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

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.

romantic_thi3f Explaining the MHCP (Mental Health Care Plan) that we all keep talking about
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I've kind of realised that we often recommend getting a MHCP but we don't always explain what they are or what they mean so here is my little crash course for anyone that's confused by that! A MHCP (Mental Health Care Plan) is part of th... View more

Hi everyone, I've kind of realised that we often recommend getting a MHCP but we don't always explain what they are or what they mean so here is my little crash course for anyone that's confused by that! A MHCP (Mental Health Care Plan) is part of the Medicare Better Access initiative which helps people afford psychology sessions. If you want to get one you can get them from the GP and they'll give you one to give to your psychologist. With the MHCP, Medicare pays a gap - so depending on who your psychologist is, they may charge nothing so you get completely bulk-billed or you may have to pay a gap. After you have 6 sessions with your psychologist, you'll need to go back to your GP for a review. Basically they'll print out a new one which allows for another 4 sessions - thats' 10 sessions in total. At the moment that's all we can get per calendar year, but the good news is that they're pushing for so much more. I hope that this helps!

MRivers Some questions about psychologists and counseling
  • replies: 7

1.How many is too many? I have been to 5 different counselors/psychiatrists over the past 10 years or so. The worst of them (who I was able to get a partial Medicare rebate for) seemed to be a narcissist and I stopped seeing after about four sessions... View more

1.How many is too many? I have been to 5 different counselors/psychiatrists over the past 10 years or so. The worst of them (who I was able to get a partial Medicare rebate for) seemed to be a narcissist and I stopped seeing after about four sessions. The best two the most expensive. One of them who would have been my first choice is no longer in practice, the second choice I would be happy to revisit, but I would be limited in the number and frequency of appointments due to the cost. The other two were bulk billed which leads to my next question: 2.Bulk billing psychologists: Do you get what you pay for? The two I saw were not particularly inspiring and hard to connect with. One I found to to be too confrontational and the other seemed to stick to a routine or plan so to speak and continually went over the same ground. 3.Can the (depressed) state of mental health we are in influence our view of the professional's ability, and also distort our expectations of the healing process? I realize there is no silver bullet, and there is a lot of hard work to be done. To be fair 4/5 of the above professionals has given me good advice in one way or another. I have tried to apply these ideas in short bursts but each time I feel I have come out of the hole I seem fall back in. Will there ever be a time when I can climb out and plug the hole for good?

Baileybasil What does my psychologist want me to gain from writing down everything I like?
  • replies: 11

I just had my first session with a new psychologist, she left me with a note on things to work on, one of them being writing down everything I like. My question is, what does she want me to gain from writing this down? I’m not sure what to do afterwa... View more

I just had my first session with a new psychologist, she left me with a note on things to work on, one of them being writing down everything I like. My question is, what does she want me to gain from writing this down? I’m not sure what to do afterwards?

PMilne Feeling worse after visit with psychologist
  • replies: 9

First time in therapy and I came out of the second session feeling so much worse. My therapist told me “It sounds like you want your cake and eat it”, amongst other conclusions of a similar nature they shared with me. I cancelled the remainder of my ... View more

First time in therapy and I came out of the second session feeling so much worse. My therapist told me “It sounds like you want your cake and eat it”, amongst other conclusions of a similar nature they shared with me. I cancelled the remainder of my appointments and don't feel able to go back to therapy but need help with anxiety, low self-esteem and depression. Is this how a therapy session would normally run, and it is common to feel this way after therapy?