Need advice

[Mia99]

Hi, I need some advice. I’ve been struggling terribly with mood swings for a while now. I’ve only really taken notice how extreme my mood swings are over recent weeks. One day I’m happy and motivated and the next I feel worthless and empty. I find that I get agitated by the smallest things. Or some days I wake up agitated and angry and I don’t know why. Some days I find myself wishing that I could just disappear. I don’t know why I feel this way, there is nothing particularly wrong in my life. I have these so called ‘bad days’ at least a couple days a week. And some days its a rollercoaster of emotions that I feel like I can’t control.

I have every reason to be happy but I don’t think I am. My friends get annoyed at me because they think I’m angry with them, and when I tell them I’m not and they ask why I’m acting this way, I can’t come up with an answer. I don’t know whether this is something serious or not. I don’t know if I’m exaggerating it in my head or if I should actually see someone for this. I just want to be able to be happy. Is this something I should see someone for?

I also don’t have the money to go and see someone but I know that some of it can be covered by Medicare. I guess I’d also like to know how that process works?

If anyone has any advice or has experienced something like this please let me know, I’m struggling to understand whats going on with me.

[geoff]

Hello Mia, and a warm welcome to the forums.

You ask a good question, one that many may be asking themselves, but with any mental illness you may have everything you need and no reason to be upset, but this illness has the strength to suddenly make you be unhappy and the reason why you have no idea.

It doesn't really matter whether you're just off-colour or whether you're been feeling tearful and so despondent for a long time, is when you need to go and see your GP.

The mental Health Plan allows you 10 paid Medicare sessions with a psych per year, and yes, we need to be happy.

A psychiatrist may also have the option to bulk bill.

Geoff.

Let them help you to open the door.

[White_Rose]

Dear Mia

Welcome to the forum.

The best place to start feeling better is with your GP. What you are describing sounds like depression but you need a medical person to diagnose this. Your GP can refer you to a psychologist via a mental health plan which is completed with your GP. You will be allowed ten sessions with a psychologist. These sessions can be claimed through Medicare in the same way as you claim you GP visits. Be aware that psychologists may not not charge the bulk billing cost and you will be responsible for part of the fee. The psychologist can choose to bulk bill you but I suggest you find out first how much you will be charged. Your GP should be able to help you with this.

One alternative is a referral to a psychiatrist, You will still have out of pocket costs unless the psychiatrist chooses to bulk bill. The advantage of seeing a psychiatrist is that Medicare will subsidise all your visits whereas the psychologist's rebate is capped at ten consultations per year.

Some GPs will prescribe medication, if appropriate, and also counselling. Again you will be paying a fee but your GP may bulk bill. Make an appointment to see your GP and talk about all these options. It may help to print out your post and the replies to discuss with your GP.

Depression is no respecter of persons. No matter how free of troubles you may be, depression can still affect you. That's what makes it so distressing. The up and down mood swings are hard to manage. Many people find writing about this can be helpful. Keep a journal, preferably hand written. Don't read the journal after you have written something. Leave it for a month but keep up the entries. Also keep writing here. Many people have been where you are now.

Mary