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ala just starting out on medication
  • replies: 4

Hi. I have just been prescribed medication for depression and anxiety today. I have had my doctor telling me for over 12 months that I need medication and had given me scripts but I never filled them. I am so nervous about taking medication! I know I... View more

Hi. I have just been prescribed medication for depression and anxiety today. I have had my doctor telling me for over 12 months that I need medication and had given me scripts but I never filled them. I am so nervous about taking medication! I know I need to but ....anyhow, I filled my prescription and decided I need support to get through this journey so here I am.

Snoman Weaning my house of cards
  • replies: 4

I have enough side effects from my current AD that tI am keen to get off it. I have been doing really well thanks also to my psych. About 4 months ago I spoke to my GP about my concerns of coming off the current AD - it is know for severe withdrawal ... View more

I have enough side effects from my current AD that tI am keen to get off it. I have been doing really well thanks also to my psych. About 4 months ago I spoke to my GP about my concerns of coming off the current AD - it is know for severe withdrawal side effects. She suggested possibly switching to a very similar one that is kinder on the system. Problem is that it is much harder to wean off that one. Anyway, I have started to wean off my current AD (with the intention of staying off meds). It is a capsule, so I can count out the little beads inside. I started weaning in the first week of January, and have only just gotten down to 75% of my original dose. I keep a log as it is important to do this right. On days that I reduce my dose, I am only dropping my about 0.07% of my original dose. Some days I don't reduce. I base this on how I am feeling and how much I need to be stable in the coming week. The process is working really well. Mostly I have been feeling better than I have for years. My only issue is that my emotions are as stable as a house of cards on a wobbly table. It doesn't take much to fall apart. I had one very awful weekend and have since been more mindful of when to reduce. I have taken up taekwondo as part of the replacement to my meds - exercise is so helpful in combating depression. Days when I have training tend to be good days to reduce my dose. I always feel much better after a session. The fragility of my mood tends to keep me away from the BB forums. I know that once I stop reducing my meds (because I will be free of them), then my mood will be come more stable. Snoman

Jarg Dr in Shepparton
  • replies: 1

Hi,I am looking for a GP in Shepparton (Victoria) or surrounding areas to see regarding my anxiety.I have suffered from anxiety off and on for a number of years. Two years ago it was diagnosed and I started taking medication which really helped and p... View more

Hi,I am looking for a GP in Shepparton (Victoria) or surrounding areas to see regarding my anxiety.I have suffered from anxiety off and on for a number of years. Two years ago it was diagnosed and I started taking medication which really helped and put me at ease. 12 months ago I moved interstate and my new GP wanted to take me off it after 6 months (didn't really ask any questions about my condition etc), so I did not go back to him and have been off itfor about 6 weeks now. However, I am experiencing the same symptoms as previously (irritable, difficultly sleeping, tight chest, always wanting to take deep breaths but can't, etc). I am looking for a new GP in the Shepparton area that understands this - can anybody help or recommend someone? Thanks

rat17 Psychologists
  • replies: 1

I want to know how many ppl out there diagnosed with depression and PTSS when seeing there psych that he or she at times annoys you that much you wonder why your there. Or at times you question your own self that much that your really not sure what i... View more

I want to know how many ppl out there diagnosed with depression and PTSS when seeing there psych that he or she at times annoys you that much you wonder why your there. Or at times you question your own self that much that your really not sure what is right?

matt Need urgent advice
  • replies: 2

I have a case of treatment resistant depression. Lately its been horrendous where I lost the plot and considered self harm the other day. I contacted lifeline and they recommended I call an ambulance. I didn't, mostly because of the cost (I have no h... View more

I have a case of treatment resistant depression. Lately its been horrendous where I lost the plot and considered self harm the other day. I contacted lifeline and they recommended I call an ambulance. I didn't, mostly because of the cost (I have no health insurance). Right now I feel numbness but I dont know how long before I have a severe attack again.I need extreme treatment as in transcranial magnetic stimulation and if I have no success with that then Electroconvulsive therapy. Ive tried every anti-depressant. The problem is I am currently out of work and have no insurance. I can afford insurance but Id to wait 2 months before I can use it. Do you know if its possible to start treatment immediately under these circumstances? I really dont think Ive got 2 months in me.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;}

snowleopard What does a 'good' psychologist session feel like?
  • replies: 4

Hello I'm new here and unsure how this works so here goes... I have recently been seeing a psychologist for my GAD and panic disorder. I feel comfortable with her and for some reason in my sessions it's like a switch flicks over and I am super positi... View more

