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study_my_life_away How do I have this discussion about my other half
  • replies: 4

Thank you to the many readers... So I am in a unique position, I myself have diagnosed ADHD (mild) depression, anxiety and chronic pain all managed by various medications As an adult ADHD diagnosed person, and being on medication, which has helped ra... View more

Thank you to the many readers... So I am in a unique position, I myself have diagnosed ADHD (mild) depression, anxiety and chronic pain all managed by various medications As an adult ADHD diagnosed person, and being on medication, which has helped rather dramatically! I am starting to think my other half may have bipolar or even ADHD I have received information that it’s best if I go to my GP first without my other half to have the discussion I am nervous about having this discussion as I am unsure if I will be taken seriously or not when I had suspected I had ADHD the GP asked why I might think I have it I am unsure if this will be the case if I go and ask about it with my GP?! there are days/times when I think my husband has learnt from my undiagnosed ADHD in terms of daily chores and habits daily chores for myself... yeah right I’d be lucky if I remembered to actually clean the dishes and put them away I am aware that ADHD and bipolar do experience some similar symptoms my other half is on antidepressants but doesn’t take them consistently goes on and off them mind you if tried the same thing I would get a shocking “missed dose/withdrawals” I get moderate to severe ‘brain zaps’ any feedback about what I need to provide to the GP or relent information would be of help my other question I have is - in the chance that my other half is diagnosed as having bipolar, how does bipolar response to treatment?! as in would the symptoms go away completely or only partly?!

NurseMinxy Stopping or changing Psychiatrist
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I started seeing a Psychiatrist about 15+ years ago after a Bipolar diagnosis - I feel this was a misdiagnosis and would now be considered PMDD as my symptoms match PMDD much better than Bipolar, which was not in the DSM all those years ... View more

Hi everyone, I started seeing a Psychiatrist about 15+ years ago after a Bipolar diagnosis - I feel this was a misdiagnosis and would now be considered PMDD as my symptoms match PMDD much better than Bipolar, which was not in the DSM all those years ago. I'm a registered nurse and my psychiatrist of 10 years, regularly threatens that I need to stay stable or I'll have to deal with AHPRA - the regulatory body for health professionals - I'm just a little tired of these threats and would really like to stop seeing him, but I'm worried that he will report me if I don't go. He assumes that anything new I do is a manic episode, eg cleaning my partners house, or planning to buy a car, or go on a holiday. I'm unmedicated and have been since 2014, and feel I'm more stable off than I was on - my friends all agree. I've had no manic/hypomanic/depressive episodes since I left an abusive relationship 15 years ago. Now that my partner and I are planning to have a baby, he wants to see me every month, 'because it's stressful' and 'I'm more susceptible to postpartum depression and psychosis'. I'm just seeing that it's a lot more money in his bank account. So I need some help in stopping seeing him, without him thinking that I'm unstable in anyway and reporting me. I'm more than happy to see a psychologist if I feel I'm struggling. Please offer some suggestions...

CheeseDingo Mental health in the toilet after 5 years of avoiding health services, Now jumping back into treatment. How to I initiate a ASD test/diagnosis?
  • replies: 4

Hello, First post on these forums. 30 Male, never self harmed/no suicidal ideation. Never violent/aggressive with people Early 20's diagnosed with ADHD and Depression. I have Stopped medications when I went on university exchange for 1 year in 2015. ... View more

Hello, First post on these forums. 30 Male, never self harmed/no suicidal ideation. Never violent/aggressive with people Early 20's diagnosed with ADHD and Depression. I have Stopped medications when I went on university exchange for 1 year in 2015. In 2016 I came back to Australia after failing to hand in any of my university exchange assignments and dropped out of a Engineering/International studies degree 4.5/5.5 years into the degree. Over the last 5 years I have worked hard at entry level jobs for 5-6 months of the year, save lots of money, then quit the job to feed a heavy addiction to 1 video game (~15k hours), casino poker (~2k hours), general computer addiction and Cannabis habit. Intense hobbies of cooking/baking, listening to music, herb gardening, listening to podcasts and walking outside for 1-2 hours a day does ground me, but It's not enough for me to move forward with my life. Since this time I have cut off 95% of interaction with friends and avoid regular interaction with my family. I have been lucky and had some really great girlfriends in the past but have not pursued any female interaction over the last 4 years. --9 days ago I had my first interaction with mental health services in ~5 years in the form of a NewAccess coach. They wanted me to write a day to day diary/log of problems/emotions/feelings as I had difficulty fully expressing myself in the interview (I also vaped Marijuana 3 hours before interview which didn't help). --4 days ago I uninstalled the video game that I would play ~50hours a week as it was directly tempting me and sabotaging my recovery efforts. Currently my longest break in 5 years. --3 days ago Anxiety was through the roof all day. I funneled my attention from the game to the internet and wasted my whole day on social media/internet (600+ pages in my web history that day on PC alone). --Yesterday early in the morning I installed software across PC/Mobile devices to block access to all websites I would waste time on (excluding YouTube). I booked, attended a doctors appointment, completed a mental health plan and have a psychologist appointment 2 weeks from now . --Today, cannabis consumption down ~30% in frequency, ~50% in dosage size reduction in 9 days. I am coming here to ask how to best start my relationship with a new psychologist and how I would initiate a test for what I suspect to be an undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder. TY

