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Bulletin_Board_Archive What is your experience with CBT?
  • replies: 9

Originally posted by: Jemma on 12 February 2013Hey Friends, I posted on here about August last year with details about my blue days and my journey with depression and anxiety. Today I finally found myself a doctor who listened and valued me. I didn't... View more

Originally posted by: Jemma on 12 February 2013Hey Friends, I posted on here about August last year with details about my blue days and my journey with depression and anxiety. Today I finally found myself a doctor who listened and valued me. I didn't get pushed out the door with a pill to fix the problem. Today I started my mental health plan- feeling hopeful about what the future holds! Whilst I was waiting for the doctor I got the usual sweaty,trembling hands and heart palpitations. After about 5 minutes of discussion I felt like a huge weight was lifted of my shoulders and I was being taken seriously. Now to the crux of my post. I have been referred to start CBT. What are peoples experiences? What can I expect? Do I have to pour my heart out and tell my life story? (It could take years). I kinda feel anxious even thinking about it. I haven't been on medication for 18 months as it impaired my memory and concentration- which is essential being a uni student. May have to go back on the meds if it doesn't work out. Would love to hear about anyone's experiences!

Guest_5809 Trusting a psychologist
  • replies: 7

My child is currently under a early in life mental health service. I have been to see his psychologist several times. As working on parenting is just as important. I feel like I can trust this therapist and have told him of my fears of regressed sexu... View more

My child is currently under a early in life mental health service. I have been to see his psychologist several times. As working on parenting is just as important. I feel like I can trust this therapist and have told him of my fears of regressed sexual abuse which has been resurfaced due to my son being subjected to it as well. The therapist has told me he recommends I find another therapist to help deal with my baggage. He works one day privately elsewhere. I am not sure what to do. It is hard to find a therapist to trust. Any advice???

consumedbydemons HELP: Treatment resistant and fed up!
  • replies: 4

Long story short with many missing details; 20y/o with BPD, social anxiety, chronic depression, (somewhat undiagnosed) eating disorder and CPTSD. From a dysfunctional family with death being a "normal" part of my childhood. Have tried a long list of ... View more

Long story short with many missing details; 20y/o with BPD, social anxiety, chronic depression, (somewhat undiagnosed) eating disorder and CPTSD. From a dysfunctional family with death being a "normal" part of my childhood. Have tried a long list of medications, numerous psychologists, psychiatrists, attempts and consequently numerous hospital admissions and here I am still struggling, slipping through the cracks of our lacking health system. I feel as though I've exhausted all options and am seriously considering mentioning ECT if/when I get the courage to go to a GP. My question is, what do you do when you feel as though you've exhausted your options and are at the point of no return? I've been suffering to an extreme for the past 4 years with absolutely no break or relief. With no support from immediate family and my aunt taking on my burden, it's taking it's toll on not only me but my aunt who has become my carer. Any thoughts/advice greatly appreciated.

CherryOnTop When your sessions run out
  • replies: 3

I've been signed up to a Mental Health Plan for anxiety and depression. The psychologist is nice and is helping me and it's good to have someone to talk to. But I feel like we've only scratched the surface and I'm nowhere near being able to function ... View more

I've been signed up to a Mental Health Plan for anxiety and depression. The psychologist is nice and is helping me and it's good to have someone to talk to. But I feel like we've only scratched the surface and I'm nowhere near being able to function on my own. I still cry a lot, have no friends, can stay in bed until 3pm, am not brave enough to do some really simple activities and still get hysterical quite a bit. I still just feel either really tense or really dejected. However we've only got a few sessions left until all 10 sessions are used up and I'm pretty sure I need much more. I just can't afford to pay for the psychologist on my own. Even with private cover it's too expensive. And I don't have anyone who would offer to pay for it for me. I guess I can go on medication but I'm on some pretty powerful painkillers so I don't know how viable.that will be. And I'm a midget and tend to react really badly to drugs. Can anyone suggest any other options for affordable treatment besides a mental health plan, or if there's any way of getting another extension?

d1106 Changing Dosage
  • replies: 3

When you increase dosage of medication does it start working instantly or is it like starting a medication and it takes time to feel the effects? Any answers appreciated, Also does anyone have any tips for dealing with the "dizzy" feeling in your hea... View more

When you increase dosage of medication does it start working instantly or is it like starting a medication and it takes time to feel the effects? Any answers appreciated, Also does anyone have any tips for dealing with the "dizzy" feeling in your head when anxious?

toshy Has anyone else done DBT?
  • replies: 10

Hi All I am new to this site, I came on this site so I can try to understand what I am going through, I figured there must be others out there like me and I would like to hear from them. The last 9 months have been horrific for me, I have been in and... View more

Hi All I am new to this site, I came on this site so I can try to understand what I am going through, I figured there must be others out there like me and I would like to hear from them. The last 9 months have been horrific for me, I have been in and out of hospital with severe anxiety and depression. You see I lost my soul mate 4 yrs ago after 30 years together. for the first 3 yrs I did ok as I still had my children at home. Then they moved out and I went downhill from there. Sadly I have tried to take my life 3 times as I can handle the thoughts and anxiety going through my head. I have great support from my family but it still feels as though I am disconnected. I am going through DBT at the moment and wonder if anyone else has done this and if so how did they go? I look forward to your feedback. Thankyou

