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Vitsyra Mental Health Plan and First Session with Counsellor
  • replies: 4

Hi All, I have a question about the Mental Health Plan. I got one from my GP, and went to my first session today. I was under the impression that through the plan I would have access to 10 free sessions, but instead I had to pay $130 upfront and afte... View more

Hi All, I have a question about the Mental Health Plan. I got one from my GP, and went to my first session today. I was under the impression that through the plan I would have access to 10 free sessions, but instead I had to pay $130 upfront and after a medicare rebate I will have paid $40 for the session. I can't really afford $400 for all the sessions, so I'm thinking I won't go back. Also, I'm not sure the session was much use. I felt rushed, like I couldn't finish a sentence before the topic was changed.. and I felt like getting me out on time was the most important thing.. just felt very impersonal. I am trying to think that its only the first session and they need a chance to establish who I am and why I'm there.. but I'm not overly excited to go back.. earliest session I could get next is end of October. Should I go back? Or try at least one more session? Thanks, Dawn

iam_strong Difficulty finding the right therapist
  • replies: 10

I've seen many psychologists in the past but couldn't seem to find s good fit for me. I was diagnosed with PTSD over a year ago caused by workplace bullying and had to quit my job and a great career. Most of the time I feel sorry for myself for being... View more

I've seen many psychologists in the past but couldn't seem to find s good fit for me. I was diagnosed with PTSD over a year ago caused by workplace bullying and had to quit my job and a great career. Most of the time I feel sorry for myself for being in a situation that I never thought would happen to me. I was a dedicated career woman working in the corporate world for most of my life then my world was suddenly turned upside down. Now all I do is curl up in bed everyday, take rejection after rejection from potential employers, despite them saying that I have an amazing CV. I'm now worried financially if I don't find a job which adds to my depression. I've been in anti-depressants for a while now which helped but I stopped seeing my last psychologist. She was very helpful at first having had the same bullying experience, so she helped me understand what was happening to me. But as time went on, I felt our sessions became more about her than me. She would talk for most of the time, and would say negative things about the people who hurt me and so I would feel more upset after each session. The one before her was good too and helped me understand myself better, until she focused more on religion and morality rather than my problems. I asked if I could bring my female partner to our session because she's being affected too, but my psychologist rejected the idea. She suggested that my sexual preference also needed to be addressed in our next sessions. I didn't see her again after she made that comment. And other therapists I've seen just didn't work for me. Some just let me talk the whole time and not give any advice. I'm struggling at the moment and need professional help but reluctant to start a new relationship with a new therapist. I've just been relying on self-help but feel it's not enough. Is there a service where a therapist is matched with a patient's preference - not just by location but speciality, techniques and personality? I think this would help many patients by ensuring a better chance of successful and shorter term treatment. In my case, I feel I should have made quicker progress if I've met the right therapist from the beginning without having to stop and start again. The problem is, it takes many session before one can establish real therapist/patient rapport which is also very costly and frustrating. If you could refer a good psychologist/psychiatrist in Sydney who specialises in PTSD and effects of workplace bullying and practises ACT, CBT, mindfulness therapy and how to control emotions, who has a listening ear but also gives honest constructive advice and works well with all sexes, please please I would love to get their details. Thanks so mch.

Chloekat84 Just started new medication and am struggling 😥
  • replies: 3

I may not write very often on here but when I do it's because I'm really having a hard time with my mental health. I've just started a new anti depressant and when I do I go into withdrawal from my previous one. I can't think positively or even how t... View more

I may not write very often on here but when I do it's because I'm really having a hard time with my mental health. I've just started a new anti depressant and when I do I go into withdrawal from my previous one. I can't think positively or even how to cope with anything in the moment or in the close future and everything looks dark. I can't handle my 5 year olds behaviour while I'm like this and she knows I can't do makes things harder for me It's like I've gone from being very content and nearly happy previously to all of a sudden darkness and can't stop crying and neusea. Just really needing some advice and just knowing I'm not the only one feeling this. I can't keep feeling like this every day. I can't remember how long it takes until u can start to feel the anti depressant working. I can't remember as I tried one before my last one and I was on it nearly a week and didn't see any difference so was told to come off it.

