Treatments, health professionals and therapies

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Weens DBT and CPT
  • replies: 2

Hi, Have people gone through both dbt and cpt therapy? I am currently in the middle of a 12 week short DBT course and starting the actual long course tomorrow. Then first week in January 21 I am due to start CPT training. I find dbt quite emotionally... View more

Hi, Have people gone through both dbt and cpt therapy? I am currently in the middle of a 12 week short DBT course and starting the actual long course tomorrow. Then first week in January 21 I am due to start CPT training. I find dbt quite emotionally draining, wondering if others have found a lot of benefit or if cpt will just be a lot of dbt and already done cbt therapy... trying to juggle three lots of therapy and full time work is exhausting!

Sophie_M Ask Nurse Jenn - Our Resident Mental Health Nurse!
  • replies: 61

Hi everyone, This is a thread for asking questions of our resident Mental Health Nurse, Nurse Jenn who pops into the forums regularly. PLEASE NOTE as per our community rules, Nurse Jenn won't be able to answer questions about medications, these are b... View more

Hi everyone, This is a thread for asking questions of our resident Mental Health Nurse, Nurse Jenn who pops into the forums regularly. PLEASE NOTE as per our community rules, Nurse Jenn won't be able to answer questions about medications, these are best discussed offline directly with your mental health professional. BEFORE YOU ASK NURSE JENN PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING POINTS: Nurse Jenn’s time is limited! We cannot provide an ongoing dialogue with Nurse Jenn in this thread - one post/question per person please We'd recommend you have a look through the forums before posting here to see if your question has already been answered by Nurse Jenn, our other members, or if there's information about it already on the beyondblue website. If a question pops up that has already been answered previously, or if alternate resources are available, one of our moderators will reply and direct you to the link. When writing your question, imagine you are speaking to someone in person i.e. provide a clear and detailed post with enough information that outlines how Nurse Jenn can help you. Background From Nurse Jenn Long ago I was struggling to find my way in my career. I was training to become a registered nurse and I didn’t seem to fit into the traditional ‘medical model’ of delivering care. Then I started my mental health rotation and I found my place in helping others. I am now 45 years old and have been in the mental health field as a nurse, manager, educator, project officer, advocate… for over 22 years across several countries and cultures (Aus USA Canada NZ). I have experience in a number of different child and youth mental health teams, early psychosis teams as well as adult and older adult hospital settings. I have also worked as the manager of the beyondblue NewAccess program and understand what it’s like to live regionally where services can be limited. Working with people around the globe has made me aware that worry and stress do not know age, culture or country. It is a phenomenon of being human. I have felt it myself in different periods of my life and seen struggle it in loved ones and people everywhere. I have felt the traumatic loss of a close friends death by suicide (as so many have) and recently experienced the extreme joy of becoming a mother. I am thankful everyday that I can walk beside people who need some support to find their own balance and strength. I am very grateful to be here on the beyondblue forum with all of you. I hope that my professional and personal experience can provide you with some support, direction or even just an acknowledgement that what you are going through is real, and tough, and that you can achieve more than you know.

Jaydos Ready to take control of my life once and for all
  • replies: 1

Hi all I’m writing this because I want to see how many other people are trying to break drug addiction once and for all. I’m 31 years old and have struggled with drug addiction for ten years. I’ve never thought I had a serious problem because I’ve al... View more

Hi all I’m writing this because I want to see how many other people are trying to break drug addiction once and for all. I’m 31 years old and have struggled with drug addiction for ten years. I’ve never thought I had a serious problem because I’ve always maintained a good physical career as a Concreter within large scale jobs. I’ve always had money in my savings account and can stop when I run out of the drugs I would buy for that binge. I have just become a father and have also had major surgery on my back due to work related injuries. I’ve been told that my body can’t keep doing physical labour forever and I need to choose a new careeer pathway. it was such a hard time hearing that my life long career would have to be given up if I want to have a strong and healthy body when I’m older. I have been using quite a lot over the last 4 months as I’ve been in recovery from surgery. I’m finally putting my foot down and stepping up to my habits starting from the 1st of jan 2021. Im an every day drinker and has been a big part of my life since I was 16. I’ll be going three months alcohol free and staying away from drugs for good. I just want to connect with any other blokes in a similar situation to me and see how it’s panning out for use.

IamBradley Has something changed?
  • replies: 3

I'm a little confused, i just got a phone call from the Medical Centre that I see my Psychologist at. They seem to be after a backdated referral letter, because of my last appointment with him? Though I can't understand, they already have a mental he... View more

I'm a little confused, i just got a phone call from the Medical Centre that I see my Psychologist at. They seem to be after a backdated referral letter, because of my last appointment with him? Though I can't understand, they already have a mental health plan from GP, surely that still covers me for a year? And the appointment I just had with him, was the 10th for the year. Idk? I don't want to deal with this on a Friday.

daffodilia Sexual side effects of boyfriend’s meds
  • replies: 2

Hello! Not sure if this is the right forum so apologies if not. So context: a few years ago, I was on an antidepressant that had sexual side effects that were a real bummer. I changed meds, and the new one has been working fine, no side effects. My b... View more

Hello! Not sure if this is the right forum so apologies if not. So context: a few years ago, I was on an antidepressant that had sexual side effects that were a real bummer. I changed meds, and the new one has been working fine, no side effects. My boyfriend has had anger/anxiety issues, and earlier this year started the same antidepressant as I first did. It’s helped a lot and he’s much, much happier now! However, in the past few months his libido has dropped massively. He doesn’t seem bothered, but it is starting to bum me out. The rest of the relationship is great, but I just miss the intimacy of touch, not even just the sex part. We’ve talked about it (didn’t really come to any conclusions though) but I still find myself dwelling on it and wanting more. I’m pretty sure it’s linked to the same antidepressant, but he is noncommittal and doesn’t seem interested in changing anything or discussing things with his doctor. I also feel bad for being frustrated, given I had had this exact same issue a few years ago and he put up with it. (Thoughts also creep in about maybe he’s lost interest in me or doesn’t care. I do know they’re stupid and I try my best to ignore them). I’m not going to ask him to change meds when they work so great for him otherwise, but is it terrible of me to want him to?