UPTOYOU Just started meds and not coping well.
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone,I have come on here to ask other people their experience of starting an anti depressant. I had acute anxiety come on very suddenly around 6 weeks ago after not one but two neardeath experiences within a month. I have just been prescribed ... View more

Hi everyone,I have come on here to ask other people their experience of starting an anti depressant. I had acute anxiety come on very suddenly around 6 weeks ago after not one but two neardeath experiences within a month. I have just been prescribed antidepressants and also have some anxiolytic for when needed. The first day of taking the antidepressant) I had extreme hot flushes and severe anxiety (after a anxiolytic the anxiety subsided). The second day I woke up feeling very upset but as the day went on I felt much better to the point of feeling pretty good in the evening. I didn't get to sleep until around 3am this morning and woke up around seven very distressed and anxious. I had trouble convincing myself I was real!! Took a anxiolytic which (thank god) put me back to sleep for a few hours and I woke up much calmer. My doctor said if its causing me distress I should stop taking up but how much is too much? I really want to get better but as I have never had any type of anxiety before I don't really know what to expect.I know its only the 3rd day now but I am just looking for some advice on how to tell if I need to switch to a different pill. Thanks everyone

Mia1987 Postnatal depression and dealing with medication
  • replies: 1

Hi I've recently been diagnosed with postage depression I have a beautiful 10 month old little boy. He has been a very poor sleeper since he's was born and I think it finally took its toll. I've suffered from depression on and off since I was a teena... View more

Hi I've recently been diagnosed with postage depression I have a beautiful 10 month old little boy. He has been a very poor sleeper since he's was born and I think it finally took its toll. I've suffered from depression on and off since I was a teenager, I am now 27 married with one baby. I finally gave in and started antidepressants 3 days ago and I feel awful! First day just felt nausea and headachy. Yesterday started feeling quite anxious and teary. Today is much the same. I went back to the doc yesterday cos I was starting to freak out. I hate feeling like this I feel worse than I did before I took anythin. He gave me some tablets for the anxiety to take for a few days until the side effects settle down. They work a little but not a lot and make me very sleepy. I feel in such a daze I feel horrible I feel useless I can't help my husband with our baby. All I can do is breastfeed him when needed. Which opens another batch of worries that the medication I'm taking could harm him. I've been assured from doc that he's safe. It's still worries me. Hubby keeps telling me it will get better once my body regulates the drugs. I hope he's right I just want to feel normal again. This is horrible. Has anyone had any successful stories where it's helped?

--Danny-- Entering rehab soon...really nervous..
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone, I've battled alcohol & marijuana addiction for last 16 yrs...binge drinking 3/4 times a week & for the last 8/9 years I have smoked weed daily.. well, I quit drinking alcohol 85/86 days ago. But now I've made the decision to quit weed! T... View more

Hi everyone, I've battled alcohol & marijuana addiction for last 16 yrs...binge drinking 3/4 times a week & for the last 8/9 years I have smoked weed daily.. well, I quit drinking alcohol 85/86 days ago. But now I've made the decision to quit weed! Tomorrow morning I'm booked in for a 2 hour assessment at the drug & alcohol dependance center.. there they will book me into a drug rehab clinic for 7 days..hopefully I can quit this drug that has ruled my life for 8 years!! The usual waiting time is 2 or 3 weeks.. I'm really nervous about the whole thing.. this is definately going to be the biggest battle I've had in my life!! If I can overcome this then I can conquer anything put infront of me!! There is 2 pieces left in my life that I feel are contributing to anxiety & depression & all them awful things..that's my marijuana habit & my high pressure job..I'm looking at changing jobs in the new year & hopefully quit the weed for good!! At the end of all this, I'm hoping that beating my demons I can finally find my inner peace & escape the strange hold that is anxiety & depression!! Wish me luck for a healhier & longer life! Danny

StarryNight Long term antidepressants user and now off them - anyone else?
  • replies: 7

Hi All,I've recently been off my antidepressants just 2 months ago after taking it for over 13 years. To be honest, it has been very hard. I suffer from GAD and my anxiety has been very high at times. However I am determined to be off medications for... View more

Hi All,I've recently been off my antidepressants just 2 months ago after taking it for over 13 years. To be honest, it has been very hard. I suffer from GAD and my anxiety has been very high at times. However I am determined to be off medications for a long time as I always hear how treatable anxiety is without medication, e.g. CBT as being the most effective treatment for anxiety.So far to combat all of this, I have been seeing a psychologist for the past month and a half, I've been working with her on CBT strategies, have taken up cardio based exercises 3-4 times a week, doing mindful meditation twice a day everyday, talking to family and friends and most of all have accepted my anxiety as part of me.So my question to everyone, is there anyone who has taken antidepressants and are now no longer on them and managing their anxiety OK? Or know anyone else who has been off them and is managing their anxiety OK?I would love to hear your stories. Thanks in advance!

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