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Desperate101 When a Psychiatrist Isn't a Good Fit for Your Family Member
  • replies: 3

I have a sibling who has been under the care of her current psychiatrist for about 12 months and the family feel very frustrated with him as we have no improvement with her - in fact things are getting worse. She is seen in a psychiatric clinic and t... View more

I have a sibling who has been under the care of her current psychiatrist for about 12 months and the family feel very frustrated with him as we have no improvement with her - in fact things are getting worse. She is seen in a psychiatric clinic and the place is just one revolving door with her now so medicated that she is out of it a lot of the time. She also has a substance abuse issue mixed with anxiety and depression so her issues are three-fold. He has now allegedly told her not to listen to her family (we want her to seek treatment at another location with a longer term residential structure). The problem that we have is that the psych only knows what she tells him which is undeniably quite different to how things are for her family when she returns to her own environment and her behaviours return in a matter of days. If we don't intervene and get her back into the psych hospital, she would die as all she cares about is wiping herself out. Isn't there a code that psychiatrists have to adhere to which would mean that if they are not seeing an improvement in their patient over a period of time, that they refer them on? What can a family do? Genuine advice sought please.

topsy_ Coherence Therapy??
  • replies: 4

Hi My psychologist would like to do Coherence Therapy with me. I'm not super clear on what it entails but apparently I'll be "back there" (in the years of every type of abuse). Somehow being right back in those awful times is supposed to enable new n... View more

Hi My psychologist would like to do Coherence Therapy with me. I'm not super clear on what it entails but apparently I'll be "back there" (in the years of every type of abuse). Somehow being right back in those awful times is supposed to enable new neural pathways to be formed. For example, I've always believed that all the abuse was my fault & that it happened because I'm bad. I think the aim is to challenge & alter those beliefs that were formed when I was so young. The thing is the psych warned me it will be really rough. And there are no guarantees I'll feel any better in the long run. I find it incredibly difficult to go back "there". I've spent my life avoiding doing that. So my question is does anyone know anything about this therapy? I would be more inclined to try it if I were younger, say 30 - 40, because there would still be enough life left to live to make it worth it. However at 60 that's not the case. The abuse, PTSD & depression have all influenced my previous years so much that I don't want to fill my remaining years with more angst. I'm not sure I'm being entirely logical & I do know the thought of this therapy fills me with terror. And, not feeling very brave, I'd rather avoid that. So if anyone has any thoughts, experience or advice I would be very grateful. Thank you, Lyn.

Trent89 Good GP in WA
  • replies: 2

Hi, Does anybody know or recommend a good GP in WA.?. Most GPS here simply refer you to a psychologist and won't give out Meds thus making my life a hell. thanks.

Hi, Does anybody know or recommend a good GP in WA.?. Most GPS here simply refer you to a psychologist and won't give out Meds thus making my life a hell. thanks.

Ouat A question for anyone taking medicaiton for anxiety 
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone. I have been taking a medication for anxiety for four days and have been suffering side effects such as musele pain, itching, joint pain and im misable, is these normal and what side effects have others experienced.Thanks

Hi everyone. I have been taking a medication for anxiety for four days and have been suffering side effects such as musele pain, itching, joint pain and im misable, is these normal and what side effects have others experienced.Thanks

Ace6913 Medication whilst pregnant
  • replies: 3

Hi there, just curious is there medication out there for woman who are pregnant and have anxiety ? I'm trying my hardest to not go down that path I'm currently doing cognitive based therapy at the moment and I think I'm feeling a little overwhelmed t... View more

Hi there, just curious is there medication out there for woman who are pregnant and have anxiety ? I'm trying my hardest to not go down that path I'm currently doing cognitive based therapy at the moment and I think I'm feeling a little overwhelmed this week and the tools I've learnt from this therapy isn't working as much but I'm trying to stay open minded to other ways of treatment any feedback would be most helpful

