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Cwideoraefta Rape through hypnotherapy -- after effects
  • replies: 8

Some years ago I was assaulted by a debriefing counsellor I consulted. The debriefing counsellor used hypnotherapy with the excuse of trying to help me. The truth was she sexually assaulted me under hypnosis. I have experienced many years of psychoti... View more

Some years ago I was assaulted by a debriefing counsellor I consulted. The debriefing counsellor used hypnotherapy with the excuse of trying to help me. The truth was she sexually assaulted me under hypnosis. I have experienced many years of psychotic illness as a result, which I have battled. Originally, I needed the debriefing as I was running a support group for troubled teenagers. There were some incidents involving some deaths for which I unfairly and unreasonably blamed myself, hence the debriefing counselling. My main issue is that I feel that some of the hypnotic suggestions have done damage and I want to deal with that. It also meant many years of diversion from dealing with core psychological issues that were the reason for my reaction to the incidents (I am treading on eggshells here avoiding terminology that may breach the forum rules, so please bear with me). I had a brilliant psychiatrist who helped me a great deal manage and battle the psychosis but that psychiatrist has retired due to ill health and age. One psychologist I saw at my local hospital was clearly out of his depth (cannot blame him for that) and recommended I look into hypnotherapists for advice. Each one I contacted has said they cannot take me on. My depression has been getting slowly worse recently, and I need some guidance on how to handle all of this. Thank you.

NurseK What I wish health professional would know when I say I am suicidal and what I need them to do
  • replies: 4

I am a health professional, in fact I am a mental health nurse and a provisional psychologist. Along with these credentials I was diagnosed a year ago with depression and anxiety, and unfortunately 10 months ago I started experiencing Akathisia I hav... View more

I am a health professional, in fact I am a mental health nurse and a provisional psychologist. Along with these credentials I was diagnosed a year ago with depression and anxiety, and unfortunately 10 months ago I started experiencing Akathisia I have been suicidal on and off over the past year. Sometimes this last for a few days other times it weeks or months. I have presented to an emergency department because I felt I could no longer keep myself safe. I have used crisis teams, I see a psychiatrist weekly , a neuropsychiatrist fortnightly and a psychologist. Throughout my journey I have also seen my GP regularly. Over the past year I have told health professionals that I am suicidal between 30-40 times, these weren't just thoughts of dying, I had a plan, I had access to what I needed and I had intent. Of all these times I disclosed my suicidality only three health professionals did their job. They stopped and delved deeper into why I was feeling suicidal, what my plans were, how intent I was in carrying out my plan and if I had a plan in place to stop me for acting on these urges. For all the other times I disclosed I was feeling suicidal, I was ignored. It was as if the words had not come out of my mouth. They moved on to the next thing and then sent me on my way saying they will see me in however many weeks. After my ED presentation and speaking to the medical doctor that I wasn't coping with my Akathisia and I wanted to die, without a mental health assessment, I was informed to stop a medication and was sent on my way. I walked out of that ED room and cried. I wasn't coping. I needed help and here a hospital was turning me away and making me deal with this anguish myself. As an in-patient nurse it is my job to keep my patients safe. We are a locked facility and patients have very little access to things that can cause them harm. If a patient voices they are suicidal it is my job to ask the difficult questions to ensure there safely. This should be the same for all health professionals. I do not talk about my suicidal thoughts and plans to gain attention. Just because I have turned up to my appointment does not mean I am coping and does not mean I will remain safe. I disclose my suicidal thoughts because I need help and I need to share the burden. The burden of having these feelings and the burden of trying to stay alive for my friends and family. Please remember this the next time your patient is brave enough to say they are suicidal.

Natster Bipolar support groups
  • replies: 1

Does anyone know of any support groups for people with bipolar where the primary objective is just to meet and hang out with other people with bipolar or other mental health issues?

Does anyone know of any support groups for people with bipolar where the primary objective is just to meet and hang out with other people with bipolar or other mental health issues?

MoonWings First Psychiatrist's Appointment
  • replies: 3

Hello! So I'm visiting a psychiatrist soon for OCD. I was wondering if I can bring up any other mental health problems I'm having, such as the fact I believe I'm depressed. I'm also super anxious, could anyone give me any words of advice? Thanks, Moo... View more

Hello! So I'm visiting a psychiatrist soon for OCD. I was wondering if I can bring up any other mental health problems I'm having, such as the fact I believe I'm depressed. I'm also super anxious, could anyone give me any words of advice? Thanks, Moon.

TJSydney Have you had any success with CBT or other psychological treatments for anxiety?
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I've had anxiety on and off for a few years now - I've always had claustrophobia but during the last few years I've started having anxiety attacks in enclosed spaces such as planes, trains and office spaces without open windows. I'm now ... View more

Hi everyone, I've had anxiety on and off for a few years now - I've always had claustrophobia but during the last few years I've started having anxiety attacks in enclosed spaces such as planes, trains and office spaces without open windows. I'm now finding that the anxiety has started to manifest itself when I have a prolonged illness or sickness such as a while back I had a pinched nerve and slipped disc and anxiety attacks from that and now I'm pregnant with twins and have pregnancy related issues which are bringing on nightly anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia. I've barely slept for 3 months. I'd rather try a psychologist or psychiatrist for treatment first before heading down the meds route as I have tried a few meds which have only made me more panicky and I guess they're more of a short term fix. I want to get to the route of the issue and try to sort it out. My question: have any of you with anxiety had any success visiting a psych for CBT or any kind of mind therapy? I tried seeing one a while back and after 5 sessions felt like my head was too resistant to it. My mind constantly races and I don't seem to get much out of things like meditation and yoga, although I really wish I could as I'm sure they help. If you did have something that worked, would you be able to share your story with me? What did you find useful? Did you see a psychologist or psychiatrist? Have any of your overcome claustrophobia? Hugs to you all, I hope someone has some positive stories they could share with me. I have 3 months to go of this pregnancy and I'm slowly going mad... the insomnia is the worst and sleep deprivation obviously makes the anxiety worse. thanks x

