Immediate support
Immediate support

Treatments, health professionals and therapies

Information on a range of different areas, including managing relationships with GPs and psychologists, and finding the right services for you.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

All discussions

Start a discussion

Idkme EMDR.... what’s your views/opinions/experiences.....
  • replies: 20

I’ve read a bit about EMDR lately and wondered if others have used it or heard about it with dealing with complex trauma? My issue I’d be worried about is focusing on one key moment because there were lots of ‘moments’ for me... curious to know peopl... View more

I’ve read a bit about EMDR lately and wondered if others have used it or heard about it with dealing with complex trauma? My issue I’d be worried about is focusing on one key moment because there were lots of ‘moments’ for me... curious to know peoples experiences....

Eagle Ray EMDR for protracted grief?
  • replies: 0

Hi, I’m just wondering if anyone else has tried EMDR for protracted grief? My psychologist suggested it as something I could try at my next session with her. I’ve done somatic experiencing with her and it’s been very successful at processing and taki... View more

Hi, I’m just wondering if anyone else has tried EMDR for protracted grief? My psychologist suggested it as something I could try at my next session with her. I’ve done somatic experiencing with her and it’s been very successful at processing and taking the charge out of specific traumatic events. I’d read about the method beforehand and it really resonated with me. I went into it feeling confident in it and I got good results. EMDR, on the other hand, I actually feel scared of and I’m trying to figure out why. I’ve read a bit about it and understand it’s connected with the reprocessing of memories through forms of bilateral stimulation. I’ve read it has a good evidence base in relation to PTSD. I’d be interested to hear anyone’s experiences with EMDR in relation to grief, especially protracted, complicated grief.

Lui ADHD costs
  • replies: 12

I've discovered it's ADHD that has caused my anxiety/depression for my 58 years of life! But the costs are killing me! The psychiatrist wants me to get a second opinion, and then back to him again. It's so expensive. i have been able to work for more... View more

I've discovered it's ADHD that has caused my anxiety/depression for my 58 years of life! But the costs are killing me! The psychiatrist wants me to get a second opinion, and then back to him again. It's so expensive. i have been able to work for more than 30 years due to this, how are we supposed to afford it? Is there anywhere, any way we can get some back? Medicare only covers a small part of it

rixon My antidepressant turned my natural lean muscle tone into fat and its not getting better :(
  • replies: 29

Hello there, I’m a 34 year old male who started taking medication to treat my anxiety and depression in early December 2018. I took one tablet a day for just a month before stopping. Although I could definitely feel the treatment was helping my mood,... View more

Hello there, I’m a 34 year old male who started taking medication to treat my anxiety and depression in early December 2018. I took one tablet a day for just a month before stopping. Although I could definitely feel the treatment was helping my mood, I noticed that the composition of my body began to change quickly. I began to lose my naturally lean muscle in my arms and chest and grow a layer of fat (giving me a man boob look). My stomach muscles also became incredibly soft and lost all their natural tone. It actually seemed like all of the muscles in my body softened considerably in just a matter of weeks. I did not make any modifications to my diet or exercise habits during this period, leading me to believe that these changes can only be related to this medication. Also, rather than putting on weight (which was what I was initially concerned about), I have lost several kilograms. I assume this is because I have lost muscle mass but I cannot be sure. I was worried that this medication may have affected my hormone levels (mainly testosterone), but all my tests have apparently come back normal. My doctor is perplexed at what has happened to my body in such a small space of time as there is no mention of muscle determination/fat accumulation in the listed side effects. Also, other than a couple of anecdotal reports, there is very little information about this phenomenon online. It has now been over 2 months since I have stopped this medication, and despite my regular cardiovascular exercise, weight training and healthy eating the problem has not resolved. I feel very self-conscious about what has happened to my body (particularly my chest) and feel even worse than I did before starting the medication. I worry that my body composition may have now permanently changed or will at least remain in such a state for a long time. Has anyone experienced or come across anything like I have described? If so, what more can I do to try and recover from this? Thank you Ricky

anonymous_00 I think that I have a narcissistic partner or emotionally abusive partner
  • replies: 2

