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Moonbeamer Lack of mental health support in rural nsw
  • replies: 3

I feared this would happen - I have avoided the mental health providers in my nearest town because my last interactions with them were appalling. I have been trying to get on top of everything all by myself, with varying degrees of success. Now I nee... View more

I feared this would happen - I have avoided the mental health providers in my nearest town because my last interactions with them were appalling. I have been trying to get on top of everything all by myself, with varying degrees of success. Now I need more help again, I cannot trust the people at the local hospital. Feel like giving up.

Bellepanda15 Therapy what kind ?
  • replies: 3

Hello Friends I can’t find the right kind of Psychologist/Psychotherapist/Therapist for myself, I’ve always known something was very wrong with my FOO (Family Of Origin) and only found through Google that they 98% are Narcissistic my Late Mother bein... View more

Hello Friends I can’t find the right kind of Psychologist/Psychotherapist/Therapist for myself, I’ve always known something was very wrong with my FOO (Family Of Origin) and only found through Google that they 98% are Narcissistic my Late Mother being the worst (Malignant)-I’ve had Depression long-term and was the Scapegoat of the family, I have NEVER found any Professional who could validate my experience as most either can’t or won’t believe what I I tell them. Does anyone out there have any ideas for me ?? My GP can’t understand why no Professional can help me

HellyAh ADHD and meds.
  • replies: 6

Hi All, Like many, I've been diagnosed with ADD as an adult. It makes a lot of sense of to me, and I'm glad I finally have an explanation for a lot of my experiences. I've recently started ADHD medication and have just increased it, I'm just wonderin... View more

Hi All, Like many, I've been diagnosed with ADD as an adult. It makes a lot of sense of to me, and I'm glad I finally have an explanation for a lot of my experiences. I've recently started ADHD medication and have just increased it, I'm just wondering what I should be expecting from the medication? So far, I've noticed 3 distinct "phases". about an hour after I take the medication, begin to feel a general sense of "calm". The best way I can describe this is, I feel content. I'm not looking to move on from each task rapidly, and I'm far less distracted by outside "noise". I find my job less annoying, and people in general less annoying. I can read a book if I want to, something I haven't been able to do for years unless I become "obsessed" with the book. I don't want to say I feel euphoric, because it's more subtle than that, but I'm definitely in a better mood than "normal". After about 4 hrs, the calmness and contentness wears off. My mood more or less returns to normal. However, I definitely still am able to concentrate much better than normal during this period, and make far less careless mistakes if I'm at work. Six or seven hours after taking the dose, It becomes obvious the medication is "wearing off". I start to become more distracted by "noise" again. I start to have a song playing in my head on loop. I start to make careless mistakes a work, and generally feel more "scattered". So my question really is, am I aiming for phase 1, on terms of treatment? Or is phase 2 more like the aim? Would increasing the dose further prolong phase 1 and 2? Or just make them more pronounced? At the moment, I'm taking the dose later and later in the day, in order to have "phase 1" active during important times. My doctor has mentioned adding a short acting medication to cover me for the afternoon. Does a shorter acting med feel different? Sorry for all the questions, but this is all very new to me. Many thanks to all who respond.

Guest_946 I have a Centrelink Job Capacity Assessment for DSP on Tuesday
  • replies: 5

I’m nervous as anything. They told me I don’t need to provide any further evidence that they seem to think I have provided enough. I know at the job capacity assessment they can decide I either don’t have the capacity, I do have the capacity or I’m r... View more

I’m nervous as anything. They told me I don’t need to provide any further evidence that they seem to think I have provided enough. I know at the job capacity assessment they can decide I either don’t have the capacity, I do have the capacity or I’m referred to a psychologist for further assessment. I guess I’m just wondering what they ask you over an hour? any experiences would be very much appreciated Annette x

JaneS3 Social Anxiety and Facial Blushing - ETS surgery and Miradry
  • replies: 9

I’m a woman who has suffered from facial blushing for as long as I can remember, becoming particularly severe from my early-teens onwards. This has contributed to severe anxiety and depression throughout my childhood and adult life that has affected ... View more

I’m a woman who has suffered from facial blushing for as long as I can remember, becoming particularly severe from my early-teens onwards. This has contributed to severe anxiety and depression throughout my childhood and adult life that has affected all aspects of my life. For me, nothing was more important for my overall health than eliminating my blushing. Especially when years of CBT, therapy and anti-depressants haven’t offered any long-term solution. I had ETS surgery done on just my T2 nerve. The sympathectomy is done keyhole, leaving two small incisions just under your armpit. So far, my results with ETS have been great. Part of me wishes I had more of my sympathetic chain cut (T3/T4), as I still get a heart-rate rise in social situations, and a slight blush in a small patch at the top of my left cheek, but ultimately I’m very, very happy. It’s totally surreal to go from having severe blushing multiple times per day to just not having it at all. It’s been very illuminating to see how ‘regular’ people live. When I exercise now my face stays completely unflushed and almost sweat free which is amazing. I had Miradry done for my armpit sweating which was also quite bad, particularly every time I got anxious. They say Miradry is more effective than sympathectomy for sweating. My results from Miraday were great. I still sweat a bit, but what I love is how it has killed almost all the large sweat glands in my armpits (which produce your BO). It’s been an 80% reduction at least in sweating and the odour I get is very manageable. All in all, if you suffer from facial blushing or sweating that severely impacts your social life, self-esteem and career then I recommend looking into these procedures. It's a lot to go through to overcome these issues, but so much better than a daily pill or expensive, ineffective therapy (in my opinion). Some people find the compensatory sweating they get after their ETS surgery made them regret it, as well as other possible side effects, so it really depends on how severe your issues are vs the potential for side effects and I’ve been lucky to have had no major side effects. Anyway, peace and love to any fellow sufferers. If you have any questions I’ll try to get back and answer them.