ELove UPDATED: Have you tried Art Therapy?
  • replies: 9

I was thinking about giving art therapy a go. I see a psychologist, we've been focusing on diagnosis for a while now and we're starting CBT, I also half-heartedly practise mindfulness using the UK Headspace app (highly recommend), and I'm on medicati... View more

I was thinking about giving art therapy a go. I see a psychologist, we've been focusing on diagnosis for a while now and we're starting CBT, I also half-heartedly practise mindfulness using the UK Headspace app (highly recommend), and I'm on medication. But my biggest issues are lack of motivation, focus, creativity, self-esteem and confidence. I think art therapy could be good for these, but I'm skeptical of alternative therapies and I want nothing to do with making scrap books and collages of self-love and positive-thinking statements! Also no mention of spirits or auras or the soul or whatever. I'm not down for that! Does anyone have any experiences with art therapy? Are you an art therapist? Can you recommend one? Thanks

Moonstruck GP reluctant to give meds for my anxiety - why?
  • replies: 3

I have been off alcohol for over 3 years which I used to alleviate severe anxiety/panic for many years, resulting in severe damage to my body. (I have an underlying genetic condition unknown to me all my life - my mother died from it when I was a chi... View more

I have been off alcohol for over 3 years which I used to alleviate severe anxiety/panic for many years, resulting in severe damage to my body. (I have an underlying genetic condition unknown to me all my life - my mother died from it when I was a child). Grog will kill me if I go back to it, so I won't. My GP thank God, prescribes a mild sleeper - I simply cannot function without some sleep - which I have never abused, making them last a long time. Some days my anxiety is through the roof....I've felt a panic attack coming on while driving. I have asked several times for something to help me, or just have on hand during the day if I need it (I would not abuse it) but she refuses. She says "It is easy to become dependent on them - they can be very addictive, so I am reluctant to do so"......my life has taken some severe blows over the past months (hence seeking support from BB who suggested this Forum which has been a great decision). Recently I have begun dipping into my sleepers to curb severe anxiety during the day because I have nothing else. I often read here about your reactions, lowering or upping doses, feeling better, and in general discussing your "meds". And I think "How come they have some meds to help them...and I don't?" It would be SO EASY to walk into the club, plonk a couple of $ down and get a wine or a beer!! The bar attendant would not say "you can get dependent on this stuff - I don't think I'd better give you any", would she? Surely my GP can see meds would be the lesser of two evils? I have an appointment tomorrow, before my psychologist appt...and I will ask AGAIN. I have mentioned to my psych that I need some during the day - she said to talk to the GP also warning "You can become very dependent on them"..YES, I KNOW THAT!! Some forum members will advise telling my GP that I dip into the sleepers during the day but I am scared to, in case she takes THEM away too! Maybe seeing another GP? - how can I just walk in, a complete stranger and ask for meds when that GP would know nothing about me or my medical history? He'd probably say No also - as I could easily be a "doctor shopper" or something. When I ask my GP tomorrow I don't know whether to be casual about it."Oh by the way can I have.." as I don't want to sound desperate (which I am ) and beg and plead for some, like a crazed addict! What will I say? Why are some members on here allowed to have meds for help and I'm not? love to hear your views Moon S

LMG61 Informal face to face support groups?
  • replies: 3

hi everyone, i'm very new here (2nd post) and was wondering about informal support groups. i work afternoon shift and live in a rural area and find it difficult to find groups for support or hobbies that i can join because of my work hours. lonelines... View more

hi everyone, i'm very new here (2nd post) and was wondering about informal support groups. i work afternoon shift and live in a rural area and find it difficult to find groups for support or hobbies that i can join because of my work hours. loneliness and isolation seem to be very common themes in the forum and i was wondering if there is anything like this here already, or if it is a possibility to get some informal groups happening in forumites local areas. i was thinking along the lines of a coffee at maccas, or a trip to the movies, a walk and talk around the local area? i find it difficult to leave the house without a reason, and apart from work, have no real social activities and no family within a 90min drive. many of us have limited finances which also restricts our choices as to social meetups. just thinking out aloud..........and putting it to the forum. maree

Busy_mummy Wanting to stop medication
  • replies: 5

Hi I am new to this, so here goes. I have suffered from anxiety/depression for many many years. I have been taking medication for 9 plus years. I would like to try to stop or reduce my medication and speak to a psychologist or similar but my GP just ... View more

Hi I am new to this, so here goes. I have suffered from anxiety/depression for many many years. I have been taking medication for 9 plus years. I would like to try to stop or reduce my medication and speak to a psychologist or similar but my GP just keeps giving me medication. I need to find out the reason why. I am in my 40's with young children. Married. Normal money problems etc. my GP has been my doctor for over 20 years and we live in a small town so changing doctors is not really an option. Any suggestions will be great.