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bubblestar Help with getting help
  • replies: 4

Hi, 10 months ago my mother fell very ill and almost passed away. Since then I have been distraught. I have flashbacks and when she's feeling unwell I completely freak out and have visions of going back to the hospital etc, I have panic attacks so ba... View more

Hi, 10 months ago my mother fell very ill and almost passed away. Since then I have been distraught. I have flashbacks and when she's feeling unwell I completely freak out and have visions of going back to the hospital etc, I have panic attacks so bad I can't breathe (previously diagnosed with anxiety and depression) as well as a whole other bunch of things. I've looked up numerous websites with symptoms for PTSD and I have close to almost all the symptoms. I see a psychologist, and am also seeing my doctor next week. I want to ask him if I do have PTSD but I don't know how to go about it. Do you ask a doctor if you have it? Is there a way to ask? I would really appreciate some words to help me in seeking help from my doctor but I just don't know how to go about it. Thank you

PM29 ABOUT TO START MEDICATION - VERY SCARED!
  • replies: 5

I've spent the last three weeks scrolling through these forums seeking for comfort through other people's questions/answers - so I thought it might be time to start my own... I am a 29 year old female and about 4 weeks ago I started to feel the follo... View more

I've spent the last three weeks scrolling through these forums seeking for comfort through other people's questions/answers - so I thought it might be time to start my own... I am a 29 year old female and about 4 weeks ago I started to feel the following symptoms 24/7: dizziness, short of breath, tightness to my upper shoulder, insomnia, and the overall feeling like I was about to either pass out or that my heart was going to give in. I have since been in and out of the docs getting all the tests done imaginable, with everything coming back normal. In the end, my doc has put it down to Generalised Anxiety Disorder, and as it stands, I have both "long term" and "short term" medications prescribed from my GP, staring at me as I type, however, I can't help but be totally frightened about taking either of these options. Whilst I find comfort in the success stories (people who have stuck it out with long-term meds and have come out the other side), I can't help but also be frightened of the horror stories out there (about side effects, addictions, difficulty to withdraw). Aside from these two options with meds, I'm also booked in to see a psychiatrists to hopefully start to help manage whatever underlying issue may be causing this in my life. I have also started meditation and deep breathing exercises every day. All that's left to put in place is to decide whether or not I should go down this medication path. I would love to hear some feedback from the Beyond Blue community on their own experience with either contemplating, starting, struggling, and successes with medications. I look forward to all your thoughts.

Berenice In debt, unable to work or afford mental health care. So lost, don't know what to do...
  • replies: 2

I've been diagnosed with depression for 14 years now and anxiety for 10 years. Recently, things have become really difficult for me. Due to severe anxiety and terrible panic attacks, I was forced to resign from a new job (had only been there 7 weeks)... View more

I've been diagnosed with depression for 14 years now and anxiety for 10 years. Recently, things have become really difficult for me. Due to severe anxiety and terrible panic attacks, I was forced to resign from a new job (had only been there 7 weeks) in December last year and I am now relying on my partner to support me while I try to get better. The problem is, I found out after I resigned that my partner is in quite significant debt and so despite him earning very good money, we are struggling to make ends meet and getting down to the last dollar every fortnight just to get enough groceries for meals. This is extremely stressful for both of us but I have always been one to hate being in debt, never had credit card debt, paid off my car loan early etc. so I find it really stressful and depressing, like I am trapped and powerless to help in my current situation. I don't know what to do or how to get help. Previously I was seeing a new psychiatrist as I moved across town and also did not click with my old psych but I've been unable to go back and continue the work to receive an updated diagnosis (was diagnosed last October with Borderline Personality Disorder but another psychologist said I was "borderline borderline" which was not helpful being in limbo about what is wrong with me) but we can no longer afford it and things continue to get harder and harder. I want to earn money but I can't work. The thought of being forced back into work makes me so panicky and sick to the stomach. My old psych was happy to do up the paperwork for the disability pension but because my partner earns too much (despite his debt), I am unable to access this for myself. It is very frustrating and bewildering. I am so down and I really don't know what to do. I could really use some advice

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