Once you realize that you may have a mental health problem, you'll need to find someone who is able to help you.
Your phone book is one important place to start. Check the yellow pages under things like "mental health" "psychiatry" "counseling" etc. Usually, your searching will provide you with several different options of places you can go for treatment. I do not recommend going to a regular doctor, as they are not fully trained to diagnose a mental health problem. Yes, they may recognize there is a problem, but there too readily prescribe drugs, and what they give you the first time usually isn't the right thing for your condition. However, going to your doctor and saying you have a problem is a right step. However, don't let them prescribe anything. Ask to be sent to a professional in the mental health field.
A hospital is a nice place to start with. Most of the larger hospitals have a mental health ward. And usually they have inpatient and outpatient programs. More severe conditions such as threatning suicide, eating disorders, and Bipolar disorder may require hospitlization. However, this isn't always the case. 99% of the time, you will be put into a outpatient program.
Maybe, you'll get lucky enough to have a mental health office in your area. Usually, they are staffed with all kinds of professionals and have emergency numbers you can call if need be. This, is your best bet.
Once you have found a treatment center, you'll need to call them and make a appointment. Depending on your case and urgency of the problem, you may be taken that day, or in a few days. When you go in, you'll meet with either a social worker or aide to fill out paper work. This is a standard procedure and usually consists of insurance information, how you feel, how long this has been going on, have you been diagnosed before, etc etc. Then, another appointment will be scheduled, which is with a therapist. Another appointment will be scheduled. This is with person who is able to diagnose your condition and who will prescribe some sort of medication to help combat you illness. These appointments will continue for awhile until each person feels that you are functioning at a pretty normal level and are able to go awhile without help. However, they realize that the time may arise that you need help and will provide you with a emergency number to call just in case.
