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NightOwl At what point is it time to try drugs?
  • replies: 8

I've been suffering with anxiety and depression on and off for years. In the last 12 months it's been the worst it has ever been and I've found myself really struggling day to day with simple tasks. I DO NOT want to go down the path of taking medicat... View more

I've been suffering with anxiety and depression on and off for years. In the last 12 months it's been the worst it has ever been and I've found myself really struggling day to day with simple tasks. I DO NOT want to go down the path of taking medications, I've never taken anything in the past. I have recently sought out help from a psychologist but I'm not finding that very helping at the moment. At what point do you know that you should try medication or is it better to just keep tackling these things in your. Or do I need to face the fact that what I'm doing clearly isn't working?

ilovetoread73_ Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Your input on treatment & psychologists please
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I've had an awful childhood and also some awful events in my adult life. I've been diagnosed with PTSD by Sleep Specialist very recently after seeing for 3.5 years. I've been seeing a Psychologist for the past 3 years but not trained in PTSD.... View more

Hi all, I've had an awful childhood and also some awful events in my adult life. I've been diagnosed with PTSD by Sleep Specialist very recently after seeing for 3.5 years. I've been seeing a Psychologist for the past 3 years but not trained in PTSD. Originally was after second miscarriage and it helped me hugely to get through. However I have a myriad of other problems not to do with that but my childhood was not trained in PTSD and I am still suffering with anxiety terribly after recent change of medication to one used with PTSD. The old one was for anxiety. It is making me confront and be more clear minded. My question is PTSD - what should I look for in new psychologist in your opinion that helped you, or not? Do I need someone really specialised as my PTSD is from my childhood which was quite some time ago. Do you think it's possible to get better to the point of forgetting most of the trauma etc we suffered if was quite severe? I've started searching for psychologists who treat specifically PTSD in patients but do I need someone with more than a few years experience? Is it about the relationship more? Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

lissyloo A good GP
  • replies: 5

I just have to say that ive had an amazing GP. I didnt know i had anxiety and she pinpointed absolutely everything that ive been feeling. She asked me simple questions that made me realise that i have anxiety. Ive been living with this and ive had no... View more

I just have to say that ive had an amazing GP. I didnt know i had anxiety and she pinpointed absolutely everything that ive been feeling. She asked me simple questions that made me realise that i have anxiety. Ive been living with this and ive had no idea. I had a panic attack and she told me that she can get me help for it. She has been willing to help me and not only has she been just a doctor shes been talking to me like a person. Thats so important. Shes been really helping me. She is very understanding and caring. I felt instant connection. She even said if i needed to talk that i can come back anytime. I really needed that support and im glad that its from my GP. I even confessed a few things to her about myself and she talks to me not like a doctor but as a person

mustwegospellitout Scared to take medications
  • replies: 4

Hello everyone, I have had depression for a fair amount of years now, usually it would come in waves as it usually does for some people, i have been in and out of psychological counciling etc, but as of late i have noticed it has gotten so much more ... View more

Hello everyone, I have had depression for a fair amount of years now, usually it would come in waves as it usually does for some people, i have been in and out of psychological counciling etc, but as of late i have noticed it has gotten so much more worse, and i am not improving or progressing. lately i have been closer and closer to suicide than i have ever been, i have told my friends that i am going to start taking anti depressant medication (pending talking to the psychologist), my friends have shown support for my decision. but i have an issue myself that is getting in the way which is leaving me feeling very confused and helpless in the matter.is the fear of taking said medications. i scare myself half to death everytime i get a script/read into it. i really don't like the idea of feelings of nausea, physical/internal problems, sexual problems etc, and psyche myself out, i tell myself i can manage it but i automatically prove myself wrong. i need to know people's thoughts on the matter. i am aware it is a personal decision, but i'd like to know other opinions on taking/not taking medications/starting up on medications/anti depressants. thanks 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;}

RobL Unable to sleep in my third week of coming off anti depressants
  • replies: 5

Sitting here unable to sleep in my third week of coming off anti depressants. After 4 years the side effects were outweighing the benefits. I am feeling nausea, dizziness, brain zaps and a lot of other symptoms. I so want to kick the habit and work o... View more

Sitting here unable to sleep in my third week of coming off anti depressants. After 4 years the side effects were outweighing the benefits. I am feeling nausea, dizziness, brain zaps and a lot of other symptoms. I so want to kick the habit and work on being me again and fight the depression that has haunted my last twenty years. I am looking for hints or tips that others have used to hold back the darkness.

