I am debating whether or not I should risk having a pysch visit on my medical record. I want to get an evaluation for obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety/panic. However, I'm concerned that having this diagnosis on my record will ruin my chances of getting on future health plans, life insurance, etc. I asked my primary physician about this concern, and she told me that there were no guarantees that my fears would not be realized. I could really use your advice about this.

M.S.

The most important issue in your question is your health. It appears that you have insurance, and you imply that you trust your primary care physician. So your health is exactly where your focus should be. Perhaps you have discussed the issues with your personal physician and she has recommended that you see a specialist to explore the possibility that you have an obsessive-compulsive or anxiety/panic disorder. So there is a lingering health concern out there, and you are wondering whether exploring this concern further might jeopardize future insurance opportunities.
Ask yourself this question: If I decide not to pursue my concern, how will that affect my future insurance opportunities? If you don't try to get to the heart of your problem and get the proper treatment, how will that affect you? Will the problems get better or worse? If they get worse, and your health suffers, will you be a good candidate for insurance?

What if the problem had to do with your heart or your knee? What would be the consequences of getting treatment -- and of not getting treatment? Of course, if you have a heart problem, you need to address it. Why the different thinking when it is a mental or psychological problem? While the stigma attached to mental health issues is diminishing, some people still have different standards for mental/psychological and physical problems.

Perhaps you can achieve some peace of mind in knowing that if you maintain continuous coverage, pre-existing conditions -- mental or physical -- will be covered under future health insurance plans. Even if you have to seek coverage apart from employer-provided insurance, there can be consequences for not following the advice of a physician. In other words, it is to your advantage to seek and try to solve all your health problems.

When it comes to life insurance, the considerations are different from health insurance. Life insurance underwriting focuses on mortality matters or physical conditions that may end your life prematurely. Having a psychological diagnosis often may not disqualify you from obtaining life insurance.

You owe it to yourself to find the answers to your health concerns. Don't jeopardize your health by fearing the consequences of addressing your health.