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helpplease Can we use more than one psychiatrist?
  • replies: 1

Hi, Our psychiatrist is in town 2 weeks out of every 4. We have a referral from our GP to a private one who is based here full time. We are really happy with the present one (who actually mentioned the second one was here all the time), but would lik... View more

Hi, Our psychiatrist is in town 2 weeks out of every 4. We have a referral from our GP to a private one who is based here full time. We are really happy with the present one (who actually mentioned the second one was here all the time), but would like to have the other one as a 'back up' if the need arises. Here's the thing - the clinician involved is suggesting it is inappropriate and she is the best one to manage in the absence of the 1st psychiatrist (in the past, the only help offered by her has been to go to the hospital until we can have the appointment with the psychiatrist when she comes back, sometimes a week later.... the hospital doesn't help, they just say come to Emergency). My impression is she is not happy to 'share' what she sees as 'her' client. We are happy to sign a release of info form so everyone is on the same page, so it's not like we're 'doctor shopping', just want access to high quality care all the time. We would love to find a psychologist, but there is not one that is a good fit for us - the good ones have a waiting list- we have tried, we live in a small town. So to reiterate, neither psychiatrists have a problem and the GP says it's a good idea, what is the best thing to say to the clinician when she suggests it's too confusing and we're better just relying on her? She's a nice person and has been of limited help, but things are not progressing as we would like.

Emmy. Numbness
  • replies: 2

Is it common to just be numb to emotions when you're on antidepressants? Ive been on antidepressants for just over 2 years now, and during that time (about a year ago) lost my Mum very suddenly. About 3 months ago I tried to come of the medication (w... View more

Is it common to just be numb to emotions when you're on antidepressants? Ive been on antidepressants for just over 2 years now, and during that time (about a year ago) lost my Mum very suddenly. About 3 months ago I tried to come of the medication (with the assistance from my doctor), unfortunately the panic attacks, anxiety and black fog came back home to me and as a result I'm back on them again. But during the 6 weeks I was off my medicine I grieved differently. I felt it in a totally different way. Same with all emotions joy and sadness. Is it normal to just feel numb? I suppose it just means the antidepressants are doing there job.

Louise15 Has anyone attended CBT therapy as a day patient? I would like to hear about your experience.
  • replies: 1

Hello I have depression and more recently anxiety, I have been recommended a 2 week day patient CBT course. I know that there is a lot of positive research about CBT, however I would like to hear first hand from people who have tried this treatment. ... View more

Hello I have depression and more recently anxiety, I have been recommended a 2 week day patient CBT course. I know that there is a lot of positive research about CBT, however I would like to hear first hand from people who have tried this treatment. Did it work? Thank you

autumnzephyr On meds for almost a year with continuing anhedonia
  • replies: 5

Hi, I've probably had depression for many years. I previously had depression but had recovered. This time it took a lot longer to realise what was going on. Last year around february I started seeing a psychologist who didn't help at all and didn't a... View more

Hi, I've probably had depression for many years. I previously had depression but had recovered. This time it took a lot longer to realise what was going on. Last year around february I started seeing a psychologist who didn't help at all and didn't actually diagnose me with depression. I stopped seeing her after she basically recommended i split with my partner and then was suprised that this didnt help. In November last year I started on an ssri which I took for almost 6 months with minor improvement. Meaning I no longer felt horribly guitly and ashamed all the time. This also followed me splitting with my partner (who was lovely). I was then switched to another medication and went backwards. Now I've been to a one off psychiatrist appt and am on a different ssri at a high dose, and am supposed to increase next week after six weeks at this dose. I'm occasionally seeing a new psychologist. But I still don't feel like anything is working.I still lack interest in life. I have a terminally ill family member and I feel I'm squandering the time we have left because my feelings and emotions are so numb. I keep wanting and hoping the meds will work. I've tried mindfulness techniques, eating well,exercising. Can anyone offer any hope that the meds will work when I increase my dose? I'm being treated for severe depression and some level of anxiety.

StefT CBT, positive thinking, changing your thinking, is it possible
  • replies: 2

Hey i'm curious if these have worked for anyone. Bad life experiences, depression, dead end jobs and unfulfilled dreams have put me in a negative mind. Looking into CBT and positive thinking videos I can only wish I could think like that. I recognize... View more

Hey i'm curious if these have worked for anyone. Bad life experiences, depression, dead end jobs and unfulfilled dreams have put me in a negative mind. Looking into CBT and positive thinking videos I can only wish I could think like that. I recognize the potential benefits but having always reacted to my emotions I don't know if i'm capable. Is it just a gradual process of indoctrinating yourself enough with these concepts that you start to change your outlook?

gnomadicmind Newbie With Life long Depression, Anxiety, maybe bipolar - being put in the 'too hard basket'?
  • replies: 2

Hello Everyone, This is my first ever post. Thanks for reading I have been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety and this has been ongoing now for 20 years. I have tried nearly every antidepressant, mood stabilisers etc. I have done CBT, mindf... View more