Lillypad02 Seeking professional help for anxiety.
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, first time on here I have suffered anxiety for a long time now and am only just seeking help because it's getting very bad. I'm worried it will turn into depression. I'm so sick of feeling nervous, worried and anxious all the time. Shoul... View more

Hi everyone, first time on here I have suffered anxiety for a long time now and am only just seeking help because it's getting very bad. I'm worried it will turn into depression. I'm so sick of feeling nervous, worried and anxious all the time. Should I go to the doctor and will they refer me to a phycologist or councellor? Or should I just find a good one myself? don't want medication if I can help it?

Stormgrl101 Anxiety Support groups experience
  • replies: 1

hi all my psychologist has recommended I research the GROW support group and also another (I'm in S.A.) I was wondering if anyone had any experience in these sort of groups? I don't know what to expect and I know I'd probably get into a high anxious ... View more

hi all my psychologist has recommended I research the GROW support group and also another (I'm in S.A.) I was wondering if anyone had any experience in these sort of groups? I don't know what to expect and I know I'd probably get into a high anxious state about going and whether or not you are expected to participate in discussions and things or if it would be okay to observe? I would like to be able to meet some likeminded people who actually understand. I did have a friend but she cut me off and decided she was fine without me. Now I am friend-less but my anxiety makes everything hard, especially with the whole making friends thing.

BPD007 BPD treatment
  • replies: 6

Hi there. My partner has been diagnosed with BPD. She is currently on anti depressants. She is seeing a psychologist using a mental health plan but the psychologist admits that she does not have the necessary skills to help my partner. The psychologi... View more

Hi there. My partner has been diagnosed with BPD. She is currently on anti depressants. She is seeing a psychologist using a mental health plan but the psychologist admits that she does not have the necessary skills to help my partner. The psychologist recommended electric shock treatment which I refused on my partners behalf as it does not seem right!! I feel like we've hit a brick wall & need help finding alternative help! Can anyone suggest a psychiatrist that can help without electric shock treatment? We live in Brimbank area of Melbourne. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

BK13 Commencing treatment with SSRI meds and psychologist
  • replies: 8

I don't really know if I have a question per se but I finally decided to seek treatment for depression and anxiety and I felt like sharing. I had tried once before a couple of years ago and was fobbed off by a crappy doctor (who did prescribe me meds... View more

I don't really know if I have a question per se but I finally decided to seek treatment for depression and anxiety and I felt like sharing. I had tried once before a couple of years ago and was fobbed off by a crappy doctor (who did prescribe me meds but his attitude and care factor didn't make me feel confident enough to take them!). I happened to find an awesome new GP a few months ago. I was already considering approaching him about my mental illnesses and then some fairly traumatic events happened in my life. Including my long term partner coming clean about a lot of things he had done and then trying to take his own life. I found him and had to call the ambulance, the police came too, it was awful. Since then his mood has improved to the point I'm no longer acutely worried of a relapse, however I don't think it would take much to push him back there. Every time I call and he doesn't answer the phone, I swear my heart stops until he calls back. All these horrible thoughts of what he's done. He's agreed to seek treatment himself but he's yet to make that phone call. He's in his early 40's and doesn't believe things can be any different as he's felt like this his whole life. So after all of this I decided it was finally time. I spoke to BB first to get me through a couple of tough moments and then I saw my GP last week and have been on my medication (SSRIs) for a couple of days. I am still waiting to get an appointment with the psych. I am already feeling very agitated, my jaw is tense, I woke up in the middle of the night and took forever to get to sleep. I can't stop yawning and my vision is a little blurred. My GP prepared me well for the side effects, however it still took a LOT for me to open up that packet and stick the tablet in my mouth. I put it off for a few days because I was too scared! Scared of what it would mean, how it would change me, how I would feel. I think it's definitely a good idea NOT to google too much. I started to but I was just terrifying myself even further. I have read a number of threads on the BB page which I have found very helpful. Realistic accounts of peoples experiences. I don't know how I'm going to go working when I feel like this. So far it's a bit tricky to sit at my desk as I'm so agitated & anxious! So it's like a step backwards ATM considering anxiety was really affecting my work already. I haven't told my boss or colleagues about the treatment (yet). I will stick with it though!

Trish_M Depression medications.
  • replies: 5

I have been taking a SNRI for about 8 weeks now. I started on a half dose and saw my GP after 3 weeks. At this point, my GP doubled the dose. Initially, I felt better but perhaps it was a placebo affect because honestly, after 8 weeks, I truely don't... View more

I have been taking a SNRI for about 8 weeks now. I started on a half dose and saw my GP after 3 weeks. At this point, my GP doubled the dose. Initially, I felt better but perhaps it was a placebo affect because honestly, after 8 weeks, I truely don't feel any different or better. What should I be able to expect from AD medication? After 8 weeks, I still feel very depressed, am teary most days, have withdrawn from social contact, sleep badly, am completely exhausted and feel leaden and joyless. Is this normal? Should I have noticed some improvement by now? Any suggestions?