Hi everyone, I'm back.

[Guest_4643]

Hi everyone, mb20lover here. I wasn't sure where to post this.

It's been a while since I was on the forums, so I just wanted to make a post saying that I'm back. However, I'll try my best to limit my time, comments, etc on here.

I won't bother tagging anyone, and I'll try to keep this as my only open thread that I have created.

I've missed everyone I've spoken to on here, and I hope to talk to some new people. I have been using my offline supports - my Psychiatrist, GP, Parent support of course, and a Social Worker. I'm in the process of finding a Psychologist but I'm having no luck.

Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and say hello, and also I hope I haven't upset anyone on the forums or anything like that because nothing was intentional, so I deeply apologise.

An update on me, I recently turned 21, can't do much with COVID though, it's a hard year for everyone unfortunately.

I also have a milestone, an achievement, I've been seeing my Psychiatrist for a year which is the longest I've stayed with a therapist. And I also finally have a GP I feel comfortable with. I'm on different meds that seem to be working a little but I still of course have my moments, but these meds I've been on the longest for out of any of the ones I've tried.

Other than that, please don't feel pressured to comment anyone, although it would be nice to connect with some people, old or new, but like I said that's okay. I just wanted to check in.

If you've read this and made it this far, thank you. Stay safe and take care everyone, as much as possible with the unfortunate COVID circumstances.

Thinking of all the Beyond Blue Mods & Users. I've missed everyone.

- mb20lover.

[Guest_1643]

That's great that you complained and that your psych stood up for you. Good for u.
Did you also get a chance to complain to the person themselves... just food for thought - tell them - that's inappropriate.
The more I learn the right language etc I learn how to put them in place

"That's victim blaming"
"That makes me feel like it's my fault I haven't found a psychologist which causes me to feel low and vulnerable"

Another tip I have is to use your psychiatrist as sort of a protection

"I see a psychiatrist regularly and if I need feedback about wether I'm "Faking it" (Just using their words I find this personally disgusting and don't believe you or anyone is faking PTSD) - he'll give it to me. He is the one who can discern that, and if I need extra feedback I'll get it from him" thank you

Also it's not really their place even to say if you're faking it. You see a mental health professional - he's a psychiatrist. He diagnosed you. They have absolutely no plcae to disagree with that. But tell them that. Tell them you get feedback about your mental health and what you need to do from an experienced pyschiatrist, and you don't need any more feedback about your diagnosis. If you need more feedback you'll ask for it, but you prefer not to have it given to you aside from your trusted person, your psychiatrist.

[Guest_4643]

Hey Sleepy.

I try to say that stuff but I don't want to be rude, but I guess I have the right to be.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Tayla - it's not rude, it's assertive. Nothing wrong with it at all.

[Guest_4643]

Sometimes I ask my Psychiatrist a question over email & he doesn't answer it all, for example I asked him if there's another med I can take, and he said yes, but it can have similar problems. I'll ask him & the GP about it when I see them, & maybe the Social Worker may know, I can get her to look it up when I'm there later.

I asked if he would be away for holidays over Christmas & if I could see him in January but he didn't reply.

- Tayla

[Guest_1643]

HI Tayla - to be honest some of that is a bit concerning that yu don't get a reply - I'm not sure that's so good
it sounds like you don't have much access to him so then are left alone with a lot of concern. YOu can also talk to the pharmacist to get a bit more info about the medication if that helps you. I think assertive communication where you include the negative consequences you have faced or will face if you dont get the assistance you are requesting, could help you. If something causes you to feel anxious and has for a long time it has caused a negative consequence to u. Hope it works

(I did a course on assertive communication at the hopsital - so i've learn a little bit about it and had to use it all the time in the mental health system.) It's very hard to get help and you shouldn't be left to figure out such difficult things by yourself- i can understand it's distressing.

[Guest_1643]

they need to give you notice about when they are away so u can make plans for ur mental health for example -

you could email again and say "I am trying to ensure I have support over the break periods and it's difficult to get in to see people over holiday periods so I want to be able to do that now. Please could you advise me which dates you are away over the break."

Some therapists advertise these away dates in advance because they know patients get anxious. I think that's good practise and you deserve an answer.

[Guest_4643]

Hey Sleepy.

Yeah that's the only way I have of contacting my Psychiatrist outside of sessions. I don't like doing it and would rather contact him personally but I don't want to ask. However, on his prescriptions I have in paper form from him (old meds), 1 is his private practice, but the number is disconnected so it doesn't work, don't know why, maybe he hasn't updated it or doesn't work there. I believe he works at the Community Mental Health at the hospital, because it also says that on his prescription. Maybe I could call them, ask if he works there and leave a message for him to call or email me? I don't know. Don't want to sound pushy.

Yes I agree, they should tell you, or say "contact this person or place" or something in the meantime, especially if they're away for a long time (say weeks or even months). I guess no one's going away, only having a few days off, depending where in Australia they live, with COVID. Last year he told me was going overseas (didn't say where but that's none of my business) over Christmas & while I like Christmas, it's always a very hard & lonely time for me, & I was feeling suicidal, so I tried contacting him. He just told me to see my GP but he was also away, and this was before I saw this GP, the other GP I was seeing was useless & wouldn't prescribe me my meds even with letters from my Psychiatrist, yes at the same clinic. So the day he got back in January, he saw me and was concerned.

One time he cut me off after 5 mins, when the sessions are 20-30 mins (only if you're a new patient then they're 60), and I told him this upset me, and now he tells me if the session is less. Mind you he takes a few mins to get on which is annoying. He said I should speak up and ask questions but I said even if I write things down, I still forget and I don't feel comfortable discussing certain things. He apologised and it said it wasn't intentional. I told him it upset me because all he asked was how I was going & how the meds were going (this was early stages of my current meds), and I said I don't know yet, then he hung up basically. I tried to say we have more time but he just hung up.

I have no issue with my GP & Psychiatrist, except that they make me wait so long. I understand they're doing it to see how long i can go, but it's so hard. Should I try asking to see them every 2-3 weeks again?

Yeah I might ask my Pharmacist about stuff for PTSD if I go to the Chemist again.

Thanks, I have my appointment soon so TTYL

[Guest_4643]

Sorry Sleepy, I typed a reply but it mustn't have worked.

I'll reply properly to you later, I have my appointment soon

[Guest_1643]

All good Tay!
Just wanted to let u know I am here for u and we all are. I think u will be able to get some good outcomes I really do, you're worth it. You're a lovely person, not rude at all, so dont even worry about seeming that way i you need to ask for help. We all do that when we need to otherwise sometimes unfortunatey we get a bit forgotten in this busy world. good luck for u appointment hope its great

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Hey Tayla

I just found your thread, so I'll say hi so I can find it again. Glad you have an appointment today, hope it helps.

Katy