ChrissyStar Painkiller addiction - need to stop in 3 months
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am seeking your input in how to deal with this situation... My situation: - injecting medication - addiction to the needle My goal: - Stop in 3 months - 100% anonymous My request: Please offer your suggestions of how I can achieve my goal. THAN... View more

Hi, I am seeking your input in how to deal with this situation... My situation: - injecting medication - addiction to the needle My goal: - Stop in 3 months - 100% anonymous My request: Please offer your suggestions of how I can achieve my goal. THANK-YOU!

Anon1997 Scared to take anti depressants
  • replies: 4

Im not 100% sure about them. I don’t know much about them. I’m worried about taking them due to stigma in my family about them. I had a sister take them, we saw her at her worse with them (idk the name) but she was also abusing alcohol and drugs (not... View more

Im not 100% sure about them. I don’t know much about them. I’m worried about taking them due to stigma in my family about them. I had a sister take them, we saw her at her worse with them (idk the name) but she was also abusing alcohol and drugs (not 100% sure). I am also worried it won’t be good for me. I have a little son to care for, I need to be 100% with him all the time but I fear my mental health is really starting to take a toll. I don’t want to end up like my sister. She’s better now, I’m not sure if she’s still taking her meds now but she’s a lot better. I don’t smoke or drink or do drugs, so it’s not that I’m worried about. I fear I may become reliant on them like an addiction or the side effects that they may cause as I currently have another personal health concern the doctors can’t diagnose as of yet. I’m just unsure but if they help my mental health I’m kind of becoming open to the idea. Any advice? I haven’t had an appointment with my soon to be therapist yet but I think I may discuss them in the future, I would really like to try without the meds first. The dr said I’m more than welcome to come back and get a prescription for some but he wasn’t specific or anything as I said I didn’t want them. Sorry for the long post..

Shipsta Breathwork, diet changes, other alternate therapies
  • replies: 5

Hey guys, Following suffering with varying levels of depression and anxiety over the last 7 years and trying conventional methods of 'curing' myself i.e. seeing a number of psychologists, 4 different types of ADs (2 x SSRIs and 2 x SNRIs), exercise e... View more

Hey guys, Following suffering with varying levels of depression and anxiety over the last 7 years and trying conventional methods of 'curing' myself i.e. seeing a number of psychologists, 4 different types of ADs (2 x SSRIs and 2 x SNRIs), exercise etc. I still seem to fight the same battles within myself with little to no change. It's like I am stuck in a pattern of pain / depression / anxiety that I cannot seem to shake. Whilst I have not given up on exploring conventional methods i.e. trying other medications, I am also keen to start exploring other 'alternative' methods such as big diet changes (keto diet or fasting), breath work or TMS. Has anyone tried any of the above and can share their experiences? Or alternatively, if anyone has tried any other 'alternative' methods as I am keen to hear! Thanks in advance.

fran_h Help with weaning off prescription benzodiazepines
  • replies: 1

Im really struggling with weaning off a medication that i have been on for 15 years for abxiety, i was never told how hard it wouls be to wean off this medication, i really want to succeed but i dont know what withdrawl problems are ahead of me, i st... View more

Im really struggling with weaning off a medication that i have been on for 15 years for abxiety, i was never told how hard it wouls be to wean off this medication, i really want to succeed but i dont know what withdrawl problems are ahead of me, i started weaning 5 days ago under my gp's guidance

MissBenthos Anger management
  • replies: 8

I often have bursts of extreme anger that can last from 5-30 minutes and then just dissolves as quick as it came, leaving me sad and disappointed in myself. Anger for no obvious reason. It has become more frequent this year, I feel that my head and c... View more

I often have bursts of extreme anger that can last from 5-30 minutes and then just dissolves as quick as it came, leaving me sad and disappointed in myself. Anger for no obvious reason. It has become more frequent this year, I feel that my head and chest might literally explode there’s so much tension. I speculate that it could be hormonal but I really don’t know. I had a copper iud put in earlier this year as a non hormonal contraceptive option and it causes a lot of pain during periods and longer period lengths but I can’t connect it to any of this anger as the timing is all over the place. Another suspicion is that with lock down this year in Melbourne my regular exercise routine has been severely impacted and maybe this is where it’s coming from, my exercise has also been impacted by the pain caused by the iud. Part of maintaining my content/happiness comes from sex and so having reliable contraception is important for me. I find myself much better at explaining that I need some space when the anger burts hit these days. But there are still moments I think back on where I wished I didn’t overreact so much or I could maintain somewhat of a level head. I feel bad for stomping and growling because im incapable of containing myself in the moment or spiralling into my mind instead of keeping focus. I don’t want the people around me to have to experience my wrath or spacey-ness. How much anger is “normal”? A recent example was a work colleague not doing a task exactly as we discussed it sent me into a day dream of myself running around town smashing everything in my path with a bat. I feel like a normal reaction might be slight annoyance rather than a crazed person bent on destruction of the universe. For bit of background I had dysthymia for around 10 years, been in treatment seeing doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, on medication for years now. Have been out of the thick of it for about 3 years now, occasional depressive/anxiety relapses, but have been bouncing back for the most part. I guess where I need advice is how to tone the excessive anger down, how can I feel more calm? Or is it ok that this happens - to accept it as part of human experience? Thanks for being here