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Paul1 Emerging into the light: Lesson Learned: Supplementary
  • replies: 10

I learned something very useful about depression. I had suffered from depression on and off for about 15 years. I discovered that a simple regimen, coupled with standard treatment under my specialist, has enabled me to live a positive existence. Seve... View more

I learned something very useful about depression. I had suffered from depression on and off for about 15 years. I discovered that a simple regimen, coupled with standard treatment under my specialist, has enabled me to live a positive existence. Several years ago, a Melbourne researcher published a paper linking natural sunlight exposure to increased levels of serotonin. Further clinical studies, described below (2), have lent weight to and put into practical application this discovery. I find that, in my case, one hour per day of natural sunlight makes a significant positive difference. This means simply being out in the unfiltered sunlight (ie without sunglasses or glasses), which I weave into the day with light exercise and usual activity (eg eating meal outside) is enough to make a great deal of difference. My understanding is that it is the light entering the eyes, rather than light on the skin that is significant. I believe that there is nothing peculiar about my condition or situation to suggest what works for me should not work for others. Further details below 1,2. Best wishes to fellow forum members, Paul1 1. Lambert, Reid, Kaye, Jennings, Esler: Effect of Sunlight and Season on Serotonin Turnover in the Brain, The Lancet, Vol 360, Issue 9348, pp 1840-1842, 7 Dec 2002. 2. Dr Gavin Lambert (1) referred to work of Dr Prof Anna Wirz-Justice as "well ahead of the pack" in terms of the understanding and application of the above. For further information see www.cet.org

Mbuna Boxercise as a Treatment for Anxiety and Depression ?
  • replies: 3

Hi Guys and Gals I speak to a lot of people with depression and anxiety disorders. I like doing this because i find talking helps. I know im not the only person out there with my sorts of problems. I also learn a lot form others and try to help as we... View more

Hi Guys and Gals I speak to a lot of people with depression and anxiety disorders. I like doing this because i find talking helps. I know im not the only person out there with my sorts of problems. I also learn a lot form others and try to help as well if i can. I have had two people tell me recently that they have taken up boxercise classes and that it has really helped them. I did a bit of boxing and martial arts when i was younger but back then I did not have any issues. I just thought i would throw it out there to see what everyone else thinks about it. I know walking and swimming helps me control my demons. Boxercise is not fighting but apparently there is a lot of punching into bags and mitts. Ive been told that its a very good cardiovascular workout so I can sort of see how it would be helpful. Any feedback experiences would be appreciated.

Daisychain Medication for anxiety
  • replies: 7

Hi guys, I would appreciate any feedback on this matter as I am desperate at this stage with my anxiety. I have had a mild anxiety for years but didn't realise it until being with my dad when he passed away 4 years ago and then a series of other sad ... View more

Hi guys, I would appreciate any feedback on this matter as I am desperate at this stage with my anxiety. I have had a mild anxiety for years but didn't realise it until being with my dad when he passed away 4 years ago and then a series of other sad events. My GP put me on a medication at that time and it was like a miracle - no anxiety, no feeling to what I can only imagine a bleeding ulcer would feel like 24/7. Unfortunately I have suffered only what I can term as a "nervous breakdown" at the end of May this year from pressure of running my own business and on going back to my doctor he increased my medication .. Unfortunately this did not have the miracle effect of the initial dose and I have ended up being switched to another medication initially and then when that didn't help the dose was increased. I feel absolutely horrible, terrified and scared and so alone. My anxiety is taking over my life. The medication seems to have no effect and although I know a drug is not the only solution, I am also seeing a psychologist and attending a meditation class in the desperate hope that something will help me out of this hell. I was thinking that maybe a switch back to my original medication at a higher dose might help. My anxiety is generalised; I don't worry ruminatively about things, I don't have panic attacks my body is just in a constant state of tension, my stomach is sore and my mind feels paralysed. I can't sleep without sleeping pills, I can't concentrate on my work. I don't know any other way to describe it. I feel I am losing everything; my poor family don't understand and I absolutely sick of thinking about myself. Any thoughts of anyone who has used medications and how they helped them would be absolutely appreciated.

Beetle OMG meds really help!
  • replies: 2

OMG i cannot believe how differnt i feel after having started on an SNRI. I have just started three days ago and after having really bad sideeffects i halfed the dose. Yesterday they really kicked in and i felt some heavy dark cloud has lifted the fi... View more

OMG i cannot believe how differnt i feel after having started on an SNRI. I have just started three days ago and after having really bad sideeffects i halfed the dose. Yesterday they really kicked in and i felt some heavy dark cloud has lifted the first time in years.I could feel that i stopped worrying and i could smile witout effford. I could connect to people and make jokes wihtout worrying what others think of me. Thing is i havent told my friends that im on SNRI's since im so embarrasssed. but since the drug causes pupil dilation i looked really high and just told them im on strong painkillers( well its not a ly since the drug does that too) So since i have never taken any of such drugs before I wonder if its normal that the drug kicks in so quickly? I expected it takes weeks? I mean im so happy since i was suicidal on thursday and now i cannot understand how i could even think of it!! Has anyone had similar expereinces with this drug? If it keeps making me feel good i wont stop it. I am so relieved!

