Support
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 conversation

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
Categories
Start a conversation

All discussions

Start a conversation

Nellym PSYCHOLOGIST and MYSELF????
  • replies: 5

Hi, So I have been recently diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety from several traumas, in my past and also recently. I have been seeing a psychologist and had about 6 sessions so far. I really don't know if they are helping me and that is probably because... View more

Hi, So I have been recently diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety from several traumas, in my past and also recently. I have been seeing a psychologist and had about 6 sessions so far. I really don't know if they are helping me and that is probably because of myself. I find it very difficult to sit there and talk to someone about what I am going through. I think of all these things to say before hand, and when I get in there I seem to 'freeze' and cannot tell them everything. I sometimes come out feeling worse than when I went in. How do people know if their psychologist is the right fit for them? How do I get past the 'freezing' part and tell them everything I need to? Any help would be great.

BlackNBlue Mental Health Plan
  • replies: 22

A while ago I spoke to my GP about issues with depression. This was very hard to do. Have been seeing him for over 20 years now Mentioned about getting a Mental Health Plan. He said that they are a waste of time and don't do any good. I have left it ... View more

A while ago I spoke to my GP about issues with depression. This was very hard to do. Have been seeing him for over 20 years now Mentioned about getting a Mental Health Plan. He said that they are a waste of time and don't do any good. I have left it at that. What else can I try instead?

KMTE Positive results please...
  • replies: 3

Hi I'm a 28 yo mother of two and have recently been diagnosed with anxiety (mostly health anxiety) ocd I've had panic attacks and now I have depression. I've spent hours searching and reading other people's posts about treatments to find mixed mostly... View more

Hi I'm a 28 yo mother of two and have recently been diagnosed with anxiety (mostly health anxiety) ocd I've had panic attacks and now I have depression. I've spent hours searching and reading other people's posts about treatments to find mixed mostly not so good results. So please can people tell me there positive results with medication and anti depressants and how they overcome their issues? I'm meeting with the doctor tomorrow to start some medication and have my second app with health care nurse next week

b_l_u_e_b_e_l_l_ What is "trauma work" in therapy?
  • replies: 6

I saw myour psychiatrist today... for the first time in about 2 years. I've recently been seeing a psychologist and have had to resume medication for severe depression and anxiety. Psych Dr today asked if I have done "trauma work" with a therapist (I... View more

I saw myour psychiatrist today... for the first time in about 2 years. I've recently been seeing a psychologist and have had to resume medication for severe depression and anxiety. Psych Dr today asked if I have done "trauma work" with a therapist (I have a long history of trauma) .... and I said no. Why? I don't know. I'm terrified I suppose that once the lid is off I'll not be able to put it back on and I'll never be ableasier to even pretend I'm ok ever again. What would trauma work entail, in therapy sessions? Has anyone done it and been able to see the long term benefit of having done so? Many thanks in advance..

Retchey Learning about the effects of alcohol while on AD
  • replies: 5

Hi guys, I am currently on AD, the last week and a bit I had been feeling quite well and somewhat balanced (somewhat) just.... Any way last Saturday I went out to visit family friends with my family, and I consumed 4 craft beers over 4-5 hours, since... View more

Hi guys, I am currently on AD, the last week and a bit I had been feeling quite well and somewhat balanced (somewhat) just.... Any way last Saturday I went out to visit family friends with my family, and I consumed 4 craft beers over 4-5 hours, since then I have kind of relapsed into the "hole", I have been racking my brain as to why, and today I dawned upon me (der) it was the amount of alcohol I consumed. Has anyone else experienced this? Regards

highlysensitivepersonhsp My positive experience with CBT
  • replies: 10

Recently I joined mindspot, which is an online course on CBT supported by a therapist if you wish. I have had remarkable success in a short time. Why did it work? Because I studied the lessons and applied the theory to myself. I was smart enough to k... View more

