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.

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Nellym Back
  • replies: 7

It has been a long time since I have been on here. I have tried to go at it alone but have been struggling with life.I still see my psychologist and psychiatrist, spent time in hospital and under gone lots of sessions of ECT.The road has been very bu... View more

It has been a long time since I have been on here. I have tried to go at it alone but have been struggling with life.I still see my psychologist and psychiatrist, spent time in hospital and under gone lots of sessions of ECT.The road has been very bumpy along the way and those uphill battles are still continuing. I hope whoever reads this, it finds you going well.

hep23 First psychology appointment
  • replies: 2

My husband is not well, with severe agitation that results in him shouting at our children and saying horrible things. He doesn’t think he has a problem - he thinks it’s the kids fault he acts this way because he thinks they don’t respect him. After ... View more

My husband is not well, with severe agitation that results in him shouting at our children and saying horrible things. He doesn’t think he has a problem - he thinks it’s the kids fault he acts this way because he thinks they don’t respect him. After the last time this happened, I told him he needs to get help and he has agreed to see a psychologist (tonight). He wants to attend alone, but I’m worried he’ll make light of his feelings and not tell the psychologist how bad it really is. What do I do? I don’t think there is anything I can do, but I just want him to be better.

VioletHey I think I have an adult narcissist son
  • replies: 1

We don’t know because he hasn’t been diagnosed. But we’ve recently discovered he abused his younger brother emotionally from about age 10. They moved out together last year (ages 25&21) and it was a disaster. The level of abuse amped up and my younge... View more

We don’t know because he hasn’t been diagnosed. But we’ve recently discovered he abused his younger brother emotionally from about age 10. They moved out together last year (ages 25&21) and it was a disaster. The level of abuse amped up and my younger son came home. I really need to talk to people who know narcissism because my elder son is clever and really knows how to manipulate Mr and I don’t know the difference between what’s real and what’s not.

SadSoulGirl Help with waiting for treatment
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone. I've been waiting a long time to try and see a psychiatrist, an experience I expect many here are familiar with. It's been months now with no word back from the clinic about when I'll get in and I can feel myself changing inside. I don't... View more

Hi everyone. I've been waiting a long time to try and see a psychiatrist, an experience I expect many here are familiar with. It's been months now with no word back from the clinic about when I'll get in and I can feel myself changing inside. I don't know what's happening but I am slowly cracking. I have trouble believing that everything is real, it feels like I need to fight in order to wake up. I often can't recall large parts of my life, and when I finally do I don't recognise them as my life. I also have moments where my body does things that it wants to do, but my mind is screaming not to do it. Sometimes it's a simple thing, like staying up too late, but sometimes it can have greater consequences, like when I am texting someone and end up saying things I didn't want to. I don't drive for fear of having an accident, and I rely on my parents to take care of me. If nothing changes I'm worried that I'll fully lose control and do something publicly that is very much regrettable. To avoid that outcome, I'd be interested in knowing what I can do should it come to that. If I feel things getting worse and I'm about to fall into a deep abyss of madness, is there something I can do instead. I would really appreciate any options, as the alternative ends with me being arrested by the police and I don't feel great around police at the best of times due to past traumas. Thank you for any suggestions.

iforget Clinical Neuropsychology Assessment
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am in the Geelong, Melbourne, Victoria area. I’ve been told that I need to get a clinical neuropsychology assessment done. My memory has been very bad, short & long term. I had a car accident in early 1990 or it could be a number of things. I w... View more

Hi, I am in the Geelong, Melbourne, Victoria area. I’ve been told that I need to get a clinical neuropsychology assessment done. My memory has been very bad, short & long term. I had a car accident in early 1990 or it could be a number of things. I would like to know; A: Can anyone recommend somewhere to go? It’s hard to find any reviews by anyone on an actual assessment. Qualifications are vague in regards to an Dr’s clinical neuropsychology qualifications and I am having trouble finding a worthwhile clinic.Currently I am booked into a practice in Geelong. There is a wait and it may of been a panic made appointment as apposed to a rational decision as to where to go. B: Have you ever had a clinical neuropsychology assessment? What can you tell me about it, what could I expect? I believe there is a portion of fear I may be experiencing in regards to a decision, apprehension. It is expensive and I am not at all well off. I am on a pension.

