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mxgncraig Seeking help from a councillor - help
  • replies: 3

Hi, I have decided that I have reached a point within my anxiety where I need to speak to a professional. For the last 16 months I have been dealing with waves of severe anxiety since I was in a car accident which almost killed me. This accident has ... View more

Hi, I have decided that I have reached a point within my anxiety where I need to speak to a professional. For the last 16 months I have been dealing with waves of severe anxiety since I was in a car accident which almost killed me. This accident has resulted in me needing complex reconstructive surgery, more than a year down the line since it happened. This amongst other personal happenings (one. thing. after. another.) has become a plague in my life. I have found myself more recently dealing with intense feelings of depression and panic. My weight has plummeted - and as someone who used to suffer with eating disorders this is a scary concept to me. My work life is suffering. My personal life is suffering. While I have the most wonderful, caring partner (whom I just got engaged to), I am beginning to feel as though I need to speak to someone who can help. Before it becomes too much to handle. However, I have no idea how to go about this... I am embarrassed to talk about it because I genuinely feel as though I am just being silly, and by being negative about it all - I am just attracting more negativity. But I'm not, I know that. Can anyone please tell me how they approached finding professional help? Thank you.

Peony88 Help! I think I’m a compulsive liar
  • replies: 3

Since I can remember I have lied when it comes to getting myself out of trouble or things that make me uneasy or nervous. Until recently I’ve managed to lie my way out of a few situations. This one situation which I’ve gotten myself into is complicat... View more

Since I can remember I have lied when it comes to getting myself out of trouble or things that make me uneasy or nervous. Until recently I’ve managed to lie my way out of a few situations. This one situation which I’ve gotten myself into is complicated and I already have major depressive disorder and anxiety. Basically ive separated and started to see an ex who doesn’t know I’m separated and my husband just found out about the ex through my daughter when she showed up to the home unannounced. It’s the nervousness and anxiety which I think are the cause of the lying as I don’t want to upset people with the truth and I need to prepare myself for telling someone truths on important matters. I don’t know where to begin to fix all these problems I’ve created myself.

bear73800 Scared of starting treatment
  • replies: 6

I saw my GP a few days ago and was given anti-anxieties for the week but the depression is getting worse. I feel hopeless, sad and guilty. I'm 23 years old and havent had to deal with depression properly since I was about 15, I was made to see a psyc... View more

I saw my GP a few days ago and was given anti-anxieties for the week but the depression is getting worse. I feel hopeless, sad and guilty. I'm 23 years old and havent had to deal with depression properly since I was about 15, I was made to see a psychologist and I really hated it, I always felt worse leaving the sessions than when I arrived. Im scared of getting worse before I get better.

Gab2014 Antidepressants Vs No Antidepressants
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I'm Gab and new to this site. My Doctor has said she thinks I should start taking antidepressants. I was relieved, like a weight lifted off my shoulders. She was supportive. I got them yesterday. I took one this morning (and feel just awful) ... View more

Hi all, I'm Gab and new to this site. My Doctor has said she thinks I should start taking antidepressants. I was relieved, like a weight lifted off my shoulders. She was supportive. I got them yesterday. I took one this morning (and feel just awful) I'm confused about what to do. You see late last year I was injured at work, I became really teary and not coping with the pain and so Work Cover sent me to see a psychologist. Its been somewhat helpful. I've learnt to belly breath and try to relax. I've added some light exercise into my day (hydrotherapy for my shoulder injury) and I've tried watching some funny movies and having a laugh. My pain has really settled now, but my tears have increased. I'm back at work on very light duties a few hours a day (have been twice so far after 4 months off work) and while there I feel OK. Today the psychologist said "Maybe you can choose to eat better, exercise more, laugh more and have sex. Rather than take the antidepressants. She has encouraged me to try other things. There is and has always been a stigma with antidepressants. I don't know what to do. My decision making is out the window. So are my eating habits - I'm super overeating. (10kg gain in 4 months from inactivity and comfort eating) I'm feeling so low. Oh and I feel gross... uncomfortable. I feel guilty. I'm yelling at my kids, a lot. I have twins girls 18, and they just cant seem to clean properly, I'm overrating all the time. I'm crying and feeling heartbroken about all sorts of things. I have no energy. I sometimes cant even get energy for a shower. I think I should take them. But I don't want to feel worse while they kick in. I've also taken on a distance ed Uni course that starts next Monday. I don't want to be foggy. I don't want to defer and feel like I've failed. I really want to do it. But I'm worried I'm not going to be able to do it. My Mum thinks I should take them, my Brother says stay away from them. What are your thoughts? To take or to not take antidepressants?? Cheers Gab

masdo Uneasy about new meds/treatment
  • replies: 3

Hi, I've been struggling with depression and anxiety for a while and recently decided to get help. I was put on medication to start with. The first week I was alright, just felt dizzy and had more trouble sleeping and headaches, but once I upped the ... View more

Hi, I've been struggling with depression and anxiety for a while and recently decided to get help. I was put on medication to start with. The first week I was alright, just felt dizzy and had more trouble sleeping and headaches, but once I upped the dose at the start of the 2nd week I had a fever and was sick so I stopped taking them after it got worse when I took it the next day. When I went back to my GP he said it was strange and asked me some questions etc and planted the idea in my head that maybe I have bipolar or something more serious, because I said I have extreme mood swings and he said that may also be why I reacted to the meds. This has freaked me out and I'm quite scared to start my new depression/anxiety meds which he has put me on in the meantime, especially because I also have to get regular blood tests if I start these, and I have a phobia of needles. I'm seeing a psychologist for the first time next week and just not sure what I should do. I know I should speak to my Dr about it but I felt like I had to take the meds and if I don't I'll get worse and won't know either way what is wrong with me.

