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deepdarkwoods lost in the system
  • replies: 1

hey all, I've struggled with mental health issues for as long as i remember, i've seen countless psychiatrists and psychologists but never anyone for an extended period of time. when i was younger while i battled with depression and anxiety i still m... View more

hey all, I've struggled with mental health issues for as long as i remember, i've seen countless psychiatrists and psychologists but never anyone for an extended period of time. when i was younger while i battled with depression and anxiety i still managed to hold down full time jobs and had some semblance of a "normal" life albeit struggling all the while but over the past 10 years i have spiralled terribly to the point where i am no longer functioning on even a normal level. i have a lot of childhood trauma going on, have been diagnosed with major depression/anxiety when i was younger and took medication for a number of years but i took myself off them.. then 10 years ago after some major upheavals in my life i ended up in a psych ward for 8 weeks and being diagnosed with dysthymia along with major depressive episodes. since then i have had about 8 hospital stays and received a bunch of diagnoses to go along with it. it seems like i received a different diagnosis every time i saw someone different in the hospital setting. so now I've been diagnosed with dysthymia, adjustment disorder, BPD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, dependent personality disorder, avoidance issues and god knows what else. worst of all though is i have developed a reputation for being non-compliant with treatment. I was on a wait list for DBT through my local hospital/mental health team but when i didnt show up for a couple of psych appointments they took me off the list. During the past 10 years I've been homeless for much of this time, going from sleeping in parks to crisis accommodation, to renting rooms off people but ive never been able to get my foot up and out of this whole situation and honestly i doubt i ever will anymore. For the past 2 years ive been living in a homeless shelter - the support workers have kept me here because they just don't know what to do for me. (i've moved in and out of the same place 3 times before that as well) my life has been chaos for so long i have gotten to the point where i have totally given up on it altogether. i havent shaved or showered in months now, have isolated so badly that i have literally no contact with the outside world other than doctors appointments to get scripts filled, to pay rent or to walk to the local service station for cigarettes and ice coffee. i am literally just existing in a perpetual state of nothing but i have no idea where or how to get the help i need. where do i even start to work on my issue?

Ely_ Mental Health system and follow up
  • replies: 10

So I have had quite a lot to do with my local mental health teams this year. I am wondering if other people or places have the same policies and problems I have encountered. Here in CQld they will only see you in acute or crisis episodes. They see or... View more

So I have had quite a lot to do with my local mental health teams this year. I am wondering if other people or places have the same policies and problems I have encountered. Here in CQld they will only see you in acute or crisis episodes. They see or phone you for a couple of weeks and that is it. I am apparently not eligible for case management, referral to ongoing chronic care MH, or for their dbt group. Their reasons include that I am not psychotic, I don't have an intellectual disability, and I am smart. Also the psychiatrist told me that my latest attempt on my life and self harm, would count against me getting more support. How does this make sense? Has anyone encountered this?

Dejected_Liar Psychiatrist Help
  • replies: 5

Hi all. Hope everyone is doing well. Has anyone had any successful treatments with psychiatrists for: - personality disorders - image issues

Hi all. Hope everyone is doing well. Has anyone had any successful treatments with psychiatrists for: - personality disorders - image issues

WorriedMom Urgent: Who to see? Psychiatrist OR Psychologist Or Clinical Psychologist
  • replies: 3

Hi guys, I am new here, just signed up. I am very worried about my daughter who is 16 years old currently studying Year 11 at a selective high school doing rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma. My daughter is experiencing persistent depressiv... View more

Hi guys, I am new here, just signed up. I am very worried about my daughter who is 16 years old currently studying Year 11 at a selective high school doing rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma. My daughter is experiencing persistent depressive conditions and anxiety. This week is school exams week, she already missed an exam because she is so tired (always tired) and overslept (hypersomia), so skip meals or very little appetite and she eats in the dark. She is falling behind at school especially this term all of a sudden changing subject because she failed one. so now more struggling. I took her to the GP who gave us a Mental Health Plan for Head Space. However, Head Space has long wait and cannot see my daughter at least another 6 weeks. I wish my daughter can see someone professional as soon as possible because her condition is not good and I am really worried and scared. My question is: I am not sure if I need to take her to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist or a clinical psychologist??? Any suggestions? Can anyone can tell me the difference and what treatment plans they do? Thank you in advance.

amamas Grow Meetings
  • replies: 24

Hey All I'm thinking of trying out a Grow meeting tomorrow. Have any of you tried them? I'm freaked out about it!! I don't trust people and the thought of sitting in a room with a whole lot of them sounds far from pleasant to me. But then I think the... View more

Hey All I'm thinking of trying out a Grow meeting tomorrow. Have any of you tried them? I'm freaked out about it!! I don't trust people and the thought of sitting in a room with a whole lot of them sounds far from pleasant to me. But then I think they will be people like you guys on here and you are all totally awesome! Love to hear if any of you have tried it and of your experiences - good and bad. Cheers thanks amamas

Gg22 Should I get a new psychologist?
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone I'm not sure if this is the right place to post I have started seeing a psychologist and have been to two sessions. I have mixed feeling about the sessions and how they are going I'm not sure really what to expect during but we have been ... View more

