Treatments, health professionals and therapies

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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

gucia6 Therapeutic surrender to treat anxiety
  • replies: 7

Dear all, Sorry if this is wrong place to ask, but today I came across term of 'therapeutic surrender' as a way to ... hmmm... live with/cope with/treat/accept (???) anxiety. To be honest I don't quite understand what it means. Lets say I am experien... View more

Dear all, Sorry if this is wrong place to ask, but today I came across term of 'therapeutic surrender' as a way to ... hmmm... live with/cope with/treat/accept (???) anxiety. To be honest I don't quite understand what it means. Lets say I am experiencing panic or anxiety attack, get dizzy and lightheaded, my chest hurts as if it was about to explode, I am nauseous, the small problem feels so overwhelming, that I just want to run away, drop it all, disappear, and I want to cry and it is chocking me, my mind goes blank, and all seems hopeless. Eventually I return to normal, I can think properly of reasons and solutions, make plan of action or think of ways of defense (especially if it is about confrontation with someone). But then what do I do, when I am 'out of control'? How this 'surrender' should come in play in such situation?

Libjane Has anyone tried non-standard anti-anxiety medications?
  • replies: 2

My father was proscribed a a medication used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, and generalized anxiety disorder for pain. He gave me a few for some pain I was having and I found the effect on my anxiety to be a... View more

My father was proscribed a a medication used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, and generalized anxiety disorder for pain. He gave me a few for some pain I was having and I found the effect on my anxiety to be amazing. But I see in Australia it is not used as an anti anxiety! Anyone had similar experiences?

thehiss Just diagnosed with ASD
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone Throughout my life I have battled chronic anxiety, depression and derealisation. I have always felt "different" from other people even when I was at school. From when I was a little child my mother had always questioned whether I was on t... View more

Hi everyone Throughout my life I have battled chronic anxiety, depression and derealisation. I have always felt "different" from other people even when I was at school. From when I was a little child my mother had always questioned whether I was on the Spectrum or not by judging my behavior. So I got tested for ASD when I was about 10 and the results came back negative. My mum argued at the time saying she thought the results were incorrect. As the years went by I started to show more and more signs of possibly being on the Spectrum to the stage that even my psychologists were starting to question the possibility. So at the beginning of the this year I got tested for ASD again (I'm now 27) and this time the scoring came back well and truly positive. In some ways it has been a huge relief because I now have an explanation as to why I have been so anxious and felt "different" all my life, however, at the same time ever since then I've been so worried that society won't "accept" me as a person anymore. I'm currently receiving certain supports through the government and I've heard people over the years who think that people with disabilities are just a huge burden on the system. I'm ever so grateful to be receiving these supports and I would love to be able to work someday. I know this is long winded but like I said I'm just so afraid that people will judge me for receiving such support and not accept me anymore. Thank you for taking the time to read this looong pointless thread, I just needed to let it out.

Harry_pem My friends struggling
  • replies: 2

So my friend has come to me and said he is constantly feeling neutral and struggles to feel anything else. It isn't necessarily a sadness but is just constantly kind of neutral. It doesn't seem like depression but I was wondering if anyone had any ad... View more

So my friend has come to me and said he is constantly feeling neutral and struggles to feel anything else. It isn't necessarily a sadness but is just constantly kind of neutral. It doesn't seem like depression but I was wondering if anyone had any advice on who he should see or how I could help him. Thanks