TheBigBlue Question - Why did psychiatrist take photo of prescription?
  • replies: 8

I saw my psychiatrist yesterday. He increased my dose for one of my medications & wrote a new prescription. Then he took a photo of the prescription on his mobile before passing it to me. Naturally my anxiety prevented me from asking, so does anyone ... View more

I saw my psychiatrist yesterday. He increased my dose for one of my medications & wrote a new prescription. Then he took a photo of the prescription on his mobile before passing it to me. Naturally my anxiety prevented me from asking, so does anyone here know why he would do that? I’m guessing so there is some sort of record, but it kind of makes me feel like I’m not trusted........ Any one else had this happen or know the reason behind it????

HenryC I would like to get more sessions but my GP told me to wait for a month for the care plan review
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I got my mental health care plan from my GP in early October this year. And now I already have 6 amazing sessions with my Psychologist. Today I went to see my GP, hoping to get my care plan reviewed and get my 7th-10th sessions under mental h... View more

Hi all, I got my mental health care plan from my GP in early October this year. And now I already have 6 amazing sessions with my Psychologist. Today I went to see my GP, hoping to get my care plan reviewed and get my 7th-10th sessions under mental health care plan. However, my GP told me based on the medicare guideline, the care plan review has to be at least 60 days after the first referral date, so I was told to come back in December. To me, this time restriction is very weird, did anyone encounter this situation before? Is there really such a rule? I really hope to see my psychologist soon. Thanks!

NetDog Frustrated with the lack of Mental Health Services in the bush!
  • replies: 2

So I have BPD! Anyone would think it was Covid, as a lot of psychologists and psychiatrists avoid BPD patients! My psychologist is advising me to go to a mental health clinic for time out as she is of no help to me outside of hours. But since I was i... View more

So I have BPD! Anyone would think it was Covid, as a lot of psychologists and psychiatrists avoid BPD patients! My psychologist is advising me to go to a mental health clinic for time out as she is of no help to me outside of hours. But since I was in there for 2 weeks back in 2011, there is no way I am going back there! I hated it then! My psychiatrist travels from Sydney each month, but typical of rural areas, the waiting time between follow up appointments is 3+ months, and for new patients it is 10+ months. My follow up appointment isn’t until April. So really I have only got my GP to depend on somewhat, and generally GP’s don’t want to adjust or change medication without approval or instructions from your treating psychiatrist. To add to my frustration and anger over the lack of help, to use a psychiatrist online you have to go to your GP to get a referral for a Telehealth appointment with a psychiatrist online. To get into your GP can be 5-10 days waiting! So I am left to battle on by myself, and am running out of patients, let alone time, for all this shit! Psychologists these days won’t offer after hour care, and most psychiatrists are diagnose and treat. No psychiatrists I know of do somatic mindfulness or do psychotherapy like my old psychiatrist from Sydney did. Once my therapy ceased with him in 2013, due to his retirement, I have had no suitable replacement that does what he does! Has Australia become that backward when it comes to Mental Health and providing much needed psychotherapy and somatic therapies for personality disorders? Yes it has! I am totally over it and totally over the multiple steps we need to take, and the time it takes, just to get help. Is there any easier way to get help?

Bonisnothappy A telehealth GP told me mental problems are Aussies(locals) exclusive
  • replies: 4

Posted this on the multicultural section but seems like I should post here... I was asking about my insomnia and sleeping pills cuz I had severe sleeping problems along with depression, anxiety, social anxiety, PTSD and a bunch of stuff.... He was li... View more

Posted this on the multicultural section but seems like I should post here... I was asking about my insomnia and sleeping pills cuz I had severe sleeping problems along with depression, anxiety, social anxiety, PTSD and a bunch of stuff.... He was like: you Chinese study soooo hard dont push yourself too much I was like 'excuse me I have stress from study but I didn't tell you that at all how could you just assume that ???? and I am not studying hard thank you for your stereotype now I feel like shit' in my mind but I didn't tell him and he started to tell a bunch of stuff like I should manage my stress by myself, dont be like Aussies they take so many pills so they are having sleeping problems, there are a bunch of online tutorials of sleeping tricks, people who have insomnia are not busy enough :))))))))) How do I cope with this? I can manage my depression myself? Good to know.

