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]

Hey Tayla -
Good luck tomorrow. That's good you use the MHCP - i'm just wandering if you would be able to find a bulk-billing psychologist as iv'e heard it's terribly hard to find one. I've never been able to find one but with the MHCP it's affordable although I understand for many it is still unaffordable and I've experienced that too.
Maybe you could tell the social worker about the nightmares? i know what you mean that it's hard to calm down. It can be very distressing to have a nightmare, that's for sure.

[Guest_4643]

Thank you. I have told the Social Worker about that before, but she doesn't know what to do. It's more of a Psychiatrist thing I guess.

Thanks though.

- Tayla

[ecomama]

Hi Tay Tay!

I finally found you lol and read ALMOST all the posts...

So can I clarify please? Thankyou for your patience... the following are all questions really...

You have been diagnosed with PTSD
Do you have other diagnoses
You aren't working or studying atm
Headspace didn't work out for you (I totally see why from your post about it)
You are in NSW

Happy Birthday again sweet girl. xxxx

Have you thought about getting in touch with a local Women's Health Centre?

I had a lot to do with them in a very intense period in my life a few years ago.

They offer some very interesting free Courses to do and USUALLY these Courses are facilitated by Qualified Counsellors so there isn't any rubbish flung about - well there wasn't in the one I did for 8 - 10 weeks. The Counsellors were EXCELLENT and I learnt SO MUCH!

Hopefully the Course I did wouldn't relate to you, it was about Domestic and Family Violence - really hard.

But there are lots of OTHER Courses and lots of interest groups at ours too.

Anyway I'm a gardener so there are LOTS of groups and Community Garden Communities for that if all I ever wanted to do was garden 24/7 lol... which could be me but not atm lol.

Have you watched Brene Brown's "A Call to Courage" on Netflix yet?
IT'S BRILLIANT.
So are her books.

Sleepy21 put me onto Kristen Neff's self care stuff and some of her clips online share how self-care is the ONE thing people who healed from PTSD DID.
Hence I started a Self-care thread here...

I'd love you to pop in and share some lovely things you do for yourself there!

Love to you
EM

[Guest_4643]

Hi EM.

I'm from Victoria actually. Yes I have PTSD. My other diagnoses are: Major Depressive Disorder & Dysthymia (my Psychiatrist says I have both), Anxiety/Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Avoidant Personality Disorder & Social Anxiety/Social Phobia. & paranoia too of course.

Thanks for the late birthday wishes. I contacted the Womens Centre but they said the Psychologist can't help me there either. That's the only one around here I believe.

No I'm not working or studying because I can't afford it & have no skills, I applied for NDIS relating to that but they said they won't fund any of it. I'm on the DSP though.

No I don't have Netflix.

- Tayla

[ecomama]

HI Tay

Maybe we can ask things differently of certain places and get far better responses?

For example Women's Health Centre...

(I know you're on the trot for a psychologist but I'll suggest something later there..)

so back to the WHC... maybe you can ask "What Courses, groups, activities do you offer for free that I may be able to attend?"

On the Psychologist trot - and ANY other seemingly impossible task - I think DELEGATION is called for.
I know others suggested similar on this thread.

I truly think your Social Worker needs to find a Psychologist for you.

May I ask what your Social Worker DOES do for you?

Re: NDIS funding
I spoke to someone who's an NDIS Support worker.

Besides mentioning the fact that many girls and women are diagnosed with tons of stuff but in fact they have Autism is just a mention. Knowing that all the checklists for Autism are for males, Autism manifests very differently in females. Tik Tok has great clips about that.

Anyway it IS possible to get NDIS funding for people with MH issues, it's just the WAY you write the application.

EG.
They won't fund a Course but.................... they may fund a Support Worker to attend social activities. Meaning if part of your diagnoses are around difficulties with interacting etc... then funding can pay a worker to go places WITH you and also help model things to you, basically "be there" for you as a supporter so you can do these activities.

Food for thought perhaps?

Tbh I hear your frustration at not getting the right people to help you.

You've been there before though and showed INCREDIBLE perseverance in getting a great GP and being able to see a Psychiatrist too. SO you can do it.

Believe me I know how frustrating it can be. I've been in the same boat as many of us have with myself and now for my youngest daughter.

I will persevere.
I am resilient.

It's THAT important.

Love EM

[Guest_4643]

Hey EM.

It's just a Medical Clinic, they don't do courses there. There's not really anyone in the town the Social Worker works in. I've emailed everyone locally & even Telehealth options with no luck. I don't even care anymore if I don't get an ounce of help, I'm used to it now.

She's just there to talk to I guess, I don't know. I see her whenever I can get in, between Psychiatrist & GP visits.

No they couldn't help me with anything, my Psychiatrist filled in the forms because he's known me the longest & they won't fund anything - courses, jobs/training, social skills, etc etc.

Thanks though.

[Matchy69]

Hi Tayla I have been thinking about how hard it has been for you getting help, finding services.I just thinking something you could do wrote a letter to you local MP and to your Victorian health minister explaining your situation how you have tried so hard to get help but get closed doors.Explain it how you have here.But i dont know how you feel about doing that but maby it can help you and others in a similar situation.You are a special person and deserve to be helped.I think your social worker should be helping more as this is their job.I have dealt with them over the years and have helped me with various things.

Take care,

Your friend,

Mark.

[Guest_4643]

Thanks Mark. I was thinking about doing that, or maybe Scomo. They probably wouldn't care and write back though, I'm just another person.

The social worker can't do much as I already have a GP & Psychiatrist I guess, plus she doesn't know of any Psychologists around. Thanks though

[Matchy69]

Tayla I have done that myself.I wrote an email to the education minister here about my son only be allowed to stay at school to lunch time and getting sent home ealier if he was getting a bit loud.I got a long response back basically saying they would look into it.Since that letter my son is kept at school to 3pm and the principle was changed who took him under wing.He gets through the day without much drama after a rock start.

Take care,

Mark.

[Guest_4643]

That's good that they helped you with your Son. I don't think they'd care about me though