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Brian1 Pathological Testing before prescribing medication for mental issues
  • replies: 4

I have learnt that there are certain pathological tests to identify the level of seretonin and dopamine through blood/urine analysis.Considering that medications are chemical materials designed to regulate supply or flow of body chemicals thought to ... View more

I have learnt that there are certain pathological tests to identify the level of seretonin and dopamine through blood/urine analysis.Considering that medications are chemical materials designed to regulate supply or flow of body chemicals thought to be causing mental health, I think it is appropriate to know the body chemistry before prescribing medication solely based on mental state as explained by patients like depression and anxiety etc.In my view this approach will reduce lengthy process of finding which medication suits which patients by trial and error that is costly and potentially a life threatening practice.I am interested in hearing your opinion and personal experiences in this regard to gather a view to change/enhance the current practices where there is a gap.

Wazza12345 Independent medical exam
  • replies: 2

I had an independent medical exam. I am beating myself up because I couldn’t remember things to say. I could not say what treatment I was getting from my psychologist i was just overwhelmed. I felt there was no empathy on the other end and felt preju... View more

I had an independent medical exam. I am beating myself up because I couldn’t remember things to say. I could not say what treatment I was getting from my psychologist i was just overwhelmed. I felt there was no empathy on the other end and felt prejudged. About 10 years ago I was assaulted after work in restaurant I was king hit in front of my partner and then he went at me to attack me after I pushed him away. The person who assaulted me was from the place I worked at but not employee but was 17. I had done nothing to provoke this attack. I charged him and went to court and took an avo against him. my work place didn’t give me support. Sent me home so this person could come to work and receive an award at assembly. I was humiliated. After this I was bullied by a co-worker about the assaults and I put in a complaint in writing to the manager. I had evidence of the bullying but it was minimised. I have severe anxiety from this lots of anger and have nightmares, ptsd and suicidal thoughts. My career has been destroyed over last 10 years and only 3 years ago the person who assaulted me was employed at my workplace and temporary engagement in education. I was humiliated and spoke up about a few things, bullying etc but management bullied me further where I had to take leave. I am struggling all the time and the independent medical examiner has no idea of the stuff I have been through. I have so many bad thoughts running through my head and i constantly overthink about the assaults and bullying that I have endured. I am so sacred about what will happen.

Mum of adult children Parent of a 33 year old son who won’t seek treatment
  • replies: 5

Hi community, I’m the mother of a son who has suffered from anxiety and depression since he was a teenager. When he was 17 I arranged for him to see a psychiatrist and he was prescribed anti depressants. His father and I had a very very difficult div... View more

Hi community, I’m the mother of a son who has suffered from anxiety and depression since he was a teenager. When he was 17 I arranged for him to see a psychiatrist and he was prescribed anti depressants. His father and I had a very very difficult divorce which put a lot of stress and pressure on him. His father disagrees with all psychological treatment or medication. My son stopped taking anti depressants and then spent many years abusing drugs of many types.to his credit, he kicked all drugs and now won’t drink alcohol or take any drugs, however in recent years his depression has got worse and recently I think he’s often having manic periods too. He refuses to see any doctors and my despair grows as he experiences long depression episodes where he withdraws from family and friends. He can’t sleep properly and can’t hold down a job. how can I converse with him to encourage him to seek help? I don’t understand what’s wrong and I’m ill equipped to understand his issues or talk with him. I feel he won’t improve unless he seeks help. Is there a way to help him or will he need to do it himself? Should I keep offering food and financial support or should I stop. Confused and feeling heartbroken.

Centaured Schema therapy
  • replies: 2

I'm about to undertake schema therapy and feeling rather anxious about it. I have DID, CPTSD, and EUPD. I was wondering if anyone has undergone this model of therapy and what they felt about it. I would love any suggestion or advice.Thanks

I'm about to undertake schema therapy and feeling rather anxious about it. I have DID, CPTSD, and EUPD. I was wondering if anyone has undergone this model of therapy and what they felt about it. I would love any suggestion or advice.Thanks

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