Pseudomonas What should I do with my counseling relationship
  • replies: 9

Is it normal for counsellors to touch clients to improve trust? Mine touched me at the end of each session. I resent it - am I overreacting? He was also trying to get me to change jobs to move to his suburb. He said I shouldn't find a hobby, but shou... View more

Is it normal for counsellors to touch clients to improve trust? Mine touched me at the end of each session. I resent it - am I overreacting? He was also trying to get me to change jobs to move to his suburb. He said I shouldn't find a hobby, but should try to be like him. He said he was a solution finder and my friend, but he was rather insensitive to my feelings and got my problems wrong after a few weekly sessions. Last week he was on the phone demanding to know whether I was going to show up, despite I rang and left him voicemail the week before regard appointment dates and he did not call me back to confirm which date. I have been with this counsellor for more than a month now. I can't get myself to trust him any more. I dread going to counseling. There are so many things I dislike about my experience I don't even want to confront the counsellor to change them (I tried telling him the suggested treatment didn't work but he said it should work). What should I do? Thanks in advance!

The_Sensei Dr has prescribed anti anxiety meds, feeling a bit nervous hoping for some positive stories
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone Over the past 6 months I have developed some anxious feelings over a few things that have happened in my past and a stressful work environment this year. I can always feel the anxiety bubbling away under the surface and at times I feel gr... View more

Hi everyone Over the past 6 months I have developed some anxious feelings over a few things that have happened in my past and a stressful work environment this year. I can always feel the anxiety bubbling away under the surface and at times I feel great like nothing is there but at other times I get really riled up and feel so overwhelmed that I have to sit down for a while to calm down. I have been seeing a councillor through work which I find does help for the most part but I'm sick of that anxious feeling always in the back ground. I've seen my GP today and he was aware of the situation and he has recommended a low dose SSRI which he thinks will help. I am a bit nervous about taking it but do want to move past this thing. I was just wondering what to expect and if anyone has any positive stories about medication helping to control and move past anxiety. Thanks heaps

ScarlettMay Losing faith in the Mental Health system
  • replies: 5

After a series of unfortunate life events, I have been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. In the last 8 months I have tired every avenue available to me in an attempt to counter this dibilitating health issue. Tried various types of medica... View more

After a series of unfortunate life events, I have been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. In the last 8 months I have tired every avenue available to me in an attempt to counter this dibilitating health issue. Tried various types of medications, including serveral anti-depressants, all of which have just given me more problems to contend with than I had to start with. Don't even get me started on all the horrible side effects of anti-dep meds. I have Seen and worked with countless doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, CAT teams, HITH teams, plus my local GP. Most of these people say the same things - Meditation, breathing/counting exercises, distraction techniques, listen to rainforest music etc which I'm sure are a great help to some however to me and others at the height of a full blown anxiety/panic attack or episode in which you feel as though you are dying, I can tell you they are useless. I have stopped taking all medication now ( safely ) as I feel after taking it for 8 months and to be feeling worse, I don't think it's doing what the doc's are saying it should be. My latest doctor took me off her books without letting me know ( I found out when I called the reception to make an appointment ) and I am now unable to speak with her. Kind of a slap in the face actually, especially to someone who is so actively trying to fix my health. I'm sure because I refused anymore medication she felt she couldn't help me. I really feel as though there isn't enough known about these serious mental health issues and how to fix them. I am aware meds can take some time to fully work however I think 8 months is plenty of waiting. Everyone says you need to have patience, you won't be like this forever, or its just a bad patch, but for someone with serious mental health issues RIGHT NOW to know there is no answer or helpful advice RIGHT NOW is a terrible terrible feeling. I really have lost faith in the system and in my doctors. I feel as though what I am expressing is falling on deaf ears and unless I continue with medication they cannot help me. (Even though meds haven't helped me at all ) Surely I cannot be the only person feeling this way.

