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Jazzy27 Dr recommended meds. Should I do it?
  • replies: 31

Hi there I'm new to this website and have joined as I have recently come to realise my anxiety is something I need to sort out. After discussions with my GP (who has known me since I was 13, I'm now in my mid twenties) he has recommended I take a com... View more

Hi there I'm new to this website and have joined as I have recently come to realise my anxiety is something I need to sort out. After discussions with my GP (who has known me since I was 13, I'm now in my mid twenties) he has recommended I take a common type of SSRI. After describing my symptoms such as, hair loss, grinding teeth, incredibly high stress levels, trouble sleeping and waking up several times a night to go to the bathroom, he had no hesitation in suggesting this. I think depression is playing a part also, I really lack motivation, struggle with self esteem, confidence and am very indecisive. I have my ups and downs, sometimes I feel great and sometimes I get down will spend an entire day doing nothing. After all that background, my question is, should I start the medication? I told my doctor I would like to try healthy eating and exercise first but after weeks nothing has changed. I eat to feel better, the more I eat the more weight I put on and the more weight I put on the more unhappy I feel. It's a vicious cycle and I wonder, will the SSRI help with my motivation and make me led a healthier, happier life? Do I need it? Not surprisingly I am very anxious about starting it.

corbeau Not sure psychologist is going in the right direction with me
  • replies: 9

Hi all. A couple of weeks ago I had my first ever appointment with a psychiatrist. I went to him wanting help with controlling my moods. Based on my answers to his questions, and information I had volunteered myself, he said I have borderline persona... View more

Hi all. A couple of weeks ago I had my first ever appointment with a psychiatrist. I went to him wanting help with controlling my moods. Based on my answers to his questions, and information I had volunteered myself, he said I have borderline personality disorder, but a mild form of it. He also said I have social anxiety and mild depression, and he prescribed me some anti-depressants. He also referred me to a psychologist in his clinic to go to appointments with. I had my first appointment with the psychologist last week, and I don't know if he is taking on-board what the psych doctor said and what I want help with. He is focusing on me having anxiety, and wanting to treat that first. Whereas I don't think I have a huge issue with anxiety. He said I am not clinically depressed, which I already knew, but it is a milder depression that is pretty much always there. After him not mentioning any therapy at all for the borderline personality issues during the hour-long appointment, I asked just before I left if we would start something for that soon. He said he is not convinced I have bpd and that he wants to make his own decision on that, and that you can't do that in one session. So here lies my confusion. A psych doctor, one that is in the same office as him, believes I have mild bpd. Mood swings and bursts of furious anger are a major reason I have sought out psychological help. Yet this psychologist that I need to have weekly appointments with might not even help me deal with those issues because he's not convinced I have it. Getting help with my social anxiety and self esteem issues would be marvellous, and that is what he is focusing on first. But social anxiety doesn't affect my life in the way that my constant mood swings and taking out my anger (over nothing or something tiny) on my partner does. If this psychologist is going to continue treating me for anxiety that I don't believe is a huge problem, do you think I should try find someone else? Is it normal for a psychologist to disregard what a psychiatrist has found in their appointment? Thanks in advance.

Kittyg Scared to start medicaion, scared not too :(
  • replies: 4

Hi guys,Well I'm new to Beyondblue and new to depression. This is my first post and I hope I can find some help. I have been suffering from depression for maybe a few months now, but that past few weeks have been the worst. This is when I have decide... View more

Hi guys,Well I'm new to Beyondblue and new to depression. This is my first post and I hope I can find some help. I have been suffering from depression for maybe a few months now, but that past few weeks have been the worst. This is when I have decided to seek help. It's frustrating because there is nothing horrible in my life at all and I have many things to look forward to, including a trip to America in June. I am active, healthy, and have a great boyfriend and family around me. But every day is a struggle to get out of bed I just feel like there is no point. I get all these horrible thoughts in my head like "why? what is the point of today, tomorrow..." etc. Even when I'm doing things I love like spending time with my friends or partner, these horrible thoughts still sneak into my head in bring me down. It's like I can't escape them. It upsets me so much because a year ago I was just a normal happy and healthy girl living life to the fullest. Can anyone else relate with me here? Anyway so what I am getting to is the treatment side of things. I have started psychology this week but my doctor has prescribed an antidepressant and said it will be my own choice whether I need it or not. The psychologist said the same thing. Most days I really do feel like I need it because at the moment I generally feel like it's an in balance in my brain or something! Like it won't matter how healthy, social, active or positive I am, there is just nothing that can pull me out of this. ButI am SO scared to start them. For 1 I have heard the first month of starting them will be hell so I will be worried about work and my general well being, for second I am worried that once I am on them I will never want to come off, and 3 I am worried that if ever do come off that the withdrawal will be too hard and the depression will come back Can anyone out there shed some light for me? I am lost and I spend hours racing around the internet looking at reviews trying to find the answer for me. I am just lost and confused and don't know what to do. Thanks for listening and if you take the time to answer me then god bless you

