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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!

Bluepearl3 Weaning off anti-depressants.
  • replies: 5

Hi, I am hoping to get advice on weaning off anti-depresesants. I have been prescribed many different anti-depressants over the past 34 years. I was in an unhappy marriage but felt that I couldn't leave as I had two small children.. There was mental ... View more

Hi, I am hoping to get advice on weaning off anti-depresesants. I have been prescribed many different anti-depressants over the past 34 years. I was in an unhappy marriage but felt that I couldn't leave as I had two small children.. There was mental and emotional abuse, controlling behavior but no physical abuse so I stayed. I started anti-depressants, which helped me to cope. Ten months ago, after 46 years of marriage I finally left my husband. The problem is that I don't feel any enthusiasm or excitement for my new life. I have attempted to stop the anti-depressants twice in the past. Once while I was still with my husband which didn't work out because I became angry as I was still in the unhealthy relationship. The second time was 4 months ago, however I found that I reacted impulsively to a situation with my daughter-in-law, who I thought was being selfish about a certain situation whilst I was staying with her and my son. Rather than stay and talk about it I packed my bag and returned to my new home before they arrived home from work. Normally I would have just kept quiet, which is what I have always done. I desperately want to stop the anti-depressant as I feel that I can't enjoy my new life if I feel flat and unenthusiastic all the time. I have had a lot of sadness and grief in my life but I just want to be able to feel happy. I would appreciate any help, perhaps from someone who has been able to stop their anti-depressants.

Angel_Blue GP Mental Health Plan -
  • replies: 2

I went to my GP to obtain a GP Mental Health Plan to seek support with coping strategies with a therapist I was very upset about what he wrote which accompanied the GP Mental Health Plan.I am changing to a new GP. Can the new GP re-issue the GP Menta... View more

I went to my GP to obtain a GP Mental Health Plan to seek support with coping strategies with a therapist I was very upset about what he wrote which accompanied the GP Mental Health Plan.I am changing to a new GP. Can the new GP re-issue the GP Mental Health Plan again to the same therapist if I have not attended any sessions yet? Thanks. Look forward to hearing from you

Chibam Real Help For Non-Disabled People
  • replies: 1

Does anybody know where a person can go to get real help for the problems that make them depressed, suicidal, ect.? (i.e. not just "talking about feelings", but real resolutions to the problems). The mental health system, as far as I can assertain, i... View more

Does anybody know where a person can go to get real help for the problems that make them depressed, suicidal, ect.? (i.e. not just "talking about feelings", but real resolutions to the problems). The mental health system, as far as I can assertain, is just a spectator industry. They'll "listen" to you whine, they may even medicate you, but they won't fix the problem(s). As I understand it, they even have a "golden rule of therapy" which formally forbids them from actually helping their patients. In recent years, I've been somewhat optimistic about the rising usage of the super-ambiguous terms "psychosocial disability" and "psychosocial support" from the government and other big organizations. Early indications were that it was going to fill this massive void for people who need actual help with their problems. But tonight, having just read a much clearer definition of "psychosocial disability", it seems that this support system is only open to people who have a preexisting mental illness. So, where does that leave non-disabled, non-mentally ill people who desparately need help with their problems? I shudder to think this, but it's starting to seem like, even after all the government inquiries we've had over these recent years, there is still no actual help available for regular, non-mentally ill, non-disabled people who really need it; and worse yet, it seems as if there aren't even any foreseeable plans to create this sort of assistance on a nationwide scale.

scully78 Schizophrenic brother denying illness and refusing NDIS and expecting us to pay his rent
  • replies: 5

Hello, I have a 40 yr old brother with schizophrenia who lives by himself in a renal flat. He struggles to find and hold down a job and cannot afford to pay his rent. My older sister decided to pay his rent a couple of years ago and soon decided we s... View more