Jettyboi First time on meds. Please help
  • replies: 3

Hey iv never been on or done anything like this before. Iv recently been diagnose with persistent depressive disorder and had anxiety for quiet awhile. Iv just been told that medication is my best bet at this point but I have no idea how it works or ... View more

Hey iv never been on or done anything like this before. Iv recently been diagnose with persistent depressive disorder and had anxiety for quiet awhile. Iv just been told that medication is my best bet at this point but I have no idea how it works or makes you feel. Obviously it is supposed to help but iv heard that it can make you worse before it gets better and I'm not sure if I can handle that. I have no one around me to talk to and I feel I'm slowly digging myself a deeper hole that is becoming harder and harder to get out of. I really need help in how to talk to my partner about this. I know they won't understand even though they will try there hardest too and I'm not sure how to control those feelings. I just would love some suggestions with all of this.

Ballza Positive medication changing stories
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone... Looking for some positive feedback... Swapping meds tomorrow night, was just wanting some positive feedback/stories of anyone who has had some experience in this??? Cheers and I hope everyone is well

Hi everyone... Looking for some positive feedback... Swapping meds tomorrow night, was just wanting some positive feedback/stories of anyone who has had some experience in this??? Cheers and I hope everyone is well

Ballza Bumping my medication up!!! Nervous
  • replies: 23

Hi there.... Im very new to this kind of thing... So bare with me... I was diagnosed as agoraphobic when I was 28, started using medication and within a week, started feeling so much better... 41 years old now and things have taken a turn.. I’m very ... View more

Hi there.... Im very new to this kind of thing... So bare with me... I was diagnosed as agoraphobic when I was 28, started using medication and within a week, started feeling so much better... 41 years old now and things have taken a turn.. I’m very anxious all the time now, my depression is coming back!!! I’m seeing a psychologist and today I visited a psychiatrist... They are bumping my meds up to a higher dose and to be honest I am very nervous about this!!! Has anybody got any positive feedback or stories to try and keep my anxiety levels down???? Cheers guys Matt

detoxing Medication Withdrawals-relationship issues
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums and I have been having a hard time the last few days as I have gone cold turkey off my SNRI. I think (hope) I am through the worst of it. I had been on an increasing dose of ssris for probably e a year and a half be... View more

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums and I have been having a hard time the last few days as I have gone cold turkey off my SNRI. I think (hope) I am through the worst of it. I had been on an increasing dose of ssris for probably e a year and a half before switching to an SNRI as it was making me too tired. I felt great for a week going off the SSRI whilst getting accustomed to the SNRI, then it all went downhill once it built up in my body from there and I could barely get myself out of bed for work, felt like my IQ dropped 30 points and could not get motivated. One of my HUGE issues, is that no one has actually diagnosed me with anything. I went through the whole process of psychology, medications before finally being referred to a psychiatrist. I had a young GP who was good at first, but because one day my after maybe 3 sessions my psychologist mentioned BPD to my GP and she stuck with it in the notes as a diagnosis. Issue with that is 1) My psychologist was a counselling psychologist, not clinical. She mention BPD amongst many other possibilities (including referring me to a specialist in female autism spectrum disorders) and we systematically went through many and we both agreed I do not have BPD. She also reiterated she was not qualified to diagnose any disorders. 2) I have had to go to the hospital for my depression a couple of times and seen many members of the CATT teams, who have sat with me extensively and also stated they do not think I have BPD. 3) I have no issue with being labelled BPD, except that I am not and exhibit none of the symptoms, when I first saw my psychologist I had broken up with my partner of 5 years, finished university and was questioning my sexuality amongst other things, possibly leading her to explore the topic of BPD. Anyway, my GP latched onto this and spread it to my psychiatrist I was referred to. I am no longer seeing that GP as she grossly misinformed me about antidepressants and did not give me a higher dose when the CATT team said I needed at least double what I was on. This has slowed down my treatment, it has taken me 2 years to get to my current point. So, back to now, my psych has given me a prescription, I am unsure if I should take it or just get off the SSNRI. As I said I have not been diagnosed with anything, not even Bipolar. I have been on drugs so long I dont know what my "control" mood is. Thoughts?

missmuppet Bipolar type 2 depression questions
  • replies: 8

I've been quite down for a few weeks now & no energy. I don't see my psychiatrist for a few weeks. I've tried other antidepressants but they seem to make things worse. What else can my Dr do to help me? Or do i have to work this out for myself? I'm s... View more

I've been quite down for a few weeks now & no energy. I don't see my psychiatrist for a few weeks. I've tried other antidepressants but they seem to make things worse. What else can my Dr do to help me? Or do i have to work this out for myself? I'm so tired & sick of trying. I'm.just dragging myself around. Nothing seems to be able to lift me.

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