Immediate support
Immediate support

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.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

All discussions

Start a discussion

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…

LouC1234 Will my teenager have a short life of mental hell.
  • replies: 3

My teenager is self harming and presenting to ER everyday. They currently take an anti depressant every morning and an anti psychotic morning, lunch and dinner. Once at ER they are given a heap more anti psychotics and then sent home. They live with ... View more

My teenager is self harming and presenting to ER everyday. They currently take an anti depressant every morning and an anti psychotic morning, lunch and dinner. Once at ER they are given a heap more anti psychotics and then sent home. They live with their Dad as they have rejected me (Mum) for reasons I don't understand. Their Dad is on the edge of burnout as he tries to juggle keeping them safe and his work. We have a case manager at the local hospital however weekly 1 hr meetings are not enough. When we call support numbers like kids help line we are on hold for hours. We have a safety plan but that is useless when my teen is in a full panic attack. We have been seeking support from psychiatrist and psychologists for over 7 years and my teen is still suffering in mental anguish. can anyone offer any advice that can help us. We are all deflated and have lost all hope that our teen will be okay.

Schaafted Not coping with my predicament
  • replies: 1

Hello members, just over 10 years ago I started having panic attacks at work in the company I founded. I had let 3 other “friends” join the business for no financial outlay. 2 of which I had known since 1996. I did copious amounts of hours building s... View more

Hello members, just over 10 years ago I started having panic attacks at work in the company I founded. I had let 3 other “friends” join the business for no financial outlay. 2 of which I had known since 1996. I did copious amounts of hours building systems and actually doing the work.I got to a point of being very depressed and suicidal when they basically forced my exit from the business, all the while knowing that we had already won a $28 million dollar contract and that they had planned to sell the business to a tier 1 contractor. Whilst I did get $500k at the time, they sold the business less than a year later for $14.9 million.I was told by another friend that they were bragging about screwing me over at a party they had in Las Vegas in 2013.I had started legal proceedings and it will go to trial in November, and believe the case is cut and dried but the mental and physical toll of constantly thinking about how I can actually pay for it is taking a real toll. Dizziness everyday to the point of collapse, constant tinnitus, chest pains, lack of sleep. Not sure I will make it to November, let alone if I can pay for it, or if they appeal the decision when I win. My brother, sister and partner all want me to drop it but I just can’t, as whom I thought were my mates, just took my company, a dream of mine and just cashed it in with absolutely no regard for me or my welfare. Need to talk to somebody about it but, nobody is willing to listen or understand. Would appreciate any incite.

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