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kitkatsoppy ECT treatment
  • replies: 51

Hi, I had 12 rounds of ECT two years ago, and my memory from those days onwards has been horrendous. I was just wondering if anyone has had any good or bad experiences with the treatment. [Mod note: we've pinned this thread to the top of the Treatmen... View more

Hi, I had 12 rounds of ECT two years ago, and my memory from those days onwards has been horrendous. I was just wondering if anyone has had any good or bad experiences with the treatment. [Mod note: we've pinned this thread to the top of the Treatments section, as we have regular inquiries from members about ECT. Other threads detailing members' experiences with ECT are linked to below: Tired of being depressed now - looking at ECT? ECT - my experience My wife has just had ECT - what is the recovery time? Updated: impending ECT treatment

Bob_22 Experience working as a mental health professional?
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I've had some time off and thought about doing a masters of social work when I get back into things next year. Does anyone have any experience working as a mental health professional (psychologist, peer worker, social worker etc) having exper... View more

Hi all, I've had some time off and thought about doing a masters of social work when I get back into things next year. Does anyone have any experience working as a mental health professional (psychologist, peer worker, social worker etc) having experienced mental health issues. What's it been like for you? Thanks! Bob

alsatianwolf Question about therapy dogs
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I hope this is the right place to post. I wanted to ask about therapy/emotional support dogs in Australia and the process of registering a companion as one. (I am 18, female). I'm hoping to go to the GP soon about my ongoing depression/anxiet... View more

Hi all, I hope this is the right place to post. I wanted to ask about therapy/emotional support dogs in Australia and the process of registering a companion as one. (I am 18, female). I'm hoping to go to the GP soon about my ongoing depression/anxiety issues and thought about bringing up my dog. She is a young german shepherd who is incredibly smart and loving and just wants to be with me 24/7. She has some minor behavioural issues with strange dogs but is otherwise incredibly friendly to people and I am planning on training sessions soon. I have gotten to the point of not wanting to leave my house for anything other than work or taking my dog out. If she's there, then I'm much more able to cope with the anxiety of being with other people. She is my whole world and I feel like it would give me purpose again, to train her to help me and to strengthen our bond. I know my GP must give me a medical certificate to allow for this but I'm not even sure if I would qualify. I just know that for myself, to have her with me, would give me so much security and reassurance. I realise I must sound like someone who just wants to take their dog everywhere but I wanted to ask for some help. So tl;dr: Looking for info on therapy/emotional support companion animals in australia (specifically brisbane) and what is required to register one.

Petal22 Treatment for OCD …. Metacognitive Therapy
  • replies: 12

Hi everyone, I wanted this thread to be about the effective treatment I used to conquer my OCD…..to give others HOPE that are battling this cruel disorder… The treatment I was given started at my gp my gp put me on a antidepressant to manage my sever... View more

Hi everyone, I wanted this thread to be about the effective treatment I used to conquer my OCD…..to give others HOPE that are battling this cruel disorder… The treatment I was given started at my gp my gp put me on a antidepressant to manage my severe anxiety, I did a mental health plan with my gp this then enabled me to see a clinical phycologist and I saw a psychiatrist my psychiatrist diagnosed me with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder this then led me to a clinic at a university that specialised in OCD….. this clinic was run by trainees and overseen by a doctor….. The therapy I did was “Metacognitive Therapy“ this therapy changed my life…. and I am forever grateful that I got to do this therapy…. It taught me how to master my OCD….. I’m now recovered thanks to all the health professionals that helped me and this therapy…. this therapy was an intervention into the OCD… This therapy was an 8 week therapy I learned what my vicious OCD cycle was and all the things that kept me in this cycle…… I was taught various tools to help me to disengage from the OCD cycle when I became aware I was getting caught up in it. This vicious cycle I was stuck in was also accompanied by severe anxiety…by learning the therapy my anxiety dramatically dropped because I wasn’t getting further and further into the vicious OCD cycle……. It takes perseverance and practice to learn the skills but once you learn them you will begin to fly… I learned meditation also in my therapy… we did a guided meditation for learning to watch our thoughts I did this through out my therapy and I credit meditation to one of the tools that got me over the line…. Meditation teaches you to be the watcher of your thoughts….. we are not our thoughts but the observer of our thoughts… We were taught mindfulness, attention training, thought challenging and many other strategies and tools to help us. If you are suffering with OCD, I highly recommend for you to try and do Metacognitive Therapy in your area for OCD….. it changed my life and there is HOPE that it can change yours aswell I’m always here to chat to you

sunisshining What has helped you with depression, body dysmorphia, personality disorder, anxiety, OCD
  • replies: 5

Hi As is my title what has helped you with any of the following ? Body Dsymorphia, personality disorder, anxiety, chronic depression and OCD? In the 15 years I have tried different therapists I have found that they have not helped me or actually made... View more

Hi As is my title what has helped you with any of the following ? Body Dsymorphia, personality disorder, anxiety, chronic depression and OCD? In the 15 years I have tried different therapists I have found that they have not helped me or actually made things worst by the things they have said to me. I am desperate and would love to hear from anyone that has found light at the end of their tunnel , especially from those that have struggled with mental health for most of their life. I really hope to hear from people. Or if you can direct me to other posts that may be related that will really be appreciated too. You are not alone , it’s tough out here!