abigail_shoe Should I seek a new psychologist?
  • replies: 4

8 months ago I moved across the world, leaving my friends, some family and my job. I've been seeing my psychologist for 7 months now. I'd say there has been some symptomatic improvements but that isn't necessarily a result of the session. Years ago, ... View more

8 months ago I moved across the world, leaving my friends, some family and my job. I've been seeing my psychologist for 7 months now. I'd say there has been some symptomatic improvements but that isn't necessarily a result of the session. Years ago, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Other than my current psychologist, I've never told a health professional before that I have suicidal thoughts. I don't really know how to explain my doubts. Despite the many sessions I've had with Dr H, I am unsure of how I feel when I am with them. I'm not sure I trust them but I don't know why. I don't feel that I can tell them everything. I feel embarrassed during the sessions and I hate that I cannot control my emotions when we discuss my trauma. I don't feel comfortable expressing myself, in fact I despise myself when I cry in front of them. If I cannot explain myself, they will make suggestions based on what they understand and regardless of whether or not it is correct, I will agree with what they have said. I do not feel that I can correct them. I feel inferior to them and worry that disagreeing will cause them distress and upset. I worry that I am wasting their time. Some times, I feel like their opinion is being pushed onto me (but that relates more to me not being able to disagree). On the other hand, they have been helpful with my anxiety (as much as they can considering my situation). They have identified over 10 schemas I have and on multiple occasions have pointed them out to me in discussions. They have no doubt helped me. Do you think I should seek out someone else to help me on my journey? I worry that I am just sabotaging myself with these worries; creating problems that aren't actually there. But I don't feel comfortable with bringing up these issues with Dr H. To me that looks like another red flag. Also, I don't know that I want to go over everything again with someone new. There is still a lot to be done; Dr H said this journey would take at least 1 if not 2 years to see some permeant improvements. I don't really know if advice can be given to me on this but I would wholeheartedly appreciate any feedback on what I have said. Thank you so much in advance. I apologise deeply if I haven't made much sense, I'm not at all good at articulating my thoughts.

Jeeb Diagnosis confusion
  • replies: 6

Hey everyone, happy new year! Hope this is the right forum to post this on. I just had some concerns regarding my mental-health prognosis for anyone willing to read. So late 2019 I reached out to a clinical psychologist following a particularly nasty... View more

Hey everyone, happy new year! Hope this is the right forum to post this on. I just had some concerns regarding my mental-health prognosis for anyone willing to read. So late 2019 I reached out to a clinical psychologist following a particularly nasty episode of depression et al. After a couple of sessions I asked him if he thought I had a serious condition and he highlighted BPD as a possible diagnosis. Specially he labelled me as “a high-functioning Borderline with avoidant traits”. I was unsure and, after doing some research, booked a session with a local psychiatrist. She interrogated me for about 40min, after which I asked her if she agreed with the psychologists initial diagnosis. She said she did and gave me an info packet on BPD before shuffling me out the door without another word. She did not request that I book a follow-up appt and I wasn’t in a state to press the issue. Anyway, a year and a half later and I more-or-less feel that the glove fits, but there’s still doubt. Maybe it’s a little silly but no-one exactly gave me a card so I’m still unsure about how seriously I should take myself and my symptoms. The “high functioning” bit means I can somewhat get by most of the time and it would be easy to just repress, tell myself it was all a bad dream and sink back into the old numb/dissociated sense of identity I had before starting this mental health journey. What if I’m exaggerating? What if I’m really making all this up for some sick sense of self-validation? Am I just "making mountains out of mole-hills" and "thinking myself into it" like folks have always told me? blah blah the old wheel turns round. I’ve brought this up with the psych but he just tells me to “focus on recovery, not diagnosis” and refuses to provide any substantial clarification. Anyway that’s the story, and I guess I’d like to know whether I’m missing something here? Have I been effectively diagnosed with BPD? Is it okay to say I have it should I want/need to disclose in the future? Should I take the plunge and pursue DBT? I’m not exactly planning to go broadcasting it in the village square, and I'm not looking to find excuses for myself, but BPD is a serious diagnosis and it'd just be nice to have a little more certainty about it so I can be confident going forward and put those self-doubting thoughts to rest. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks

MissJ94 New Psychologist
  • replies: 1

Hi all, When going back to see a psychologist again and you feel like you have a thousand issues that are contributing to how your feeling, how do you choose which issues need to be talked about more urgently? Work, personal health battles, relations... View more

Hi all, When going back to see a psychologist again and you feel like you have a thousand issues that are contributing to how your feeling, how do you choose which issues need to be talked about more urgently? Work, personal health battles, relationships, using my imagination/day dreaming often to escape reality, past sexual and emotional abuse, stress and coping strategies, gambling habit. I feel like i dont know where to begin and that theres too few sessions to get through everything! I had my first session today and when asked where i want to start i just went with work but i feel like i could have started somewhere else more important like relationships or my personal health issues.