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kayla_lou Help with adult ADHD and Bipolar
  • replies: 2

Hi, I was diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar 1 early to mid 2020. I have been taking medication which has absolutely changed my life, but I feel like I really need to just talk to someone about my issues. Anyone with ADHD and/or Bipolar will understand ... View more

Hi, I was diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar 1 early to mid 2020. I have been taking medication which has absolutely changed my life, but I feel like I really need to just talk to someone about my issues. Anyone with ADHD and/or Bipolar will understand what I mean when I say the need to talk is like word vomit - you feel like if you don't let it out, you will explode. I don't want to waste anyone's time by talking to someone who is there to help people in a crisis, because I'm not depressed or anything more severe then that, I'm just struggling with issues from these conditions like self esteem, bad behaviours like negative thoughts about self worth etc. I also have a binge eating disorder which just makes everything feel so much more unmanageable for my already crowded brain. So here I am rambling as I often do, but basically my situation is: I need to talk to someone who is genuinely interested in my life story, someone who will give me strategies to cope with the issues ADHD and Bipolar have created for me from a very young age, someone who won't just google the answers as I've already done all that in desperate attempts to help myself. I still feel like I can't even find the words to express what I feel like I need, and I have absolutely no idea where to start. My GP sent me to a psychologist, which is why I'm looking for maybe an alternative. Reason being, without even working out what my issues were stemming from, she just focused on my eating problem. When I tried to talk about WHY this was happening, I was told that there's not enough time in the sessions, and I should just do these things and they will help. Obviously that did not work. I already have to fork out upwards of $400 on psychiatrists for my medication scripts, I'll definitely struggle to afford another $200+ for another service which may not be what I need. First things first is I want someone to tell me what to do. Everywhere I look the answer is 'See your GP', all the GPs I've seen seem to not take me seriously, and to be honest I don't really want to go back to one, just out of embarrassment. Welcome to my wandering, leaping, incoherent, frustrating 25 year old brain. I apologise in advance for the novel. HELP.

Jesse Y Getting help for bipolar/ depresssion
  • replies: 5

Howdy everyone so basically I was diagnosed with ADD at 19 and ever since being put on medication I have experienced bouts of depression, social anxiety and addiction. I’m now 28 and have tried so many different techniques for helping my depression b... View more

Howdy everyone so basically I was diagnosed with ADD at 19 and ever since being put on medication I have experienced bouts of depression, social anxiety and addiction. I’m now 28 and have tried so many different techniques for helping my depression but I have been told by my psychiatrist that I most likely have bipolar. Does anyone have some good techniques or podcasts that will definitely help reduce the affect of my depression and Bipolar symptoms? Any help would be absolutely wonderful. I hope everyone is doing well. Much love

Anzee Finding safety within
  • replies: 7

Hi all, So I have PTSD, severe anxiety, and right now my symptoms are chronic as I have recently escaped an abusive relationship of over 10 years and am still dealing with the aftermath and fall out from that as we share 2 children together but he ha... View more

Hi all, So I have PTSD, severe anxiety, and right now my symptoms are chronic as I have recently escaped an abusive relationship of over 10 years and am still dealing with the aftermath and fall out from that as we share 2 children together but he has not had any form of contact with his two daughters since January as it was the safest way to leave as he is very very manipulative and would have scared them into wanting to go home. I experienced a lot of trauma as a child including SA, have been in unsafe and abusive relationships ever since. I have been working as hard as I can (whilst having 100% care of two daughters and being in and out of crisis accommodation, refuge and homelessness) with my therapist on trying to find a safe place ANYWHERE in my mind and body but have not yet been successful. We’ve even tried rewording ‘safe place’ as we wondered if it was too triggering but I still cannot find any place in my body or imagination where I feel safe, nowhere at all. The closest I can get to is sleeping! The thought of sleeping makes me feel comfortable enough to possibly feel safety, but in saying that my nightmares are so intense right now, and flashbacks, I’m just been flooded with all types of memories and feelings and I just want to have a break, I want to find a place in my mind where I can have a time out and feel somewhat calm and relaxed. Has anyone else out there had trouble finding a place inside yourself you could feel safety/ comfort/ calm?? What helped you access this place?? I really want to be able to have that space I can go to when things are feeling too overwhelming and too much. I’ve tried meditating but that caused chronic flashbacks as I guess I try to keep my mind busy at all times subconsciously, so when I give my mind a chance to relax, memories and thoughts I’ve been actively trying to block out flood in. Any similar experiences very much welcome.