Cas221 Hello. I need advice.
  • replies: 5

Hi. I'm going to see a psychiatrist soon (for severe depression - I've had it for three years now and I want to feel better) but I need some advice. I saw a psychologist a year or so ago but had to stop going because it was anxiety inducing and I fou... View more

Hi. I'm going to see a psychiatrist soon (for severe depression - I've had it for three years now and I want to feel better) but I need some advice. I saw a psychologist a year or so ago but had to stop going because it was anxiety inducing and I found it hard to speak. I have autism which means when I'm nervous and need to speak I laugh instead of talking. I guess you could say I'm partly non-verbal. As you can probably tell, this is a problem because it's important for me to be able to communicate with the other person. I don't know if the psychiatrist will have much patience for my laughing. The psychologist I saw last year kept thinking that I found something funny which was frustrating because I was actually trying really hard to speak but could only laugh. So I need some advice. Is there any way for a partly non-verbal person to communicate to a medical professional? Has anyone else had this problem and can share advice with me please? Thankyou. If I'm not making any sense please let me know

Waterfalls See the doc but not just ANY doc
  • replies: 9

Hi. There are good docs out there, but unfortunately i dont have one right now. I've learned the hard way that i have to 'shop around' and i cannot just place my faith in someone just because they are a psychiatrist. 2 experiences recently i consider... View more

Hi. There are good docs out there, but unfortunately i dont have one right now. I've learned the hard way that i have to 'shop around' and i cannot just place my faith in someone just because they are a psychiatrist. 2 experiences recently i consider as serious misconduct. 1. Psyche I've seen for years gives up, implants negativity that I'm not 'one of those people that can meditate', that it's 'my personality' = your fault. 'No pills are going to work for you' Icing on the cake is when she fell asleep in my last session. 2. Tried new psyche. After the usual painful preamble he says 'I'm suprised you haven't offed yourself already. Had to call lifeline after that Question: i want to report these people. They are in positions of power and i deem this an abuse of it. I'm afraid though as if I'm not anonymous, they have the money and ego to sue me for defamation of character and icant give proof add sessions not recorded. At the same time i dint want anyone else having this experience with these 2 doctors EVER.

CrazyKitten Should I quit before applying for centrelink
  • replies: 5

Hi there, I'm sorry if this is the wrong place. I suffer severe psychiatric issues including a multiple personality, severe anxiety and hallucinations. The worst part is that its trauma related so anti phycotics don't work. I am seeing a psychologist... View more

Hi there, I'm sorry if this is the wrong place. I suffer severe psychiatric issues including a multiple personality, severe anxiety and hallucinations. The worst part is that its trauma related so anti phycotics don't work. I am seeing a psychologist. Its making it impossible for me to keep working, my performance is going down and I'm hanging on by a thread. I'm thinking of applying for a disability pension. I have heard that its really hard to get a pension for mental health but I'm not coping. I'm so scared that if I apply while I'm still working (three days a week) they'll reject me to encourage me to keep working. But I'm scared if I quit first and then get knocked back then I'm leaving myself financially stranded, I'm so stressed out trying to cope with life, I'm not sure how much longer I can hold on. Can someone please advise me?

Coffeebean Nervous about counselling
  • replies: 97

I thought I should post a newbie hello. It seems the polite thing to do, rather than lurking. I am married, mother of two, working part time. I've been taking an antidepressant for almost four weeks now, (first time) and need to see my gp again to ar... View more

I thought I should post a newbie hello. It seems the polite thing to do, rather than lurking. I am married, mother of two, working part time. I've been taking an antidepressant for almost four weeks now, (first time) and need to see my gp again to arrange counselling (also first time). Side effects haven't been too bad, just restlessness and low appetite. I've realised that I'm particularly bad at talking about myself. I am a really, really good listener, but when it comes to talking, nothing comes out. It's almost as if saying "I'm fine" has become automatic.