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Baron_sherry Navigating hospital process
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm having a very rough patch. Longtime sufferer of depression, anxiety. Diagnosed bipolar 10 yrs, and recently complex trauma. Have had a number of bad episodes over last 3 months but worst this weekend. Fallen apart. Feel so affraid of everythin... View more

Hi I'm having a very rough patch. Longtime sufferer of depression, anxiety. Diagnosed bipolar 10 yrs, and recently complex trauma. Have had a number of bad episodes over last 3 months but worst this weekend. Fallen apart. Feel so affraid of everything, overwhelmed and petrified to point of confusion. Not coping with any stresses, everything sets me off, crying for 3 days in between sedation, thoughts of self harm and suicide is invading my brain like a swarm. Living in bedroom. I have a beautiful toddler who is confused and I am so worried my mental health is having detrimental affect on him. Partner is so supportive but is at loss as to how to help. She's under great strain too. My worry about them is not helping. Psychologist has recommended respite in hospital. Never navigated this hospital thing before. I have restricted psych on private insurance, live in Melbourne. Unsure of options. Any advice on expected expenses or support recommendations, hospital experiences? Are there alternative s to hospital? Also terrified on what to tell work as I think I'll have to take the week off. Financial pressures I'm the breadwinner. Where to start when feeling so weird? Thank you Baron

HannahG ERP for "Pure O" OCD?
  • replies: 1

Looking for positive stories from those who have had ERP therapy for OCD with intrusive thoughts/obsessional thoughts. Seeing a Psychologist who will do Schema Therapy but also another Psychotherapist who I wanted to ask about ERP which was suggested... View more

Looking for positive stories from those who have had ERP therapy for OCD with intrusive thoughts/obsessional thoughts. Seeing a Psychologist who will do Schema Therapy but also another Psychotherapist who I wanted to ask about ERP which was suggested to me. Just thought I would put feelers out there to see if anyone had positive outcomes

KP28 Heart meds and depression
  • replies: 2

My on/off partner of over five years ( on/off because in depressed states he ends things) recently had a mild heart attack. He has been taking anti depressants for years now which I don't think have been very effective. I'm not sure if they're the ri... View more

My on/off partner of over five years ( on/off because in depressed states he ends things) recently had a mild heart attack. He has been taking anti depressants for years now which I don't think have been very effective. I'm not sure if they're the right meds and dosages or not. His depression has hit an all time low since his heart attack. His GP mentioned that his new heart medication (metoprolol) is notorious for causing depression. I'm wondering if this has been anyone else's experience or if anyone knows of alternate medications that would be less likely to cause depression. I'm also wondering if other medications he takes for things like hypertension are reducing the efficacy of his Ads.

Anonymous_Fifowife If distractions and 'tools' don't work- do I need meds?
  • replies: 7

I have read quite a few of these threads and there are some amazing people on here with great suggestions on how to cope with depression. There are suggestions of meditation, physical exercise, contacting friends, practicing mindfulness and breathing... View more

I have read quite a few of these threads and there are some amazing people on here with great suggestions on how to cope with depression. There are suggestions of meditation, physical exercise, contacting friends, practicing mindfulness and breathing BUT, and I do not want to discount the value in all of that advice- I am at the stage where even the tools and suggestions given to me to deal with my depression are not working. i try very hard to keep busy ( I am busy) but still be gentle on myself, I try to socialist but when I get home I'm emotionally and physically exhausted, I sob while putting joggers on to take my dog for a walk and sob for the better part of the walk, I try deep breathing when I get anxious but end up feeling like I can never get enough air, I'm constantly tired and extremely vague most of the day..... I am just as exhausted from trying to manage my depression as I am from being depressed! this leads the question- do I need medication to tackle everyday functioning life? Is there a switch in there that I need to chemically flick on? I just don't know how to exist anymore...and medication scares me...

katiam Want to take a break from medication
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, I'm a bit of a newbie here but been depressed and getting treatment for it for a good 16 years or so. Latest is a diagnosis of non-melancholic unipolar depression. I have been on the anti-depressant medication rollercoaster - have tried arou... View more

Hi guys, I'm a bit of a newbie here but been depressed and getting treatment for it for a good 16 years or so. Latest is a diagnosis of non-melancholic unipolar depression. I have been on the anti-depressant medication rollercoaster - have tried around 12 or so different meds. I have a gp, counsellor and psych registrar Trying to sort me out at the moment. Thing is, I want a break from medication. Going on and coming off them always severely mess with me (as I'm sure it does others) and so far I've not had much benefit from the meds I've taken. When looking at my mood and my lowest points it has always been when trying or changing medication. I want to be able to eat well and exercise moderately and I feel the antidepressants have made this impossible rather than easier to attain. I'm sick of feeling like a zombie. I have no immune system. the medical advice i have been provided is as expected "you need to take medication". If I don't want to take antidepressants ive been told to take an antipsychotic daily.. which means I'd be medicated. So frustrated. But I feel like I should have a say, I HAVE tried meds, for a good few years- i did what i was told and no one paid attention to the fact thay they weren't working for or helping me- until I stumbled across an awesome gp who agreed. I want to try something else for awhile. Has anyone in a similar situation had any luck going without medication? ECT has also been suggested I am seriously considering it, but it sounds a bit full on.. anyone have any feedback on that option? Any tips or tricks on staying mentally well without medication?