Hello Everyone, This is my first ever post. Thanks for reading I have been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety and this has been ongoing now for 20 years. I have tried nearly every antidepressant, mood stabilisers etc. I have done CBT, mindfulness, conversation therapy, Eye movement therapy. I have been in and out of hospital and I have had TMS as an inpatient and outpatient. I have always been proactive with my mental health, and I'm not in a position where self harm or suicide is on my mind, but I am getting to the end of my tether in regards as to what to do now! I have started treatment with a new psychiatrist who has recommended MAOI's which I'm not too keen on, but if it's worth a try I will do it. She has also mentioned something called 'Motor Cycle Therapy' ( I have googled this and come up with nothing, maybe I have the wrong term!). Anyway it feels that nothing works. I can't work anymore. I can't have normal relationships. I don't have children (partly from fear of not coping). I can't and don't even want to maintain normal relationships in general. What's more I don't even really want to. I'm not a social person and I have never been. I like people and get on well with others, I'm just a 'loner'. I'm now reading about 'Highly Sensitive People' and the 'Quiet Revolution'. My problem is that I feel like I'm always going to be plagued with treatment resistant depression and anxiety. I have felt many times as though professionals have put me in the 'too hard basket' or made to feel like a 'malingerer'. I now feel as though depression and anxiety is just my cross to bear in life. That it's my personality and no treatment will ever work, let alone fix me. I live in a 'regional' area so professionals are hard to find but luckily I have a great psychologist and psychiatrist, albeit perhaps not completely suitable. Okay... What are others experiences of being put in the 'too hard basket'? Do you feel like it's just your personality? Any treatment experiences you can share? Any books that have helped you profoundly? Any suggestions at all are welcome and appreciated! If you've read this far - thank you!

BadTherapy My negative experience with psychotherapy
  • replies: 2

People like to talk about how therapy is the safe haven for all your problems, but I want to give some helpful tips about the negatives I've experienced to show that it's not always true: your therapist will say you can talk about anything, but be ve... View more

People like to talk about how therapy is the safe haven for all your problems, but I want to give some helpful tips about the negatives I've experienced to show that it's not always true: your therapist will say you can talk about anything, but be very careful. If you start talking about other issues beside what you are originally there for, be prepared to have your therapy terminated by the therapist at any time and be sent back to your GP. if your therapist starts talking about working with others, it's their flowery way of telling you they can't/won't be treating you for much longer because they're referring you to someone else. remember that to your therapist you are just a job; don't bother telling them they make you feel safe, loved, happy, etc... because they don't and can't legitimately accept those feelings and you'll be devastated when they're not reciprocated (also see point 1). your therapist is always taking notes about you and how to appear - and you should do the same about them. Either during or after each session, note down whatever you think about what they've said or how they've said it, such as if they're wrong about something. consider using a recording device (even just your phone) to record the session for your own benefit and so you can refer back to something you or they have said. You can start recording and shove it in your pocket before each session. don't be intimidated or pressured into revealing what you've written about the session or your therapist, or that you're even doing so. don't be intimidated or pressured into saying something you're not sure of or you might regret later. If you're not sure about something, say you're not sure or have to think about it some more, and between sessions think about why they're asking, your possible answers, how your answer is going to be perceived as a reflection of yourself, and if you even want to answer at all. don't feel as though you need to go through the entire "termination process" if you or they terminate therapy. It's your choice to leave at any point; you're under no obligation to be there if you don't want to be. be extremely careful about doing or saying anything which may be perceived by your therapist as you being in imminent danger, especially based on your mood, because they may try to physically restrain you which could be severely distressing. ask them to be unambiguously clear about what they mean if you don't understand.

Relay_for_life Is it ok not to take antidepressents
  • replies: 5

Hi all , can my first mild depression episode go away without taking antidepressents . I am seeing a counsellor now . I am trying to pull myself together . The emotional mess that I was experiencing is improving for sure , but still I feel like I can... View more

Hi all , can my first mild depression episode go away without taking antidepressents . I am seeing a counsellor now . I am trying to pull myself together . The emotional mess that I was experiencing is improving for sure , but still I feel like I can't find my old me . Can I pass this without medication . I don't want to use the medication path now . I want to work on my life and try to fix the causes of my frustration .

beyondmike Dealing with Antidepressants
  • replies: 2

I have had Sub hematological conditions and have over the last 8 years I have had very little help with my reduced ability to function. I use to be very quick and could basically solve problems that no one else could. I am currently taking two antide... View more

I have had Sub hematological conditions and have over the last 8 years I have had very little help with my reduced ability to function. I use to be very quick and could basically solve problems that no one else could. I am currently taking two antidepressants. But all I end up with is making me shit. I think I did more damage to my brain when I hit my head and had two ops on my head than I think they are telling me. It's absolute shit. I cant think like I use too. And I cant work either. Just to write this has taken me heaps. Please help My brain wont work.

kanga_brumby GRRR doctors
  • replies: 2

Recently I had to go to hospital for treatment for a heart condition I just got. Every day all the doctors and nurses could focus on was my children. Where they were wore they in school. Every day I would respond they were in care or at school. It wo... View more

Recently I had to go to hospital for treatment for a heart condition I just got. Every day all the doctors and nurses could focus on was my children. Where they were wore they in school. Every day I would respond they were in care or at school. It would last all day every day. Hardly any time spent on the person who was ill. Its left me in an anxious state with sever depression. Its also left me in a dark place I don't want to be in Still taking the meds looking for mates