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.

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Guest_4DC6D4DC What to Look For in a Psychologist?
  • replies: 9

hi everyone ive been struggling for quite a with a few severe mental health conditions and have decided its time to seek some more professional help but I'm just not sure where to start? I'm just wondering what traits you find to best the best for ps... View more

hi everyone ive been struggling for quite a with a few severe mental health conditions and have decided its time to seek some more professional help but I'm just not sure where to start? I'm just wondering what traits you find to best the best for psychologists? e.g friendly, loud etc what should I look for when I'm seeking for one? e.g Is there any information I should find out before commiting to this psychologist? do you think arranging a face to face with a few different psychologists would be worthwhile to see which one works best for me? thank you

Chronic_Resistive Treatment-Resistant Depression
  • replies: 1

As expressed by my username and the above title I'm interested in discussing the above topic. People who have had Treatment-Resistant Depression that was fixed or made better who could give me some insight would be great. As of 11/02/17 I have seen 3... View more

As expressed by my username and the above title I'm interested in discussing the above topic. People who have had Treatment-Resistant Depression that was fixed or made better who could give me some insight would be great. As of 11/02/17 I have seen 3 Psychologists 2 Psychiatrists (Not including two seen in ED on seperate occasions) 2 GPs I have attended an estimated 60+ sessions with the above I have unsuccessfully used 2 SSRIs 1NaSSA I am currently using an SNRI. None of these have helped my symptoms, instead I have gotten worse over the few years I have seeked treatment. Does anyone have any advice or could preferably shed some light on their personal experience. I've read some science but looking for anecdotes.

Jane321 Problems more serious than you realise?
  • replies: 1

So my psychologist told me today, I have severe anxiety and depression with obsessive thinking (I've seen him for a while). But I've always thought my issues are extremely mild. However when he explained his reasoning with me and I thought about it. ... View more

So my psychologist told me today, I have severe anxiety and depression with obsessive thinking (I've seen him for a while). But I've always thought my issues are extremely mild. However when he explained his reasoning with me and I thought about it. His diagnosis does make sense. I have a tendency to minimise (?) my problems. Like, I was scared of answering the phone because I was worried it'll be the police and they'd arrest me for ~ a year. And pee in my room because I was too scared to go outside etc (not anymore). I still thought my issues weren't serious. My point is, no matter how serious the problems get I have a hard time believing(?)/accepting it. Even though rationally, I know something's wrong. Anyone deal with this too, how did u overcome it. And what was your reaction when u were told u have xxx diagnosis?

SarahLulu changing or increasing dose of meds
  • replies: 1

Hi. My name's Sarah and I'm 16. I'm on medication. I'm pretty lucky in the sense that the first med I tried was the same medication and it didn't do much. After doubling it and persevering I found it worked well to the point where I was often numb an... View more

Hi. My name's Sarah and I'm 16. I'm on medication. I'm pretty lucky in the sense that the first med I tried was the same medication and it didn't do much. After doubling it and persevering I found it worked well to the point where I was often numb and couldn't cry. But then again, I couldn't really feel sad and was a bit more positive as well as getting some motivation back for work. I've found my meds are slowly stopping working. Is that possible? Something that use to work stops working? I used to have a psychiatrist and psychologist but no longer see a psychiatrist so am unsure how to go about this. Do I go speak to my local gp? Tia

StudioBird Bulk billing psychiatrist for child
  • replies: 10

Is there any such thing as a bulk billed psychiatrist for a child? How do I find one, without going through CYMHS? My child is seeing a clinical psychologist through ATAPS, has GP involvement, multiple family case workers (for my mental health), and ... View more

Is there any such thing as a bulk billed psychiatrist for a child? How do I find one, without going through CYMHS? My child is seeing a clinical psychologist through ATAPS, has GP involvement, multiple family case workers (for my mental health), and discussions about medication has come up. CYMHS has discharged us from the waiting list as we are seeking private psychology services - and their waiting list is too long. But that means we have no access to their psychiatrists. My child has a health care card if this makes a difference? I am not asking for names - that's not allowed - but wondering HOW to find one. Is it just a matter of calling them all and asking?

