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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

Macka90 Side effect of meds help
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone. I recently started on meds for my anxiety and was wondering how long the side effects last for? The one side effect I have is feeling sick, if I take my meds then try to eat I can't cause I feel sick have only been taking them 2 days. Pl... View more

Hi everyone. I recently started on meds for my anxiety and was wondering how long the side effects last for? The one side effect I have is feeling sick, if I take my meds then try to eat I can't cause I feel sick have only been taking them 2 days. Please help how can I get past this faster then normal. I hate this feeling.

Rita48 Lost
  • replies: 2

I started a SSRI a few weeks ago. Went back to my GP who doubled the dose. Felt better after the zombie like feeling subsided after a week or so. Feel pretty low now though. My GP said come back in a month. I feel though its pointless going back to h... View more

I started a SSRI a few weeks ago. Went back to my GP who doubled the dose. Felt better after the zombie like feeling subsided after a week or so. Feel pretty low now though. My GP said come back in a month. I feel though its pointless going back to her till then. Just me I think all pretty hopeless. 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:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; 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-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Laynelove Medication or not
  • replies: 3

Hi guys, i know this problem is a major one for a lot of people so I wanted to get some insight on what works for you. i know I need to do something desperately about my mental state but I'm not all that keen on going on meds again. Even though I was... View more

Hi guys, i know this problem is a major one for a lot of people so I wanted to get some insight on what works for you. i know I need to do something desperately about my mental state but I'm not all that keen on going on meds again. Even though I wasn't depressed once I went on meds I was sleeping constantly and gained about 20kg. They wore off after about a year or so and I honestly can't beat the thought of a lifetime chopping and changing medication. They also made my short term memory so bad and my vagueness was getting me in trouble a lot at work. I know that most people say that 'there's no amount of excersise that can cure your depression blah blah blah' but are there any natural remedies that people have actually tried and would recommend. when I used to go to the gym I felt really good but the second I stopped the depression came straight back. But then again the second I stopped meds I sank into a really hopeless state so I guess it's the same thing. thoughts??

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