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mr_positive Physiologist Frequency
  • replies: 4

I have social anxiety disorder and was first diagnosed a number of years ago and since then I have made some progress in fits and starts and with medication. When I was first diagnosed a saw a psychologist weekly for nearly a year doing CBT without m... View more

I have social anxiety disorder and was first diagnosed a number of years ago and since then I have made some progress in fits and starts and with medication. When I was first diagnosed a saw a psychologist weekly for nearly a year doing CBT without much effect. I have decided to try seeing a psychologist again and have recently had my second session. We were pretty busy in the past two sessions and towards the end the psychologist mentioned I should see him again in two weeks and that we should decide whether we would be seeing each other weekly or fortnightly. I have been looking at the costs and that Medicare rebate only goes for ten sessions and wanted to suggest once a month. As I believe I will need to see him longer than 10 sessions and was hoping to use the psychologist more as a resource to direct myself, bounce ideas off and keep myself motivated to try to speed up my progress which up till now I have been doing on my own mostly? So if I want to see benefit is once a month enough? And is it all right to tell a psychologist the above?

Maryjane93 Positive stories about medication for anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, So I've recently stopped one SSRI and have been put onto another one. The reason for coming off the first one was because I was at the max dose and wasn't finding it beneficial. I also have depression too and have been struggling with it... View more

Hi everyone, So I've recently stopped one SSRI and have been put onto another one. The reason for coming off the first one was because I was at the max dose and wasn't finding it beneficial. I also have depression too and have been struggling with it a lot recently. At the moment I'm feeling worse than I was before - more depressed, numb, anxiety is higher. It's only day 5 and I'm sure with time I'll start to feel better. Just wanted to hear from those who have found medication beneficial to keep me going through this tough time. I know it all doesn't come down to medication and I am also seeing a physcologist at the moment. Look forward to hearing from you all

Star84 Coming off medication
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I have been taking medication for 2 years and it's helped me so much right from day 1, no panic attacks and I've even faced fears that I otherwise would not have. My life has done a 180, I left my partner of 12 years, I got a new job, a great... View more

Hi all, I have been taking medication for 2 years and it's helped me so much right from day 1, no panic attacks and I've even faced fears that I otherwise would not have. My life has done a 180, I left my partner of 12 years, I got a new job, a great group of friends and I am so much happier. It's helped me through the changes I needed to make and more. So now I am ready to wean off the medication and I had my first day off it yesterday and it went well. Initially I am dropping it one day every four days, then every 3 and so on so it's very gradual taper... I am wanting to hear some withdrawals/side effects you may have experienced and how long until you felt "good/normal" again after completely stopping? Any advice appreciated

eth93 Has anyone just not succeeded with psychologists?
  • replies: 2

What am I doing wrong? It must be my doing. I am on my seventh psychologist in ten years. I am now seeing a psych that specialises in Anxiety disorders, more specifically OCD. However I still feel like I am stuck at square one. Has anyone just not su... View more

What am I doing wrong? It must be my doing. I am on my seventh psychologist in ten years. I am now seeing a psych that specialises in Anxiety disorders, more specifically OCD. However I still feel like I am stuck at square one. Has anyone just not succeeded with psychologists? I'm really starting to think it is my doing in some way.

b_l_u_e_b_e_l_l_ New therapist... terrified to start over
  • replies: 5

It's pretty early in the morning here.... I havent slept at all. I have just made an appointment with a new therapist & am terrified of opening old wounds. I've had years of therapy before... and was lucky enough to find someone I loved. It took a lo... View more

It's pretty early in the morning here.... I havent slept at all. I have just made an appointment with a new therapist & am terrified of opening old wounds. I've had years of therapy before... and was lucky enough to find someone I loved. It took a long time to get my story out...but I did - and in retrospect she saved my life. Things are different now.... and there are new challenges & needs to be met. But I can't deny the past and I know I will be faced with giving a history and context. I just don't know if I can do it. I find therapy hard.. in that - for an hour or so in the week... I have to peel back layers of self protection enough to be honest and real with someone... and let myself be vulnerable enough for the therapy to be useful. But on the way out of that office I need to pile all the masks back on...reseal the wounds... and slap on my game face.. because life goes on - and I have to put myself back together again to function in the real world. There's no point in doing the work of therapy if i can't be honest... but if I'm being honest- I want to lie...I want to skim over my life and fast forward to the "now" - like I do every day with everyone else - who can see there's a mess.... but would never know the extent. There's no real question... I just needed to "out" it.... thanks if you made it this far...

