Treatments, health professionals and therapies

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Jess_Wong Advice on good doctors?
  • replies: 3

Hi everybody, my name is Jessica. I've been struggling in depression for I'm not sure how long but my ex bf notice I have such symptom a year and half ago. I've seen a psychiatrist and a psychologist before but both didnt when well and have several m... View more

Hi everybody, my name is Jessica. I've been struggling in depression for I'm not sure how long but my ex bf notice I have such symptom a year and half ago. I've seen a psychiatrist and a psychologist before but both didnt when well and have several moments that end up in the hospital. Can anybody help me, can anybody suggest me or recommend me where to find a good understanding and caring doctor? Need help,

ConfusedKady Resource for anxiety sufferers: Mood Gym
  • replies: 0

Hi all. Just wanted to share a resource which has been recommended to me by my GP as part of my mental health plan... It's called moodgym.com and its a website with exercises designed to help people with anxiety by using cognitive behavioural therapy... View more

Hi all. Just wanted to share a resource which has been recommended to me by my GP as part of my mental health plan... It's called moodgym.com and its a website with exercises designed to help people with anxiety by using cognitive behavioural therapy. I have found it an extremely useful part in addition to counselling and other aspects of my mental health plan.

Liia General fuzzy brain feeling with bipolar meds
  • replies: 2

Has anybody else had the constant fuzzy headed feeling when on mood stabilisers? At first I thought it was just my body getting used to the new dose of drug, but six months on I'm still unable to concentrate a lot of the time and it's getting more an... View more

Has anybody else had the constant fuzzy headed feeling when on mood stabilisers? At first I thought it was just my body getting used to the new dose of drug, but six months on I'm still unable to concentrate a lot of the time and it's getting more and more frustrating. I'm an author and haven't written anything in months. I'm hoping it's not a medication thing, that's it's just my headspace at the moment, but thought I'd put it out there anyway. Anyone's opinion or advice would be appreciated. Thanks

S_A_D_ internal conflict contributes to complex comorbidity
  • replies: 9

Hello dear reader, I have a complex internal conflict which needs to be resolved. To do this I will attempt to describe the conflict in general terms instead of specifics. My mother and father are very different people. They see the world different, ... View more

Hello dear reader, I have a complex internal conflict which needs to be resolved. To do this I will attempt to describe the conflict in general terms instead of specifics. My mother and father are very different people. They see the world different, react to it different, behave different, and have drastically different attitudes about it. When I was growing up I had these 2 polar opposite perspectives being presented to me as models of behaviour that I could choose to imitate and learn. Each model had pros and cons and each parent prefdd to see me learning their model, so I was motivated to learn both. However, due to their polarity, my behaviour became erratic and inconsistent as I switched between the models. Over the years of internal wrestling I have found myself critiquing both models as inferior to the most commonly used/learned model displayed by both parents in a nurturing, enriched developmental environment for the child to imitate, however the adoption of this model now would alienate both my parents and would be an extremely challenging long term task in behavioural modification to break habituation. I have long thought much of my problems originate from this inner conflict, and the unilateral adoption of one model over another would provide the consistency I crave, however I find myself unwilling to give either up. One provides a sense of protection, security and safety, but requires immoral attitudes; the other provides a sense of freedom, acceptance and closure, but requires disrespectful ideation. The third, better model, which I'm unfamiliar with, offers a sense of trust, cooperation and respect. It's better because with trust and cooperation comes safety in numbers, and with respect and cooperation comes the peer support which encourages freedom, autonomy, acceptance and closure. However I do not have a strong relationship with anyone living this model, and has sufficient time to teach me, so I lack the ability to take such a person on as my mentor to learn to apply this model. I have tried seeking a professional mentoring program for people with mental illnesses as severe as mine, and they do exist, but do not service my area. My psychologist charges $200/hr, being the best psychologist in the state for dealing with complex comorbid psychological cases, but asking him to mentor me would run into thousands. My treatment would also need to be flexible enough to blend in with my university studies schedule. Can anyone offer any suggestions?

laureah21 Medication withdrawel syndrome
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone had suffered with strange symptoms coming of medication? I feel sooooo strange at the moment. Almost like I am drunk, I can't walk in a very straight line and if I turn my head or move my eyes from anywhere but ... View more

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone had suffered with strange symptoms coming of medication? I feel sooooo strange at the moment. Almost like I am drunk, I can't walk in a very straight line and if I turn my head or move my eyes from anywhere but directly in front the room spins. I also have started getting nerve sensations in my arms and legs along with the dizziness which seems to happen when I am excercising. It feels exactly like when you hit your funny bone but all over electrical feel. Im assuming it is to do with meds as I have been off it now for 4 days. Just curious? I am speaking to my Dr about it tomorrow.