I have been in a relationship with my partner for 15 to 16 years. It's a same sex relationship. We have two kids together (one has autism). I am the main care giver for our youngest child with autism. I'm the biological mum for our youngest kid.I fee... View more

I have been in a relationship with my partner for 15 to 16 years. It's a same sex relationship. We have two kids together (one has autism). I am the main care giver for our youngest child with autism. I'm the biological mum for our youngest kid.I feel really unhappy in the relationship. She constantly puts me down, blames me, and attacks me. It's always in private, although she tends to infer to our friends she's unhappy with me as a person/partner. But the nasty stuff is ONLY in private. On the outside, she is a very charming, friendly "lovely" person.She tells me fairly consistently that "all my friends hate you". Or, "all my friends are concerned about me being with you". She also says the kids are scared of me (this is an outright lie, I have a fantastic relationship with my kids).Sometimes she makes me feel very unwelcome in my home or feel very scared (as in, what mean/nasty thing is coming now). sometimes it's a monologue full of nasty things.She lies about what she says - so she will say something and 5 minutes later, deny she said it. She says I made it up. It makes me feel like I'm going crazy!She never apologises for anything and if I get mad and say okay enough/or you can't speak to me in this way - then the relationship is over. She's leaving etc. I get very scared about this because I want to live with my kids. I REALLY WANT to live with my kids. My youngest with autism would significantly struggle without me. So I put up with it. I don't know what to do. I tell myself to "take the hit and get on with it".The only way to "manage" her is to grovel, don't complain, don't ever say you're unhappy -- pretend you're happy (this is what I do usually). I feel like a shell of a person. I feel inauthentic because nobody knows how I really feel. I'm writing this because I felt suicidal last week (I'll never do this though, it was a fleeting thought - as in, I know a way to end this pain! - but obviously I would never leave my children) - but I'm just saying I feel extremely sad and distressed.I wonder if that's bad for the kids even though I do my best to shield them from it. That's why I am still here! I'm trying to shield them! I suspect/fear that she'll go crazy if I leave (but I can't leave my kids anyway). I know there's no easy answer. If I got lawyers, this would make her "rage".Sharing this here as a first step.

Train_Rambler In constant pain and very sensitive to noise
  • replies: 4

I have had ongoing nerve pain in my right leg, seen a whole lot medical professionals some specialist and found it lost cause.......I have ongoing numbness, pin, needles, cramps and burning stabbing pain going day and night.....Incomplete muscle acti... View more

I have had ongoing nerve pain in my right leg, seen a whole lot medical professionals some specialist and found it lost cause.......I have ongoing numbness, pin, needles, cramps and burning stabbing pain going day and night.....Incomplete muscle activations, Nerve test clear, sign of numbness but test for nerve conduction remains clear and MRI cleared....so the cause is unknown....but deep inside my gut instinct tells me the cause is external all documented but no help and treatment. Now after suffering bad side effect from pain med from GP after they knew about it and informed I just grin and bear it, Phyiso and adrenal rushes to numb the pain! Add it with sensory issues and wearing muffs to ease the pain of noise.... Just accept is long term and nothing can be done! Oh well such is A life!

LJpd81 Psychiatrist and patient diaries
  • replies: 5

Hi, so I've been seeing a psychiatrist for a bit now. I have had 5 sessions since October. I have come home from my latest psychiatrist session, feeling depressed and teary.So basically, since the 2nd or 3rd session, I have been writing diaries, of m... View more

