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Guest876 Starting back on Medication for Anxiety and Panic Disorder
  • replies: 1

Hopefully I'm doing this in the right part of the forum, if not please move to where suitable. I was on Medication for around 2 and a half years with great results, before being on it at my worst I was constantly anxious, having 2-3 panic attacks a d... View more

Hopefully I'm doing this in the right part of the forum, if not please move to where suitable. I was on Medication for around 2 and a half years with great results, before being on it at my worst I was constantly anxious, having 2-3 panic attacks a day and the depression from the panic attacks was rather severe. I tapered off in March and had little side effects during the taper (know this isn't the same for everybody) and for the first couple of months been off the drug I was still feeling my usual self. But the last month or so I have seen signs of my anxiety and panic coming back and decided the pros outweighed the cons with the medication so am now back on a very low dose. I just want to keep a little log on here not just for my benefit but for others who may either be getting on the drug for the first time or getting back on it again after some time off. There's a lot of bad posts about it on the internet and I don't really remember what side effects I had when getting on it for the first time so want to detail any and how severe and etc, also will probably relax me typing about it. Day 1 - I took my first dose an hour or so ago. The first time around I had a panic attack taking it which was purely due to me panicking (go figure lol) this time around I am still rather jittery about taking it again and wondering if I'm going to have a bad reaction (even though I was on it for over 2 years :/) which is obviously my anxiety. I bit flushed but nothing out of the ordinary and I do kind of recall sweating a fair bit on it especially early on so will keep track of that. If there's anything anyone wants to know about the first week or two on the medication let me know and I can tell you if I'm getting any of those sides. The main sides I got once I was on it for a while was a bit of weight gain and some lethargy but have come to realise I am more lethargic and less motivated off it than I was on it. Anyway hopefully I can be of some help on here during the time of getting back on it, thanks

beety Drug free treatmemt
  • replies: 5

Hi, my partner has been on AD for anxiety and depression for about 6 months, suddenly hit a crisis episode and wants to wean off the drugs. What can I expect? He won't see psychologist or Go back to GP. I would just like to know if it can be done ? I... View more

Hi, my partner has been on AD for anxiety and depression for about 6 months, suddenly hit a crisis episode and wants to wean off the drugs. What can I expect? He won't see psychologist or Go back to GP. I would just like to know if it can be done ? I'm not hopeful that it will work and scared of the fall out. He won't listen when I tell him I think they are helping it that there are other AD to try... advice please

Ricstix Getting ETC logistics proving difficult
  • replies: 3

My first post here. The medical staff I have encountered are great but I am fighting world war three with health service providers. To cut a very long story short, I need ETC and here are a few relevant facts to explain my situation. * I have private... View more

My first post here. The medical staff I have encountered are great but I am fighting world war three with health service providers. To cut a very long story short, I need ETC and here are a few relevant facts to explain my situation. * I have private health coverage for this treatment. * High blood pressure indicates the procedure should be done in a full operating facility (public hospital.) * Personal circumstances and distance from the nearest public hospital makes treatment as an outpatient there unfeasible. * Because of the restrictions placed on patients in a public inpatient mental facility, (even as a voluntary patient,) there is absolutely no way I would submit myself to a public inpatient facility. The very professional psychologist at the inpatient facility had what I thought was a great suggestion. Check into the (close) private facility and have the ETC done at the public hospital. The suggest plan was that I would take a Taxi or Uber the couple of kilometres to the public hospital and the hospital mental health transport would return me after the treatment was completed. Simple? The Public Hospital had no issues, but the private would not play ball. The Private Hospital’s response, “We can’t do it because of the logistics, who is looking after who, and who is responsible. And it doesn’t work in with our program. We just don’t have the resources.” (It has taken a great deal of willpower to refrain from commenting on the Private Facility’s response.) I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions on how I can find a private mental facility (that is close to a public hospital) that has enough smarts to pull off this seemingly herculean task of monumental proportions. Or, any other suggestions that will enable me to have ECT in a proper operating theatre with private hospital room facilities. Many thanks in advance.

