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

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.

engorged_fairy Why shouldn't I cancel all but functional and holistic services?
  • replies: 4

My psychiatrist has helped me - They found a medication really works for my anxiety. Nothing will help for my depression due to being depressed during developmental years, apparently. I don't think he can do much especially since I've reached the max... View more

My psychiatrist has helped me - They found a medication really works for my anxiety. Nothing will help for my depression due to being depressed during developmental years, apparently. I don't think he can do much especially since I've reached the maximum dose of that medication. I've been seeing psychologists since 1999, possibly 1998, and they have never helped. I'm at the whim of my brain. I feel like I'm wasting Medicare money and their time if they continue bulk billing, and wasting my own money or NDIS money if I start paying for the services. I don't want to cancel support workers because they help me around the house and actually do specific things, and take me to appointments and take me to nice places where I can feel a little bit better (get me out in nature where I can calm down a little). I don't want to cancel equine therapy because the horses and her dogs make me feel happier. I don't want to cancel yoga therapy, because sometimes I feel a little better after an appointment. I'm not going to cancel immediately right now, but it's been playing on my mind that I might be wasting my and their time, and also money (whether it be my own, Medicare, or NDIA) by continuing the medical/psychiatric services that do nothing. Why should I keep them? I really want to find an answer, because I know they can be so helpful.

Ames82 Struggle to actually take the meds ,
  • replies: 7

I have depression , anxiety and CPTSD. I have been given anti depressants as well as anti psychotic meds. Previously I was able to take the anti psychotic meds as I saw it as a quick fix as within a hour they kicked in . However now I can’t even take... View more

I have depression , anxiety and CPTSD. I have been given anti depressants as well as anti psychotic meds. Previously I was able to take the anti psychotic meds as I saw it as a quick fix as within a hour they kicked in . However now I can’t even take any form of meds because I’m so low that self care is basically Non existent. My doctor says” you just need to put it in your mouth” but if only it was that easy. I have tried a psychiatrist in the past to help with meds but it didn’t help. I’m looking for support in how I can motivate myself to take the meds. I’m really struggling and it’s obviously a viscous circle that I need meds to help with everything but the struggle to take is worse than ever. Any advice would be appreciated .

OatyBoaty Desperately need help in helping an adult victim of online sexual predation/grooming/narcissistic abuse
  • replies: 17

Hi, I can't summarize this situation if I tried, but I have attempted to condense it as much as possible (13 posts...lol) My ex-girlfriend of 4.5yrs (who I will call Sara) a 27y/o from NSW, Australia has been successfully groomed by an online sexual ... View more

Hi, I can't summarize this situation if I tried, but I have attempted to condense it as much as possible (13 posts...lol) My ex-girlfriend of 4.5yrs (who I will call Sara) a 27y/o from NSW, Australia has been successfully groomed by an online sexual predator (21y/o from Laredo, TX) that she has never met last year, and his abuse continues. (I will call him Miguel), and I need help stopping it. I was (un)fortunate enough to have experience with almost exactly this scenario before before with some female friends about 13yrs ago, so immediately saw all the red flags and identified what was going on after the break-up, otherwise I would have up and left her the moment she broke up with me (as a result of his influence), and viewed the whole thing as "she monkey branched, she cheated, she's a horrible person, don't look back", I am staying and fighting because the women I knew who suffered at their hands of online predation engaged in suicidal behaviours...1 died by suicide, the other lived to tell the tale, in great detail. I hoped I would never have to have that experience...but here I am, in the midst of it. He groomed her over a 2 month period, caused her to 'break up' with our mutual friends, and mistreat her family. Her poor behavior created a divide between her and I, and since she had no friends, she went to him, and he manufactured a break-up (which I've since found out she WASN'T wanting to do, but did it because at the time, she was angry), then immediately (within 3 days...possibly less) told her he loved her and started love-bombing her, and isolating her from everyone, right as we had JUST moved into a house on our own that her parents owned after living together at her parents place for the last 2.5yrs in a DLUG that we renovated. 9 days after the breakup, she questioned his intentions in a really naive and silly way (I snooped messaged to find out what I was dealing with, I had never snooped in my life), effectively telling him that she wishes she didn't care what people said about him, but she does, and is hoping he will clear up her doubts, before asking him if he is manipulating her (doh!). 2 days after that, he sexualized their relationship online. I lived with her for 2 months in the new house, it was hell. Whenever we got close, he told her things like "Be careful of yourself around him" and "You had a moment of weakness". He would match her hours of sleep, or cut his sleep so he could be with her more (almost 24/7), and hoover her with love bombing.