Mbuna The Dreaded Drug Decision
  • replies: 4

Hi Guys, I am tossing up the medication option at the moment as a treatment for my anxiety. I have always suffered from anxiety for as long as I cant remember. When I was younger, it was only mild. A few years ago my business lost a large contract an... View more

Hi Guys, I am tossing up the medication option at the moment as a treatment for my anxiety. I have always suffered from anxiety for as long as I cant remember. When I was younger, it was only mild. A few years ago my business lost a large contract and I had to put staff off who had worked for the company for many years. It really affected me and the anxiety got out of hand. The panic attacks turned into depression and for a while I was in a really bad place. I started behaving badly and taking all sorts of risks. Luckily an incident with a family member made me realize that i needed to get help. It took me a while to get over it all, but with the help of a psychologist and some other nice people who also suffered similar experiences, I was able to pull myself out of the depression hole. Now the depression has gone I am left with the anxiety again. Its not always there but it has a knack of popping up at the most inappropriate times. The normal stuff like exercise and diet helps but i never know when the anxiety will come back so i find myself avoiding situations that may trigger it. I run my own business and I often put off making decisions. Up until now I have resisted the drug option. I'm not a big fan of putting foreign substances into my body. My doctor has given me a prescription for a SSRI. Now I have another decision to make that i will probably put off. I have read some of the side affects of the drug and they scare me. Some people tell me that the drug is fantastic. Others are not so complimentary about the medication. I want to get rid of the horrible feelings I get but I must admit the thought of medicating myself to do this scares the hell out of me. I thought I would throw it out there and get other peoples thoughts. The doctor has told me that my anxiety is low to mid range so the drugs should help me. He has also told me that I may not experience any side affects at all. He cant guarantee this however. Can anyone help me with my dilemma?

Beetle Anxiety & Depression: On SNRi's-if not walking every day meds cant work properly ?.....!
  • replies: 4

HI all I am looking forward to your expereinces and ideas please. I have MDD and GAD and was diagnosed 5 weeks ago after having suffered in silence for years.I was too emberassed to see a GP. I had/have panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts with subst... View more

HI all I am looking forward to your expereinces and ideas please. I have MDD and GAD and was diagnosed 5 weeks ago after having suffered in silence for years.I was too emberassed to see a GP. I had/have panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts with substance abuse and self harm. Now im on SNRI's which kicked in nicely. However i have to say i aso have walked every day 5 km along beach sinmce diagnosed since i love that. Now over the WE i visited frinds and didnt do my 5 K walk a day and felt the 'beasts' depression and anxiety creepig up.I got restless, had suicidal thoughts and paranoid thoughts. I got them under control after a while but it did very much concern me, Has anyone expereinced the same effect? I mean not doing exercise while on SNIR's and feeling blue and anxious because of it?s it possible that the meds cant work properly if i dont do exercise??? Today i felt off as well and once home i went straight to the beach for my walk, even though it was raining!! I was so concerned that the beast might come back!! :0 Now i feel better and not blue or anxious anymore...... So glad I am really interested about your opintion and experiences Beetle

BarefootMama Medication side effects help please
  • replies: 9

Hi all, I'm new here and this is my first post. I have suffered from depression for many years and been medicated since I was 17 years old. I am now 39. I recently (2 months ago) started taking an antidepressant after coming off another antidepressan... View more

Hi all, I'm new here and this is my first post. I have suffered from depression for many years and been medicated since I was 17 years old. I am now 39. I recently (2 months ago) started taking an antidepressant after coming off another antidepressant due it not really doing it's job. However, I'm finding that it is causing me to have massive outbursts of anger and aggression. The psychiatrist says it's anxiety manifesting itself in anger. She gave me another medication to help ease those symptoms but that's only making me feel like a zombie and I'm struggling to get up in the night to my baby or to deal with my children during the day. Anyway, today was the last straw. My 5 year old was having a meltdown over a splinter. I just could NOT cope. I yelled and screamed at him and it took me all my energy not to hit him. I know, terrible. I'm an awful person, a terrible mother etc. this medication is scaring me. I decided to stop taking it this morning - yes, I know you shouldn't stop cold turkey but I'm seeing the psych tomorrow and I'm hoping she can put me on something else. Can anyone tell me if they've had these sort of side effects ? also, if you've taken it, how long does it take to come off? I have never felt so out of control as far as my anger goes, ever. Please help. Kate

