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Guest_125 Bad experience with therapist. Having to go without a therapist for a while. Not coping overly well.
  • replies: 13

Just wanting to get this off my chest I guess. A few sessions in, and my last therapy session didn't go so well. I got really overwhelmed in the face of him challenging me through the CBT. I cried and then kind of shut down - couldn't organise my tho... View more

Just wanting to get this off my chest I guess. A few sessions in, and my last therapy session didn't go so well. I got really overwhelmed in the face of him challenging me through the CBT. I cried and then kind of shut down - couldn't organise my thoughts and couldn't bring myself to speak and struggled to make eye contact. I have been undergoing CBT and have found it to be quite an invalidating experience at times. Towards the end he softened his approach which eased me up, and at the very end he didn't try to make a new appointment - he just said he would contact me with his appointment availabilities to make me a new appointment. He was supposed to contact me early last week and still hasn't contacted me. It is now heading towards the 2 week mark since my last appointment and I can feel myself slipping backwards, especially because of the situation with my therapist. It is really hurtful because I feel like he has either forgotten about me or doesn't want to see me anymore. I know that the obvious thing might be for me to be the one that reaches out, but I can't bring myself to do it. I just feel ashamed about how I was at my last appointment. Because of this my husband has made me an appointment with my GP to look at getting me a new therapist. It's not for another week and a half, and then who knows how long until I get someone new. The uncertainty of when I will see someone next is really hard to cope with. The hardest thing about it is that this is my first ever therapist and it has turned into a rubbish experience. I feel really defeated at the moment.

Lui Doesn't help to talk
  • replies: 5

My daughter, 22, is seeing a clinical psychologist for depression/anxiety. But she finds it uncomfortable to talk about her problems. the counsellor has over 30 years experience, is great, and understanding, and lovely. We both love her. I'm the same... View more

My daughter, 22, is seeing a clinical psychologist for depression/anxiety. But she finds it uncomfortable to talk about her problems. the counsellor has over 30 years experience, is great, and understanding, and lovely. We both love her. I'm the same. I can talk about things when they happen, with family or something, but it's hard to speak about things at other times, and especially with other people Is counselling really that useful. Does she need to keep seeing her?

Arthurly Doctor was no help
  • replies: 8

Hi all. After struggling with this that seems for years, I finally plucked up the courage to admit that I had a problem, and needed help. That was a big thing for me. My friends and family have been very supportive, but I really don't want to bog the... View more

Hi all. After struggling with this that seems for years, I finally plucked up the courage to admit that I had a problem, and needed help. That was a big thing for me. My friends and family have been very supportive, but I really don't want to bog them down. They have their own problems to deal with. So I went to the Doctor who confirmed I had depression. He suggested I contact a therapist and gave me some phone numbers. He also suggested I go private, and his main concern that the info would be on record. So I contacted the therapist, who was then concerned that I wasn't on medicare and suggested I go back to the Doctor. I did that and the Doctor once again convinced me not to go on Medicare. I went back to the therapist who convinced me again that I should be on Medicare. I have given up. All I wanted was some help and I feel like I have been kicked from pillar to post. So looks like I'l have to go cold turkey. This is shit. Is there ANYWHERE I can just go for help? I live in Southern Sydney area.

Maddieb ECT for depression
  • replies: 8

Hi, Over the last 7 years I have tried several antidepressants, therapy, physiatrist, relaxation, healthy living but still struggling with depression. I am not sure what to do to help my situation and it has been suggested to me that I try ETC. ive r... View more

Hi, Over the last 7 years I have tried several antidepressants, therapy, physiatrist, relaxation, healthy living but still struggling with depression. I am not sure what to do to help my situation and it has been suggested to me that I try ETC. ive read a lot about it and of course seems scary. Some doctors say there’s a lot more medications to try first and other say it’s a good idea. im wanting to know if anyone here has tried it and what their experiences were. thank you

Sally65 Backed myself into a corner
  • replies: 3

I've been off meds for BADII for over 7 months and have been doing really well on natural and nutritional therapy, until now. Problem is, I have been off work with the flu (and now struggling to meet deadlines), have found out my knee surgery was bot... View more