Recently I joined mindspot, which is an online course on CBT supported by a therapist if you wish. I have had remarkable success in a short time. Why did it work? Because I studied the lessons and applied the theory to myself. I was smart enough to know that if I believe in the theory then it might just work. And it did. The key was to challenge my negative thoughts to make them realistic, helpful and true. No matter how true my negative thoughts felt, I was going to use my mental powers to overturn them and reconsider the evidence. I used the list of biases to recognise the tricks my mind played on me and I managed to eradicate them completely. Now I am working on seeing the positives of my experience like the significance of my involvement with my treating team who I have come to appreciate and respect. We are working together after all. Thoughts become negative or destructive when we are anxious or depressed, but by challenging the thoughts and dealing with the underlying problem you can bring yourself out of anxiety and depression. This leads to feeling good about yourself, even if you can't change everything about your situation. Remember the serenity prayer. Although, I now have a renewed optimism for where my life is heading. The journey really is important. It's what carries you through life's challenges. Each success is a feather in your cap. Each failure is a reminder to keep trying or do something different, whatever works for you. Along my journey I set small goals...reading a book, joining a new group, etc. Dealing with negative thoughts makes the journey more enjoyable. Life can be good. It starts with your thinking. Sandra

KMTE Difference between anxiety and med side effects
  • replies: 6

So I know you guys aren't health care professionals but I just thought I would write in for a vent and see if anyone has felt similar. I've recently started medication (4 days in) for health anxiety, anxiety, ocd and I have also suffered from panic a... View more

So I know you guys aren't health care professionals but I just thought I would write in for a vent and see if anyone has felt similar. I've recently started medication (4 days in) for health anxiety, anxiety, ocd and I have also suffered from panic attacks. My anxiety seems to be manageable for a few days then I have a random bad day thrown in which is annoying. So I had a pretty good weekend but last night I hardly slept, which caused a headache and lightheadedness this morning which then caused anxiety and other symptoms which caused a day of panic in general. I calmed myself down over lunch a bit but at school pick up all of a sudden my breathing felt really shallow and I really started noticing it and it felt like I couldn't breathe and I thought I might need to call 000! I did some breathing modules on the headspace app and wound the car window down and settled my breathing down and I managed to finish my day somewhat normal. But the possible med side effects are- anxiety, light headed ness and shallow hard to breath but they are also symptoms of my anxiety. Have called the hospital and health direct and both think if it was a reaction it would be getting worse and wouldn't have settled itself. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow. Has anyone ever experienced anxiety over the possibility of it not being anxiety and a reaction to meds?

nlboujos Psychotherapy
  • replies: 16

Has anyone tried psychotherapy? How does it differ from a psychologist? My counsellor recommended I see a psychotherapist for more long term solutions (EAP only provide 6 sessions, so are focused on short term solutions). I have an appointment booked... View more

Has anyone tried psychotherapy? How does it differ from a psychologist? My counsellor recommended I see a psychotherapist for more long term solutions (EAP only provide 6 sessions, so are focused on short term solutions). I have an appointment booked for Wednesday afternooon

Bullied Mental health services and tobacco
  • replies: 26

I have noticed that many people who attend mental health services also smoke tobacco. The fact that these facilities are designated smoke free has no effect and a blind eye is shown to those who smoke. I am extremely hypersensitive to tobacco and jus... View more

I have noticed that many people who attend mental health services also smoke tobacco. The fact that these facilities are designated smoke free has no effect and a blind eye is shown to those who smoke. I am extremely hypersensitive to tobacco and just being close to someone who has smoked in the previous half hour or so can give me a severe migraine. This has been the case when I have tried to get assistance. It seems that the high level of tobacco smoke will preclude me from availing of mental health services.

As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.

Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.

Helpful information

Stay in touch

Sign up below for regular emails from Beyond Blue, filled with information, advice and support for you or your loved ones.

Stay in touch

Talk it through with us, we'll point you in the right direction.

Call 1300 224 636

24 hours / 7 days a week

Chat Online

24 hours / 7 days a week

Email us

Get a reply in 24 hours

Copyright � 2026 Beyond Blue Ltd

All rights reserved

Contact us Terms of use Privacy policy Site map