from your relationships, workplace experiences, view of the world, view of others, and really EVERYTHING you touch is likely colored by your core beliefs.
Think of it this way... If I tell you there are more red cars on the road than any other car and this is a fact next time you are out on the road it is likely you are going to be looking for EVERY red car you see to validate "Oh Michelle was right! There are more red cars I see now" HOWEVER you will also MISS all the other cars that are probably speeding by.
If you do notice a car of another color by chance, you probably will rationalize this by saying "Oh that doesn't really count" in some way. Your brain will try to find excuses or reasons for why this is untrue because it is much easier to operate out of our existing belief system if that makes any sense?
Through the process of therapy your therapist will understand 1) what core beliefs are driving disconnect from happiness? 2) where did these beliefs come from? 3) What experiences in your life reinforced this existing belief system 4) How is it serving (or not serving you) today? and 5) What is a more accurate, helpful way to reframe the existing belief system to accommodate growth and change in your life.
A therapist can also help you incorporate healthy coping skills that can help you with low mood, hopelessness, and difficulties you are mentioning. Much of our experience has more to do with how we think about what happens to us, than our actual circumstances. It has been studied that the way we view our reality is MUCH to do with how we feel, the opportunities that come to us (or don't) and our general happiness levels overall.
Healthy coping skills like journaling, practicing mindfulness, being consistent with active exercise for twenty to thirty minutes a day, eating healthy, taking time for relationships, being present in your day to day life, connecting with your values and SO much more are all things your therapist might be able to support you along the way.
Like I mentioned, there is no "magic pill" so although you cannot necessarily get medication prescribed through BetterHelp I do believe the addition of counseling into your life could be a wonderful tool for change. If nothing else, it can be helpful to have a non-judgmental, safe, space to bounce your thoughts and ideas off of.
I wish you best of luck in your healing journey!