DDDee Bulk Billing for Mental Health Services?
  • replies: 5

Morning, my name's Dee. I have a 20 year history with severe clinical depression and social anxiety and go through ups and downs every few years. I'm currently in a really low trough and wondering where to head from here. My issue is that I work full... View more

Morning, my name's Dee. I have a 20 year history with severe clinical depression and social anxiety and go through ups and downs every few years. I'm currently in a really low trough and wondering where to head from here. My issue is that I work full time (low income worker) and am unable to find a psychologist who bulk bills. I know about the scheme where I get mental health plan through my doctor for 10 sessions, however 1. I still need to find $260 to pay upfront before I get the rebate back, 2. From previous experience I've found most psychologists want to see you once a week for a while (and where on earth do people get the money for that) and 3. 10 sessions will only be 2-3 months which is generally when I'm only starting to feel better...when I have to stop. I also need my medication reviewed but I don't have $400+ to see a psychiatrist. It just seems like a constant lose lose situation. Has anyone had any success with bulk billing services for mental health?

Jazzy1984 Anxiety - St Johns Wort
  • replies: 14

Hi, Just wondering if any one has tried St Johns Wort?? I have mild anxiety. NOT DEPRESSION. I actually want to live and enjoy my life, I believe I just have mild anxiety and fear that sometiems stops me from doing the things i want to do. My doctor ... View more

Hi, Just wondering if any one has tried St Johns Wort?? I have mild anxiety. NOT DEPRESSION. I actually want to live and enjoy my life, I believe I just have mild anxiety and fear that sometiems stops me from doing the things i want to do. My doctor recommended it to me and im unsure. I have never been on any medication before as I don't believe in it - but I am at the stage now in my life where doing nothing is not working and I need to start trying some things to live a normal life and actually start to enjoy the things I do. Over the past 2 years I have tried Acupuncture, Kinesology, Home path. I feel some 'natural' tablets i have taken from my home path have sent me on a roller coster ride and im getting worse. Getting worse as in - more headaches/time off work/nausea/fear/anxiety/panic attacks - i am getting better as in im more confident to try new things and more aware of it , but find it very hard to relax. Any tips would be appreciated what actually works and how long does thing take to happen? If not St Johns wort, what else will or can help with fear/anxiety - sometimes i dont even know why or what im worried about???

Socks77 Husband refusing antidepressants as the last time they caused sexual dysfunction
  • replies: 3

My husband believes the antidepressants he had 15 years ago caused erectile dysfunction and immature ejaculation (a permanent change). Now he is refusing to take his medication this time around. I was looking up that there are non SsRI antidepressant... View more

My husband believes the antidepressants he had 15 years ago caused erectile dysfunction and immature ejaculation (a permanent change). Now he is refusing to take his medication this time around. I was looking up that there are non SsRI antidepressants that may not have these side effects but I can’t find what ones are available in Australia that I could say might be another option for him to get him back to the doctor for new advice and script. Does anyone know what Non-SSRI meds are available? And did anyone else’s husband have any sexual dysfunction with them?

Glitchystitchy ECT - long term
  • replies: 1

It’s been a few years since I had ECT and now that I’m starting to do more with my life I’m noticing it’s effects. Originally I thought forgetting most of the year before and after ECT was the main side effect. Now though I’m noticing issues I didn’t... View more

It’s been a few years since I had ECT and now that I’m starting to do more with my life I’m noticing it’s effects. Originally I thought forgetting most of the year before and after ECT was the main side effect. Now though I’m noticing issues I didn’t experience before ECT. I really struggle to learn new things and while my short term memory works pretty well, long term memories are harder.I also get confused. I mix up times and dates. I leave for an appointment 15 mins beforehand thinking I have 45 minutes. And my brain seems to just blank and skip details of new things I’m learning.It’s really hard to deal with and I can’t explain to anyone why as I don’t want them thinking less of me. Sometimes I feel angry that it’s done this to me but then I know I’m grateful as I probably wouldn’t be here without it. I just want to ask if anyone who has struggled with similar side effects has found a way to cope. Or to improve their cognitive functioning long term…