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Treatments, health professionals and therapies

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Mieow Too many hurdles to access services
  • replies: 1

I have been experiencing low mood and irritability (constant tears, hopelessness etc etc), probably as the result of a recent family berevement. I am trying to do the right thing and talk to a GP and see if I need a mental health treatment plan. I pa... View more

I have been experiencing low mood and irritability (constant tears, hopelessness etc etc), probably as the result of a recent family berevement. I am trying to do the right thing and talk to a GP and see if I need a mental health treatment plan. I paid $55 for an online GP to tell me they can't do that for me becasue of some restriction about the medicare code and it is a six week wait to see a GP in my area. Fortunatley I am a fairly robust person and I am not, in the scheme of things, particularly unwell. I will be able to stick out the wait or travel 2 or 3 hours into Sydney or find some other avenue to access a GP. What the heck do they expect seriously unwell people to do? How can the policy settings possibly figure that the benefit of a face-to-face consultation outweighs timely medical support? No one needs to take my temperature to know that I am sad.

Wreckless Dissociative disorder
  • replies: 4

I have a dissociative disorder. Nothing works really . Multiple medications and therapies. Many $$$ later, no govt supports mental health. I want to give up.

I have a dissociative disorder. Nothing works really . Multiple medications and therapies. Many $$$ later, no govt supports mental health. I want to give up.

Burger07 GP providing counselling
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I saw a new GP the other week for a mental health check in. I wanted to start on medication after years of therapy. The GP suggested medication, but also said they wanted me to return to them weekly for a while to do counselling with the... View more

Hi everyone, I saw a new GP the other week for a mental health check in. I wanted to start on medication after years of therapy. The GP suggested medication, but also said they wanted me to return to them weekly for a while to do counselling with them. Is this something GP’s can provide? I’ve never heard of this before and thought GP’s could only refer on to psychologists and psychiatrists. I would love to know if other people have experienced counselling sessions with their GP.

Moonbeamer Is it all a joke?
  • replies: 1

Stigmatisation and abuse seem to be the cross you have to bear ALONG WITH whatever mental health struggles you have. It is unbearable. It can be even worse and more damaging than the illness itself.It is so widespread, it seems to me that for some re... View more

Stigmatisation and abuse seem to be the cross you have to bear ALONG WITH whatever mental health struggles you have. It is unbearable. It can be even worse and more damaging than the illness itself.It is so widespread, it seems to me that for some reason our society NEEDS to abuse and stigmatise those who are suffering. It seems to make 'normal' folk feel good about themselves. It happens in the street, in the family, at school, at work...What 'society' claims to provide as 'support' for people with mental health crises, seems to me to be largely empty words. The 'support' publicly advertised is not delivered (personally, I have been lied to over and over about what to expect and what I am entitled to), or delivered haphazardly. Stigma is the way of this world, even within the structures and amongst professionals ostensibly there for help.The words of hope seem to be a gloss to deflect criticism from those who have the good fortune of having good mental health... it creates a false perception that compassionate help IS available to all.It is a very different story and experience if you are the one (or care about someone) who needs genuine help. Stigma still rules.Stigma kills

Moonbeamer Lack of mental health support in rural nsw
  • replies: 3

I feared this would happen - I have avoided the mental health providers in my nearest town because my last interactions with them were appalling. I have been trying to get on top of everything all by myself, with varying degrees of success. Now I nee... View more

I feared this would happen - I have avoided the mental health providers in my nearest town because my last interactions with them were appalling. I have been trying to get on top of everything all by myself, with varying degrees of success. Now I need more help again, I cannot trust the people at the local hospital. Feel like giving up.

Bellepanda15 Therapy what kind ?
  • replies: 3

Hello Friends I can’t find the right kind of Psychologist/Psychotherapist/Therapist for myself, I’ve always known something was very wrong with my FOO (Family Of Origin) and only found through Google that they 98% are Narcissistic my Late Mother bein... View more

Hello Friends I can’t find the right kind of Psychologist/Psychotherapist/Therapist for myself, I’ve always known something was very wrong with my FOO (Family Of Origin) and only found through Google that they 98% are Narcissistic my Late Mother being the worst (Malignant)-I’ve had Depression long-term and was the Scapegoat of the family, I have NEVER found any Professional who could validate my experience as most either can’t or won’t believe what I I tell them. Does anyone out there have any ideas for me ?? My GP can’t understand why no Professional can help me

Guest_946 I have a Centrelink Job Capacity Assessment for DSP on Tuesday
  • replies: 5

I’m nervous as anything. They told me I don’t need to provide any further evidence that they seem to think I have provided enough. I know at the job capacity assessment they can decide I either don’t have the capacity, I do have the capacity or I’m r... View more