Hi, so I've been seeing a psychiatrist for a bit now. I have had 5 sessions since October. I have come home from my latest psychiatrist session, feeling depressed and teary.So basically, since the 2nd or 3rd session, I have been writing diaries, of my feelings. I have been depressed and s/h recently. Sick husband and a lot going on.So a lot of emotions went in to them, postage, or dropping them off.She read my first 2 and discussed with me at my next session. And said I was brave for writing to her.After that, I did send through, 3 or 4 diaries, admittedly quite a bit to read.At todays session, psychiatrist said, she hadn't read it and it was too much!At the time, I said nothing and left, as was the end of my session. I felt so depressed and upset and in tears on leaving. I haven't been able to shake it all day. So upset. I trust her and it's my way to get out my feelings.I fully trust her and look forward to our sessions. Today, for the first time, I thought why bother to go to sessions and does she care?She had even said in one of our first sessions, that some of her patients, do write diaries to her, so I did. Naturally, I am confused. I wrote her a short, one page letter and sent it to her this afternoon, expressing how disappointed I was and upset. My next session is not for 8 weeks. So I didn't want to wait to then, to hold my feelings in on the issue.I don't know if I'm overthinking it or not?Should I call her tomorrow and tell her it's important to me, that she read my diaries?I nearly bought alcohol today as a consequence, but did not, which I'm proud of, as currently not drinking. 18 days no alcohol. Yay. She's only opened on Monday and Tuesdays as well.Thoughts please? And am I right to be upset?

Ria_Boehmig separation in the courtsystem
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone. I hope this is a valid question. Does anyone in this group has experience in dealing with separation/court/lawyers? I am personally looking for family lawyers familiar with, or specializing with narcissism. Thank you so much

Hi everyone. I hope this is a valid question. Does anyone in this group has experience in dealing with separation/court/lawyers? I am personally looking for family lawyers familiar with, or specializing with narcissism. Thank you so much

laureah21 ADHD meds and treatment
  • replies: 4

hi everyone, im really really struggling with ADHD at the moment. Thoughts are racing all over the place, can’t collect them to get anything done. It’s like they are going so fast I can’t focus on anything in particular. Feel exhausted by it. Drinkin... View more

hi everyone, im really really struggling with ADHD at the moment. Thoughts are racing all over the place, can’t collect them to get anything done. It’s like they are going so fast I can’t focus on anything in particular. Feel exhausted by it. Drinking about five cups of coffee a day which is the only thing that focuses them a bit. Takes a heap of effort and list writing to complete tasks and I have zero motivation to do it. Also since having covid the symptoms have gotten worse and my memory has gone also and is replaced by a fog. I can’t seem to rember anything. At supermarket the other day and I completely forgot where I’d parked my car. No idea even the direction. I even struggle to form words sometimes, like I’ve forgotten them. So I got a referral from my GP to go back to a psychiatrist as haven’t been on meds since before covid. I can’t seem to get in anywhere. All psychiatrists im trying, seem to have closed their books. what is the solution to this. I’m sure psychiatrist have much more important clients then me that just needs a prescription. It’s so frustrating though. has anyone had much luck with other things with ADHD other then meds that might help?

Orchard DNA probability
  • replies: 8

Two years later, this person who claimed to have a child to my partner has finally done the legal dna test we sent it to her, his details are no where to be found on the form so I’m not sure if she knows it was him that sent it….Awaiting results curr... View more

Two years later, this person who claimed to have a child to my partner has finally done the legal dna test we sent it to her, his details are no where to be found on the form so I’m not sure if she knows it was him that sent it….Awaiting results currently- I’m nervous, distraught and just a mess. She tried claiming him on the birth certificate and then tried for child support. He rang both well before the child was born to be noted of file that he wanted a dna test done and will not agree to any assessments etc as it isn’t his child. Both BDM and CSA denied her claims. CSA specifically said we will get this sorted as they didn’t believe her. Next thing you know is she is telling his family that I forged the letters from CSA and BDM and that he is still the father. His sister asked her to do a home dna test which unbeknownst to us she did it (not with his dna) and it came back inconclusive….. if you couldn’t get the alleged fathers dna wouldn’t you use the sisters?!? At least then there would be a familiar match. I can’t wait for this drama to be over with. anyone else who has been in a similar situation? How did you deal with it all. Any advice?