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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SarahLulu To continue seeing my psychologist and miss school?
  • replies: 5

Hi guys, This year I'll be doing year 11, I'm doing my 1st year of VCE. My problem is that the mental health service that I go through runs from 9-5. I don't know if it will be worth missing school for. I stress when I have to catch up on notes. I st... View more

Hi guys, This year I'll be doing year 11, I'm doing my 1st year of VCE. My problem is that the mental health service that I go through runs from 9-5. I don't know if it will be worth missing school for. I stress when I have to catch up on notes. I struggle with severe depression and anxiety and last year missed essentially half the year because of hospital admissions, visits and appointments. I was given heaps of lee way due to it only being year 10. Year 11 is different. I'm on meds and will continue to be on there but don't know if it's worth missing school to see my psychologist. The used to see my psychologist once a week and in rough time twice. I think I'd be happy dropping that down to once a fortnight but I'm still not comfortable missing so much class as that just gives me more homework which stresses me more which can spiral me down into a depressive episode. On the other hand, I'm not sure how I'm going to go not seeing anyone!? I haven't seen my psychologist over summer as I've been away and it's been very up and down. Not sure what to do. Thanks for your help.

subarbiea Hi!! New & curious about private hospitalisation...
  • replies: 6

Hi all! I'm not really sure how it all works here yet, hopefully I'll get the gist of it I'm a 20 year old female from QLD, and I kind of feel maybe I should be telling people the basic story? I don't know what is normal I probably should have looked... View more

Hi all! I'm not really sure how it all works here yet, hopefully I'll get the gist of it I'm a 20 year old female from QLD, and I kind of feel maybe I should be telling people the basic story? I don't know what is normal I probably should have looked but I'm here now so I guess here we go! haha I've had Generalised Anxiety Disorder/Depression, panic attacks/social anxiety and struggles with self harm/suicidal thoughts since I was about 14 and recently suffered some trauma and I am back living with my parents. Right now I just have a psychiatrist who I first started seeing at 14, but is more inclined towards children. More to the point, though, my parents and Doctor are very sure that hospitalisation is the best option right now. It would be private, and I'd have the option of leaving at choice. I've been very reluctant but recently more open to the idea. Have people had positive experiences in such a situation? I've only earn bad which has really turned me off, and maybe some good experiences could help just say "yes" to it. I hope this is all the right place, and I've done the right things! I would like to use these boards for some socialisation and maybe make some friends! I hope I remember to check back later on when I wake up... Thank you all for reading! (And hopefully responding!)

Azehr EMDR - Therapy options
  • replies: 1

Hi! I'm a fun loving human being worth a wealth of experiences that make up my person. Unfortunately a few remnants of the bad experiences become crippling for my daily living. I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD, this is something that sounds o... View more

Hi! I'm a fun loving human being worth a wealth of experiences that make up my person. Unfortunately a few remnants of the bad experiences become crippling for my daily living. I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD, this is something that sounds odd to me as a lot of the symptoms have become extremely normal and in my point of view 'that's life'. However I reached a point between loving my life one minute and hating all existence the next minute where I thought something must give. I sought professional help. My psychologist hat suggest a couple of different forms of therapy. One of them EDMR, I'm curious to find those who have used this therapy or if there are other methods that have been effective? What are your experiences? I realise that this has so blanket answer for everyone, but I would like your perspective. We are all fighting our own black clouds. I cried at the thought that the cloud doesn't have to be normal. It can be blown away!

mermaidgirl Not sure if I need to increase dosage.
  • replies: 2

I have been on an ssri to treat anxiety for almost 6 weeks now and I am feeling good but I am finding I am having anxiety as soon as I wake in the morning. It passes after a short time but I am finding I am feeling tired after waking. This could be f... View more

I have been on an ssri to treat anxiety for almost 6 weeks now and I am feeling good but I am finding I am having anxiety as soon as I wake in the morning. It passes after a short time but I am finding I am feeling tired after waking. This could be from waking a few times most nights as well. I also have short episodes of anxiety every now and then throughout the day sometimes but they too pass quickly. So I guess I'm wondering if i need to consider upping my dose. If you have increased how did you know you needed to?

Phenn Support groups that meet to talk?
  • replies: 1

Hi all. I was wondering if anyone knew of any Melbourne based help/support groups that meet to talk in/as a group about their depression? I think listening to others going through what I am really helps me and wanted to join any talk groups that are ... View more

Hi all. I was wondering if anyone knew of any Melbourne based help/support groups that meet to talk in/as a group about their depression? I think listening to others going through what I am really helps me and wanted to join any talk groups that are out there. kind of like AA but for depression. Your advice is much appreciated. Thanks. Phenn.

