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Qualifying Red Flag Online help programs - has anyone used "ecouch" or "moodgym"?
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I had my first visit to my new psychologist yesterday, she is lovely and the appointment went well. I am not able to get back in to see her now until 6th May so I asked her whether she had any suggestions about anything I could look at o... View more

Hi everyone, I had my first visit to my new psychologist yesterday, she is lovely and the appointment went well. I am not able to get back in to see her now until 6th May so I asked her whether she had any suggestions about anything I could look at online, by way of homework. She suggested "ecouch" or "moodgym", which are free and have modules that can be worked through in a self-paced manner. She said they are both excellent but of the two, "ecouch" has "softer sides" I am just wanting to find out if anyone else here has participated in either of these online and if so, what your thoughts are? Thank you, Red

farns Help Please with Meds
  • replies: 6

I am back at the Phyciatrist tomorrow to start my 5th lot of medication for Depression, I know I cant mention Meds names but I am after some advice or comments from people that have been in a similar boat and came out the other side okay, I am aware ... View more

I am back at the Phyciatrist tomorrow to start my 5th lot of medication for Depression, I know I cant mention Meds names but I am after some advice or comments from people that have been in a similar boat and came out the other side okay, I am aware they take 6-8 weeks to start working but I am getting to that stage feeling OK but then for some reason they stop working....any help would be greatly appreciated.

Moonstruck Are my issues important enough for treatment?
  • replies: 7

I am wondering if my issues/situation/problems etc actually justify my seeking help from a psychol....or even being on this Forum (which I have found an enormous help) I have an appt in couple of weeks and concerned she'll think I'm wasting her time.... View more

I am wondering if my issues/situation/problems etc actually justify my seeking help from a psychol....or even being on this Forum (which I have found an enormous help) I have an appt in couple of weeks and concerned she'll think I'm wasting her time...or simply complaining about "life". My friends on here have seen me thru Panic Attacks and deep sadness, confusion, extreme anxiety situations and endless tears - but compared to others' problems - mine seem quite trivial. Do others in the older age group (with adult kids, grandkids etc) have trouble "letting go of the past"?....Lately memories of decades ago are SO vivid...causing me both guilt (for being a bad mother, person, wife etc) - pain, regret, suffering like I did then...as if it is happening all over again! I went to a psych a few months ago in a bad way - began telling her about guilt over my son and how his life has turned out, blaming myself, explaining the horrible years he went through as a child, teenager etc....when describing his current situation she said "Sounds like a pretty good life to me - half his luck!"........which made me feel an absolute fool. When going into my own childhood and terrible experiences with my mother...she listened politely...but just like a friend you're having a coffee with would do...nodding her head saying "Oh yes...." or something to that effect. (I had NEVER told ANYONE about these events before) I went home thinking I was being a drama queen or something........my pain is real - my guilt is real - my fear is real - if my new "friends" on Forum can understand, why doesn't a professional? Should I cancel the appointment with the new psych?........your thoughts would be welcome.....MS

Cascades Do I have to see a psychologist before I can get medication?
  • replies: 4

I have social anxiety and noticed it when I was in my mid teens. Since then, all I could do was work through it and try to ignore it - or not leave the house. It's slowly been getting worse and everytime I leave the house or know I have to leave the ... View more

I have social anxiety and noticed it when I was in my mid teens. Since then, all I could do was work through it and try to ignore it - or not leave the house. It's slowly been getting worse and everytime I leave the house or know I have to leave the house, I feel physically sick. Anyway, I'd like to get on medication. The last doctors visit he suggested I see a psychologist before quickly shooing me away. I'm kinda scared about seeing someone and don't know if I'd make it to the appointments. I've tried taking stuff I can buy from chemists but it tastes absolutely horrible and doesn't help. Is there anything else I can try or can I get my hands on proper medication without a psychologist visit?

Neenie87 Has anyone tried the MTHFR Gene testing?
  • replies: 2

Hey all! Does anyone know anything about the MTHFR Gene testing? I've been told it is good for many different health areas including anxiety,depression and insomnia if you have the gene?

Hey all! Does anyone know anything about the MTHFR Gene testing? I've been told it is good for many different health areas including anxiety,depression and insomnia if you have the gene?

Elea Getting a repeat prescription from a new GP
  • replies: 2

Hello, I'm just wondering if anyone can help me out with this question. I have been going to the same GP for the last few years, she is the one who did my original mental health plan and prescribed my antidepressant which I have been on for almost 2 ... View more

Hello, I'm just wondering if anyone can help me out with this question. I have been going to the same GP for the last few years, she is the one who did my original mental health plan and prescribed my antidepressant which I have been on for almost 2 years. I've moved since then and have been driving 45 minutes to see her because I didn't want to see anyone else. Now she is on indefinite leave & I will have to see another doctor, and I figure I may as well see someone close to where I live now. I'm just wondering whether I'll have to get my medical history sent to my new GP in order to continue getting repeat prescriptions for my medication, or will explaining my medial history, and maybe showing my current prescription to the new doctor be enough to get them to keep prescribing repeats? Hoping someone has experience with this and can help thank you!