Hi everyone I'm not sure if this is the right place to post I have started seeing a psychologist and have been to two sessions. I have mixed feeling about the sessions and how they are going I'm not sure really what to expect during but we have been doing CBT on some of my issues. Yesterday we were discussing my major fear which is me dying and leaving my baby son behind. She said that if I did die my husband is young and would probably re marry and therefore my son would have a mother figure and not be alone... this made me feel sad. I'm not sure if this is what psychologist are supposed to do and I am thinking about it the wrong way. But I can't help but feel uneasy about the comments. Should I try for a new psych or keep trying with this current one? Thanks

lost2020 How to help elderly alcoholic father who refuses to help himself?
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice. My dad has been an alcoholic for a long time but it became progressively worse every year after he retired from his job. My mum and I can see that his health is decl... View more

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice. My dad has been an alcoholic for a long time but it became progressively worse every year after he retired from his job. My mum and I can see that his health is declining and he is depressed. We have booked many psychologist and doctors appointments for him but he never shows up as he refuses to see anyone and get help. It has now come to the point where: He is abusive towards my mum and siblings and feels entitled to it He goes for days without eating a proper meal and drinking water He shows aggression by throwing food and objects and breaking crockery He fabricates stories and starts fights He is showing memory problems He has become incontinent and refuses to clean up or be cleaned I am worried about him as his health is clearly declining, and I can see it is taking a toll on my mother. She cares for him every day, but he treats her poorly. He is in his 70s and his family are overseas and he has no friends. He can't look after himself because he grew up privileged and always had others look after him, he doesn't know how to use a computer, and he has always expected my mother to take care of everything such as cooking, paying bills, managing the paperwork etc. I feel like my mother, siblings, and I are trapped because if we leave, my dad will be worse off as he is elderly and can't look after himself. Is there anything I can do to help? Should I get a support worker? Does he need to be assessed by someone? I've already tried asking the police for help but there is only so much they can help with. Thank you for your time.

Jessten How to know what the right decision is
  • replies: 1

I'm struggling to make a decision which is really playing on my mind. I was admitted to the mental health unit overnight and freaked out as I had no idea what was occurring and everything was taken away from me and when leaving I was asked if I wante... View more

I'm struggling to make a decision which is really playing on my mind. I was admitted to the mental health unit overnight and freaked out as I had no idea what was occurring and everything was taken away from me and when leaving I was asked if I wanted to go elsewhere. Since being discharged I have been given yet another anxiety diagnosis and once again given the option of inpatient services. Where I'm struggling is whilst it sounds like it may help I'm freaking out as I'll be away from all family and friends who are my go to as they won't live in the same town Whilst I don't judge as we don't know what others are going through i'm also worried I won't feel safe in a new environment away from everyone I know as the last time I heard screaming I freaked out and went into my shell before being told to come and socialise which scared me even more I also struggling with the decision if I don't go then I may never learn coping techniques on what to do when I need to use them but on the other hand if I do go as I've always had someone guiding me on best thing to do am I going to freak out and just go into my shell and not gain any benefit.

onthefence Frustrated at progress
  • replies: 13

Hi! I've been on a medication for anxiety for almost six years. I've tried to get off it before and it did not go well - the anxiety returned almost immediately, so I went back on it. After a long time of feeling good my GP and I agreed I should try ... View more

Hi! I've been on a medication for anxiety for almost six years. I've tried to get off it before and it did not go well - the anxiety returned almost immediately, so I went back on it. After a long time of feeling good my GP and I agreed I should try coming off the medication again a few months ago, and I've been doing so slowly following the plan. 10 days after my last dose I started getting an upset stomach. I spoke to my GP who said it sounds like my anxiety coming back (stomach problems and nausea is often my first sign). I wasn't sure though as mentally I felt well. We discussed my plans which are to power through and see if I can get over this, or to go back on the medication. We set a date for a catch up so she could check in on my progress, as I felt strong and she could sense my determination. Today, after 4 days of struggling to eat and sleep with the upset stomach I'm feeling it mentally as it takes a lot of strength to power through such physical symptoms especially with so little food. The physical symptoms are getting less which is great but my brain is focusing on them more and my mental strength is suffering. I guess I'm looking for some encouragement that I can do this - I have managed my anxiety in the past with diet in assistance with a dietitian so I know the safe foods to eat (very very bland things) and to eat little amounts regularly. How else can you build up your strength and brain power if you're struggling to keep food down? Especially if you're at the point where I am now - my stomach is calmer but my brain is thinking I will feel sick if I eat. I am nibbling on a cracker as I write this though as typing is distracting my brain

Billie_98 How to stop my paranoia about seeing a GP?
  • replies: 1

Hi all, ive been struggling for years with my paranoia and anxiety, im supposed to see a doctor for the first time in 2years tommorrow, ATM i cant even go into work or uni or shopping anymore because of panic attacks so going tomorrow is essential. M... View more

Hi all, ive been struggling for years with my paranoia and anxiety, im supposed to see a doctor for the first time in 2years tommorrow, ATM i cant even go into work or uni or shopping anymore because of panic attacks so going tomorrow is essential. My problem, and the reason why i haven't been to one in so long despite struggling so much, is i have really bad paranoia about speaking to a doctor, ive only been about twice in living memory, i know its silly but i feel like they are lying to me and will give me placebos to try and "catch me" on a lie, i desperately need their help but i feel like i wont be able to say anything to them. I dont think theyll take me seriously as the last time i was prescribed treatment i got paranoid that they were fake and threw them away, im scared they'll know this and refuse to help me. Will they just think im being attention seeking? Im so scared theyre going to accuse me of not being the way i am. Im not sure of my question exactly but i could really use some advice or reassurance, if theres any way people have gotton over this themselves? I have to go tomorrow but it feels so impossible to me. Thank you in advance