H-c Finally taking a step but I’m scared
  • replies: 16

So long story short I’m going to the gp to talk about my mental health and I’m so scared. In a way a part of me feels relieved that I’m getting help but a big part of me don’t want to go. So many what if’s and so many things that could go wrong. Anot... View more

So long story short I’m going to the gp to talk about my mental health and I’m so scared. In a way a part of me feels relieved that I’m getting help but a big part of me don’t want to go. So many what if’s and so many things that could go wrong. Another thing is there will be someone that’s going to be right there during the appointment so I can’t really say I want to. What if I finally get help and i get told there are a ton of things wrong with me.(I’m not making sense but what I’m trying to say is what if i already know somewhere deep inside me I need help for ONE thing but after talking to the doctor I get told there are multiple things wrong with me?). To be honest I’m split, I don’t wanna go but i know I need to. What if I feel even more worse after the appointment? I don’t know what to do.. I’ve already had bad past experience with my previous gp, and I’m really scared it’s going to be a repeat of that whole experience. Them telling me that there’s nothing physically wrong with me and I should just “relax and exercise”

BK13 Anxiety, depression and adult adhd diagnosis
  • replies: 2

Hey friends, well my last posts on here were in 2015, it was actually quite insightful reading back on my posts and comments. Dunno if you can read them, but feel free if you want some background. So what’s happened in the past 7 years? I left my tox... View more

Hey friends, well my last posts on here were in 2015, it was actually quite insightful reading back on my posts and comments. Dunno if you can read them, but feel free if you want some background. So what’s happened in the past 7 years? I left my toxic relationship in 2016 i moved house 4 more times, finally buying a house last year i have been with my ‘new’ partner for 5 years, and he’s wonderful my darling dog passed away i changed jobs a couple of times plus the whole pandemic thing haha. I also changed AD medication 2 more times. I didn’t get any other support for 6 years, just the medication, no psychologist or therapist (not a smart move on my part I think) and this year, I was finally diagnosed with ADHD. I’m a woman in my late 30s. I see a great psychiatrist, and he’s put me on medication. The first lot was slow release, however for some reason, I metabolize it quite quickly, like 4 hours quickly. So today he has switched me to quick release, but I’ll have to remember to take it 3 times a day. Good luck to me! anyways that’s brain dump, but what I want to know is, besides medication, how have you managed your ADHD/depression/anxiety symptoms? Motivation, focus, concentration, prioritization, organization all seem to be worse when I’m working from home. I can be reasonably productive when I’m in the office, but it’s like when I’m at home all the wheels fall off. My brain just won’t process information quickly enough, I get mind blanks, forget things, it takes me a long time to grasp concepts and tbh often have no idea what’s going on. I constantly feel confused and am reactive rather than proactive in just about everything I do. Im a highly empathetic person, however in situations requiring empathy, I say the words but I don’t actually feel the emotion, if that makes sense. I’ve been dissociating quite a bit and just feel like a pretty crap version of myself. I have so much potential but I JUST can’t seem to do literally anything. The ADHD paralysis is real. If I have 10 things on my to do list, I won’t be able to start any of them, as I won’t know which one to do first or how to get started. So I just do none of them 🤦🏼‍ Procrastination is my middle name. anyway if you have any particular types of therapy or strategies you can suggest to help me, I am all ears! What or who has helped you with these things? i am based in Brisbane if that helps. Thanks!

EeeDee A normal counselling session?
  • replies: 6

Hi, I am feeling very overwhelmed at the moment and can't stop crying. Some background my husband & I are seeing (skype) a marriage counsellor. I suffer with anxiety, had some traumatic experiences (with men mostly) which the counsellor is aware of b... View more

Hi, I am feeling very overwhelmed at the moment and can't stop crying. Some background my husband & I are seeing (skype) a marriage counsellor. I suffer with anxiety, had some traumatic experiences (with men mostly) which the counsellor is aware of but not discussed in any depth. I've had a loving but very strict, almost suffocating upbringing & witnessed domestic abuse, I still flinch even though my current situation is not abusive. Painfully shy I've worked hard at finding my voice and some confidence, but I'm still hyper sensitive & fragile. Today the counsellor focused entirely on my husbands feelings of frustration with me, as the session ended I was in tears, I feel completely invalidated, like a spoilt child for even daring to ask about my needs. As we signed out I heard the marriage counsellor say loudly a swear word. She phoned my husband to apologise, said we shouldn't of heard that but she was frustrated with herself & not at us or specifically me. I don't believe it, I feel silenced, I feel that to speak out & ask for something in return only ends in ugliness, I feel that I am the difficult one & should just learn to shut up & suck it up. I'm crying telling myself I'm horrible, selfish. unlovable and nothing is to be gained for asking for help. My husband says its not about blaming anyone & my turn will be next month, I know he is just trying to help in his way but it just feels that he was given the opportunity to communicate how he feels about me when we run into issues and I had no opportunity to give my side. I feel narcissistic or even like a spoiled brat for even thinking I should have had my turn to get heard & when I heard the counsellor swear at the end it confirmed everything I was feeling. Is it normal to focus on one partner for a session while the other is made to keep silent except to mirror back what they are hearing? I would of felt very uncomfortable if the roles were reversed and my hubby had to mirror back what I was feeling and experiencing without him having the opportunity to respond for an entire hour. Should we continue with these counselling sessions? I just don't know what's normal but something is telling me that I shouldn't be crying like this & feeling worse, its bringing up past traumas of 'keeping quiet'. But if I'm the one asking to pull the plug on these sessions then I will be seen as the difficult, selfish one. Any insight into what would be the healthiest course in this will be greatly appreciated. Thankyou.