Elizabeth CP Advice on what to do when changing GPs
  • replies: 3

I have been seeing doctors in this clinic for about 20 years. Some of the GPs have since left & the GP I'm seeing now I no longer feel comfortable with. Eg after getting results for some tests I asked for clarification on what I should be doing to ma... View more

I have been seeing doctors in this clinic for about 20 years. Some of the GPs have since left & the GP I'm seeing now I no longer feel comfortable with. Eg after getting results for some tests I asked for clarification on what I should be doing to manage the situation. Her reply I don't think this condition is causing any problems so you might have IBS so look up this website & follow its advice. The website said I needed to see a professional to get proper advice I couldn't just read the information!!! She commented that my problems are probably just stress but no discussion re what I was doing. The last straw was when I mentioned some problems I was having & I said I wasn't sure if it was just anxiety of something else. She immediately wrote a referral to a cardiologist but made no effort to even check my blood pressure of listen to my heart or lungs to see if there was something urgent to get checked. I plan on moving to my husband's GP as she seems better. My query is what should I do to ensure everything is passed over to the new GP. I have an ongoing referral to a psychiatrist which needs to be continued & I have been seeing allied health for physical problems under a GP plan. I have recently had a lot of tests & want all the results to be sent across so the issues can be managed. I want it to be as simple as possible

Anonymouz Considering ECT, 22 years old...thoughts?
  • replies: 5

Hey all, Ive read a lot about ECT but still curious on everyone's thoughts. I've suffered from depression for years now, I've been on about 9 different antidepressants, talked to 3 different psychologists and have had no results... I'm beyond frustra... View more

Hey all, Ive read a lot about ECT but still curious on everyone's thoughts. I've suffered from depression for years now, I've been on about 9 different antidepressants, talked to 3 different psychologists and have had no results... I'm beyond frustrated and running out of options, it's sad it's had to come to this. If anyone can share anything that'd be great.

maggie1 Thinking about going back on medication
  • replies: 6

Hi all, Im writing for advice on treating my anxiety and depression. I have been extremely low at the moment and thinking about going back on anti-depressants (i had been taking them for about 6 months and stopped taking them over a year ago) . The r... View more

Hi all, Im writing for advice on treating my anxiety and depression. I have been extremely low at the moment and thinking about going back on anti-depressants (i had been taking them for about 6 months and stopped taking them over a year ago) . The reason i went off in the first place was because i wanted to be able to fix my problems naturally, eg. Yoga, meditation....and i also felt like was loosing my memory at times. I was on a low dosage and they did make me feel better, but i worry if i go back on thats me just taking the easy way out and not fixing my problems. Look forward to hearing from you.

Angeal Tapering of Meds... confused!
  • replies: 11

Hi, I'm a new here to BB and writing on any forums in general... but, with 10years of dealing with anxiety, post-nat depression x2 plus taking numerous drugs, speaking to many therapist, I really would like to try and find other means of support. I h... View more

Hi, I'm a new here to BB and writing on any forums in general... but, with 10years of dealing with anxiety, post-nat depression x2 plus taking numerous drugs, speaking to many therapist, I really would like to try and find other means of support. I have been weaning off antidepressants now for a couple of months. Down gradually.. have been going reasonably well. my emotions have been in checked, a few outburst here or there and vivid dreams but yesterday out from now where two panick attacks.. crying spells and anxiety- this required me to my seek GP but he wanted me to go up again and stay there for a few months... has anyone else out there been tapering of their meds and found they have hit a wall? can this panic attack and anxiety be part of the 'discontinuation' symptoms that comes with tapering..? there is a lot happening in my life ATM. Kids, new job and life!!!! This could be contributing aswell!! But, I want to come off these meds so much and be me again.. I'm ready! Please would love to hear from anyone who may be of help to my overthinking mind today...

BeeL Can anyone offer advise on alternative medicines?
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, This is my first time using this forum or any forum as a matter of fact, so apologies if I do anything wrong or if I have missed a thread with a similar topic. I have recently been prescribed medication for my anxiety from my doctor but ... View more

Hi everyone, This is my first time using this forum or any forum as a matter of fact, so apologies if I do anything wrong or if I have missed a thread with a similar topic. I have recently been prescribed medication for my anxiety from my doctor but I really don't like how it makes me feel. Also when I stop taking it I find I get very depressed for up to a week after. Can anyone suggest some non prescription options? I have seen some things in the chemist but am a little skeptical, What have you tried and what has worked for you? Any advise would be appreciated.