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fred4761 Can I see two different psychiatrists?
  • replies: 7

In Jan my psychiatrist of 6 years abruptly stopped working due to a health concern. It was all very sudden and I spent the next few months working with my GP to find a new psych - not easy with Covid going on at the same time. Eventually we found one... View more

In Jan my psychiatrist of 6 years abruptly stopped working due to a health concern. It was all very sudden and I spent the next few months working with my GP to find a new psych - not easy with Covid going on at the same time. Eventually we found one who I clicked with - although he is an hour away. I started seeing the new psych and we quickly moved to weekly appointments as it felt like I needed more regular appointments to work through my issues. Last week I received an email from my old psych saying that his treatment has been successful and he is cleared to resume working again. I am very torn. I feel like I am making progress with this new psych, yet there is something about the comfortableness of the old psych that I am drawn to. At the moment I am wondering if it is possible to see both psychiatrists - I feel like I am getting different things from each of them. The old psych used CBT to address current symptoms. He managed my medication and was happy to complete ongoing insurance forms and be an advocate for me when they were demanding unreasonable requests. He did help me to get on top of things, although it felt like I was starting to plateau. Prior to him leaving we discussed trying a psychologist again to complement what I was doing with him. The new psych has a psychotherapy approach and has focussed on exploring how my childhood/adolescence/adulthood has impacted my life. Working through these issues has been hard and emotional, yet I feel as though I have been able to work through some of my problems. During my initial app he told me that he didn't want to do insurance forms and paperwork and will manage my meds if need be yet would prefer my GP to do that as he has taken more of a holistic approach to treatment the past few years and has moved away from the other stuff. I had tried seeing psychologists previously, yet never found one that worked well with my issues. It seemed as though they were all against the medication side of things. I feel like with this new psych I have someone who has had all the training and experience of psychiatry with additional studies in psychotherapies which is what I am benefitting from.

DW2020 Crying Daughte
  • replies: 5

My daughter had a psychotic episode 2 years ago, which saw her in a mental health ward. The psychiatrist initially diagnosed bipolar & put her on antipsychotic medication, on release she was to see a psychologist for 12 months. She moved home as her ... View more

My daughter had a psychotic episode 2 years ago, which saw her in a mental health ward. The psychiatrist initially diagnosed bipolar & put her on antipsychotic medication, on release she was to see a psychologist for 12 months. She moved home as her relationship broke down & we could support her financially. She had 3 psychologist visit, she told us the psychologist said she was not bipolar, her episode was likely drug induced & did not need to continue. She went off medication & appeared okay after a year she got a great job driving haul trucks at a mine 6.5 hours away so drove back & forward after each round. She had a couple of mild episodes while at this mine but appeared to work through with family support. after 6 months she transferred to a closer mine & only travelled 3.5 hours to work. She bought a new car & was saving to buy her own home. During this time she began crying, she would not talk to us about what was wrong, we asked whether it was her job or if anyone had said or done anything to her she said she loved driving the trucks. However the crying increased & she began accusing us of repeating her words back to her as if we were listening in on her she said it was happening while driving the truck & all the family and other random people were doing it, we have tried to get her to seek help but she refuses and will not take medication. 2 months ago her job ended due to her employer losing their contract this happened the day before her 30th birthday. Since then she has gotten worse to the point where we can’t sleep as her crying keeps us awake, when we approach her she is abusive and aggressive towards us. One night she slapped her dad in the face and hit me with her weighty pillow across the head. We have tried everything we can think of to either help her or encourage her to seek help but she refuses. It is impacting on us to the point we are struggling to function properly. She believes that people are listening to her and purposely repeating things back that they could not know about and that relate to past trauma, when we deny this and suggest she is confused she yells we are lying. We ask for examples and suggest coincidence but she says it is happening too much to be coincidental. She doesn’t do anything but eat, sleep, cry, watch tv and play some game on her phone, she has shut herself off from family and friends as she believes they also are lying and contributing, We know she needs help but are unsure what steps to take to get that help

16sundayz FOI and getting a copy of my file
  • replies: 1

My psychologist is refusing to give me a copy of my file after I asked him for it. I was wondering if anyone in Victoria could please help me out on how to apply for it other than asking him? The medical clinic where I see him isn't listed on the Fre... View more