Hello I'm new here and unsure how this works so here goes... I have recently been seeing a psychologist for my GAD and panic disorder. I feel comfortable with her and for some reason in my sessions it's like a switch flicks over and I am super positive even when talking about things that are hard for me. She's commented on my apparent progress but if anything I feel like I lose all that momentum from the session when I get back into real life and am worse than ever. I will admit I'm probably not practicing her techniques as much as I should be... But I want to know how to tell if seeing a particular psychologist is working and a session is 'good'? With only 6-10 sessions on Medicare a year I'm worried I'm not making the most of it, but changing therapists might be worse... Hope this makes sense to someone. Many thanks

Bridei Weird first experience with psychologist
  • replies: 4

I'm finally getting some help for my depression - my GP has approved the 6-10 sessions with a psychologist under Medicare. I decided to see the pyschologist at my GP's practice, mostly for convenience.But my first session was really strange. Some of ... View more

I'm finally getting some help for my depression - my GP has approved the 6-10 sessions with a psychologist under Medicare. I decided to see the pyschologist at my GP's practice, mostly for convenience.But my first session was really strange. Some of her (I won't name her) suggestions were practical and helpful, but then I noticed that she muttered a few words under her breath. She said she was doing some work at an 'energetic level'. She then asked me to write down a mantra, which made very little sense (she said it didn't matter if I didn't understand it).I've now googled the mantra and discovered it's from a group (cult)This is weird, right? I've had some past, bad, expereinces with a spiritual group & I'm really not interested in going down that path again. I just want some practical, evidence-based help.I feel quite disheartened at the thought of having to start over and find a new psychologist. I'm not really sure how to go about finding a good one - any suggestions and feedback are welcome.

awrt Anxiety medication
  • replies: 6

Hi, I have been suffering from anxiety for the past couple of years. I have just started a new job which has been very stressfull over the past week and has made my anxiety even worse. I saw my GP last week and he has prescibed my some medication for... View more

Hi, I have been suffering from anxiety for the past couple of years. I have just started a new job which has been very stressfull over the past week and has made my anxiety even worse. I saw my GP last week and he has prescibed my some medication for the anxiety. This is the first time I have taken medication for my anxiety - which is making me even more anxious. Has anyone else used an SSRI for anxiety? I have been feeling average over the weekend and have taken work off today again becasue of the side effects of the drug. I am also worried about what my boss at work is going to say as he is unaware that I suffer from a mental illness.Thanks for listening

dudu87 I require information please, on how to cope better with anxiety.
  • replies: 4

I have a little bit of difficulties at the moment dealing with thoughts, which now are obsessive. To the point I worry every day. I see a psychologist, a few actually, they've helped, but my main psychologist that I see now is quite busy, and I rarel... View more

I have a little bit of difficulties at the moment dealing with thoughts, which now are obsessive. To the point I worry every day. I see a psychologist, a few actually, they've helped, but my main psychologist that I see now is quite busy, and I rarely get to see him, he's always booked out. Anyway, I would just like some ideas if I may, please.. On what to do. Would someone kindly please explain (with example) in detail exactly what to do with CBT I'd like to try it. I really want to get through this. I believe I can. Thank you in advance, my friends. I hope you have a fantastic day/afternoon/and/or night.

myvroses How to cope with switching counsellors?
  • replies: 3

I finally began seeing a psychologist last year after years of anxiety, self-loathing and denial. She was the first person I opened up to about my mental health. I felt safe and comfortable with her and I began to feel better with the help of medicat... View more

I finally began seeing a psychologist last year after years of anxiety, self-loathing and denial. She was the first person I opened up to about my mental health. I felt safe and comfortable with her and I began to feel better with the help of medication and just generally trying to change my perspective on things that upset me. Unfortunately, she had to leave the clinic because of obligations to her hospital job. She highly recommended another counsellor to continue therapy. I thought I could do it, but I was apprehensive at the thought of having to open myself up to another person who might not be as understanding as her. It's been about a month since my last session and I feel myself slipping back to my old ways and it worries me. I know I should go back to my GP and get a new referral. It doesn't help that my mother wants me to stop therapy altogether and wants me to get off the medication, which I've resorted to taking in secret. I want to change. I just don't know how to deal with the change.

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