little_pepper Therapy subsidization
  • replies: 4

Hi All Like many people here i receive 10 subsidized sessions through the Better Access scheme. I am working through some complex trauma and depression and it is absolutely laughable to say that 10 sessions is all i need. I have looked through the ne... View more

Hi All Like many people here i receive 10 subsidized sessions through the Better Access scheme. I am working through some complex trauma and depression and it is absolutely laughable to say that 10 sessions is all i need. I have looked through the net for other possible subsidization and have found something called ATAPS (access to allied psychological services) and also chronic disease management. I was just wondering if anyone out there is using either of these schemes in addition/instead of better access. I've talked to my GP a nurse and my psychologist if they knew anything other then Better Access and they don't really know. i'd appreciate any feedback. all the best -little pepper

chickidee techniques to control thought patterns
  • replies: 6

I suffer from anxiety and depression, am on meds, and have done the whole healthy living thing which did really work. but I have hit another bad patch, feel like crying all the time, am snappy at my children but most of all I constantly have negative... View more

I suffer from anxiety and depression, am on meds, and have done the whole healthy living thing which did really work. but I have hit another bad patch, feel like crying all the time, am snappy at my children but most of all I constantly have negative thoughts. what strategies have you done to try and change these negative thoughts into positive ones. I know everything I complain about is in my head but I don't know how to change the pattern. Thanks in advance

photogirl I don't know how to get help through therapy and am resistant to medication
  • replies: 2

Hello all, I've been going to therapy on and off since I was 13, I am now 23. I've been on antidepressants for the past two years but have found sometimes they cause more harm than good and approx a year ago I was diagnosed with Borderline Personalit... View more

Hello all, I've been going to therapy on and off since I was 13, I am now 23. I've been on antidepressants for the past two years but have found sometimes they cause more harm than good and approx a year ago I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, I'm aware this is more a place to talk about anxiety and depression which are currently my two main concerns. I'm a photographer but have recently needed to defer from my final year as it's gotten to the point I can't care about anything and I don't find any beautiful or interesting enough to photograph. I feel disconnected, I still go to therapy but I feel as though it's so much more complex inside my mind. When I research art of any kind nothing appears any different to anything else, everything lacks importance and if I feel anything it feels as though I'm lying to myself and it will soon pass and I'll forget having felt strongly about anything. I lack empathy for other people, I just don't know how to connect, I don't trust anyone and just seem to be in wait for disappointment. I have no family around as I moved interstate for my course and I live alone. I just want to know if anyone can suggest something that may help? I'm still involved in doing things, I am volunteering at events and I go out and I see my friends but I just feel like nothing matters to me and I don't understand the emotional fluctuations I go through and how they relate to who I actually am, I feel lost. I'm not confident in any of the decisions I make or anything I think. Everything feels debatable. Someone please help me

UnhappyinTas Side Effects of Antidepressants
  • replies: 5

Hi, can anyone shed some light on whether they had side effects? I have been taken medication now for only 4 days, which I know is early days. But I have luckily been in the office on my own for that - as I have actually felt so tired I have slept on... View more

Hi, can anyone shed some light on whether they had side effects? I have been taken medication now for only 4 days, which I know is early days. But I have luckily been in the office on my own for that - as I have actually felt so tired I have slept on the work couch for 2 hours each day as I have so exhausted. I am ok when I wake up - and actually waking early (around 5am) but going to bed around 9pm as well. I also have nausea - I would swear I was pregnant! I am unable to eat either as I have no apetite (that bit doesnt worry me) and no headaches (as my Dr suggested might happen). Plleeassee - did anyone else have these same symptoms? It says in the leaflet that these symptoms are normal - but thetiredness bit is the worst as it will effect my job once my boss is back and I dont want to have to explain why! I have the next 4 days off work, am hoping by then it might all settle down.

