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C_hris Treatment out of contol
  • replies: 2

I've had Bipolar 1 with melancholic depression and psychosis for 9 years. I have never reached full remission and am now on disability pension. I changed to my 8th antidepressant to see if the new drug on the block would provide me what the others co... View more

I've had Bipolar 1 with melancholic depression and psychosis for 9 years. I have never reached full remission and am now on disability pension. I changed to my 8th antidepressant to see if the new drug on the block would provide me what the others couldn't. Started itching straight away and within 2 weeks had a rash develop on my legs that spread to my arms, chest, abdo and back. It was stopped and after the rash disappeared I was started on an SNRI and the rash and itches returned that day and has continued to spread over the 2 weeks since stopping my snri . My psychiatrist has told me that the 2 drugs are not chemically related, but there was some sort of cross over effect with serotonin? Because of the extent and type of rash he never wants me to have SSRIs or SNRIs again. I'm really "not happy Jan" about having all of those out of my arsenal. I asked about the tricyclates and MAOs. He said that he would rather go with ECT for me. I'm terrified and scared at the same time. It's only a few months since I was having the psychotic depression, and I know this is really going to happen to me. I'm terrified about memory loss, even if it is short term. I live by myself since my husband died. There is no one to help me find the keys, feed my dog, or pay my bills. I already keep my drugs in a dosette and manage to get it wrong when I am unstable. I'm terrified. I want to put this life back in the hat and pick out a different one. This is not fun anymore ... and I come home to an empty house and there is noone to hold me through this.

NerNerNer Random counsellor thinks I have psychotic symptoms?
  • replies: 1

Hi all, yesterday I had my intake at my local acute care team's office and, obviously, had to have a sit down with one of the counsellors(?) so he could direct me to the correct service. After talking to him for a while, he suddenly asked me if I hea... View more

Hi all, yesterday I had my intake at my local acute care team's office and, obviously, had to have a sit down with one of the counsellors(?) so he could direct me to the correct service. After talking to him for a while, he suddenly asked me if I hear voices or have hallucinations. To me his question was random, unexpected and I failed to understand why he would ask me that as my diagnosis is moderate to severe depression, anxiety and complex PTSD. Two different psychiatrists have confirmed and agreed upon this diagnosis with no mention or concern of psychosis. While I appreciate that major depression can manifest psychotic features, I'm not that depressed. The only thing I can think of would be that my PTSD is running wild and free right now and affecting my mood terribly. I'm sure the mood swings and extreme distrust of everyone and everything must be a tad confronting, but still, psychosis? Has anyone ever had this happen to them? Should I pay him any mind? To be fair, I shared with him the following informastion: I have this constant pain in my throat that either stops me from sleeping or wakes me up so I'm wicked sleep deprived and will be until I can go have the surgery to have it checked out. The anxiety of having to wait is a trigger for childhood neglect I experienced and I waver between being afraid that I'll get too sick and die before I can be treated to worrying that I'll have to live with this pain long term. I also mentioned that my housemate forgets conversations we have and/or pretends that he doesn't remember so he can avoid confrontation. The reason I think this is true is because he will back-flip mid conversation or change tact and say that I was the one who brought it up when he actually started the conversation or topic. He does this all the time.

maeve Therapy for someone who is treatment resistant
  • replies: 4

My son is 34 and has been in a bad state for the last 20 years. He has been to every private hospital in Brisbane and surrounds and he always leaves worse than when he arrived. Every psychiatrist he has seen has diagnosed him with a different 'disord... View more

My son is 34 and has been in a bad state for the last 20 years. He has been to every private hospital in Brisbane and surrounds and he always leaves worse than when he arrived. Every psychiatrist he has seen has diagnosed him with a different 'disorder', the latest being a personality disorder. They then say they can't treat him but never recommend who can or what can. Their response is most times, 'I don't know what you can do'. Because nothing works, he has taken himself off all meds and refuses to go to any form of therapy as he wishes to punish the doctors for 'abandoning him'; this only punishes him and his family. The result is, a huge ball of rage that wishes death and destruction to the world. His solution is to start smoking pot again, which I think may be partially the cause for the way he is now. Who knows? I feel he needs to go to some sort of rehab place to get counselling on a regular basis, not a private hospital. All the ones I google are retreats, not rehab and they cost extraordinary amounts of money. Does anyone know of somewhere that could help, even overseas, to get my son back on track and discover a life for himself?