JOYOUSHOPE WHERE TO FIND THE "RIGHT" HELP FOR ME
  • replies: 10

Where to get proper help? Im not sure how to put this without it sounding like a ramble, but ill try. I know I have suffered from depression for many years now. I have been on medication for over 10 years. I have seen a psychologist for a period of t... View more

Where to get proper help? Im not sure how to put this without it sounding like a ramble, but ill try. I know I have suffered from depression for many years now. I have been on medication for over 10 years. I have seen a psychologist for a period of time and understood where it should go but I didn’t seem to know what to do. My weight being a major part in how I think I have also had a couple of weight loss surgeries to help me, though small success for me, would be considered a failure in the eyes of the doctor who did the operation, which is why I cant go back for help, to see the look in his eyes. Through this surgery I did see a psychologist connected with the procedure and thought this would be exactly what I needed as she saw others in my situation and finally someone who could relate. She was nice and yes I saw her for a few years, but when I actually thought about our appointments and what I got out of them, was not much. I talked for an hour about whats been happening and provided entertainment through some online dating stories and family crap and I always felt good when I left because I made someone laugh. I know I need to talk to someone. I know I want to talk to someone. How do you find the right person to help? Talk to your doctor, do the mental health questionnaire, they suggest someone to see (not sure if they just pluck someone they know or have their business card on hand ). It has to be someone that you feel comfortable with, understanding and patient and not someone that goes through the “text book” psychology list of things to try as such. So where do I start to find the right help?

Onlooker36 Testosterone made all the difference for my husband
  • replies: 1

I wanted to share the experience my husband has had with testosterone because he didn't find out about it through the medical profession, although it is the medical profession that administers it. My husband experienced severe anxiety and depression ... View more

I wanted to share the experience my husband has had with testosterone because he didn't find out about it through the medical profession, although it is the medical profession that administers it. My husband experienced severe anxiety and depression as a result of an abusive boss about three years ago and has been battling ever since. He has been working with psychologists and psychiatrists and been on antidepressent medication for a while. One day he woke up sobbing for no reason and we both became very concerned, and he went off to get some help. Within a few days of this event he went out to buy a second hand dinghy and got talking to the chap and sharing their experiences of depression and anxiety. The guy recommended my husband get his testosterone levels checked. He said if it wasn't for testosterone, he wouldn't be here today. So, my husband went off to the GP and asked for a testosterone check. It came back incredibly low. The doctor advised that they would need to do a second test to verify the result (this is normal procedure). The level came back the same - very low. The treatment is a testosterone injection every 3 months in the buttocks. While I know this may not work for everyone, this has changed my husband's life. He is a different person, off the antidepressants and feeling far more normal than he has felt in several years. Apparently, when a person is feeling anxious for a protracted period of time, the body responds by lowering the testosterone in the system to help you cope. Unfortunately, it's not a temporary adjustment. The testosterone levels never return and so he will be on testosterone injections for the rest of his life. I find it interresting that none of the medical professionals thought to test his testosterone levels. If you want to know more ask your GP about it and even insist on a test. You can also google Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Hope this helps others out there.

HomeDog Testosterone vs Antidepressant Medication
  • replies: 1

I am a 46 year old male, happily married with 3 high school age children and a great job. For most of my adult life I have suffered mild anxiety, and from the age of 40, mild depression. I have tried several different antidepressant medications and s... View more

I am a 46 year old male, happily married with 3 high school age children and a great job. For most of my adult life I have suffered mild anxiety, and from the age of 40, mild depression. I have tried several different antidepressant medications and suffered lots of side effects only to feel just OK. I am wanting to feel great. In consultation with my GP and family, I stopped taking my medication just over 6 months ago and started heading down the natural route of eating well, exercising, resting and taking some vitamins. I am also seeing a Phycologist. For 6 months now I haven't got any closer. As a matter of fact I feel worse and not coping too well again. My doctor has run some more blood tests and has found low testosterone and a total cholesterol of 8.2. I also have elevated Liver enzymes indicating Fatty Liver. My doctor wants to lower my cholesterol with statins, and has prescribed me another antidepressant. None of which I have taken yet fearing the side effects and what they do to my Liver. My quest continues. Question; Has anyone experienced any success with increasing their Testosterone and eliminating or reducing their Anxiety and Depression? Cheers

Quivz Not motivated enough for therapy
  • replies: 3

I have depression and anxiety. My anxiety is (was diagnosed as) severe. My depression springs from my anxiety, but is not as severe. I sought help and got a psychologist and have had 10 - 15 sessions and get nothing out of it. They haven't told me an... View more

I have depression and anxiety. My anxiety is (was diagnosed as) severe. My depression springs from my anxiety, but is not as severe. I sought help and got a psychologist and have had 10 - 15 sessions and get nothing out of it. They haven't told me anything i dont know, they haven't got me to do anything i haven't always done. I've lost the motivation to continue as CBT appears to be all they have to offer and i can do that myself, and have been doing so my entire life. Medication has also failed as all the types i've tried do little more than make me less depressed. Apparently most of them should help with the anxiety, but this has not been the case for me. My conditions have prevented any attempt at lifestyle changes as i cant stick to any change longer than a few days without feeling like its futile or simply not something i want as part of my lifestyle in the first place. Diet is a product of lifestyle and i basically eat whats put in front of me and if nothing is put in front of me i either eat nothing or buy fast food. I don't have enough motivation to force the discomfort of diet or lifestyle changes. i first sought help several years ago because i felt like i'd hit rock bottom. The only thing thats changed is that i've got names for my conditions. Other than that i have not progressed in any way. All the doctor has to offer is a different psychologist. But he warns me that it will be the same approach anyway. So whats left? Should i be considering hospitalization?