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razzajazza First time on medication for anxiety, first 2 weeks questions
  • replies: 4

Hi there. Just looking to hear any other experiences with starting medications. I considered myself to have mild anxiety but after 3 months of not being able to get it under control it was causing me a lot of physical problems. I have been clenching ... View more

Hi there. Just looking to hear any other experiences with starting medications. I considered myself to have mild anxiety but after 3 months of not being able to get it under control it was causing me a lot of physical problems. I have been clenching my hands and feet at night causing lots of muscle tension and pain. I went to the GP who suggested a low dose anti-depressant. If it wasn't causing me physical problems I probably wouldn't have tried it but I felt I should at least give it a try. I am 10 days in and am having lots of side effects and wondering what I have done. Its mostly the increase in anxiety that is bothering me the most. Im pretty much super anxious from about 2am until mid afternoon. I am going back to the GP on Friday but until then I will continue on. I understand that this can happen. Im looking for some sort of light at the end of the tunnel though! Anyone else have similar and then it started to work well? How long did it take and did it happen quickly or slowly? Thankyou in advance!

greygloves Hospitalization
  • replies: 5

First post here. I have been hospitalized twice with my last admission being over 5 years ago. I had a different psychiatrist and psychologist back then and my new people are well, new. I could probably use a stint at the moment. I am not doing so gr... View more

First post here. I have been hospitalized twice with my last admission being over 5 years ago. I had a different psychiatrist and psychologist back then and my new people are well, new. I could probably use a stint at the moment. I am not doing so great. I really need to get my meds into a strict routine of actually taking them because I am in the "I really don't give a rats anymore" phase. I am not coping and would just like to sleep my life away thank you. I sabotage myself though, come up with every reason I can to not go in. So many people rely on me (kids etc), I work for myself and have deadlines, who will pick up the slack with the kids, how will I explain to clients that they will have to wait because I am having a 'special rest'? I basically feel very selfish for even thinking about approaching this, how can I possibly just up and leave my life for a few weeks. My husband will most likely not cope and he will resent me, and he will make it so much harder (this is a whole other story)... I know I can't help it, I suppose I think that I have survived this long out of hospital, may as well keep going with it. I convince everyone around me that i am completely fine. My own mother would be shocked to think I even require being in hospital. I am that good at playing happy and in control. So of course I convince my psych team of that too. I would never even think to ask them if I could go into hospital, I would feel like a huge drama queen. A huge part of my problem is asking for help, I just feel like I should be able to cope even when I'm not. Asking for help is admitting defeat and I have a huge fear of being perceived as a drama queen or attention seeker and my psychs are so new too... See? Sabotage. I need help but cannot get it, my mind stops me from getting it. I see both of them on Tuesday and by the time that rolls around I will have come up with a new "I can do this" plan. How often do medical people actually say "I think you should be in hospital"? What do I have to do or how do I have to act? I do actually want help, I want to help myself. I cannot continue like this. This sucks. Sorry for the huge post

Desert_girl Change of meds
  • replies: 1

I'm new to the site, finding it quite helpful. I have been on the same anti depressants for the last three years for panic attacks, anxiety and then leading to depression.. I have known I'm not on the right meds for over a year and a half now, finall... View more

I'm new to the site, finding it quite helpful. I have been on the same anti depressants for the last three years for panic attacks, anxiety and then leading to depression.. I have known I'm not on the right meds for over a year and a half now, finally went to the doctor to change them, feeling abit scared about the change and weaning of my current ones and onto a new one. I work away remote three months at a time so the doctor was a bit hesitant about changing my meds as there are no real doctors available for weeks at times.. But I suppose there isn't really a "perfect" time to change meds, it's something you just have to do. I have support out where I work from my co workers and there is a remote area nurse as well. I'm just feeling a bit nervous about it as I don't want to fall into a deep hole of feeling like crap again and not be able to work or be able to get home if I fall down again as it takes two days to get back "home" and many flights. I don't know how I will react to the new meds, then I'm giving myself anxiety just thinking about the change. My family thinks I should be changing the meds around family and friends but I also believe they are the some of reason I get anxiety/depression. I haven't really had the same doctor to monitor me ever because I travel a lot which is one of the things that keeps me "sane" haha. so hopefully I can get some support while I'm away at work from this site while changing meds

Anonymous2 Request my records be disposed of
  • replies: 3

I am currently a client of a psychologist at a private psychological practice. I am aware the Australian Psychological Society's recommended approach is for records to be disposed of seven years after last contact with a client. However, at any given... View more

I am currently a client of a psychologist at a private psychological practice. I am aware the Australian Psychological Society's recommended approach is for records to be disposed of seven years after last contact with a client. However, at any given time, I would like my records, specifically the notes taken by my psychologist, be disposed of, or the originals provided to me, upon my request. Will my psychologist honour this request if I were to make it? If not, under what circumstances can they be compelled?

Laynelove Schema Therapy
  • replies: 2

Hi there, so I had some great advice to try schema therapy. It sounds like something that might be helpful to me. i just wanted to hear from some people who have done it. I know that it makes you aware of your behaviour and how it relates to childhoo... View more

Hi there, so I had some great advice to try schema therapy. It sounds like something that might be helpful to me. i just wanted to hear from some people who have done it. I know that it makes you aware of your behaviour and how it relates to childhood but I was hoping to hear from someone who has effectively changed some of their schemas and is living an improved life. i can't find any success stories but I'm sure there are plenty out there!