Hello, I have a 40 yr old brother with schizophrenia who lives by himself in a renal flat. He struggles to find and hold down a job and cannot afford to pay his rent. My older sister decided to pay his rent a couple of years ago and soon decided we should split it evenly, as it was too expensive for her on an ongoing basis. The plan was to get him into the NDIS, which would mean his rent would mostly be covered and he could get the support he needs. He has been in a state of delusion for at least 2 years now and has no motivation to find a job, but seems to be having fun with life.A year ago, I decided to pull out of paying his rent. He was showing absolutely no interest in taking his meds or getting help to improve to the point where he could hold down a job. He refuses to accept he has a medical condition and thinks we are trying to get him into a CIA "program" as per his delusions. So, anything we do to get him medicated, he thinks is our attempt to get him into this program. We had him hospitalised, but he charmed his way out of being admitted and also managed to fool the community care to leave him alone. He is refusing any help and seems to get a thrill out of beating us at this "game". I received a call from my sister today who is struggling financially as his rent has gone up and she wants financial assistance with his rent. She earns well, but is feeling the pinch with the cost of living increasing and his rent increasing as well. She didnt want to listen to anything I had to say, just that she needs help with is rent and if I want to pay, it would help her. This vicious cycle has no end. She and other siblings, dont want him to end up living in community care facilities, whereas, I think it would be good for him. He would have access to proper support and this endless cycle of paying his rent that is destroying the family will come to an end. I have been pretty outcast since deciding to stop paying his rent a year ago and I do not want to be sucked into this again. There is no end!!!What options do we have with a man that refuses his condition, does not want to be part of the NDIS, and doesn't care that he is draining my family financially? He is very unwell, can be hard to talk to and has been in this state for too long. We cannot get any help and ive had enough of this!

1958 Bi polar depression
  • replies: 1

My son suffers with BP 1 he had a 4 month manic episode and is now very depressed. He is currently taking medications which aren’t helping with his depression. He has been depressed for 2 and a half months and seems like he is numb. Feeling so scared... View more

My son suffers with BP 1 he had a 4 month manic episode and is now very depressed. He is currently taking medications which aren’t helping with his depression. He has been depressed for 2 and a half months and seems like he is numb. Feeling so scared for him.

JoshD My GP should not be allowed to be involved in Mental Health Assessments
  • replies: 2

Ive had a horrible experience with my GP. I had some regression in my mental health and have been trying to get a new referral for my Psychiatrist to get my medication reviewed as it had been over 2 yrs. ADHD & Bipolar 2 diagnosis for reference.When ... View more

Ive had a horrible experience with my GP. I had some regression in my mental health and have been trying to get a new referral for my Psychiatrist to get my medication reviewed as it had been over 2 yrs. ADHD & Bipolar 2 diagnosis for reference.When I arrived I was berated for booking a short consult as I would need a full Mental Health review, I assumed the bad mood was due to me missing a previous appointment. I wasn't sure why i needed a full review but In the haze of depression I wasn't very assertive so just went along.. I felt rushed and that I was a burden the whole time. At the end the Dr asked me if there was anything else going on while i was there. I said yes actually and showed her a cyst that I had come up on my upper buttock.. She again berated me saying this would need another full consult, i got embarrassed and said dont worry but she said no just show me. When I left and went to pay they asked me for $280! She had charged me for a full MH review and another full consult without telling me. Silly me left without the referral, admin saying they will forward it.I called over a dozen times asking for them to send it the referral to the psych, every time they assured me it would be done but the psychiatrist continued to say that they hadn't receive it. I finally went into the Dr's to get it and take it myself only to be told that she never actually did one, when i asked why the response was "you didn't ask for one, you only wanted one for the psychologist". I pointed out that a psychologist doesn't prescribe medication and it was supposed to be for my psychiatrist, admin said they would get it fixed up. After hearing nothing back from the Dr and the psychiatrist saying they hadn't received anything I called again only to be told that she refuses to do another referral for me unless I come in for another consult. This whole process has been going on for over 6 months, luckily my psychiatrist accepted the one from 2 years previous somehow bless him.I have made a complaint to the fair work commission but I seriously wish there was a way to name and shame these GP's.