My psychologist is refusing to give me a copy of my file after I asked him for it. I was wondering if anyone in Victoria could please help me out on how to apply for it other than asking him? The medical clinic where I see him isn't listed on the Freedom Of Information Victoria online agency database so I don't know how else to apply for for it other than sending him a formal letter requesting it. Could somebody in Victoria please help me? Thank you

44Max44 Feeling like doctors aren't taking me seriously
  • replies: 3

Hi, So around a year or two ago I went through a pretty tough time with Health Anxiety. Almost every other day I'd be worrying about something new that I thought I had, and because of this I went into my local GP probably around 50 times in a few mon... View more

Hi, So around a year or two ago I went through a pretty tough time with Health Anxiety. Almost every other day I'd be worrying about something new that I thought I had, and because of this I went into my local GP probably around 50 times in a few months for various things, 99% of which ended up being nothing. One thing that I did suspect I had that did end up being true was Nasal Polyps, I had a CT scan done and it showed that I had extensive nasal polyps. Anyways, since then I've gotten a lot better, I've gone to the GP maybe 2 or 3 times this year, but all for things I 100% knew I had and needed to get treatment for, but I can't help but think that the doctors take one look at my medical history and see the huge shopping list of things I've come in for and just discount what I'm telling them as just being another small thing I'm making a big deal out of. The reason I mentioned my Nasal Polyps is because recently, I've had one giving me discomfort. I went into my GP yesterday, they took a look at it, and said it was a "Small nasal polyp" after around 15 seconds of looking at it. All in all, they gave me some over the counter nasal spray and had me on my way in under a minute. Today, it started bleeding, so of course I did what you should not do if you have Health Anxiety and I googled my symptoms, and of course one of the things Google says it could be is cancer. Great, now I'm very worried. So I go back into my GP today, I see a different doctor, and they look at it for around 15 seconds, say the same thing (that it's a small nasal polyp) and say that it 'doesn't look like anything nefarious', and prescribe me a ointment to treat infections which is supposedly what is causing the bleeding. The thing is, when it's something like this that could be cancer, I'd really like a doctor to take a proper look at it and tell me for sure that it isn't. If there's even a slight chance that it could be I would want to find out ASAP so I can get it treated ASAP. I know they are doctors and are medical professionals that know a LOT more than I do about this kind of stuff, but I can't help but have my doubts. I don't want to bother them any more than I already have, they've probably spent more money and time on treating me than some people who actually need treatment, but I can't help but want another opinion. I was thinking about going to a specialist, but they're expensive. Does anyone feel a similar way about their GPs? I don't know what to do.

AlexisC Help with finding a good mental care treatment centre
  • replies: 1

Hello, My brother who has bipolar and was taken off his medication far too quickly and attempted suicide and is in the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He is hating it, sadly some places are not so good. Can anyone help with recommendations for a treatment ... View more

Hello, My brother who has bipolar and was taken off his medication far too quickly and attempted suicide and is in the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He is hating it, sadly some places are not so good. Can anyone help with recommendations for a treatment centre in Melbourne which has a good reputation for caring? Thanks

Anzee Looking for online support groups
  • replies: 7

Does anyone know of, are a part of or have a connection to some online support groups for survivors of childhood sexual abuse? I really need to build up my support system at the moment and am in Victoria with restrictions so online is best for me at ... View more

Does anyone know of, are a part of or have a connection to some online support groups for survivors of childhood sexual abuse? I really need to build up my support system at the moment and am in Victoria with restrictions so online is best for me at the moment, I’ve also never been a part of a support group so it’s probably most comfortable with me to start with a virtual one anyways. Thanks in advance.