PinkDiamonds25 Just having a bad day.. Or should I say week, month year, decade.... I don't know what's wrong with me?
  • replies: 1

I've been writing a list of my symptoms because I am up for a "review" of my pension with centrelink because of my age. This really doesn't help (the stress of not knowing if I will be able to pay my rent next week/feed myself and my son or worse, be... View more

I've been writing a list of my symptoms because I am up for a "review" of my pension with centrelink because of my age. This really doesn't help (the stress of not knowing if I will be able to pay my rent next week/feed myself and my son or worse, be forced to return to work before I am well enough. I'm a single mother to a 3 year old, I can't take the added stress of work (especially since it was my previous job that pushed me over the edge with my mental health (years of workplace harassment and excessive workload).A list of symptoms I had written a week ago are here: Bowel issues- Dioreah, constipation, wind pain, cramping, bloating, discomfort, pressure. Physical issues- aching, tight muscles in arms, legs, neck, shoulders, back. Constantly hot/cold, head aches, blurred vision at times, heart palpitations, dizziness, reflux.Fatigued, trouble sleeping.Mental issues- anxious, stressed, depressed, tired, irritable, lack of concentration, easily overwhelmed, flashbacks/triggers cause panic attacks.Feel like everyone is looking at me/talking about me,Will go to extreme extent to avoid going to certain places eg major shopping centres, areas I used to frequent/live, public transport.I can't stand feeling trapped anywhere eg, crowded places where I can't get away quickly if I need to.Emotions tend to run high, when I'm upset I feel extremely upset, when I'm irritable I sometimes overreact. Thoughts can feel like they are consuming me- it's often difficult to take my mind off problems.Trust issues, a feeling like everyone is out to get me.Always looking over my shoulder.Constantly worried about "tomorrow". So I seem to be getting increasingly worse with the added stress (my appointment isn't until next week), I can feel myself getting increasingly agitated, upset, depressed, anxious ect. Thoughts of self harm are popping up frequently (I have no intentions of following through but it's just not a nice feeling to have)I've been feeling irritable with people close to me and I just can't hold myself together. I had a panic attack until I vomited and I've just been feeling really sensitive since.I've rang and organised counselling,they can't see me for another month.It's going to cost $165 per hour which I can't pay for if i lose my pension. I don't know how to calm myself down. I'm so stressed I just want to vomit. I've recently had my meds doubled, I'm hoping it should start to kick in soon. 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;}

cdb24 Finding a Psychiatrist who Bulk Bills (Melbourne)
  • replies: 1

I have been receiving psychological and GP treatment for Panic Disorder and PTSD , my psychologist and GP both think it will be a good idea to see a psychiatrist but I am not working at the moment so need one that Bulk bills in the Melbourne area. My... View more

I have been receiving psychological and GP treatment for Panic Disorder and PTSD , my psychologist and GP both think it will be a good idea to see a psychiatrist but I am not working at the moment so need one that Bulk bills in the Melbourne area. My GP suggested I try asking here. I would appreciate any help.

emmaalouisee How to deal with withdrawal symptoms
  • replies: 3

Hi, I have recently stopped my SSRI and have been experiencing severe, even debilitating withdrawal symptoms, such as migraines and feeling totally spaced out. I am having trouble dealing with these and was wondering whether anyone has any advice as ... View more

Hi, I have recently stopped my SSRI and have been experiencing severe, even debilitating withdrawal symptoms, such as migraines and feeling totally spaced out. I am having trouble dealing with these and was wondering whether anyone has any advice as to what to do. Thanks in advance!

emmaalouisee Recently come off antidepressants and struggling
  • replies: 4

I have recently come off my antidepressants and have been really struggling. Its been only five days since I completed weaning and I feel as though I am going crazy. It started off with sweating, nausea, tremors and headaches. Now I feel as though I ... View more

I have recently come off my antidepressants and have been really struggling. Its been only five days since I completed weaning and I feel as though I am going crazy. It started off with sweating, nausea, tremors and headaches. Now I feel as though I am depressed and spaced out. Cannot even function properly. On the verge of tears and cannot do the simplest of things such as driving a car or cleaning the house. Please tell me it gets easier...