Brian1 Pathological Testing before prescribing medication for mental issues
  • replies: 4

I have learnt that there are certain pathological tests to identify the level of seretonin and dopamine through blood/urine analysis.Considering that medications are chemical materials designed to regulate supply or flow of body chemicals thought to ... View more

I have learnt that there are certain pathological tests to identify the level of seretonin and dopamine through blood/urine analysis.Considering that medications are chemical materials designed to regulate supply or flow of body chemicals thought to be causing mental health, I think it is appropriate to know the body chemistry before prescribing medication solely based on mental state as explained by patients like depression and anxiety etc.In my view this approach will reduce lengthy process of finding which medication suits which patients by trial and error that is costly and potentially a life threatening practice.I am interested in hearing your opinion and personal experiences in this regard to gather a view to change/enhance the current practices where there is a gap.

Wazza12345 Independent medical exam
  • replies: 2

I had an independent medical exam. I am beating myself up because I couldn’t remember things to say. I could not say what treatment I was getting from my psychologist i was just overwhelmed. I felt there was no empathy on the other end and felt preju... View more

I had an independent medical exam. I am beating myself up because I couldn’t remember things to say. I could not say what treatment I was getting from my psychologist i was just overwhelmed. I felt there was no empathy on the other end and felt prejudged. About 10 years ago I was assaulted after work in restaurant I was king hit in front of my partner and then he went at me to attack me after I pushed him away. The person who assaulted me was from the place I worked at but not employee but was 17. I had done nothing to provoke this attack. I charged him and went to court and took an avo against him. my work place didn’t give me support. Sent me home so this person could come to work and receive an award at assembly. I was humiliated. After this I was bullied by a co-worker about the assaults and I put in a complaint in writing to the manager. I had evidence of the bullying but it was minimised. I have severe anxiety from this lots of anger and have nightmares, ptsd and suicidal thoughts. My career has been destroyed over last 10 years and only 3 years ago the person who assaulted me was employed at my workplace and temporary engagement in education. I was humiliated and spoke up about a few things, bullying etc but management bullied me further where I had to take leave. I am struggling all the time and the independent medical examiner has no idea of the stuff I have been through. I have so many bad thoughts running through my head and i constantly overthink about the assaults and bullying that I have endured. I am so sacred about what will happen.

Mum of adult children Parent of a 33 year old son who won’t seek treatment
  • replies: 5

Hi community, I’m the mother of a son who has suffered from anxiety and depression since he was a teenager. When he was 17 I arranged for him to see a psychiatrist and he was prescribed anti depressants. His father and I had a very very difficult div... View more

Hi community, I’m the mother of a son who has suffered from anxiety and depression since he was a teenager. When he was 17 I arranged for him to see a psychiatrist and he was prescribed anti depressants. His father and I had a very very difficult divorce which put a lot of stress and pressure on him. His father disagrees with all psychological treatment or medication. My son stopped taking anti depressants and then spent many years abusing drugs of many types.to his credit, he kicked all drugs and now won’t drink alcohol or take any drugs, however in recent years his depression has got worse and recently I think he’s often having manic periods too. He refuses to see any doctors and my despair grows as he experiences long depression episodes where he withdraws from family and friends. He can’t sleep properly and can’t hold down a job. how can I converse with him to encourage him to seek help? I don’t understand what’s wrong and I’m ill equipped to understand his issues or talk with him. I feel he won’t improve unless he seeks help. Is there a way to help him or will he need to do it himself? Should I keep offering food and financial support or should I stop. Confused and feeling heartbroken.

Centaured Schema therapy
  • replies: 2

I'm about to undertake schema therapy and feeling rather anxious about it. I have DID, CPTSD, and EUPD. I was wondering if anyone has undergone this model of therapy and what they felt about it. I would love any suggestion or advice.Thanks

I'm about to undertake schema therapy and feeling rather anxious about it. I have DID, CPTSD, and EUPD. I was wondering if anyone has undergone this model of therapy and what they felt about it. I would love any suggestion or advice.Thanks

Mieow Too many hurdles to access services
  • replies: 1

I have been experiencing low mood and irritability (constant tears, hopelessness etc etc), probably as the result of a recent family berevement. I am trying to do the right thing and talk to a GP and see if I need a mental health treatment plan. I pa... View more

I have been experiencing low mood and irritability (constant tears, hopelessness etc etc), probably as the result of a recent family berevement. I am trying to do the right thing and talk to a GP and see if I need a mental health treatment plan. I paid $55 for an online GP to tell me they can't do that for me becasue of some restriction about the medicare code and it is a six week wait to see a GP in my area. Fortunatley I am a fairly robust person and I am not, in the scheme of things, particularly unwell. I will be able to stick out the wait or travel 2 or 3 hours into Sydney or find some other avenue to access a GP. What the heck do they expect seriously unwell people to do? How can the policy settings possibly figure that the benefit of a face-to-face consultation outweighs timely medical support? No one needs to take my temperature to know that I am sad.