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Moonbeamer Is it all a joke?
  • replies: 1

Stigmatisation and abuse seem to be the cross you have to bear ALONG WITH whatever mental health struggles you have. It is unbearable. It can be even worse and more damaging than the illness itself.It is so widespread, it seems to me that for some re... View more

Stigmatisation and abuse seem to be the cross you have to bear ALONG WITH whatever mental health struggles you have. It is unbearable. It can be even worse and more damaging than the illness itself.It is so widespread, it seems to me that for some reason our society NEEDS to abuse and stigmatise those who are suffering. It seems to make 'normal' folk feel good about themselves. It happens in the street, in the family, at school, at work...What 'society' claims to provide as 'support' for people with mental health crises, seems to me to be largely empty words. The 'support' publicly advertised is not delivered (personally, I have been lied to over and over about what to expect and what I am entitled to), or delivered haphazardly. Stigma is the way of this world, even within the structures and amongst professionals ostensibly there for help.The words of hope seem to be a gloss to deflect criticism from those who have the good fortune of having good mental health... it creates a false perception that compassionate help IS available to all.It is a very different story and experience if you are the one (or care about someone) who needs genuine help. Stigma still rules.Stigma kills

Moonbeamer Lack of mental health support in rural nsw
  • replies: 3

I feared this would happen - I have avoided the mental health providers in my nearest town because my last interactions with them were appalling. I have been trying to get on top of everything all by myself, with varying degrees of success. Now I nee... View more

I feared this would happen - I have avoided the mental health providers in my nearest town because my last interactions with them were appalling. I have been trying to get on top of everything all by myself, with varying degrees of success. Now I need more help again, I cannot trust the people at the local hospital. Feel like giving up.

Bellepanda15 Therapy what kind ?
  • replies: 3

Hello Friends I can’t find the right kind of Psychologist/Psychotherapist/Therapist for myself, I’ve always known something was very wrong with my FOO (Family Of Origin) and only found through Google that they 98% are Narcissistic my Late Mother bein... View more

Hello Friends I can’t find the right kind of Psychologist/Psychotherapist/Therapist for myself, I’ve always known something was very wrong with my FOO (Family Of Origin) and only found through Google that they 98% are Narcissistic my Late Mother being the worst (Malignant)-I’ve had Depression long-term and was the Scapegoat of the family, I have NEVER found any Professional who could validate my experience as most either can’t or won’t believe what I I tell them. Does anyone out there have any ideas for me ?? My GP can’t understand why no Professional can help me

DamonM Frustrated with medical attitudes towards (off-label) medication and alcohol
  • replies: 5

I educated myself and gained full-time employment like everyone else in 1997. I worked in Information Technology for 11 years, gaining a promotion due to my supervisor's departure. My responsibility increased after ~6 of those years, I can't remember... View more

I educated myself and gained full-time employment like everyone else in 1997. I worked in Information Technology for 11 years, gaining a promotion due to my supervisor's departure. My responsibility increased after ~6 of those years, I can't remember exactly when. Sometime during that period of time my ability to cope with stress plummeted dramatically. Due to sustained pressure, I experienced severe BURNOUT. Now, I find it impossible to deal with minor stressors. I also find it hard to deal with social interaction. I have no social life and don't really desire one. The one thing I do seek is relief from the uncomfortable physical symptoms of generalised & social anxiety. To this end, I have sought medical treatment. I can't complain about any of the doctors I have met, yet I seem to have treatment-resistant ANXIETY. I have tried SSRI's, SNRI's, MAOI's and about 15 other anti-depressants I can't remember the name of... I have had a couple of medications that have helped me in the past, , one of which was a prescription medication and the other used to be available over the counter. But that too has since been classified as addictive and is now only available with a prescription, which I am eligible for. Prior to the restriction I took it sporadically for about 14 years without ever getting physically addicted to it. It is no longer available over the counter. I asked for a prescription from a GP and was treated like a drug addict, lol. I find this situation to be quite frustrating.

Kel1981 Kel
  • replies: 1

Hello All I need help, I am not happy with my psychiatrist for was only interested in diagnosing my ADHD and making me call him for each prescription and is costing me a fortune and he isn’t willing to address my PTSD and Anxiety issues saying I’m to... View more

Hello All I need help, I am not happy with my psychiatrist for was only interested in diagnosing my ADHD and making me call him for each prescription and is costing me a fortune and he isn’t willing to address my PTSD and Anxiety issues saying I’m to complex. Can someone please help me find a doctor who 1. is happy to attack all my mental health issue and 2. Happy for my GP to be the continuing prescriber after initial 1 or 2 appointments with either 6 or 12 monthly appointments to check in, I appreciate the help!