Klaura MRI scan and inpatient treatment
  • replies: 4

Hi all, i have had treatment resistant depression for 10 years now and recently diagnosed with bipolar depression. I’ve been on 18 different medications, seen a handful of different psychologists and nothing is helping. My psychiatrist of 7 years jus... View more

Hi all, i have had treatment resistant depression for 10 years now and recently diagnosed with bipolar depression. I’ve been on 18 different medications, seen a handful of different psychologists and nothing is helping. My psychiatrist of 7 years just told me he can’t help me anymore and i feel alone. Over the last year my depression has gotten a lot worse and my suicidal thoughts have come back with a vengeance. On top of this I’m feeling more confused and forgetful than normal. My hands are losing strength and I’ve been told it’s caused by my anxiety. I was told ECT and TMR won’t work for me because of the number of medications I’ve been through. I’m at my wits end and something needs to change. My mum wants me to do a MRI but I don’t know what that’ll tell me. Does anyone know if this will benefit me at all? I’m also looking at inpatient care but I don’t know if this I’ll be of any benefit to me. I need more than a Band-Aid fix. Does anyone have any advice?

nootnoot Finding a New Psychiatrist
  • replies: 5

I have been seeing the same psychiatrist for around 2 years initially for my ADHD. My appointments are usually every 3 months and I am getting nothing out of them. She asks how I am going to which I tell her but she doesn't take it on board and chang... View more

I have been seeing the same psychiatrist for around 2 years initially for my ADHD. My appointments are usually every 3 months and I am getting nothing out of them. She asks how I am going to which I tell her but she doesn't take it on board and changes the subject back to how my ADHD medication is going. It's a lot of money every 3 months just to get a prescription. I'm after recommendations for how to go about finding a new psychiatrist. One that has experience with adult ADHD and is good to talk to about relationship issues/depression/anxiety. I'd prefer someone on my side of the city as I have a 4 month old baby and need to find someone to watch him while I go to my appointment. I will consider psychs further away if they have great recommendations. Thank you.

Guest_5608 Medication Decision
  • replies: 6

Hi There, I have depression and anxiety. I have been seeing a psychologist for almost a year, this has been helpful. Although, almost everyday I just feel terrible, so worn out, emotional exhausted by people, hate being out in public by myself as I f... View more

Hi There, I have depression and anxiety. I have been seeing a psychologist for almost a year, this has been helpful. Although, almost everyday I just feel terrible, so worn out, emotional exhausted by people, hate being out in public by myself as I feel so self conscious and nervous, gained a bunch of weight recently after maintaining a health weight for 10+years, zero motivation and ambition anymore, jaded feeling, and trying to survive a toxic work environment so I can pay for short term medical expenses + weekly pyscholgist appointments. I got recommended a SSRI by my GP, it's been sitting in my cupboard for months without me ever taking it. I think because of my Retail job I'm scared of navigating any potential side effects while working there, there will be little support for time off and we are chronically short staffed which just adds pressure. Also, I heard insomnia is a common side effect of SSRIS? Worried about this is affecting my job and mental wellbeing. I should mention my depression and anxiety pre-dates my current job. I just find the job much harder to cope with than I used too. Any advise would mean the world

tmas Information about neurodivergence?
  • replies: 1

Basically, a number of professionals (there have been many) have used the term neurodivergent, including my last therapist and current psychiatrist who I am finally seeing next week after far too many months. I was listening to The Neurodivergent Wom... View more

Basically, a number of professionals (there have been many) have used the term neurodivergent, including my last therapist and current psychiatrist who I am finally seeing next week after far too many months. I was listening to The Neurodivergent Woman podcast and it resonated A LOT. Im not self diagnosing by any means and perhaps some of what I’m experiencing comes down to OCD. I just have never shaken the feeling that something more is happening and I haven't had the confidence to actually pursue any of this with a professional (I never even saw my official diagnoses until I was discharged from hospital and they gave me papers and stuff in summary). What Im asking is what have your experiences been with neurodivergence? How would you approach this with a professional and what would that entail? Much thanks, feel free to inform me about language and stuff.