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Billy66 REMD - anyone tried it
  • replies: 1

Hi all has anyone tried this rapid eye movement depolarisation treatment for PTSD? My GP and several mental health nurses have thought it might be beneficial for me. I was also told that DBT might be good for my bipolar as well but no one in my town ... View more

Hi all has anyone tried this rapid eye movement depolarisation treatment for PTSD? My GP and several mental health nurses have thought it might be beneficial for me. I was also told that DBT might be good for my bipolar as well but no one in my town offers this. any suggestions would be appreciated Billy66

luciban Does shift work affect recovery?
  • replies: 3

I have been on a low dose SNRI for about 4 months and had to have a dose increase two weeks ago for a relapse in my symptoms after a four day stint of night duty. This worked very well and I have felt fantastic for two weeks (my normal happy self) un... View more

I have been on a low dose SNRI for about 4 months and had to have a dose increase two weeks ago for a relapse in my symptoms after a four day stint of night duty. This worked very well and I have felt fantastic for two weeks (my normal happy self) until last week when I had to do night duty again for only two nights. My doctor is very supportive and suggests a low dose medication to help me sleep during the day while on nights. Most days this works. I have still had two relapses of symptoms since starting the medication both times while on night duty. My doctor is very concerned that I have been in to see her two to three times since starting the SNRI 4 months ago for relapses in my symptoms. She is suggesting that maybe this medication is not the one for me and I may have to change, but I am very reluctant to do this as in recent years prior to this episode I have been on this same medication for long periods, done shift work with no relapse of symptoms. She is suggesting that this time it is not working and I may have to see a psychiatrist. I am seeing a very good psychologist and use many relaxation, techniques, exercise etc. which do not seem to work well when I am seriously struggling to get through the day as I have recently. I understand my Dr is concerned that I have had three up and downs since starting the medications. I have only been taking the higher dose for two weeks and think I have to let it work for a couple of weeks more to see if it works. She is agreeable to this but no more than two more weeks she thinks. I am really scared that she will send me to a Psychiatrist to see if she is "missing something" in my diagnosis. I know my illness very well, I have had it for years and managed it very well. Just this time I am not responding as well to this medication. I have told her I want to keep going and have night duty again in 4 weeks, to see how I go. It is a requirement of my job that I do shift work and I love my job. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Casualfriday Is Hospitalisation Necessary?
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone! This is my first ever post (yay!) so bear with me Just for some context: I have been battling with anxiety and depression for several years now. I graduated last year so i'm still living at home and a few months ago, I naively thought it... View more

Hi everyone! This is my first ever post (yay!) so bear with me Just for some context: I have been battling with anxiety and depression for several years now. I graduated last year so i'm still living at home and a few months ago, I naively thought it would be a great idea to go off all of my medication cold turkey because I thought I was cured. -_- I know I need to go back on my meds (my parents found out i stopped taking them) and I've been seeing my wonderful psychologist regularly since then. I've been told by all my doctors that I need to be monitored closely when I start up my meds again, but the thing Is I'm not convinced that my parents can do this. My reasoning is because I have a sibling with severe mental illness that they are already monitoring most of the time and one of my parents has Bi Polar. I know that sometimes people go to hospital while they undergo medication changes and I was thinking maybe I should do this, but nobody thinks this is necessary. I believe this is because I'm quite articulate and that often comes across as if I'm in control of my emotions and actions (which actually couldn't be further from the truth). I'm scared that If I suggest it i'll be accused of "seeking attention" or something like that. My question for you guys is whether hospitalisation has been an avenue you have ever explored and whether or not I should investigate it further given my circumstances. Much love, Casualfriday x

Miss-Anne-Throwpy It's like a ceremonial dance
  • replies: 1

This coping thing, it is like a dance sometimes and not the graceful, choreographed, art type of dance. I'm talking free form at its worst...best. Something. The plan of attach to get well is mostly just words; spoken and written. The script is there... View more

