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DogMan9 Community Mental Health Service Psychologists
  • replies: 2

I have been under the care of CCT in my area since February. Diagnosis is a bit up in the air; previous (2003) schizoaffective disorder might be replaced with OCD, ASD, trauma stuff. Or alongside the SZA My team (Including prior to CCT) want me to se... View more

I have been under the care of CCT in my area since February. Diagnosis is a bit up in the air; previous (2003) schizoaffective disorder might be replaced with OCD, ASD, trauma stuff. Or alongside the SZA My team (Including prior to CCT) want me to see a psychologist. I have a jaded history with psychologists. I've seen 6 over 20 years, generally only 1 or 2 sessions with each I have been assured that public psychologists are more equipped to deal with severe cases I contacted my case manager yesterday. And after some voicemail ping pong, she is going to arrange a non committal meeting with a psychologist, to have a discussion How have people's experiences of public psychologists been? I did canvas some private practice clinics. Specialty OCD, trauma etc. Who said that I am outside their scope, based on my introduction. Price is not the issue, just finding someone relevant is

kino03 How to restart a prescription?
  • replies: 2

I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD for the last 5 or so years and was medicated until about a year ago or so. I’m now an adult and want to restart my medication but really don’t want my parents involved in the process, but I don’t know how I’d go about re... View more

I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD for the last 5 or so years and was medicated until about a year ago or so. I’m now an adult and want to restart my medication but really don’t want my parents involved in the process, but I don’t know how I’d go about restarting my prescription again. Would really appreciate if anyone could tell me where I can start the process

tmas What's a normal experience with ADHD meds?
  • replies: 3

To preface, I am suspected ADHD, potential narcolepsy but that's in the air. The psychiatrist I saw was very helpful, overall kind and took action, but conservative with the prescriptions (greatly appreciated). I've taken a narcolepsy medication for ... View more

To preface, I am suspected ADHD, potential narcolepsy but that's in the air. The psychiatrist I saw was very helpful, overall kind and took action, but conservative with the prescriptions (greatly appreciated). I've taken a narcolepsy medication for a few years but it's too expensive without the narcolepsy diagnosis (which was too expensive to get). Regardless, I was having issues more akin to ADHD at that time, and this medication didn't necessarily help with the psychological aspect, apart from overall more stable, elevated, and less agitated mood (all very appreciated). But, like I said, too expensive and circumstances would have it that I can't keep it up. The psychiatrist trialed me on a stim and I was a little baffled. The first day I don't think I took enough and felt entirely unmedicated (lethargic, irritable, unfocused, in about 10 hours with the laptop open I wrote maybe 7 footnotes on a complete essay body). The next day I took more (still recommended dose) and I certainly wasn't energetic and probably could have laid down for a nap if I'd had the time, but I could tell within maybe 20mins of taking it that the stinging sleepiness in my eyes (had just started after being awake for 2 hours) just kind of receded. Thought my heart rate went up for a second but it may have been psychosomatic. I didn't feel super motivated or productive but I did the work bc I knew it would pay off (never done this before). I was bored but didn't get up and rummage through everything. I also didn't have any change to appetite, though the sugar craving reduced slightly (I ate bread instead, yum). Most of all I was less distracted, I actually said to someone "I don't have a song playing in my head right now, I've never not had that" (promptly told to get over myself), and around 4 hours after taking it I knew it had left the system bc it struck me I had been discussing life in my own head with the imaginary Dr for a solid ten minutes. I don't know what I expected but it wasn't that. I didn't feel like my mood was elevated (beyond not being miserably anxious/tired, which was pretty good), and I definitely didn't feel energetic, racing, super productive, or wired. I felt less wired, and overall very Average. Is this a good thing? I don't want to lose "me", though I did also take it at times when I had to sit in a spot and work the whole day, so there was very little chatting or movement which may change things. So I'm unsure, and not certain as to which worked better.

maddie_faye SSRI - weight gain
  • replies: 5

I’ve been on an Anti-depressant for a few months and I have noticed that in that time I have put on quite a bit of weight, I’ve been on two other SSRIs before that but didn’t really experience that side effect. I had just put down my weight gain due ... View more

I’ve been on an Anti-depressant for a few months and I have noticed that in that time I have put on quite a bit of weight, I’ve been on two other SSRIs before that but didn’t really experience that side effect. I had just put down my weight gain due to my eating/exercising habits even though I have been trying to work on both of those things, the weight gain is still happening and it only just occurred to me that this could be due to side effects of that SSRI.

Clear Head Music Therapy
  • replies: 4

For the past 4 years, one of my favourite self-help therapies is to sit outside in my garden and play my Panda Drum. For those that may not know what a Panda Drum is, they are also named Steel Tongue Drums, Hand-pan's and the list go on. It doesn't m... View more

For the past 4 years, one of my favourite self-help therapies is to sit outside in my garden and play my Panda Drum. For those that may not know what a Panda Drum is, they are also named Steel Tongue Drums, Hand-pan's and the list go on. It doesn't matter what brand you purchase, they are all great. The best thing about these is you dont have to have a musical bone in your body, just an open mind to have a go. Whats also amazing about my Panda drum is that it doesn't matter what tune I play because all of the sounds are very soothing and bring peace to my mind. I have found that when I am feeling overwhelmed and mentally fatigued, going out into my garden and playing my Panda drum is another great alternative to meditation. I also love the positive flow-on affect it has on my dog Max. He will just lay at my feet and listen to the soft tones. The neighbours as well will occasionally pop their heads over the fence and say "oh please don't stop playing that". Anyway, I hope my share inspires someone on this forum today to have a go at playing one of these drums or if you already have one I would love to hear whether it has helped you on your wellness journey.