Mjd123 Racing thoughts. Disconnected. Emotionless
  • replies: 1

ive been battling this for 3 years now prior to this i was a very fit and succesful man, i did use drugs in my younger days but did not seem to effect my lifestyle , im 26 years old now the first 2 and a bit years was really intense disconnection, ra... View more

ive been battling this for 3 years now prior to this i was a very fit and succesful man, i did use drugs in my younger days but did not seem to effect my lifestyle , im 26 years old now the first 2 and a bit years was really intense disconnection, racing thoughts and a feeling of being stuck in my own head i could never be present within myself and feels like i am there but im not 'there' i would have periods of extreme highs and energy and i would be in the shower for example stairing at the wall so deep in my thoughts and scenarios i would almost forget where i was for a second, i have had some periods( 3 months or so) where i feel completly present and in tune with my mind where i feel like i connect with people and have good energy, but the past 3 months has been so hard i feel like everything has intesified i feel like my energy and emotjons are all over the place i wake up extrmely down and anxious (thoughts about my parnter leaving me wich isnt true and nothing to go off, or just going to work n dreading it) i have woken up at 3 am and been so wired staring at the ceiling woth my mind feeling like its going so fast but i couldnt tell you what i was thinking of, i feel so disconnected from my self there is a feeling in my head i cant even describe but it is like i just cant feel and think clearly, racing mind (not of a percific thought just all over the place) i can be so anxious and down in the morning but i could be extremely energetic in the afternoon then back down again but the feeling in the mind never goes away, i seeked proffesinal help they said they havent heard of anything with all these symptoms i am on medication (been on for 2 week) i feel like it hasnt helped at all (early days i know) ive also taken another medication it seem to make me feel better about a year and a half ago but i stopped for 6 months tried to take it 3 months ago but had to stop after a week because it made me extemely manic as they say im just writing this to see if anyone has or is experincing this kind of thing and any help would be greatly appreciated thankyou

Guest_3256 I am always feeling out of touch with myself.
  • replies: 4

Good morning. I am struggling to understand what I am feeling and how to change. I would like to get some advise on what I could be experiencing. Things I experience: Self doubt, self critic. Racing thoughts that sometimes cannot be controlled. Loses... View more

Good morning. I am struggling to understand what I am feeling and how to change. I would like to get some advise on what I could be experiencing. Things I experience: Self doubt, self critic. Racing thoughts that sometimes cannot be controlled. Loses track of myself - find it hard to recognise that I have personality. Feeling anxious, stressed and sad about myself - feeling sorry for myself. Personality changes - I can been happy for a moment and then sad the next - this is the hardest part. Feeling of being too sensitive. Feeling of not being good enough. Feeling mass guilt and shame for how my abusive ex partner treated me - When I feel sad, I seem to think that I deserve to be punished. Inability to stay focused on one task or object. Inability to actively listen or only able to pick on half of the information provided. I asked people to repeat all the time - seems that my hearing is declining or my cognition is effecting my ability to hear and understand. I forget - a lot unless I write things down and then I forget that I had written them. Memory loss - all the time. I seem to only remember things, people or events that make me happy - if it is relevant to me or doesn't benefit me - the memory is lost or diminished. I hate the feeling of rejection whether it's personal or work related. If someone is annoying me, I tell them to leave me alone. I struggle to believe in myself. I always create goals and never achieve any. I am always working on ways to improve myself - the feeling of never being able to change. Easily distracted. Easily angered. I am an empath so I let people walker over me - including lovers, I seem to try to please them and give them all I can. I cannot always focus on one thing. I become panicky at times. I live by the time, when it's my time, however, I cannot follow my work schedule as I am deprived of feeling motivated to succeed in my 11+ yr job. Only ever had two jobs. I am early 30's - I look early 20's so people are always treating me like a young adult - very frustrating.

Firestorm86 Alternatives to CBT
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I’m starting my therapy journey soon and just got a referral for a psychologist to help with depression. I am worried that their solution will be cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), something that I’ve tried so many times in the past that do... View more

Hi all, I’m starting my therapy journey soon and just got a referral for a psychologist to help with depression. I am worried that their solution will be cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), something that I’ve tried so many times in the past that doesn’t seem to get any results. Are there alternatives therapies that have worked for any of you?

MillieMcG PMDD & the Pill
  • replies: 5

Hi there has anyone had success on the pill for PMDD. I’m on medication for clinical depression but about 10 days a month it doesn’t help at all. Thanks in advance!

Hi there has anyone had success on the pill for PMDD. I’m on medication for clinical depression but about 10 days a month it doesn’t help at all. Thanks in advance!