This coping thing, it is like a dance sometimes and not the graceful, choreographed, art type of dance. I'm talking free form at its worst...best. Something. The plan of attach to get well is mostly just words; spoken and written. The script is there, but the actors are not playing their parts. Except for me and I'm kind've improvising to stay on top... Well, not on top. Can't be on top if I'm actually rock bottom... but top of the bottom... or at least; looking up. I'm looking, trying to push things to also be looking up in the reality sense. But the treatment, the plan, the things that were supposed to happen, aren't. If I did that, they would do this and then that would happen and I'd have to do some other stuff and the hey presto and chain reaction would begin...knock those dominoes down... Theory. I'm now maneuvering as best I can, dodging and distracting the bad stuff, and shifting my energy around trying to keep my balance. Ha! I ran out of medication today. Can't afford new til next week. Out of favours... well, I could ask, but would like to hold on to that last ounce of dignity. The system sucks and bites and I'm suitably unimpressed. Oops, time to start the record again.

This_is_me_ Coming off antidepressants
  • replies: 5

I'm 24, someone who should be happy and full of energy, instead I'm laying in bed feeling sorry for myself crying and sleeping all day! I'm coming off antidepressants and the withdrawals are horrible! Is there anyone in the same boat at the moment co... View more

I'm 24, someone who should be happy and full of energy, instead I'm laying in bed feeling sorry for myself crying and sleeping all day! I'm coming off antidepressants and the withdrawals are horrible! Is there anyone in the same boat at the moment coming off theirs?? It would be nice to chat to someone that understands or has been through it!

Currer When does a therapist become untherapeutic?
  • replies: 8

I've been seeing a psychologist for a couple of years for anxiety/depression. Last year she said I had a lot of Asperger's symptoms (autism spectrum disorder). I looked it up and I was a text book case. She referred me to a specialist for a diagnosis... View more

I've been seeing a psychologist for a couple of years for anxiety/depression. Last year she said I had a lot of Asperger's symptoms (autism spectrum disorder). I looked it up and I was a text book case. She referred me to a specialist for a diagnosis and I was formally diagnosed with ASD.I have continued to my psychologist monthly, but she is now focused on "fixing" my perceptions. She sees my anxiety, depression and confusion over my relationships with people as 100% my misperception. This includes my increasing distress over her increasingly dismissive attitude towards me. I have always been "difficult" in that I get angry when I get hurt, but before the ASD diagnosis she was empathetic, supportive and intuitive, which was extremely helpful to me. I continue to be depressed and suicidal, but her response is now mechanical, like a robot, straight out of the CBT textbook. My main anxiety with all people is that I can never do the right thing. Whatever I do and say I end up with people getting angry with me. This is now happening with my psychologist. We were talking about that today and she asked me today if I trusted her. I told her the truth: "no". She got angry and asked why I had bothered to keep coming back if I didn't trust her. I replied with the truth: "I keep hoping things will go back to the way they were and I keep wanting to give you another chance". This made things worse.I am beginning to think that despite my best efforts to reconnect, she is unable to see me as the "normal but depressed" person I was, and now sees me as someone who does not have anxiety or depression (I still do) and only needs feedback about how inaccurate my perceptions are. She sees me as being critical of her, which is not my intent. However, not saying things in the "right" way has always been my problem. Prior to my ASD diagnosis she intuitively grasped the feelings and intent of what I said. Now she argues about details and seems to be deliberately ignoring my hurt and distress (although she states that this is my misperception, too).I've tried to re-connect with her, but can't. Is it time to get a new psychologist? It is very hard for me to trust and the loss of this sole source of support will be huge, but is it hopeless after a year of trying to reconnect? I now hate CBT, so how do I find a new therapist who does not use CBT? The thought of CBT makes my skin crawl.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.

