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.

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

All discussions

DN129 Have you tried anti depressants for the anxiety? What were your experiences?
  • replies: 5

I feel I've kind of chased up the 'limit' of what I can do with behavioural changes and the anxiety. Over the past year since its been bad, at times I feel like I've made genuine huge progress with the phobias it latches onto, only after months of be... View more

I feel I've kind of chased up the 'limit' of what I can do with behavioural changes and the anxiety. Over the past year since its been bad, at times I feel like I've made genuine huge progress with the phobias it latches onto, only after months of being functional for the anxiety just to come back in peak form almost out of no were and erode the previously made progress. Almost back to square one. I have considered anti depressants for a while now, but been adamant to avoid them simply due to the side effects and wanting to do this myself. But I think its at the point now if a low-dose would reduce the anxiety, even by a bit, then I think it would allow me to better cope and fight with it. What are your experiences going on/off them? How much of a difference did they make? Were the side effects worth it?

thehiss Stopping Medication
  • replies: 4

I stopped taking my medication a week ago after being on it for over 8 years and I am going through hell, I don't think the withdrawal symptoms will ever go away. From restlessness to derealisation I've got it all, the derealisation is really botheri... View more

I stopped taking my medication a week ago after being on it for over 8 years and I am going through hell, I don't think the withdrawal symptoms will ever go away. From restlessness to derealisation I've got it all, the derealisation is really bothering me I feel like I don't know where I am almost like I'm in a different world. The last couple of days I've also had this feeling of suffocating, its like I'm stuck under all this rocks and I'm yelling out for help but no one can hear me meanwhile I'm running out of air to breathe, but I think this might be more due to severe anxiety rather than withdrawal side effects. My doctor wants to try me on an SNRI but I really don't want to go on another medication. Has anyone else felt like this, I feel like I'm losing it.

nowhereman forget my meds.dont trust anyone
  • replies: 3

Hi. Lately ive been forgetting important meds.and its dificult to pop them out sometimes of the silver buble because i fear my illnesses are progressing now.my fingers and hands ache .the jolt suddenly with siezures.but i dont trust seeing any doctor... View more

Hi. Lately ive been forgetting important meds.and its dificult to pop them out sometimes of the silver buble because i fear my illnesses are progressing now.my fingers and hands ache .the jolt suddenly with siezures.but i dont trust seeing any doctors now they treat me so poorly. Thing are changing rapidly lately.with my health. I get descriminated alot by doctors because of my psych history.thats why i break off comunicating when i sense where theyr going. Max

Girlbond_007 Pregnancy and medication
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone, really want to plan baby number two however am a bit cautious being on new medication this time around. Have been on antidepressants for years but in the past 12 months my GP has changed it to include a very mild dose of bi-polar medicat... View more

Hi everyone, really want to plan baby number two however am a bit cautious being on new medication this time around. Have been on antidepressants for years but in the past 12 months my GP has changed it to include a very mild dose of bi-polar medication to help,augment my current dosage. are there any mums out there who have been pregnant while on these types of drugs? I am just the looking for your experience and if Bub had any withdrawals or problems. I am super scared to go any further with planning as I have read it can cause breathing difficulties. I understand there is always a risk with medication passing the placenta however I am also really scared to try and come off the medication as I have had difficulties in the past. thanks in advance.

Leanne1 No PHI Psychiatrist wants to put me in hospital
  • replies: 1

I saw the psychiatrist for the first time today. She wants to put me in hospital in the start of January, but I dont have PHI, I ranga health insurer and they it will be 2 month wait... $200 a month and $500 excess...just not sure I can afford it.

I saw the psychiatrist for the first time today. She wants to put me in hospital in the start of January, but I dont have PHI, I ranga health insurer and they it will be 2 month wait... $200 a month and $500 excess...just not sure I can afford it.