Dani_Girl Weight gain a side effect of a certain antidepressant. Anyone else experienced this ?
  • replies: 8

Hi, Im new to this forum so I am not sure if this topic has been covered but I am just looking for some reassurance from others who have gone through similar. I started taking AD's 3 years ago for anxiety after the birth of my 2nd child. The stresses... View more

Hi, Im new to this forum so I am not sure if this topic has been covered but I am just looking for some reassurance from others who have gone through similar. I started taking AD's 3 years ago for anxiety after the birth of my 2nd child. The stresses and pressure of motherhood was exhausting and i'd have panic attacks doing everyday things. With a fifo partner being away a lot of the time, it all just got too much and i wasn't coping too well. Before I started taking AD's, i was at a healthy weight. 3 years on, I have regained control of my anxiety and I am enjoying motherhood and life couldnt be better. I am thankful for the certain medication I was on, it was a godsend to me and my family during the difficult time in my life. However, one of the listed side effects is weight gain. In 3 years I have gained a whopping 25 kilo's and I believe this medication is a huge reason for my gain. I have remained a healthy eater, and exercise excessively at the gym, however the numbers on the scales have continued to increase, causing me to feel defeated and disappointed as my efforts are just not working. I feel like myself in a "Strangers" body. I've never had a problem loosing weight in the past. I have expressed my concern with my doctor and he agree's the meds could be a reason for this as they effect your metabolism. Over the last 3 months I have tapered off the meds and now I am completely off them. Its been a few weeks, and still had no results on the scales even though I could not be stricter on my diet or physical activity even if I tried. Just wondering if any one else out there has experienced this side effect, and if you are now off the meds, how long it took for you to drop the weight ? Was it suddenly or did It take a while to lose ? Im getting married in 6 months and starting to get a little desperate !

Surrender Meds and Therapy
  • replies: 3

Hi - I have had anxiety/depression for a long time. I stopped meds some months ago because i thought they were making me worse. A year down the track and my life is totally out of control. Looking back i should have sought medical help instead of sto... View more

Hi - I have had anxiety/depression for a long time. I stopped meds some months ago because i thought they were making me worse. A year down the track and my life is totally out of control. Looking back i should have sought medical help instead of stopping all meds.I have been feeling guilty for feeling extreme anxiety and depression. People see i am sad and say things like "geez what have you got to worry about"? Look at all the disasters, etc around the world. The worst is that i don't have anything big to worry about (although i have had to deal with a few close people passing the last couple of years) but i can't help feeling everything is a struggle. I am either very angry, very sad, having panic attacks, compulsive irrational persistent thoughts etc and I don't have a reason to feel like this. I have had lots of different therapy over the years and have finally found someone i really trust and I enjoy this particular type of therapy (ACT). Although I have been in therapy for a while it has been very frustruating as i am not really making much progress. My therapist suggested i go back on ADs and continue therapy. Some days i can put some of the skills i have gained from my therapist into practice but most days i really struggle with overwhelming thoughts/feelings/emotions and can't find space in my head to practice what i have learnt. I also don't sleep much. Just wondering if people have found taking ADs whilst in therapy has worked for them. Will i be able to hopefully carry these skills over when and if i come of meds again? My issue is: Whilst i am on ADs I am more motivated and focused and able to practice the skills but will these skills be as easy to practice without meds? Thank you for your thoughts.

S_A_D_ Worst physical experience resulting from mental illness and/or treatment
  • replies: 9

Describe your experiences of some of the benefits and side effects of medication you've been on: What would you suggest sufferers avoid if possible? What should we consider? What worked great for you? Note: We're not allowed to mention specific medic... View more

Describe your experiences of some of the benefits and side effects of medication you've been on: What would you suggest sufferers avoid if possible? What should we consider? What worked great for you? Note: We're not allowed to mention specific medications or doctors, or give specific medical advice For example: I had to take a disgusting tasting medication that needed to be dissolved under my tounge. I was told I couldn't eat or drink anything for a specific period afterwards, so the meedication would be absorbed into the bloodstream through the mouth. My strategy for dealing with the disgusting sensation was to use hyperstimulating distraction (spontaneous vigorous exercise) to ride out the habituation process, and after 90 seconds or so I couldn't taste the medication. As soon as I was allowed I would consume a strong citris fruit (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit), chewing to excess and getting as much of the juices under my tounge as possible.

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