Infinite_Faith CBT Access
  • replies: 10

Hi, I was wondering if there is any online CBT courses available that you guys might knoow of. I know of the Government funded (12 or so sessions) Anything else available online that might be worth while? Thank you IF

Hi, I was wondering if there is any online CBT courses available that you guys might knoow of. I know of the Government funded (12 or so sessions) Anything else available online that might be worth while? Thank you IF

jhplayer0 Medical treatments for C PTSD
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, My name is Justin, i'm current living in Brisbane and have been suffering from C PTSD, the symptoms i have been suffering from for the better part of the 5-6 years. I find i'm not emotionally stable to engage with friends or family, or f... View more

Hi everyone, My name is Justin, i'm current living in Brisbane and have been suffering from C PTSD, the symptoms i have been suffering from for the better part of the 5-6 years. I find i'm not emotionally stable to engage with friends or family, or for that matter even be comfortable with myself. Memories of the recent past have kept recurring in my mind in the usual manner of PTSD and i find i am not emotionally or mentally stable to cope with them, At this point i'm looking for a solution to reduce or remove the emotional problems and responses i have with my recurring thoughts. I'd like to know any medical treatments that could help me have a more balanced brain, i've looking into ECT and hormonal treatments and wondered if there's anything else i should look into.

JME1992 I need some reassurance about my anti-depressants
  • replies: 7

I've just been subscribed some SSRI anti-depressants. I've never taken any medication for my anxiety/depression because I grew up thinking it was bad (My granddad had depression and when starting on anti-depressants killed himself). The side effects ... View more

I've just been subscribed some SSRI anti-depressants. I've never taken any medication for my anxiety/depression because I grew up thinking it was bad (My granddad had depression and when starting on anti-depressants killed himself). The side effects also are scaring me.....should I be at work when I'm taking them? How sick are they going to make me? Should I be driving? How are they going to react with alcohol if I ever decide to go for a drink? I just would like to hear some different experiences with taking them as I have only known bad experiences and am getting very nervous about taking them. Thanks

Happiness_I_Miss_You I can't get the help I need because I look normal
  • replies: 2

Hi there, I wondered if anyone else has been turned away numerous times because they appear normal? What can be done? I have been diagnosed with Anxiety, major depression, bipolar and OCD and have been for 15 plus years. I also have PTSD from an abus... View more

Hi there, I wondered if anyone else has been turned away numerous times because they appear normal? What can be done? I have been diagnosed with Anxiety, major depression, bipolar and OCD and have been for 15 plus years. I also have PTSD from an abusive relationship I recently escaped from. I have been put on meds and have a psychologist through a Medicare plan so my GP has listened to me to a point. But I had to run away from my ex with my 4 kids alone because he was threatening to come kill me after I kicked him out. I truely believe he is capable of killing me and the stress of fleeing from my rental into a new rental was absolute hell, I was finally free though (well I hope I am), and he is jail again for abusint his recent new gf. anyway I am now a single mum on the pension with 4 kids and much too mentally unwell to work. My ex ruined me so much I lost my job. I am now paying rent absolutely beyond my means and the owners have sold the house and I have to be out in 8 weeks. I have known this for sometime and have a case worker and a tenancy support worker although they keep saying I doing well and I need to find another rental, in other words they will not help me with housing of any kind. i am so so so far from doing well, I am in said in the darkest place I have EVER been. I am constantly angry at my kids, constantly so stressed I can't handle any basic tasks. I look well presented and so does my home because I have OCD and anxiety about being a "perfect" person in fear of being judged. I feel as soon as someone sees me or my house they refuse to help. sometimes I feel so dark and clouded I just don't want to be here and no one cares. has anyone else had this happen?

ZyGirl_DogLvr3 Difficulty Coming off Medication
  • replies: 18

DAMN! I'm having a hard time weaning myself off of medication! When I don't take it, I have bad withdrawals e.g. Stupid, racing thoughts, hyper mental sensitivity etc If I do take it however, I get really depressed, anxious, Irritable etc. What the h... View more

DAMN! I'm having a hard time weaning myself off of medication! When I don't take it, I have bad withdrawals e.g. Stupid, racing thoughts, hyper mental sensitivity etc If I do take it however, I get really depressed, anxious, Irritable etc. What the hell am I supposed to do??? I can't contact my Psychiatrist due to the holidays so....