DamonM Frustrated with medical attitudes towards (off-label) medication and alcohol
  • replies: 5

I educated myself and gained full-time employment like everyone else in 1997. I worked in Information Technology for 11 years, gaining a promotion due to my supervisor's departure. My responsibility increased after ~6 of those years, I can't remember... View more

I educated myself and gained full-time employment like everyone else in 1997. I worked in Information Technology for 11 years, gaining a promotion due to my supervisor's departure. My responsibility increased after ~6 of those years, I can't remember exactly when. Sometime during that period of time my ability to cope with stress plummeted dramatically. Due to sustained pressure, I experienced severe BURNOUT. Now, I find it impossible to deal with minor stressors. I also find it hard to deal with social interaction. I have no social life and don't really desire one. The one thing I do seek is relief from the uncomfortable physical symptoms of generalised & social anxiety. To this end, I have sought medical treatment. I can't complain about any of the doctors I have met, yet I seem to have treatment-resistant ANXIETY. I have tried SSRI's, SNRI's, MAOI's and about 15 other anti-depressants I can't remember the name of... I have had a couple of medications that have helped me in the past, , one of which was a prescription medication and the other used to be available over the counter. But that too has since been classified as addictive and is now only available with a prescription, which I am eligible for. Prior to the restriction I took it sporadically for about 14 years without ever getting physically addicted to it. It is no longer available over the counter. I asked for a prescription from a GP and was treated like a drug addict, lol. I find this situation to be quite frustrating.

Kel1981 Kel
  • replies: 1

Hello All I need help, I am not happy with my psychiatrist for was only interested in diagnosing my ADHD and making me call him for each prescription and is costing me a fortune and he isn’t willing to address my PTSD and Anxiety issues saying I’m to... View more

Hello All I need help, I am not happy with my psychiatrist for was only interested in diagnosing my ADHD and making me call him for each prescription and is costing me a fortune and he isn’t willing to address my PTSD and Anxiety issues saying I’m to complex. Can someone please help me find a doctor who 1. is happy to attack all my mental health issue and 2. Happy for my GP to be the continuing prescriber after initial 1 or 2 appointments with either 6 or 12 monthly appointments to check in, I appreciate the help!

Bluepearl3 Weaning off anti-depressants.
  • replies: 5

Hi, I am hoping to get advice on weaning off anti-depresesants. I have been prescribed many different anti-depressants over the past 34 years. I was in an unhappy marriage but felt that I couldn't leave as I had two small children.. There was mental ... View more

Hi, I am hoping to get advice on weaning off anti-depresesants. I have been prescribed many different anti-depressants over the past 34 years. I was in an unhappy marriage but felt that I couldn't leave as I had two small children.. There was mental and emotional abuse, controlling behavior but no physical abuse so I stayed. I started anti-depressants, which helped me to cope. Ten months ago, after 46 years of marriage I finally left my husband. The problem is that I don't feel any enthusiasm or excitement for my new life. I have attempted to stop the anti-depressants twice in the past. Once while I was still with my husband which didn't work out because I became angry as I was still in the unhealthy relationship. The second time was 4 months ago, however I found that I reacted impulsively to a situation with my daughter-in-law, who I thought was being selfish about a certain situation whilst I was staying with her and my son. Rather than stay and talk about it I packed my bag and returned to my new home before they arrived home from work. Normally I would have just kept quiet, which is what I have always done. I desperately want to stop the anti-depressant as I feel that I can't enjoy my new life if I feel flat and unenthusiastic all the time. I have had a lot of sadness and grief in my life but I just want to be able to feel happy. I would appreciate any help, perhaps from someone who has been able to stop their anti-depressants.

Angel_Blue GP Mental Health Plan -
  • replies: 2

I went to my GP to obtain a GP Mental Health Plan to seek support with coping strategies with a therapist I was very upset about what he wrote which accompanied the GP Mental Health Plan.I am changing to a new GP. Can the new GP re-issue the GP Menta... View more

I went to my GP to obtain a GP Mental Health Plan to seek support with coping strategies with a therapist I was very upset about what he wrote which accompanied the GP Mental Health Plan.I am changing to a new GP. Can the new GP re-issue the GP Mental Health Plan again to the same therapist if I have not attended any sessions yet? Thanks. Look forward to hearing from you

Chibam Real Help For Non-Disabled People
  • replies: 1

Does anybody know where a person can go to get real help for the problems that make them depressed, suicidal, ect.? (i.e. not just "talking about feelings", but real resolutions to the problems). The mental health system, as far as I can assertain, i... View more

Does anybody know where a person can go to get real help for the problems that make them depressed, suicidal, ect.? (i.e. not just "talking about feelings", but real resolutions to the problems). The mental health system, as far as I can assertain, is just a spectator industry. They'll "listen" to you whine, they may even medicate you, but they won't fix the problem(s). As I understand it, they even have a "golden rule of therapy" which formally forbids them from actually helping their patients. In recent years, I've been somewhat optimistic about the rising usage of the super-ambiguous terms "psychosocial disability" and "psychosocial support" from the government and other big organizations. Early indications were that it was going to fill this massive void for people who need actual help with their problems. But tonight, having just read a much clearer definition of "psychosocial disability", it seems that this support system is only open to people who have a preexisting mental illness. So, where does that leave non-disabled, non-mentally ill people who desparately need help with their problems? I shudder to think this, but it's starting to seem like, even after all the government inquiries we've had over these recent years, there is still no actual help available for regular, non-mentally ill, non-disabled people who really need it; and worse yet, it seems as if there aren't even any foreseeable plans to create this sort of assistance on a nationwide scale.