Purofilion HAVE NO MOTIVATION FEELING SCARED ALL THE TIME
  • replies: 4

I have had Crohn’s for 40 yrs. I am on a lot of pain relief which in the past weeks I’ve increased the dose of but I know I can’t maintain that. I’m retired from work and sick and tired of being sick tired. I’m also scared . I don’t want to get out o... View more

I have had Crohn’s for 40 yrs. I am on a lot of pain relief which in the past weeks I’ve increased the dose of but I know I can’t maintain that. I’m retired from work and sick and tired of being sick tired. I’m also scared . I don’t want to get out of bed . To people I smile, slap on lippy, put on decent clothes but inside I’m empty, & scared & don’t want to do ANYTHING. I spend a lot of time thinking it’s easier to be finished. Any advice? Please!! — I know I should put “1 foot in front of the other” but I can’t start that or know how. Because life is attached to the loo or the shower, (I get diarrhoea a lot) I don’t have the ability to make plans. I’m often cancelling .

KMF Constant fatigue and antidepressant
  • replies: 4

Hello I have been taking an antidepressant since November last year. I am experiencing the side effect of constant fatigue which I’m finding very challenging. I would love to hear from anyone who is or has experienced this side effect. I will be touc... View more

Hello I have been taking an antidepressant since November last year. I am experiencing the side effect of constant fatigue which I’m finding very challenging. I would love to hear from anyone who is or has experienced this side effect. I will be touching base with my care team soon - I can’t keep living like this. Thanks

Iwanttobenormal New here and looking for advice on ECT
  • replies: 3

Hello. New here and hoping to find information to help me make the right choice. I was diagnosed with depression 20 years ago but its not till you look back over your life and realise that you have been living with it all your life. I finally underst... View more

Hello. New here and hoping to find information to help me make the right choice. I was diagnosed with depression 20 years ago but its not till you look back over your life and realise that you have been living with it all your life. I finally understood why I had been feeling like I felt for so long. Fortunately I responded well to medication and have been able to control it from overtaking my life. Until 2 years ago when I slid into a major episode I have not been able to control despite trying a range of new medication, and has overwhelmed me to the point that I am barely functioning. Now my psychiatrist wants to try ECT. Immediately I went into shock that this treatment seems the only option left; I was hoping meds would kick in, and wasn't aware that ECT is still being used as a treatment. Regardless the process has begun for me to have ECT. So I am hoping to find people who have had ECT treatment and are willing to share with me their ECT journey. My psychiatrist has provided me with some information, but I would like to hear from those who have been through it. At this stage it seems my only option.

Pad Dissociative Disorder
  • replies: 8

Hi there. Im suffer from Dissociative Disorder this was only officially diagnosed by not so long ago on top of my major depression/panic disorder. However when it was discussed and then diagnosed it answered a lot of questions as to my mental health ... View more

Hi there. Im suffer from Dissociative Disorder this was only officially diagnosed by not so long ago on top of my major depression/panic disorder. However when it was discussed and then diagnosed it answered a lot of questions as to my mental health condition since i was a kid. The disorder symptoms had progressively worsened in the past 4 years. I'm still coming to terms to how to live with this disorder on a daily basis and the triggers which can start an episode. I actually had an assessment for the DSP this week and the questions i was asked by the assessor relating to the disorder came as abit of learning curve for the assessor on what can occur with it. I was just wondering if anyone else may know of this disorder and any advice etc about it. Because quite frankly it can be quite scary in trying to deal with it and trying to explain to family and friends about the disorder as their only knowledge of it what they know in google and that is not very flattering in their description of the disorder. Thank u

ojguac I wasn't fully honest with my psychologist. What do I do now?
  • replies: 4

I have had one session with a psychologist after getting a mental health care plan for anxiety. She was really lovely and I definitely feel like I click with her. In the session we went through a lot of the big traumatic things have happened in my li... View more

I have had one session with a psychologist after getting a mental health care plan for anxiety. She was really lovely and I definitely feel like I click with her. In the session we went through a lot of the big traumatic things have happened in my life and I kind of just briefly explained them all. The whole time I managed to be really talkative and shared a lot. When she asked questions about how I feel in my daily life, I answered with what I thought was honesty, telling her that I am anxious all the time but that it's not too bad. She also got me to do the DASS test again which came back with results all in the 'normal' range. After leaving, I have been thinking a lot about what I said and how I actually feel and am now hyper-aware of my anxiety throughout the day. I realised that I am constantly worried about something... whether that be feeling anxious in social situations, worrying what others think of me, constantly replaying past conversations over and over in my head, always feeling sick even if I am not sick, worrying about being sick in public situations etc. I realised I don't think I'm ever really relaxed. I'm unsure why I wasn't able to tell her this, though. I'm not sure if it's because I didn't actually realise how debilitating my anxiety is, and perhaps because I've always felt like this I just thought it was normal and that I am actually only "anxious" on really bad days if that makes sense. I also think I wasn't able to be fully honest with her because I feel like other people have it worse than me and that I'm not doing too bad in the grand scheme of things. I mean I am still able to get up and go to uni and work, I have friends, I used to do well when I was in high school, I come off confident to other people. How do I tell this to my psychologist? How do I tell her I wasn't completely honest in our first session - kind of without me even realising. I'm scared she will think I'm just faking it or backtracking on what I said last session because I want sympathy or something. I don't want sympathy, I just want her to know how I feel so that she can help me. Any advice would be much appreciated.