Bluepearl3 Weaning off anti-depressants.
  • replies: 5

Hi, I am hoping to get advice on weaning off anti-depresesants. I have been prescribed many different anti-depressants over the past 34 years. I was in an unhappy marriage but felt that I couldn't leave as I had two small children.. There was mental ... View more

Hi, I am hoping to get advice on weaning off anti-depresesants. I have been prescribed many different anti-depressants over the past 34 years. I was in an unhappy marriage but felt that I couldn't leave as I had two small children.. There was mental and emotional abuse, controlling behavior but no physical abuse so I stayed. I started anti-depressants, which helped me to cope. Ten months ago, after 46 years of marriage I finally left my husband. The problem is that I don't feel any enthusiasm or excitement for my new life. I have attempted to stop the anti-depressants twice in the past. Once while I was still with my husband which didn't work out because I became angry as I was still in the unhealthy relationship. The second time was 4 months ago, however I found that I reacted impulsively to a situation with my daughter-in-law, who I thought was being selfish about a certain situation whilst I was staying with her and my son. Rather than stay and talk about it I packed my bag and returned to my new home before they arrived home from work. Normally I would have just kept quiet, which is what I have always done. I desperately want to stop the anti-depressant as I feel that I can't enjoy my new life if I feel flat and unenthusiastic all the time. I have had a lot of sadness and grief in my life but I just want to be able to feel happy. I would appreciate any help, perhaps from someone who has been able to stop their anti-depressants.

Angel_Blue GP Mental Health Plan -
  • replies: 2

I went to my GP to obtain a GP Mental Health Plan to seek support with coping strategies with a therapist I was very upset about what he wrote which accompanied the GP Mental Health Plan.I am changing to a new GP. Can the new GP re-issue the GP Menta... View more

I went to my GP to obtain a GP Mental Health Plan to seek support with coping strategies with a therapist I was very upset about what he wrote which accompanied the GP Mental Health Plan.I am changing to a new GP. Can the new GP re-issue the GP Mental Health Plan again to the same therapist if I have not attended any sessions yet? Thanks. Look forward to hearing from you

Chibam Real Help For Non-Disabled People
  • replies: 1

Does anybody know where a person can go to get real help for the problems that make them depressed, suicidal, ect.? (i.e. not just "talking about feelings", but real resolutions to the problems). The mental health system, as far as I can assertain, i... View more

Does anybody know where a person can go to get real help for the problems that make them depressed, suicidal, ect.? (i.e. not just "talking about feelings", but real resolutions to the problems). The mental health system, as far as I can assertain, is just a spectator industry. They'll "listen" to you whine, they may even medicate you, but they won't fix the problem(s). As I understand it, they even have a "golden rule of therapy" which formally forbids them from actually helping their patients. In recent years, I've been somewhat optimistic about the rising usage of the super-ambiguous terms "psychosocial disability" and "psychosocial support" from the government and other big organizations. Early indications were that it was going to fill this massive void for people who need actual help with their problems. But tonight, having just read a much clearer definition of "psychosocial disability", it seems that this support system is only open to people who have a preexisting mental illness. So, where does that leave non-disabled, non-mentally ill people who desparately need help with their problems? I shudder to think this, but it's starting to seem like, even after all the government inquiries we've had over these recent years, there is still no actual help available for regular, non-mentally ill, non-disabled people who really need it; and worse yet, it seems as if there aren't even any foreseeable plans to create this sort of assistance on a nationwide scale.

scully78 Schizophrenic brother denying illness and refusing NDIS and expecting us to pay his rent
  • replies: 5

Hello, I have a 40 yr old brother with schizophrenia who lives by himself in a renal flat. He struggles to find and hold down a job and cannot afford to pay his rent. My older sister decided to pay his rent a couple of years ago and soon decided we s... View more

Hello, I have a 40 yr old brother with schizophrenia who lives by himself in a renal flat. He struggles to find and hold down a job and cannot afford to pay his rent. My older sister decided to pay his rent a couple of years ago and soon decided we should split it evenly, as it was too expensive for her on an ongoing basis. The plan was to get him into the NDIS, which would mean his rent would mostly be covered and he could get the support he needs. He has been in a state of delusion for at least 2 years now and has no motivation to find a job, but seems to be having fun with life.A year ago, I decided to pull out of paying his rent. He was showing absolutely no interest in taking his meds or getting help to improve to the point where he could hold down a job. He refuses to accept he has a medical condition and thinks we are trying to get him into a CIA "program" as per his delusions. So, anything we do to get him medicated, he thinks is our attempt to get him into this program. We had him hospitalised, but he charmed his way out of being admitted and also managed to fool the community care to leave him alone. He is refusing any help and seems to get a thrill out of beating us at this "game". I received a call from my sister today who is struggling financially as his rent has gone up and she wants financial assistance with his rent. She earns well, but is feeling the pinch with the cost of living increasing and his rent increasing as well. She didnt want to listen to anything I had to say, just that she needs help with is rent and if I want to pay, it would help her. This vicious cycle has no end. She and other siblings, dont want him to end up living in community care facilities, whereas, I think it would be good for him. He would have access to proper support and this endless cycle of paying his rent that is destroying the family will come to an end. I have been pretty outcast since deciding to stop paying his rent a year ago and I do not want to be sucked into this again. There is no end!!!What options do we have with a man that refuses his condition, does not want to be part of the NDIS, and doesn't care that he is draining my family financially? He is very unwell, can be hard to talk to and has been in this state for too long. We cannot get any help and ive had enough of this!

1958 Bi polar depression
  • replies: 1

My son suffers with BP 1 he had a 4 month manic episode and is now very depressed. He is currently taking medications which aren’t helping with his depression. He has been depressed for 2 and a half months and seems like he is numb. Feeling so scared... View more

My son suffers with BP 1 he had a 4 month manic episode and is now very depressed. He is currently taking medications which aren’t helping with his depression. He has been depressed for 2 and a half months and seems like he is numb. Feeling so scared for him.

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