tmas Fears about seeking Adult ADHD diagnosis
  • replies: 16

Kind of forever I have suspected that I have ADHD (now 21), but always dismissed it because some things didn't resonate about the immediate google search about being a terror in class or behind academically or an outwardly destructive child (or a lit... View more

Kind of forever I have suspected that I have ADHD (now 21), but always dismissed it because some things didn't resonate about the immediate google search about being a terror in class or behind academically or an outwardly destructive child (or a little boy). Only in the last few years did I do more research and learn about the subtypes and the fact that it sometimes presents differently in females (and listened to people with it speak) - knowing these things it really seemed like a perfect fit, but I kind of told myself I was being dramatic and attention seeking (rationally I know I'm neither of those things but I fear it's the truth and the people I open up to always say this to me and it's hard to clear out the garbage). Basically I'm afraid that when I finally go to the appointment they won't believe me. My original psychiatrist said she could organise diagnostics with a colleague and then revealed they would be assessing for childhood ADHD (said my MOTHER! had to take the exam for me, and it would be less accurate as I am a female and an adult and then seemed to conclude it might not be helpful, shocking right?). I was certainly shocked and got quite mad... I kept pushing and she revealed that I actually COULD see an adult psychiatrist (why wasn't that the first suggestion??). Anyway I couldn't see him for about 7 weeks, now in only 3 weeks which is still so far away given how long I've been waiting... but soon enough that I'm doubting everything. I've never been able to hold a job and am a uni student so I live with my family which is continuing to take it's toll. I'm always being told that I'm wasting my time with this doctor and setting myself up for disappointment by banking everything on getting a diagnosis. They thought I had narcolepsy but I couldn't afford the test so I have to pay the private script fee for the meds I take for that which is taking a toll too (and hard to get scripts for without diagnosis, hard to function without). I worry that this is true. I am truly putting all my eggs in this basket... I don't know what will happen when he says "No, you're just having a depressive/anxious/OCD/trauma episode." It doesn't feel like any of those things. I've done all those things and all those treatments, but these things remain. Some of the visible symptoms I had I was trained out of like fidgeting and talking fast/often, I always felt judged for how I move through the world, by me and others. Can anyone relate? What helps with this spiral?

SLSTR Relationship counselling
  • replies: 1

Hello we need relationship counselling and the places I have called charge $190 is there a bulk bill or free zoom counselling service. I have a health care care and Medicare thank you

Hello we need relationship counselling and the places I have called charge $190 is there a bulk bill or free zoom counselling service. I have a health care care and Medicare thank you

Damien666 Porn Addiction
  • replies: 5

Please help. I'm looking for a mens group to be able to talk about my online porn addiction. It's driving me nuts but I cant seem to find anything online in Sydney or any meeting places in Sydney. I don't want to be referred to the USA because they a... View more

Please help. I'm looking for a mens group to be able to talk about my online porn addiction. It's driving me nuts but I cant seem to find anything online in Sydney or any meeting places in Sydney. I don't want to be referred to the USA because they all seem to be religious groups. I need secular help. Preferably local. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Kafilini SSRI side effects - lump in throat/gagging
  • replies: 2

I had previously taken 2 different atypical antidepressants to help with my anxiety, they helped a little with sleep but not much else. Last week I saw my GP and she’s put me on a SSRI. I started taking it on Friday night and aside from some very sli... View more

I had previously taken 2 different atypical antidepressants to help with my anxiety, they helped a little with sleep but not much else. Last week I saw my GP and she’s put me on a SSRI. I started taking it on Friday night and aside from some very slight nausea I hadn’t yet experienced any other side effects. However this morning (Monday) I had a weird feeling in my throat, kind of like a lump. Felt like I wanted to gag. It’s been there most of the day. I don’t have any trouble breathing or eating, it just feels a little uncomfortable. Is this a side effect other people have experienced?

funkyzoom Struggling to find suitable profesisonal help
  • replies: 3

First off, I did try to look through the existing forums, but I couldn't find what I was looking for. I have suffered from anxiety and clinical depression for over 2 decades now, and used to manage my condition with therapy and meds. Late last year, ... View more

First off, I did try to look through the existing forums, but I couldn't find what I was looking for. I have suffered from anxiety and clinical depression for over 2 decades now, and used to manage my condition with therapy and meds. Late last year, my regular clinical psychologist went on maternity leave, and I don't know if/when she will be back. Problem is, I am struggling to find a replacement for her. I do have an updated mental healthcare plan from my GP. But no matter who I try to approach, they all say that due to their massive current load, they are booked out for almost a year and are not taking new clients. I have searched extensively on Google and contacted lots of medical centres, but I always get the same answer - that their psychologists are not taking on new clients because they already have plenty. I am specifically looking for a bulk billed clinical psychologist who works on weekends, or after 4pm on weekdays (since I don't have the luxury of taking time off work). I don't mind whether consultations are in person or telephonic. I am struggling professionally and personally, and am nearly at a breaking point, but I am unable to find the help I need to get through this. To make matters worse, most of these receptionists at medical centres I call are quite rude and unprofessional with me, behaving as if it is my fault that my previous therapist went on leave and I am seeking a new one. Any suggestions? I'm quite desperate at this point. I used to have sessions almost once a month, but I have had none for more than 6 months now and I am unable to cope for much longer. Thank you.