DefiantPanda Picking a psychologist
  • replies: 4

This has probably been spoken about here before, but the pressure I feel when trying to choose a psychologist is overwhelming. I only get six medicare rebated sessions and I am just worried that I won't gel with the one I pick. When those six session... View more

This has probably been spoken about here before, but the pressure I feel when trying to choose a psychologist is overwhelming. I only get six medicare rebated sessions and I am just worried that I won't gel with the one I pick. When those six sessions are up that may very well be it for me for some time. I've been stuck on this for a few weeks now - I have the mental health plan I just can't seem to settle on a therapist.

Cumulus Why I've learnt the hard way it pays to ask questions and not put your complete trust in EXPERTs
  • replies: 2

I have had to struggle through a range of mental health issues at different ages, and seen many Experts. A GP I saw in the height of crisis, for STD tests after a string of risky sexual behaviour. When I expressed my fears of my sanity and bad choice... View more

I have had to struggle through a range of mental health issues at different ages, and seen many Experts. A GP I saw in the height of crisis, for STD tests after a string of risky sexual behaviour. When I expressed my fears of my sanity and bad choices, he would lecture me about Buddhism and taking the high road. I put a lot of trust into this GP for three years - so didn’t twig I needed to get another GP, until I found myself in a very dangerous situation with a male. I had a mental breakdown and I rang a crisis team. I attempted again to get help with a new GP. I advised her I was isolated in a male dominate boarding house; she said after knowing me five minutes she thought I had Borderline Personality Disorder which she said was untreatable. This pushed me over the edge. When I researched it I was horrified how much hate this diagnosis attracts. I went downhill very quickly and found myself having to leave State - I could not process her diagnosis or wait the 6 months for the hospital appt as my housing so dangerous so I left the State to look for safer housing. Trying again in 2013, I saw a pshycologist who helped but could not diagnose me after seeing me a year. Only two weeks ago my current GP put me on a medication, that made me deteriorate very quickly. I researched the medication and it said NOT to take it if there is a history of bi polar or hymophelia (which she had been treating me for)– which is my medical reports. The GP took me off it. I’ve been referred to a Male psychiatrist at the Hospital - I googled him and he is a drug and alchole addiction specialist – I don’t drink, do drugs and my last fitness test I am physically 39 though I am 45 years old. I rang the intake desk to find out the rationale behind this choice. The young woman told me to go back to my GP. I pushed back gently, and said I just wanted to find out why he was chosen - she told she didn’t know anything about the psychiatrists practicing – and for me to google him. I said I had googled him which is why I was ringing. She wasn’t interested in answering my questions so I asked her politely to talk to her Manager. so glad I pushed backed – the Manager explained that it was an initial consultation to ascertain the best person to treat me. It is never too late to take control – you do need to be the CEO of you mental health treatment, and I'm also very grateful to this site, and Adults Surviving Child Abuse for giving me information I need for my specific situation.

mcgloomy1759 anti depressants and brain fog
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone! I just wanted to ask a question and to see if anybody else has the same thing. I have been on anti depressant/ anxiety medication for the past ten years and over time by brain is becoming more and more foggy. It feels like I am becoming... View more

Hey everyone! I just wanted to ask a question and to see if anybody else has the same thing. I have been on anti depressant/ anxiety medication for the past ten years and over time by brain is becoming more and more foggy. It feels like I am becoming stupid and I'm struggling to remember and think of things. It's really quiet scary, I'm 28. Could it be from the medication? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

JLM Help! Not sure what to try
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone,I have been battling depression for the last couple of years but only really got diagnosed maybe a year ago. I have been taking an antidepressant for about a year now and my depression and anxiety was ok for a little while but still up an... View more

Hi Everyone,I have been battling depression for the last couple of years but only really got diagnosed maybe a year ago. I have been taking an antidepressant for about a year now and my depression and anxiety was ok for a little while but still up and down, the last week I have been coping very well with things and my husband suggest that maybe I need to go to a clinic for a few days to get help just to try something different. Has anyone been to a clinic or hospital for help with this? How has it worked for you? I am seeing my GP tonight to discuss changing meds but this is starting to really effect my personal and work life now.