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

Plutonicmermaid I just finished my first counselling session.
  • replies: 2

I just got out of my first ever counselling session. It was really hard to explain my feelings and what was going on in my mind to her but I think she understood somewhat of what I was getting at. I feel so bad though, I feel worse I know she said th... View more

I just got out of my first ever counselling session. It was really hard to explain my feelings and what was going on in my mind to her but I think she understood somewhat of what I was getting at. I feel so bad though, I feel worse I know she said that it's normal to feel worse after your first session but I just want to burst into tears, I feel on edge and uneasy and feel like there is significant stuff I forgot to tell her. She was really nice and understanding but I'm really anxious now and nervous and I can't understand it. I have to go back to my doctor tomorrow as well and I can't stop thinking about that. Like what if she says my depression isn't as bad as I think or am overreacting. I hope I feel better soon. I just need to get this feeling out. Thanks for letting me share.

funnymouth I don't think any of the antidepressants I've been prescribed are helping me
  • replies: 8

I'm a young man who was diagnosed with depression about a year ago. I've been fighting it ever since and I am trying so hard to get back to where I was when I was younger.The problem I'm facing is that I don't think any of the antidepressants I've be... View more

I'm a young man who was diagnosed with depression about a year ago. I've been fighting it ever since and I am trying so hard to get back to where I was when I was younger.The problem I'm facing is that I don't think any of the antidepressants I've been prescribed are helping me. Changes in medication are due to me not really feeling better after 3 weeks of trying them.My concern is that I'm not taking the right medication to deal with my depression and that continuing to change medication like this won't help me effectively. I hate feeling this way everyday and I hate not enjoying anything and I really want to change that but right now I just don't know how. If any of you can help I would really appreciate it.

kanga_brumby Totally at a loss
  • replies: 17

Hi long story short. I have several medical issues one of which is Diabetes. Because of other issues I have been in a old age facility. I was told if I wanted I could go visit friends or go for a few days and would be issued my meds. I organised days... View more

Hi long story short. I have several medical issues one of which is Diabetes. Because of other issues I have been in a old age facility. I was told if I wanted I could go visit friends or go for a few days and would be issued my meds. I organised days ago to visit friends. Then on trying to go visit those friends I was informed I had to be back by a certain time for my meds. I wasn't aloud to take any with me it was policy, that the RN had to administer it. As a result I have been keeped in not aloud to visit the friends who work in mental health. And are working with me to improve my mental health. I cannot even get a change of view. Just the same 4 walls same faces watch tv and people with deminita, or only speak other languages apart from English. Which is fine for them but lonley for me. What do I do to appear sane but get my point across. Go on a medication strike till I get my way? Or would that only prove I need further protection from myself. Kanga.

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.