Immediate support
Immediate support

Treatments, health professionals and therapies

Information on a range of different areas, including managing relationships with GPs and psychologists, and finding the right services for you.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

All discussions

Start a discussion

Retchey Learning about the effects of alcohol while on AD
  • replies: 5

Hi guys, I am currently on AD, the last week and a bit I had been feeling quite well and somewhat balanced (somewhat) just.... Any way last Saturday I went out to visit family friends with my family, and I consumed 4 craft beers over 4-5 hours, since... View more

Hi guys, I am currently on AD, the last week and a bit I had been feeling quite well and somewhat balanced (somewhat) just.... Any way last Saturday I went out to visit family friends with my family, and I consumed 4 craft beers over 4-5 hours, since then I have kind of relapsed into the "hole", I have been racking my brain as to why, and today I dawned upon me (der) it was the amount of alcohol I consumed. Has anyone else experienced this? Regards

highlysensitivepersonhsp My positive experience with CBT
  • replies: 10

Recently I joined mindspot, which is an online course on CBT supported by a therapist if you wish. I have had remarkable success in a short time. Why did it work? Because I studied the lessons and applied the theory to myself. I was smart enough to k... View more

Recently I joined mindspot, which is an online course on CBT supported by a therapist if you wish. I have had remarkable success in a short time. Why did it work? Because I studied the lessons and applied the theory to myself. I was smart enough to know that if I believe in the theory then it might just work. And it did. The key was to challenge my negative thoughts to make them realistic, helpful and true. No matter how true my negative thoughts felt, I was going to use my mental powers to overturn them and reconsider the evidence. I used the list of biases to recognise the tricks my mind played on me and I managed to eradicate them completely. Now I am working on seeing the positives of my experience like the significance of my involvement with my treating team who I have come to appreciate and respect. We are working together after all. Thoughts become negative or destructive when we are anxious or depressed, but by challenging the thoughts and dealing with the underlying problem you can bring yourself out of anxiety and depression. This leads to feeling good about yourself, even if you can't change everything about your situation. Remember the serenity prayer. Although, I now have a renewed optimism for where my life is heading. The journey really is important. It's what carries you through life's challenges. Each success is a feather in your cap. Each failure is a reminder to keep trying or do something different, whatever works for you. Along my journey I set small goals...reading a book, joining a new group, etc. Dealing with negative thoughts makes the journey more enjoyable. Life can be good. It starts with your thinking. Sandra

KMTE Difference between anxiety and med side effects
  • replies: 6

So I know you guys aren't health care professionals but I just thought I would write in for a vent and see if anyone has felt similar. I've recently started medication (4 days in) for health anxiety, anxiety, ocd and I have also suffered from panic a... View more

So I know you guys aren't health care professionals but I just thought I would write in for a vent and see if anyone has felt similar. I've recently started medication (4 days in) for health anxiety, anxiety, ocd and I have also suffered from panic attacks. My anxiety seems to be manageable for a few days then I have a random bad day thrown in which is annoying. So I had a pretty good weekend but last night I hardly slept, which caused a headache and lightheadedness this morning which then caused anxiety and other symptoms which caused a day of panic in general. I calmed myself down over lunch a bit but at school pick up all of a sudden my breathing felt really shallow and I really started noticing it and it felt like I couldn't breathe and I thought I might need to call 000! I did some breathing modules on the headspace app and wound the car window down and settled my breathing down and I managed to finish my day somewhat normal. But the possible med side effects are- anxiety, light headed ness and shallow hard to breath but they are also symptoms of my anxiety. Have called the hospital and health direct and both think if it was a reaction it would be getting worse and wouldn't have settled itself. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow. Has anyone ever experienced anxiety over the possibility of it not being anxiety and a reaction to meds?

nlboujos Psychotherapy
  • replies: 16

Has anyone tried psychotherapy? How does it differ from a psychologist? My counsellor recommended I see a psychotherapist for more long term solutions (EAP only provide 6 sessions, so are focused on short term solutions). I have an appointment booked... View more

Has anyone tried psychotherapy? How does it differ from a psychologist? My counsellor recommended I see a psychotherapist for more long term solutions (EAP only provide 6 sessions, so are focused on short term solutions). I have an appointment booked for Wednesday afternooon

Bullied Mental health services and tobacco
  • replies: 26

I have noticed that many people who attend mental health services also smoke tobacco. The fact that these facilities are designated smoke free has no effect and a blind eye is shown to those who smoke. I am extremely hypersensitive to tobacco and jus... View more

I have noticed that many people who attend mental health services also smoke tobacco. The fact that these facilities are designated smoke free has no effect and a blind eye is shown to those who smoke. I am extremely hypersensitive to tobacco and just being close to someone who has smoked in the previous half hour or so can give me a severe migraine. This has been the case when I have tried to get assistance. It seems that the high level of tobacco smoke will preclude me from availing of mental health services.

MaiiBear GP's?
  • replies: 6

I made a forum and I had someone very nice suggest seeing a GP for anxiety/depression. Today I had a good day but I know it'll go downhill again eventually so I'm going to ask now in case I back out later. First of all, how do you (or how did you) as... View more

I made a forum and I had someone very nice suggest seeing a GP for anxiety/depression. Today I had a good day but I know it'll go downhill again eventually so I'm going to ask now in case I back out later. First of all, how do you (or how did you) ask about seeing one or explain what was going on? And what happens when you go? I wanted to know what options they usually give you as well because I really don't know what to expect. Thank you

Guest_128 What should a good psychologist do?
  • replies: 22

Hi, I am wondering what a good psychologist do for us? Are they just there like a friend should be over coffee? Whats your thoughts and experiences please. Later

Hi, I am wondering what a good psychologist do for us? Are they just there like a friend should be over coffee? Whats your thoughts and experiences please. Later

stressedoutmumma Medication and weight gain
  • replies: 2

Hi, I have been on medication for about 3 months and have gained 7kg which is making me to start feeling really down I'm only 5ft tall so 7kg is quite noticeable, Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what they did to help not gain a... View more

Hi, I have been on medication for about 3 months and have gained 7kg which is making me to start feeling really down I'm only 5ft tall so 7kg is quite noticeable, Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what they did to help not gain and to lose the weight? I was first put on a different medication but I had an allergic reaction so not sure if switching meds is an option?? Any advice appreciated TIA

massdancer First step in asking for help?
  • replies: 8

Hi I recently moved to australia from the US, and I don't know who to see for the first step in finding help for treating my anxiety and depression. I was never diagnosed by a doctor for it in the states. Would I make an appointment with a GP here fi... View more

Hi I recently moved to australia from the US, and I don't know who to see for the first step in finding help for treating my anxiety and depression. I was never diagnosed by a doctor for it in the states. Would I make an appointment with a GP here first?