Smar Changes in meds
  • replies: 3

Hi all, My GP has advised a change in meds. I brought my wife to the appointment so we could all discuss. I am about to start reducing on my meds tomorrow, what is making me very nervous is the side effects on a quick reduction, a couple of days med ... View more

Hi all, My GP has advised a change in meds. I brought my wife to the appointment so we could all discuss. I am about to start reducing on my meds tomorrow, what is making me very nervous is the side effects on a quick reduction, a couple of days med free, before starting the new ones. I was crying last night with my wife on how nervous I was about the change. May I ask how others felt during med changes? Thanks

Zoostar84 Communicating with psychaitrist?
  • replies: 7

Hey everyone. I have recently changed psychiatrists and had only a couple of sessions with her. As i'm unfamiliar with her way of dealing with her patients I am a little concerned because I'm unsure as to how to effectively communicate to her how dep... View more

Hey everyone. I have recently changed psychiatrists and had only a couple of sessions with her. As i'm unfamiliar with her way of dealing with her patients I am a little concerned because I'm unsure as to how to effectively communicate to her how depression is impacting my life. She may have a list of general questions she will ask and then I answer them and give an example. I don't see this as being very productive. I am seeing my psychologist on monday and I have an idea that I will present to her before seeing my psychiatrist. It involves written communication. Three pieces of paper each with one word written on them. I read them out and talk about each word and how each correlate and impact my life. I hope I have explained this well without mentioning what each of the three words actually are. Would like to hear your thoughts

Chris_B Ask Dr Kim | Archived live chats
  • replies: 98

Good afternoon everyone, Dr Kim is here and we're ready to start. Welcome Kim, our first question is below: I am a 23 year old female with contamination-focused OCD. Do you have any advice about how I could deal with anxiety over my boyfriend's healt... View more

Good afternoon everyone, Dr Kim is here and we're ready to start. Welcome Kim, our first question is below: I am a 23 year old female with contamination-focused OCD. Do you have any advice about how I could deal with anxiety over my boyfriend's health? He is the only person I kiss and share drinks with, which means that if he does get sick, I will be likely to get infected. I really love and care about him, so the anxiety is not just about fear of contracting germs and illness, but also wanting him to be healthy and well.

Zoostar84 Treatment-resistant depression
  • replies: 15

I had an appointment with my psychiatrist and previously we had talked about a plan to wean myself of one of my medications and start a new medication. I was willing to try and thought it was a great opportunity to do it now as I am currently on annu... View more

I had an appointment with my psychiatrist and previously we had talked about a plan to wean myself of one of my medications and start a new medication. I was willing to try and thought it was a great opportunity to do it now as I am currently on annual leave. My psychiatrist made a minor adjustment to the medication used to help someone with treatment-resistant depression like myself. My next appointment is in 2 months. I left feeling a bit disappointed and a bit frustrated knowing that I will be buying a certain medication that is only partially effective and I know my psychiatrist eventually wants me to stop taking it. I thought to myself, it's similar to buying a faulty product. Well, for the next 2 months I will be keeping up my busy gym routine. I will also reward myself by having a massage. I don't enjoy my work but I am looking forward to going back to work as I want to get back to my busy lifestyle. Anyone have any suggestions for treatment-resistant depression?

KaraArtist When I seek professional help I get multiple diagnosis, multiple treatment options
  • replies: 27

I feel like I am nothing, worthless, hopeless. I don't know what direction to turn, when I seek professional help I get multiple diagnosis, multiple treatment options and they HATE when I say that I don't like to take medication because every one I h... View more

I feel like I am nothing, worthless, hopeless. I don't know what direction to turn, when I seek professional help I get multiple diagnosis, multiple treatment options and they HATE when I say that I don't like to take medication because every one I have tried has caused side affects, that for me, were worse than the actual problem. I just want to stop feeling like this. it seems like no matter what I do I always end up back here. I have moved to the town I love, have an amazing fiance', stopped working due to consistent migraines and this has had a positive affect on my moods, and I have let go of all the poisonous people in my life. Yet I find myself back here, in the dark. Now what do I do?