Tan2017 Vitamin B for Anxiety
  • replies: 14

Hi All, I've been on quite a quest and journey to find the answer and 'cure' to treat anxiety and eliminate the horrible and disturbing panic attacks that I was experiencing almost daily. After several Dr hopping, googling, cbt, psychologist, councel... View more

Hi All, I've been on quite a quest and journey to find the answer and 'cure' to treat anxiety and eliminate the horrible and disturbing panic attacks that I was experiencing almost daily. After several Dr hopping, googling, cbt, psychologist, councelling, webinars etc a simple blood test picked up that I was very low in Vitamin B group. Particully B6 I believe. Low vitamin B levels are directly related to our nervous system and thus anxiety symptoms can be elevated. Now I'm no professor or doctor but this all made alot of sense to me. I've been through trauma and grief but am strong and resilient. Learning this could possibly be the reason for experiencing high levels of anxiety gives me the peace of mind that my mental health will be regained. I start on Blackmores executive stress today as advised by my GP for 6 weeks. Follow my story and let's see if my anxiety levels drop and hopefully diminish for good.

missjbear Medication?
  • replies: 8

I'm new to beyond blue but I have a question that might affect my immediate future. I have been talking with my counsellor and doctor and they have suggested that I consider medication to assist me with coping with my anxiety and depressive symptoms.... View more

I'm new to beyond blue but I have a question that might affect my immediate future. I have been talking with my counsellor and doctor and they have suggested that I consider medication to assist me with coping with my anxiety and depressive symptoms. I know medication affects everybody differently does anybody have a particular perspective on medication? I have seen a naturopath and osteopath in the past should I try these pathways again or try medication. Since it was two years ago I can't really remember how effective they were but I do believe they helped at least a little. In addition to these pathways (medication, naturopathy and osteopathy) does anybody have any suggestions? I'm struggling at the moment it is hard for me to do things right now especially things I used to enjoy. I am currently deferring from university which would normally be unlike me as I had a passion for learning and going to uni used to be a goal of mine. Thankyou for any help.

Liss1 Support Group / Person? Brisbane
  • replies: 1

Hello I'm trying to seek help / assistance with whatever is wrong with me. I am a positive person, constantly helping & restoring others but I'm at my wits end where I cannot reach out to anyone. Are there any support groups where one can attend in p... View more

Hello I'm trying to seek help / assistance with whatever is wrong with me. I am a positive person, constantly helping & restoring others but I'm at my wits end where I cannot reach out to anyone. Are there any support groups where one can attend in person?

emmalou Recommendations needed for Doctor in Brisbane that specialises in Depression
  • replies: 2

Hi All I'm pretty new here, so forgive me if I sound like an amateur. I'm looking for a new Doctor in Brisbane, preferably on the Northside or near the city that specialises in depression/anxiety. Can anyone recommend a good one? Any opinions, recomm... View more

Hi All I'm pretty new here, so forgive me if I sound like an amateur. I'm looking for a new Doctor in Brisbane, preferably on the Northside or near the city that specialises in depression/anxiety. Can anyone recommend a good one? Any opinions, recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much

NurseK Dear Doctor
  • replies: 2

Dear Doctor Yes you. The one who didn't take the time to read my file, yes I know it's big but it can tell you a lot about me. Dear doctor why was I not worth the time for you to read the letter from my psychiatrist, your colleague, who entrusted you... View more

Dear Doctor Yes you. The one who didn't take the time to read my file, yes I know it's big but it can tell you a lot about me. Dear doctor why was I not worth the time for you to read the letter from my psychiatrist, your colleague, who entrusted you with my care. You barely had the chance to look at me, let alone assess my mental health and conduct a risk assessment. When I tried to discuss my treatment plan and concerns with you, you waived them off and moved on. You took a list of my medications and questioned them making me feel guilty for needing them, making me feel ashamed & questioned my honesty when giving you my history. 5mins was all the time you had for me, not the hour my psychiatrist gives to me every week. You didn't care to hear how my depression is getting worse. You weren't interested in how I was coping with my new medications. You didn't see me at all. Once again my mental illness made me invisible. In those 5mins you made me feel worse then when I walked in. I am always asked to guarantee my safety, to reach out when things get tough and to trust those I seek help from. How am I supposed to place my trust, my life in your hands when you aren't even going through the paces. It's doctors like you that make me lose faith in our health system. It's doctors like you, that when I am having the darkest of days, I will not reach out for help. Dear doctor please step back, take a look at the patient in front of you, make the time to really hear them and make them feel worthwhile. Dear Doctor if you could only take a walk in my shoes for a day maybe you would see me differently. Maybe you would see me as a person not just a diagnosis. I am a person too.