Longroadahead Recently diagnosed with bpd and more
  • replies: 4

Hi i have recently been diagnosed with bpd, antisocial issues, ptsd, extremely severe stress, extremely severe depression and severe anxiety. Im in qld and have been told medication is useless for bpd. I need to do dbt therapy so i have been told. My... View more

Hi i have recently been diagnosed with bpd, antisocial issues, ptsd, extremely severe stress, extremely severe depression and severe anxiety. Im in qld and have been told medication is useless for bpd. I need to do dbt therapy so i have been told. My doc is trialing me on medication. Not seeing much difference. Its really difficult to keep going as the pressure of what lies ahead is too much. I fight hard everyday to keep going for my kids. But im so tired and drained. The scary thought is bpd never goes away and i have to be strong enough to try and manage it. Thanks for reading

RegularJoe Cold Showers = Hours of relief
  • replies: 4

Hi all, As someone suffering depression and anxiety I know just how hard it can be to get your self to do anything. One thing my therapist recommended recently is cold showers, and well.. it works (for me at least - maybe for you too). Pretty simple.... View more

Hi all, As someone suffering depression and anxiety I know just how hard it can be to get your self to do anything. One thing my therapist recommended recently is cold showers, and well.. it works (for me at least - maybe for you too). Pretty simple.. have your normal shower then finish 2-5 minutes of cold. It hurts..real bad (not as bad as depression though) but I notice a solid mood boost for between 2-5 hours. The other thing that is helping me is exercise... the more intense the better. Hope this helps someone out there.

Guest_F75DA28A Misdiagnosis?
  • replies: 4

Hi guys, Just wondering if anyone has a story where they feel they may have been misdiagnosed by a doctor/psychiatrist? here's a bit of background on my story: I have suffered from anxiety since I was 19 (8 years now), and possibly longer but hadn't ... View more

Hi guys, Just wondering if anyone has a story where they feel they may have been misdiagnosed by a doctor/psychiatrist? here's a bit of background on my story: I have suffered from anxiety since I was 19 (8 years now), and possibly longer but hadn't sought help prior. In 2010, I started seeing a psychologist and told her I suspected depression (I had a friend commit suicide who'd suffered from depression and I was afraid something similar was happening to me). Fast track to 2012, and I'd experienced an 'acute psychotic episode', which was the first time I'd had to see a psychiatrist. As you can imagine, I was immediately put on medication (And had some adverse effects to it), but the doctor concluded, after having seen me for 30 minutes, that I have 'schizoaffective disorder' (I'd never heard of it either till then!) But again, to add some context, I had zero rapport with that doctor and was always nervous in his presence, and sometimes my nervous energy manifests as what the doc referred to as 'the giggles' - no wonder he thought I had a mood disorder! I have since changed doctors but have been too scared to ask what the new doc's diagnosis is. I mean, as far as DSM-5 is concerned, I'm a pretty classic case of the GAD... I just don't understand why I need harsh anti-psychotic drugs when I do not experience any symptoms of schizophrenia or bipolar? Any tips would be appreciated! Btw i'm new to the forum so hope these kinds of questions are ok? Thanks, D

ZyGirl_DogLvr3 Difficulty Communicating with Psychiatrist
  • replies: 8

Long story short: This morning I was feeling jittery but with a cloudy, slow head. Words not forming properly. During the appointment when my Psychiatrist was asking questions, I could NOT answer them for quite a while because I just couldn't form th... View more

Long story short: This morning I was feeling jittery but with a cloudy, slow head. Words not forming properly. During the appointment when my Psychiatrist was asking questions, I could NOT answer them for quite a while because I just couldn't form the words. Luckily I wrote out a list however. But still; I felt like an idiot. I refuse to go to some appointments because I know I won't be able to communicate with the doctor properly. I am a well-spoken person and can put words together very well usually, but not when I "feel funny." It sort of sucks because there are people there to help but not when you're unable to communicate with them properly. I think it may have something to do with the Benzodiazepine meds I'm taking. They seem to dampen certain cognitive abilities: balance, vocalising & memory. Does anyone else here experience similar 'difficulties forming words and communicating' at appointments?

flyonthewall Share your story of your first visit to GP to seek help
  • replies: 7

I am yet to find the courage to seek help, and would like to hear of anyones stories regarding their first GP visit. E.g How you started the conversation? How long was your appointment? Did you see a new GP or one you see regularly, how did they make... View more

I am yet to find the courage to seek help, and would like to hear of anyones stories regarding their first GP visit. E.g How you started the conversation? How long was your appointment? Did you see a new GP or one you see regularly, how did they make you feel? Thank you in advance.