Murmur I think my psychologist is a bit...odd.
  • replies: 6

Not sure if this is the right place to post but it is the closest I could find. I've recently started seeing a new private psychologist under the mental health plan (as I'm on a pension). But I am starting to question her methods. Don't get me wrong,... View more

Not sure if this is the right place to post but it is the closest I could find. I've recently started seeing a new private psychologist under the mental health plan (as I'm on a pension). But I am starting to question her methods. Don't get me wrong, she's a lovely woman, very kind, listens well....but she's got some weird ideas. SHe's a little bit of a new age-y type, which is also fine, I'm pretty left of centre myself. But....ok, I had a traumatic experience last week and she just told me that the body is the body and sex is just sex. Not to beat myself up over it and just live. Ok, it wasn't anything really bad that happened but WTF? And also, upon discussing my artwork (I showed her some examples), she told me to get a "Sugar Daddy" to fund my work. When I said well as long as he didn't want anything else, she actually said "well what is wrong with that?" And laughed. Is this appropriate behaviour? I don't think so.

happyandre alternative medication
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I am a 56 year old male. Apart from slight bouts I now seem manage my depression. It took 4 yrs of seeing a great Psychologist and the use of some meds (X which I haven't taken for about 2 yrs). My problem is that I still suffer from anxiety ... View more

Hi all, I am a 56 year old male. Apart from slight bouts I now seem manage my depression. It took 4 yrs of seeing a great Psychologist and the use of some meds (X which I haven't taken for about 2 yrs). My problem is that I still suffer from anxiety and when it all gets a bit too much I medicate with either a half or quarter of a tablet of Y medication..sometimes if things are going realy bad I might take 2 tablets over say 3 days. Most times it is something situational that freaks me out and when the ball starts rolling I need something to slow it down..or a panic attack hits me and I can't talk myself back out of it...50 tablets lasts me say 12 months to me this is OK and my GP had no problem with this...he has been treating me for 15 yrs. My GP has gone and his replacement won't give me a script as he says he won't prescribe it....his choice I supose....although he can see my 15 yrs of history. He said I should go back on X...and that's a great drug...I had no panic attacks ..anxiety ..or depression when on it but the side effects...dead inside...loss of sexual function etc... Question is what other medication have you found good that could help me other then Y...something to take the edge off when the frieght train starts rolling ? Y is a short acting anti anxiety medication that helps relax when the edge of panic or anxiety comes along. Thanks in advance.

LeeC Ineffective medication
  • replies: 6

I experienced a major depressive episode in November last year. I was suicidal and basically a blubbering mess. I was almost hospitalised (waiting list meant I was no longer an emergency by the time they got back to me - I should have just rocked up!... View more

I experienced a major depressive episode in November last year. I was suicidal and basically a blubbering mess. I was almost hospitalised (waiting list meant I was no longer an emergency by the time they got back to me - I should have just rocked up!). Anyway, it was bad and I am still recovering now. I see a psychologist on a regular basis and my GP prescribed medication for me. I am on the highest dose and I don't think it is working. I still have suicidal ideation and experience extreme sadness, lethargy, withdrawal, and generally the black dog feelings. I saw a Psychiatrist to get an opinion on the medication - she misdiagnosed me as having Borderline Personality Disorder (after sitting with me for 40 minutes!) She recommended I stay on the medication. I don't think it is working and any improvement in my mood, I think has been from the ACT work I have been doing, but am yet to master. Have others experienced medication that doesn't work? What have you done about it?

Cazza123_ Antidepressant withdrawal
  • replies: 1

i have been taking an SNRI antidepressant for 3 years and before that I had been on two others; meaning i have been on meds since 2004. After taking 120 mg daily i am now down to 30 mg every 7- 10 days, but have to be honest i am struggling with extr... View more

i have been taking an SNRI antidepressant for 3 years and before that I had been on two others; meaning i have been on meds since 2004. After taking 120 mg daily i am now down to 30 mg every 7- 10 days, but have to be honest i am struggling with extreme irratibility and angry outbursts, lashing out at the ones who i know dont deserve it, i.e loved ones. I know as i am spewing my insults that i am being unfair but i cant seem to control it! Any one else experienced similar and can offer any advice?

achompy Have PSYCHOLOGIST helped?
  • replies: 8

I have several questions; have psychologists been able to remedy and depression? What treatments did they use? How long was the process to recovery? Have there been relapses? The reason I make this enquiry is because I have had depression all my life... View more

I have several questions; have psychologists been able to remedy and depression? What treatments did they use? How long was the process to recovery? Have there been relapses? The reason I make this enquiry is because I have had depression all my life, I am 50 years old and over the years have seen many, many psychologists and even the odd psychiatrist. All to no avail. I have been most earnest in applying and taking whatever treatments were recommended. It has been very disappointing and frustrating because for all my effort, time, and money spent over the years there is no permanent positive outcome for me. I am very disillusioned because of my experiences. Would like to know of others experiences. Thanks in advance.