I’m nervous as anything. They told me I don’t need to provide any further evidence that they seem to think I have provided enough. I know at the job capacity assessment they can decide I either don’t have the capacity, I do have the capacity or I’m referred to a psychologist for further assessment. I guess I’m just wondering what they ask you over an hour? any experiences would be very much appreciated Annette x

JaneS3 Social Anxiety and Facial Blushing - ETS surgery and Miradry
  • replies: 9

I’m a woman who has suffered from facial blushing for as long as I can remember, becoming particularly severe from my early-teens onwards. This has contributed to severe anxiety and depression throughout my childhood and adult life that has affected ... View more

I’m a woman who has suffered from facial blushing for as long as I can remember, becoming particularly severe from my early-teens onwards. This has contributed to severe anxiety and depression throughout my childhood and adult life that has affected all aspects of my life. For me, nothing was more important for my overall health than eliminating my blushing. Especially when years of CBT, therapy and anti-depressants haven’t offered any long-term solution. I had ETS surgery done on just my T2 nerve. The sympathectomy is done keyhole, leaving two small incisions just under your armpit. So far, my results with ETS have been great. Part of me wishes I had more of my sympathetic chain cut (T3/T4), as I still get a heart-rate rise in social situations, and a slight blush in a small patch at the top of my left cheek, but ultimately I’m very, very happy. It’s totally surreal to go from having severe blushing multiple times per day to just not having it at all. It’s been very illuminating to see how ‘regular’ people live. When I exercise now my face stays completely unflushed and almost sweat free which is amazing. I had Miradry done for my armpit sweating which was also quite bad, particularly every time I got anxious. They say Miradry is more effective than sympathectomy for sweating. My results from Miraday were great. I still sweat a bit, but what I love is how it has killed almost all the large sweat glands in my armpits (which produce your BO). It’s been an 80% reduction at least in sweating and the odour I get is very manageable. All in all, if you suffer from facial blushing or sweating that severely impacts your social life, self-esteem and career then I recommend looking into these procedures. It's a lot to go through to overcome these issues, but so much better than a daily pill or expensive, ineffective therapy (in my opinion). Some people find the compensatory sweating they get after their ETS surgery made them regret it, as well as other possible side effects, so it really depends on how severe your issues are vs the potential for side effects and I’ve been lucky to have had no major side effects. Anyway, peace and love to any fellow sufferers. If you have any questions I’ll try to get back and answer them.

DamonM Frustrated with medical attitudes towards (off-label) medication and alcohol
  • replies: 5

I educated myself and gained full-time employment like everyone else in 1997. I worked in Information Technology for 11 years, gaining a promotion due to my supervisor's departure. My responsibility increased after ~6 of those years, I can't remember... View more

I educated myself and gained full-time employment like everyone else in 1997. I worked in Information Technology for 11 years, gaining a promotion due to my supervisor's departure. My responsibility increased after ~6 of those years, I can't remember exactly when. Sometime during that period of time my ability to cope with stress plummeted dramatically. Due to sustained pressure, I experienced severe BURNOUT. Now, I find it impossible to deal with minor stressors. I also find it hard to deal with social interaction. I have no social life and don't really desire one. The one thing I do seek is relief from the uncomfortable physical symptoms of generalised & social anxiety. To this end, I have sought medical treatment. I can't complain about any of the doctors I have met, yet I seem to have treatment-resistant ANXIETY. I have tried SSRI's, SNRI's, MAOI's and about 15 other anti-depressants I can't remember the name of... I have had a couple of medications that have helped me in the past, , one of which was a prescription medication and the other used to be available over the counter. But that too has since been classified as addictive and is now only available with a prescription, which I am eligible for. Prior to the restriction I took it sporadically for about 14 years without ever getting physically addicted to it. It is no longer available over the counter. I asked for a prescription from a GP and was treated like a drug addict, lol. I find this situation to be quite frustrating.

Kel1981 Kel
  • replies: 1

Hello All I need help, I am not happy with my psychiatrist for was only interested in diagnosing my ADHD and making me call him for each prescription and is costing me a fortune and he isn’t willing to address my PTSD and Anxiety issues saying I’m to... View more

Hello All I need help, I am not happy with my psychiatrist for was only interested in diagnosing my ADHD and making me call him for each prescription and is costing me a fortune and he isn’t willing to address my PTSD and Anxiety issues saying I’m to complex. Can someone please help me find a doctor who 1. is happy to attack all my mental health issue and 2. Happy for my GP to be the continuing prescriber after initial 1 or 2 appointments with either 6 or 12 monthly appointments to check in, I appreciate the help!