I've been off meds for BADII for over 7 months and have been doing really well on natural and nutritional therapy, until now. Problem is, I have been off work with the flu (and now struggling to meet deadlines), have found out my knee surgery was botched and can't be fixed, have chronic health problems that are wearing me down and now, have been diagnosed with arthritis (explains why I have chronic pain and can't sleep). I was so determined to stay well through healthy diet, exercise, meditation and alternative health supplements that my stubborn side can't even contemplate defeat. But, the dark thoughts come crashing down and there's nothing I seem to be able to do to control them. On the surface, I'm the most together, organised person you will ever meet! Family and friends are none the wiser, but bubbling and boiling beneath is what I recognise to be a path to rapid self-destruction. I was just so convinced that toxic medication could be replaced by lifestyle change etc. and don't want to concede or dare I say, admit defeat to those who will say, 'told you so!'

bigstar Internal Family Systems
  • replies: 4

Hey there, First time poster / long time reader. Was wondering if anyone has done 'internal family systems' with their psych. I've done for the past 3 or 4 sessions with great success and I thought I was making some great progress. But yesterday, whe... View more

Hey there, First time poster / long time reader. Was wondering if anyone has done 'internal family systems' with their psych. I've done for the past 3 or 4 sessions with great success and I thought I was making some great progress. But yesterday, when I was under(in the trance, as it were), something happened, where I saw a deep darkness, like a depression like no other; I had that depression before, 6 or 7 years ago which almost killed me, and I saw it again, in the trance, and it terrified the hell out of me. I got out of the trance and told her this needed to stop because I didn't feel like I had the strength or the tools to deal with what it was revealing but that still didnt stop me from having a panic attack after. I spent the rest of last night walking. Anyway today I've woken up and I'm still very bad and pretty anxious and I have the feeling the one might have when a wolf is that door. The beast is back and awake but hasn't broken in yet. I'm terrified of this therapy as well. Although well intentioned, it has opened up something that my subconscious has done very well to keep hidden or locked. So has anyone had some sort of similar experience? I'm at a loss as to what I do. I dont want to go see her again, but there is some part of me that feels like I have to encounter this beast if I am to make a recovery and find out what it is, but then another part of me that wants to forget about therapy and try distract myself with ordinary endeavours and hope that I go back to being normal. Its like there is an opportunity for healing or total destruction. High risk / high reward. Sorry, I am aware that the language I am using to describe my internal battle isn't as 'clinical' as some of you might like, but this is how I make sense of it all in language. Any guidance would be appreciated; especially any accounts of experience with internal family systems. thank you

Inkup How effective was therapy for you?
  • replies: 6

Hi All, I've been fighting my demons (depression, anxiety and stress) for about a year now. I was placed on a mental health plan at the start of the year, seeing a Psychologist and getting on meds. I've heard from a few people dealing with the same t... View more

Hi All, I've been fighting my demons (depression, anxiety and stress) for about a year now. I was placed on a mental health plan at the start of the year, seeing a Psychologist and getting on meds. I've heard from a few people dealing with the same thing as me that it took them time to find the right meds and the right psych. Meds, I felt, have helped but I still feel like life is a struggle. I am due to see my GP to hopefully switch or increase my dosage again. My Psych focuses mostly on CBT and at first, I found it amazing. But now I find it tedious and frustrating. Understanding the reasons behind my feelings was good but now its just so repetitive. I feel as though we just talk about the science and theory behind it all and I just don't feel any better. I kind of want to talk about whats happening and I how I feel, and I almost want someone to tell me to pull my head in! I guess my question is, how effective was therapy for the rest of you? I have been suggested to see a new Psych or see a Psychiatrist instead. I am hesitant to go back through it due to the costs involved (after 10 sessions I feel more stressed about the cost). I honestly felt like it was a waste of time to me but I'm currently stuck on the same level and my mental health isn't improving. What worked for you? What types of therapy worked for you? Or did just talking to friends and family have the same effect for you? Thanks in advance.

stayweird Psych//Counselling//Therapy??
  • replies: 4

I hope this makes sense to someone and they'e able to shed some light. I know the difference between a Psychologist and Psychiatrist but I'm wondering who I should consult first. Counselling? Therapy? Psychologist? Things have been getting worse. I h... View more

I hope this makes sense to someone and they'e able to shed some light. I know the difference between a Psychologist and Psychiatrist but I'm wondering who I should consult first. Counselling? Therapy? Psychologist? Things have been getting worse. I have self managed for the past 12 years as the anxiety surrounding admitting what I feel and think scared me off. I had a GP tell me I had depression in High School but he said it was a phase. I guess I just want help. I want someone to talk to. I want help from a professional to see if I'm normal or what is going on. If you have any suggestions about the difference between fhe above and what I should do first - it would be appreciated. Thank you for your time ☆

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.

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