Mares73 Depression, isolation, support other than medication?
  • replies: 8

Hi there I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety & depression years ago following trauma experience. I have seen a psychiatrist for 6 yrs. After trials of many antidepressants & augmentation meds, I now am on a cocktail of meds & described as "treatment r... View more

Hi there I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety & depression years ago following trauma experience. I have seen a psychiatrist for 6 yrs. After trials of many antidepressants & augmentation meds, I now am on a cocktail of meds & described as "treatment resistant". I am now being trialled on a stimulant med and a antipsychotic to augment my antidepressant. I have never had support such as strategies for the disabling depression & anxiety which overwhelms me to the point I don't want to leave my house. I have become very socially isolated, cutoff from past friends, given up my high achieving job & find myself isolated in house everyday unable to face the world. My husband & kids are unable to understand & are frustrated at me not engaging in any activities. I feel so alone, wasting my days, full of self doubt & low selfesteem. I don't know what to do anymore. I may need proper counselling & strategies to deal with my problems apart from the cocktail of medications I'm on. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to find a good therapist in the Paddington, or Bondi Junction area of Sydney? I feel desperate. My anxiety is totally ruling my life & everyday activities such as opening mail have become overwhelming. I've never had therapy to deal with my trauma which resulted from a stranger rape, the suicide of my alcoholic father (who abused me as a child; abuse by a priest & then my husband having acute leukemia which he's on treatment for. I have two children aged 9 & 14. I feel a failure in so many ways, although do many people comment on how well I have raised my children. I experience self hate & hopelessness at my inability to deal with my anxiety & depression. I used to be such a high achiever & had high expectations of myself. But now I feel reduced to a shell-anxiety & depression feeling as though it's bigger than me. I'm very lonely although I admit I have isolated myself. This is the first time I've ever reached for support outside of my medication focussed psychiatrist. I would appreciate any suggestions & especially any advice on finding a psychologists or physchotherapists in my area. Thankyou for reading, best wishes to everyone on their journey. Mares

Gypsy78 Conflicting Medical Advise on Weaning off Antidepressants
  • replies: 4

Hello everyone, I suffer from severe GAD and Major Depression I have recently been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue, I decided to wean my self off antidepressants about a month ago from 40mg mane I took 5mg yesterday and have none left. I guess I am ju... View more

Hello everyone, I suffer from severe GAD and Major Depression I have recently been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue, I decided to wean my self off antidepressants about a month ago from 40mg mane I took 5mg yesterday and have none left. I guess I am just wondering if anyone else has done this and how they did it etc? Side effects etc, I am currently even more fatigues than normal and I also am very moody, bursts of rage and unmotivated, lightheaded dizzy and feel these symptoms aren't subsiding at all and I just don't want to give up I would like to proceed with stopping meds and this is a personal decision only. I guess I am wondering of I have done this right and how long I am likely to be feeling this way. I find Dr advise so conflicting they told me just to stop as it's a placebo type medication etc, but I chose to wean, but am wondering now if I may have done this too fast etc, I suffer with health anxiety so all these symptoms put my already fragile mind into overdrive. I have also noticed sleeping has become a problem wide awake til all hours of the morning then not wanting to get up then not being able to rest soundly through the day, each day I get through I think well I didn't die etc.

Tupac Tiredness on meds
  • replies: 3

Hi there, this is my first post on this form. About 3 years ago i was diagnosed with depression and my GP put me on a medication that treated via SSRI with a dosage of 10mg. I still experienced the same symptoms and when I went back to visit my norma... View more

Hi there, this is my first post on this form. About 3 years ago i was diagnosed with depression and my GP put me on a medication that treated via SSRI with a dosage of 10mg. I still experienced the same symptoms and when I went back to visit my normal GP he was aware. His replacement or stand-in referred to a wellness GP based on what i had told him of my condition which was difficulty concentration and tiredness. One of the things the wellness GP diagnosed was that I had a sleep apnea and when i began using the sleep machine I had never woken up feeling better as after using the sleep machine. So much so the doctor and i agreed to come off my SSRI meds - noting that the dosage of the SSRI I was on at that time was 5mg. He also put me on some other medications to improve my testerone levels and zinc levels. I had a bit of a relapse whereby the tiredness returned along with yawning and waking up exhausted despite still using my sleep machine. I went to the sleep clinic to ensure the machine was working correctly and to see if there was a problem with it. All checked out ok. I did some urinal tests for my wellness GP that returned some results showing some issues with brain chemistry and his put me on another SNRI medication now. My question to forum members is finding ways of maintaining medication but getting rid of the tiredness!! I cannot tolerate being tired and yawning all the time.