Treatments and therapies - Beyond Blue Forums

What were your red flags and green flags when finding a therapist?

replies: 23

Hi everyone, I have an appointment with my therapist soon and I was thinking about how hard it has been to really find someone that I can connect with, and I thought it might be a cool discussion to have - especially since it can be hard finding a th... View more

Hi everyone, I have an appointment with my therapist soon and I was thinking about how hard it has been to really find someone that I can connect with, and I thought it might be a cool discussion to have - especially since it can be hard finding a therapist in the first place, let alone one you like- and if it's someones first time, we're not always sure what to expect! Some of my red flags from older therapists have been telling me that things (abuse) was all my fault, telling me either I don't need therapy or I should be in therapy for a long time and cancelling and rescheduling all the time. Some of the green flags for me have been letting me share how I feel about therapy, talking about our relationship without being scared by it, feeling validated and feeling safe. I think I'd known that I'd found my (long-term) therapist in the first session because I felt really comfortable and safe with her, although sometimes it can take a little while. What about you? Have you had any red flags or green flags you want to share? rt

Is what my psychiatrist doing normal?

replies: 1

Hi everyone! Long story short, my psychiatrist put me on antipsychotics to prevent me from developing schizophrenia and/or other disorders. She's concerned because my bio mother is a paranoid schizophrenic, around my age when it first set in and my a... View more

Hi everyone! Long story short, my psychiatrist put me on antipsychotics to prevent me from developing schizophrenia and/or other disorders. She's concerned because my bio mother is a paranoid schizophrenic, around my age when it first set in and my anxiety had been so severe I got kind of paranoid about an ex friend. Now I'm on the prescribed meds, but I don't have any of the conditions that warrant those meds (or I haven't been informed about them) Is this normal?

Feeling hopeless

replies: 4

Hi there, I haven’t posted on the forum before, but I’ve been going through a really awful time lately. I’ve been admitted to the ward twice in the last 8 or so months and have changed medications countless times over the last 8 years (when I was fir... View more

Hi there, I haven’t posted on the forum before, but I’ve been going through a really awful time lately. I’ve been admitted to the ward twice in the last 8 or so months and have changed medications countless times over the last 8 years (when I was first diagnosed with depression, which is now dysthymia with major depressive episodes, anxiety, bipolar tendencies, and the list continues). I’m in a really dark place lately. Feels like life is getting on top of me and I’d really like it all to end. I have a really loving family and partner and I’d never want to hurt them, so I guess I find myself stuck between dealing with my own hopelessness and suicidal thoughts, while feeling like I can’t go through with them because I don’t want to hurt my loved ones that way. I’ve tried around 6 different medications over my journey, and have been on my current one around 8 weeks. I feel absolutely awful, and I guess I’m losing hope that anything out there will bring me out of this dark place. The idea of feeling this way potentially forever is exhausting, and it’s so difficult to deal with the idea that I might be a burden to the ones I love for the rest of my life. I guess I’m posting here looking for hope. Has anyone on here experienced a tough and long journey with their mental health, tried multiple therapies and medications, etc. and come out on top? Any kindness would be much appreciated.

mental health support in Japan?

replies: 2

Hi there! This is a strange request, but I wasn't able to find much through my own research. I'll get straight into it... I have an online Japanese friend who lives in Saitama, Japan. They've been posting about how their suicidal thoughts are increas... View more

Hi there! This is a strange request, but I wasn't able to find much through my own research. I'll get straight into it... I have an online Japanese friend who lives in Saitama, Japan. They've been posting about how their suicidal thoughts are increasing, but they don't know what to do because they aren't able to see a psychologist/counsellor yet. I really want to help, and thought maybe I could recommend some online resources or maybe even online counselling. Do you know any Japanese or international organisations, forums or counsellors that I could recommend to my friend? Basically a Japanese Beyond Blue. I've found "TELL Japan" and "Befrienders-jpn.org", but as an Australian, I obviously can't gauge how effective they are. Thank you so much! I really appreciate any advice or recommendations.

Therapist breakup - should I or shouldn’t I?

replies: 3

Hey, first time poster here looking for some support as I’m struggling. I’ve been seeing my psychologist for a few years now and found our work together to be really helpful for the most part. I’ve been seeking treatment for anxiety with origins in m... View more

Hey, first time poster here looking for some support as I’m struggling. I’ve been seeing my psychologist for a few years now and found our work together to be really helpful for the most part. I’ve been seeking treatment for anxiety with origins in my childhood, in particular my relationships with my parents. It has been a big deal for me to open up to someone about this stuff. About a year ago my therapist announced she was taking about 9 months off to have a baby and would not know her availability when she returned to work as she needed to prioritise childcare. Logically I got it, but emotionally I was devastated. With the uncertainty surrounding if/ when she would return to work, it made it difficult for me to know where I stood. She did return to work recently (at reduced hours) and I’ve been a little hesitant to return to therapy straight away. I’ve had about three sessions with her since she’s returned to work and things are different. She’s increased her fees significantly and has implemented kind of a harsh policy where clients need to commit to fortnightly sessions, need to pay half the fee in advance as a deposit, and give her 1 week’s notice of cancellation or they lose that deposit. I’m not financially equipped to commit to fortnightly sessions right now, and I’m unsure if jumping back into fortnightly sessions is even right for me at this stage. I would rather build back up slowly to where we were at before she went on leave and I think that is going to take time. I’ve tried to discuss my concerns with her and she’s been responding in ways that to me feel really rigid and defensive, like “this is how I need to run my business, that’s just the reality” and “is it hard for you that this baby comes first?” (That one seemed so strange to me). So the choice she’s given me is I can either go on a cancellation list for sporadic appointments here and there, or I can commit to fortnightly sessions and enter into a payment plan. It makes me feel like I’m not a priority and could easily get into debt. After seeing her look at the clock about 5 times during our last session together, I just can’t help but feel that her focus is elsewhere. I truly value all the work we’ve done together over the years and all the progress she’s helped me to make. I’m just having the thought that I might need something different than what she can provide now. Am I being unreasonable? Why is this so upsetting? Have you ever “broken up” with your therapist? What was it like?