ThisCarl Can we have a conversation about Duty of Care and the abuse experienced in hospital psych wards?
  • replies: 3

Hello all, I just wanted to get others input here. Hopefully, we can come up with some ideas on how we can make this better for people. Recently, I have heard story after story of people who have decided to call health services, or have had a family ... View more

Hello all, I just wanted to get others input here. Hopefully, we can come up with some ideas on how we can make this better for people. Recently, I have heard story after story of people who have decided to call health services, or have had a family member or therapist call health services, as they have been unable to cope. Police are usually involved who often treat the individual, who is already in a very dark place, as a criminal. Often they are cuffed and locked in a paddy wagon for 'the officers protection'. There have also been a lot of instances of police verbally abusing and ridiculing these people. Accompanying this are stories of patients being locked away in psychiatric wards before they are 'processed' usually alone, without support and sometimes with other patients who maybe violent or stressed themselves. Often this only amplifies the bad thoughts the individual feels and they end up not receiving the proper help and attention they need as they simply wish to leave the hospital as soon as possible. This ultimately makes individuals less likely to ask for help as they feel they may risk being sent back to the psychiatric ward. A good example of this is the first and most highest rated question on this site: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/connect-with-others/your-questions-answered I think it might be good for us to have a conversation about this problem and maybe even think of a way to approach those in charge with ideas on how to treat people with mental health issues who are in distress. If you are up to it you could post your stories here too - good or bad. Looking forward to hearing from you all

ThisCarl Meds and psychology wont help. Have to leave my job. No idea what to do.
  • replies: 4

Hi all, So despite the actions of my GP my depression is getting worse and worse and worse. No treatment is helping, pharmaceutical or psychological. I feel I can no longer support myself by working and will be finishing up my job soon. So what can I... View more

Hi all, So despite the actions of my GP my depression is getting worse and worse and worse. No treatment is helping, pharmaceutical or psychological. I feel I can no longer support myself by working and will be finishing up my job soon. So what can I do? I just dont know what to do or where to go. Its so frustrating. If I had a broken bone or appendicitis or something I would just go to my doctor to get help and have a few days rest. But this doesnt seem possible with depression, even though its gotten so bad I can no longer work because of it.

Badluck Major Depression - Medications versus healthier options
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone.This is my first time posting.I've been dealing with a lot in my life. I had a rough violent childhood. I was brought up to not cry as a child. The more you cried, the more you got hit. Parents never believed in showing signs of affection... View more

Hi everyone.This is my first time posting.I've been dealing with a lot in my life. I had a rough violent childhood. I was brought up to not cry as a child. The more you cried, the more you got hit. Parents never believed in showing signs of affection.Left home when I was 19 with the shirt on my back and started a life of my own.I recently had been fired after being verballyabused almost daily from an employer. I took one sick day in 5 years after being sent to hospital with my stress. This caused me to lose my job as I got dismissed the same day. After months of grief I have tried putting this behind me. My family and I have lost our family home, my company belongings including a car, and we are living off one income while I try and recover. I feel lost like I'm having a midlife crisis. I have gone from a professional in-control person to one that struggles with day to day activities or keeping concentration for short spans of time. I blame myself for the mess we are in and am not sure how to gain my focus back, to provide myself with goals and stop being an angry depressed person. It's not helping the family life. My wife has been trying to support me for the past few months (although she has been doing it for 19 years now) but we are both struggling with the amount of medication I am being prescribed by the psychiatrist. I have received up to 8 different types of tablets in the last several months. All seem to provide severe memory problems, shaking, hot and cold sweats, loss of sexual appetite (which doesn't help relationships), sleeplessness and violent tendencies with suicidal thoughts. It's funny that the tablets that are prescribed to help you, cause more issues. I'm searching for alternate solutions please. I'm trying acupuncture with massage that seems to help a little. I've thought of volunteering with organisations that work with child abuse victims thinking that it might help me vent what I've been through and assist others but don't know how to get into this. The psychiatrist is only interested in tablets and not discussing my issues. Psychologists have cried every time I've had a session and I've had 4 individuals so far. I take every vitamin under the sun to prop me up but it also isn't helping.If anyone has any ideas I would be willing to give it a try. I've tried outdoor activities the other day but was assaulted by another man so I've since become a little more depressed.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.

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