HannahG Herbalist?
  • replies: 1

Have had major anxiety issues for 6 weeks. Am almost 6 weeks pregnant. Psychiatrist just put me on my old SSRI but the midwife at my OBGYN's office gave me a number for a Herbalist. Wondering if anyone has benefited from a herbalist concoction for an... View more

Have had major anxiety issues for 6 weeks. Am almost 6 weeks pregnant. Psychiatrist just put me on my old SSRI but the midwife at my OBGYN's office gave me a number for a Herbalist. Wondering if anyone has benefited from a herbalist concoction for anxiety versus SSRI?

relax16 ideas for the long wait for psych appt
  • replies: 3

i have been suffering anxiety and depression quite badly for the past couple of months. mostly health anxiety issues. i am on medication which is slowly kicking in and have booked myself in for a psych appt...but i cant get in for over a month. since... View more

i have been suffering anxiety and depression quite badly for the past couple of months. mostly health anxiety issues. i am on medication which is slowly kicking in and have booked myself in for a psych appt...but i cant get in for over a month. since i dont have any emergency symptoms i have to wait as there are people who need help more urgently. i am looking forward to my appt as i need to get out of the constant loop of negative and scary thoughts which follow me all day. are there any free online programs or apps that anyone has found useful just to get them through the waiting period to actually seek professional help????? any advice would be great as i am barely functioning at work and at home with my kids...just spend my days distracting myself with tv and my phone.

HannahG EMDR for Intrusive Thoughts
  • replies: 9

Hi recently started having horrible intrusive thoughts about things I cant really write about here that are horrible that I would never do.. but also my past extremely promiscuous sexual history which is very traumatizing for me in my current marriag... View more

Hi recently started having horrible intrusive thoughts about things I cant really write about here that are horrible that I would never do.. but also my past extremely promiscuous sexual history which is very traumatizing for me in my current marriage. The thoughts only started a week ago and I see my Psych in 2 weeks (who I have been seeing due to 2 stillbirths). Have done a LOT of research as I am proactive in getting better. The thoughts appear to be Intrusive as part of an OCD trait. So my question was: Has anyone been sucessful with EMDR Therapy relating to OCD Intrusive thoughts or rumination?

Guest_2350 Bipolar knowledge and treatment questions
  • replies: 2

Hello, I have just been diagnosed with bipolar and I am seeking some advise on the condition. It feels like a slap in the face and I think part of it is due because I know nothing about bipolar - I've been trying to read a bit tonight. How did you fi... View more

Hello, I have just been diagnosed with bipolar and I am seeking some advise on the condition. It feels like a slap in the face and I think part of it is due because I know nothing about bipolar - I've been trying to read a bit tonight. How did you find out you have bipolar? What was your life like - your childhood, teenage years? Do you lead a "normal" life from the outside? What therapies and treatment options have helped you? Did you struggle to recognise and accept that you have bipolar? I can see patterns of high energy states - compared to other people - and extreme lows, but I have a family, job,... And a mixed bag of trauma... Do I have to compare myself to others? I've always been like this, so it feels weird. I do know I struggle with feelings. Do ADs make it worse? I've been feeling more and more lost in the past few months since starting to take them. Can it feel like you hit a wall? If I compare myself 6, 12, 18 months ago I have deteriorated a big deal. Can depression last that long? Often I don't know myself. Do you sometimes feel that people or things can drive you nuts? What are good sites, groups... To get support and information from? I would really appreciate your input. Thank you, Yggy

kirsada Medication withdrawal and feeling better
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I've recently weaned off an antidepressant that I was taking for depression/anxiety/stress, and would like some feedback on withdrawal and how long it takes. My Dr said the drug only remains in the system for 24hrs and I shouldn't be experien... View more

Hi all, I've recently weaned off an antidepressant that I was taking for depression/anxiety/stress, and would like some feedback on withdrawal and how long it takes. My Dr said the drug only remains in the system for 24hrs and I shouldn't be experiencing withdrawal symptoms now. I'm not so sure. I've been particularly snappy and short-tempered, tired and generally restless. How long will this continue, is it withdrawal or am I just going back into my pre-treatment state? Thanks