Sherper Advise on seeking learning related therapy
  • replies: 1

Hey, first time posting here. I've been having some trouble with learning at school and am considering seeking out a mental health expert. From the readings I've done so far, I think that's going to be a therapist. My question is, how would you go ab... View more

Hey, first time posting here. I've been having some trouble with learning at school and am considering seeking out a mental health expert. From the readings I've done so far, I think that's going to be a therapist. My question is, how would you go about learning more about what a therapist does? I want to be prepared and to have an understanding before I dive head first into it all. What would you recommend I look for in a therapist? How would you go about finding the right one? Any additional information would also be welcome, since I'm sure there's plenty I don't know considering this is the first time I've sought external help like this. Thanks to everyone in advance.

livm88 Trying medication for the first time
  • replies: 15

My feelings of depression and anxiety seem to come and go (i'm mostly anxious), for the last 10 years or so. I've only recently seen a psychologist (doctor referral, 6 free sessions), but I don't feel they helped at all. I seem to always have things ... View more

My feelings of depression and anxiety seem to come and go (i'm mostly anxious), for the last 10 years or so. I've only recently seen a psychologist (doctor referral, 6 free sessions), but I don't feel they helped at all. I seem to always have things in my life that take the focus (with a negative view), whether it's stress about not enough work, not having friends (and never wanting to try making them), to an overall feeling of thinking there's not much in my future. I went to the doctor this morning, and was surprised how easily just by asking, he prescribed me medication without some Psychologist/other doctor diagnosis. Is this normal? Do I really need them? I hear you have to be depressed/anxious more days than not, and I can't say I am completely, it's more an overall negative view on life that has been shaped over the last decade. What made me decide to go to the doc was a fight with my dad (i'm stuck at home still because of poor life decisions), I got so mad I threw my wine (not glass) at his face (not my finest hour, very immature I know....but at the same time my pride wont let me apologise, even if I do I wont mean it?). He threw his usual insults about how it's his house, I should move out (when he knows this is my goal- i'm just not financially able to yet!). I don't know.....maybe it's just me, my personality....maybe medication wont help. Or maybe some people aren't meant to make it in life...

Dragonmum Voluntary Admission to Private Mental Health Hospital
  • replies: 3

Hi My doctor is doing a referral for voluntary admission to a private mental health hospital. I'm wondering what to expect and concerned about the what will happen when I am released from hospital and return home. Do I have a say in when I am release... View more

Hi My doctor is doing a referral for voluntary admission to a private mental health hospital. I'm wondering what to expect and concerned about the what will happen when I am released from hospital and return home. Do I have a say in when I am released from hospital? I know this is the right step, but I'm anxious and concerned about doing it.

Spikeo Unlisted side effect of anyi depressants
  • replies: 2

This is more a curiosity than a real concern for me at the moment. I was on ADs a few years ago, i took them as a last resort because i honestly feared for my life. Was already getting therapy. Anyway after my situation changed for the better and my ... View more

This is more a curiosity than a real concern for me at the moment. I was on ADs a few years ago, i took them as a last resort because i honestly feared for my life. Was already getting therapy. Anyway after my situation changed for the better and my triggers resolved i started feeling better-from situation rather than the medication (i felt they did help) as i felt better i started getting annoyed, even angry that i needed medication just to feel 'normal', not happy, just normal. I stopped taking them shortly after and have not felt the need for them until recently. My question is, has anybody had these feelings or heard of this before? Please dont read this and thing im against them. They have their place and work well for most people. They worked when i needed them to. This was only after therapy and my situation changed for the better. Thanks

Jackystaff First time taking antidepressants
  • replies: 4

Hi, I’ve been feeling depressed for a few years now and I finally got up the courage to go to the doctor about it and I knew I couldn’t afford therapy so I’ve gotten antidepressants. The only thing is now that I’ve finally got them I’m scared to use ... View more