Muser91 Space between psych visits
  • replies: 3

So I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety 2 months ago and was put on antidepressants and told to see a psychologist. I had one session with her and was meant to see her every fortnight as my depression is pretty bad. She was sick and cancelled ... View more

So I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety 2 months ago and was put on antidepressants and told to see a psychologist. I had one session with her and was meant to see her every fortnight as my depression is pretty bad. She was sick and cancelled the second one so I didn't see her for a month and now she's so busy my next 4 appointments are booked a month apart. In between visits I get so depressed and suicidal and I don't know how to cope at all. I've had my meds increased and changed 3 times but I seem to just be getting worse. When I do see my psych I tell her how bad I'm feeling and how I don't know if I can last without taking action for much longer and she just brushes it off and doesn't talk about it at all.I'm so confused about what I should do about this and am so worried about what I might do to myself. beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Technogurl Alternative treatments that have worked for you
  • replies: 7

Hi I'm really interested to hear if anyone has found any alternative treatments (after trying conventional treatment) that has worked for them, especially for anxiety. Thanks.

Hi I'm really interested to hear if anyone has found any alternative treatments (after trying conventional treatment) that has worked for them, especially for anxiety. Thanks.

Wah How do you manage the cost of treatment?
  • replies: 3

Hello forum community I am wondering if anyone out there has an secrets to share about managing the cost of treatment? I work part time and do not qualify for a HCC. I can keep on top of my scripts but add in a weekly or fortnightly psychology sessio... View more

Hello forum community I am wondering if anyone out there has an secrets to share about managing the cost of treatment? I work part time and do not qualify for a HCC. I can keep on top of my scripts but add in a weekly or fortnightly psychology session and I am stuffed. I got a GP care plan but it still costs me per visit and I find at the moment I can't afford it even though I know it would help. At present I am seeing my Psychiatrist every 3-4 weeks and that is a big cost too. Thanks Wah

CatLover88 Are support groups helpful
  • replies: 2

I've been struggling with mental illness for more than 10 years now. I have been diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder, major depression and social anxiety. I've tried lots of medications in various combinations and doses. I'm now just taking o... View more

I've been struggling with mental illness for more than 10 years now. I have been diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder, major depression and social anxiety. I've tried lots of medications in various combinations and doses. I'm now just taking one for my anxiety, but I've given up on anti-depressants.I have a psychiatrist who looks after my medication, but I find her very unhelpful for anything else. I have a psychologist who I see every three weeks. I find her really helpful but I've used all my sessions on my mental health plan already and I can't afford to see her more frequently.I used to have a good job, working full-time but I had to give it up because my illness got too bad and I couldn't work. Now I work barely part-time for my sister's fiance at his house or at mine. My husband works full-time so I don't qualify for any government assistance. I really want to get back to full-time work, but I don't think I could cope with the hours or interacting with new people.I'm thinking maybe joining a support group would help, but I'm really anxious about it. I find it really hard to talk to my friends and family because I don't want to be a burden on them. They're all really busy and successful. I don't want to let them down because they probably think I'm getting better.Does anyone have any experience with support groups that they can share with me?

Breezer Swapping anti-depressant medications
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone I'm new here and thought I would share my story and see if anyone else has been through someone similar. I have suffered with panic attacks and depression since 11. Been on medication since 16 and that helps me live a "normal" life. Excep... View more

Hi everyone I'm new here and thought I would share my story and see if anyone else has been through someone similar. I have suffered with panic attacks and depression since 11. Been on medication since 16 and that helps me live a "normal" life. Except for the past 9 months I have had such bad anxiety I had to quit my job because I was having them every minute of that day. I went and saw a psychiatrist last week and he said the medication I was on is most likely no longer working as I've built up a tolerance and if I wanted to do a complete swap onto another ain't-depressant - no warning slowly just a straight swap. I was happy to do this as I was willing to try anything to feel "me" again . First 3 days where fine just felt Keith headed and dizzy, but I new I would go thought some side effects. Then day 4 things got really bad. I didn't get any sleep the night before because my brain wouldn't switch off. This made me more panicky. Then it got to the point I had been awake for 30 hours. I was feel nausea's, broke out in a rash and swollen face, bad panic attacks and racing heart. I went to hospital. I couldn't take the insomnia of which the new med was doing. They did tests and all normal - it was the horrendous swapping of medications that my brain was trying to absorb - coming down off one -then trying to balance out a new one. After being awake in the end for 49 hours I was discharged from hospital and finally at some point I think my body just crashed. I got to sleep!!! Was a miracle to me. i am no day 8 on the new medication - off the other and all thought the panic attacks are still there I can now think a lot clearer after some rest. I just hope that the insomnia does not return. can anyone else relate to what I've been through? Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I defiantly think you need to be a lot more kinder on yourself I know I was putting way to much pressure to expect to better and to not have such bad withdrawals. I have now told myself to take each day as it comes and to not worry about my future just yet. Health comes first if you don't have health you don't have life. if this has helped anyone or if anyone has questions I'm here for you xx