How do you know if you are not well?

replies: 6

I’ve been a voluntary patient for 2 weeks now. Not only haven’t I got better, I’ve gotten worse. I’m keeping an open & honest dialogue about this with my treatment team and husband. They all say I’m not well. Which feels.. not wrong but strange. I ke... View more

I’ve been a voluntary patient for 2 weeks now. Not only haven’t I got better, I’ve gotten worse. I’m keeping an open & honest dialogue about this with my treatment team and husband. They all say I’m not well. Which feels.. not wrong but strange. I keep thinking if I just went home then I would kick back into “normal well” mode? But because we have young children they say that going home is probably not the best idea. I’m really confused. And whilst I’m sharing all these feelings with them, I also have this doubt that they don’t know what’s best me because I’m not getting better. I guess I’m asking others WITH a mental illness how do you reality check your thoughts? Do you just blindly trust your family & professionals even if part of you feels what they are saying is wrong? I just feel so desperately alone right now, and my husband & treatment team seem very sure I’m in the right place but I don’t feel sure. I feel confused scared & alone. Which I have told them.

Pre-employment medical

replies: 1

Hi, I've had a return of mental health symptoms recently and have restarted medication under guidance from my GP. The main cause of my issues I believe is my job. Just today a job has been advertised which I am going to apply for. I take medication d... View more

Hi, I've had a return of mental health symptoms recently and have restarted medication under guidance from my GP. The main cause of my issues I believe is my job. Just today a job has been advertised which I am going to apply for. I take medication daily. I have done a urine test I bought from the pharmacy and it shows positive for benzo. My worry is that the medication I've been taking is going to make me fail a drug test. I'd rather not disclose my mental health issues for fear of not getting a look in. I might have a week or two before needing to do a drug test (if I am even successful). I think I'll stop the medication.. I haven't been on it long term yet. If I disclose my medication to the medical group performing the test, can they remove any false positive? After all the employer is only meant to test for alcohol and illicit drugs. Does anybody have any advice? Really appreciate it.

Finding a therapist during COVID

replies: 1

G'day, I live rurally in Geelong. Tried my best locally to get a mental health plan with the doctor, but the wait time is excruciating. Furthermore, when I've gone for the appointment, they've changed the time and then forced me to wait all over agai... View more

G'day, I live rurally in Geelong. Tried my best locally to get a mental health plan with the doctor, but the wait time is excruciating. Furthermore, when I've gone for the appointment, they've changed the time and then forced me to wait all over again. My partner had a baby recently. Its been hard on her, but we are getting through. I had a traumatic upbringing. More emotional than physical abuse, and an alcoholic mother. Absent father who returned when I was almost 30. Rant over. But I have wild mood swings, and have always had from early adulthood. Gone from flying one minute, happy and full of confidence, to low ebb, no energy, and even flashes of anger. I don't want my daughter growing up with the anger I witnessed as a child, and I want to get my head straight, so I can be healthy for myself, and help my partner and daughter the best I can. I am also completing a Pharmacy degree, so its to all our benefits if my mental health is on track. I am sorry for the rant. Just really want someone to talk to. I don't have money, but I have the time to invest. Cheers

Major depression..Neurofeedback therapy..

replies: 2

Hello.. Well I have been dealing with depression and anxiety issues since I was 16 or 17,am now 26. I have done talking therapy, tried various medications, had a hospital admission but nothing seems to get better. Yesterday I saw a another profession... View more

Hello.. Well I have been dealing with depression and anxiety issues since I was 16 or 17,am now 26. I have done talking therapy, tried various medications, had a hospital admission but nothing seems to get better. Yesterday I saw a another professional to get results of recent testing and brain tests. He said that I have major depressive disorder and social anxiety, no chronic anxiety. He suggest I try a new type of therapy as nothing has worked for me previously and I am soon to start neurofeedback therapy. He showed images of my brain which showed parts of my brain not functioning as they should for people my age. He was quite positive that this therapy will help, and when I'm feeling a bit better, talking therapy will start to help. Has anyone had any experience with neurofeedback therapy?

Autism level 1

replies: 12

I received a diagnosis of autism level 1 in 2020, at an age in my 40s. I requested the assessment myself, after suspecting I probably had the condition. I wrongly assumed that the diagnosis would lead to a list of next steps and that doctors and psyc... View more

I received a diagnosis of autism level 1 in 2020, at an age in my 40s. I requested the assessment myself, after suspecting I probably had the condition. I wrongly assumed that the diagnosis would lead to a list of next steps and that doctors and psychologists would understand the condition. Neither has proven to be the case. I am not entitled to NDIS because I am level 1, not 2 or 3, and I am an adult. I managed to find a psychologist (after looking for months) and get a mental health plan. I am working out all the implications of the diagnosis and I have done a lot of reading but I have been very disappointed at the lack of support from the medical/psychological professions ( with the exception of the psychologist I managed to find) and the government. There is no recognition of late diagnosed level 1 autism in New South Wales. I believe the other states are better, even though it is supposedly a federal issue. The support groups tend to be for males, younger people or level 2/3 autism. I am the wrong demographic for most support groups. I have done a lot of investigation and found very little other than books and blogs. I personally think that level 1 autistic adults should be entitled to most or all of what we would be entitled to if we were children. We did not receive the support in earlier decades.

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What were your red flags and green flags when finding a therapist?

replies: 23