Hi, I’ve been feeling depressed for a few years now and I finally got up the courage to go to the doctor about it and I knew I couldn’t afford therapy so I’ve gotten antidepressants. The only thing is now that I’ve finally got them I’m scared to use them. The huge side effects list is daunting and I’m also scared of how much it’ll change me, mostly personality wise. Does anyone have any words of encouragement or advice for this, thanks And I’m worried because I know you aren’t supposed to drink alcohol while on them and I have an event tomorrow and I’m not sure if I should wait and start taking them the next day or not. But then I also have my 21st birthday coming up in a few weeks and realise I should have waited until after that to got to the doctors. I know it seems trivial and you might think, just don’t drink then, but it’s my 21st so I really want to. I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice or what their expirence with drinking while on them was. thanks guys, any information will help

Vitsyra Mental Health Plan and First Session with Counsellor
  • replies: 4

Hi All, I have a question about the Mental Health Plan. I got one from my GP, and went to my first session today. I was under the impression that through the plan I would have access to 10 free sessions, but instead I had to pay $130 upfront and afte... View more

Hi All, I have a question about the Mental Health Plan. I got one from my GP, and went to my first session today. I was under the impression that through the plan I would have access to 10 free sessions, but instead I had to pay $130 upfront and after a medicare rebate I will have paid $40 for the session. I can't really afford $400 for all the sessions, so I'm thinking I won't go back. Also, I'm not sure the session was much use. I felt rushed, like I couldn't finish a sentence before the topic was changed.. and I felt like getting me out on time was the most important thing.. just felt very impersonal. I am trying to think that its only the first session and they need a chance to establish who I am and why I'm there.. but I'm not overly excited to go back.. earliest session I could get next is end of October. Should I go back? Or try at least one more session? Thanks, Dawn

iam_strong Difficulty finding the right therapist
  • replies: 10

I've seen many psychologists in the past but couldn't seem to find s good fit for me. I was diagnosed with PTSD over a year ago caused by workplace bullying and had to quit my job and a great career. Most of the time I feel sorry for myself for being... View more

I've seen many psychologists in the past but couldn't seem to find s good fit for me. I was diagnosed with PTSD over a year ago caused by workplace bullying and had to quit my job and a great career. Most of the time I feel sorry for myself for being in a situation that I never thought would happen to me. I was a dedicated career woman working in the corporate world for most of my life then my world was suddenly turned upside down. Now all I do is curl up in bed everyday, take rejection after rejection from potential employers, despite them saying that I have an amazing CV. I'm now worried financially if I don't find a job which adds to my depression. I've been in anti-depressants for a while now which helped but I stopped seeing my last psychologist. She was very helpful at first having had the same bullying experience, so she helped me understand what was happening to me. But as time went on, I felt our sessions became more about her than me. She would talk for most of the time, and would say negative things about the people who hurt me and so I would feel more upset after each session. The one before her was good too and helped me understand myself better, until she focused more on religion and morality rather than my problems. I asked if I could bring my female partner to our session because she's being affected too, but my psychologist rejected the idea. She suggested that my sexual preference also needed to be addressed in our next sessions. I didn't see her again after she made that comment. And other therapists I've seen just didn't work for me. Some just let me talk the whole time and not give any advice. I'm struggling at the moment and need professional help but reluctant to start a new relationship with a new therapist. I've just been relying on self-help but feel it's not enough. Is there a service where a therapist is matched with a patient's preference - not just by location but speciality, techniques and personality? I think this would help many patients by ensuring a better chance of successful and shorter term treatment. In my case, I feel I should have made quicker progress if I've met the right therapist from the beginning without having to stop and start again. The problem is, it takes many session before one can establish real therapist/patient rapport which is also very costly and frustrating. If you could refer a good psychologist/psychiatrist in Sydney who specialises in PTSD and effects of workplace bullying and practises ACT, CBT, mindfulness therapy and how to control emotions, who has a listening ear but also gives honest constructive advice and works well with all sexes, please please I would love to get their details. Thanks so mch.

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