Immediate support
Immediate support

Treatments, health professionals and therapies

Information on a range of different areas, including managing relationships with GPs and psychologists, and finding the right services for you.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

All discussions

Start a discussion

ecomama Mental Health Care Plan - 10 sessions???
  • replies: 9

Hi peeps I picked up my Mental Health Care Plan from GP Surgery tonight. She said I had 10 yeah TEN MHCP supported sessions on it. I had to ask the Receptionist 3 times, whether it was correct. Apparently this is correct. No one has mentioned 10 and ... View more

Hi peeps I picked up my Mental Health Care Plan from GP Surgery tonight. She said I had 10 yeah TEN MHCP supported sessions on it. I had to ask the Receptionist 3 times, whether it was correct. Apparently this is correct. No one has mentioned 10 and I have talked to so many people in the past week about this. Helplines like BB, 1800RESPECT, Blue Knot, the psych's receptionist today. Plus seen members here upset that their sessions had run out mentioning less numbers. I am a 'front line worker' and our boss says "watch TV news reports to find out what's going on, because I get more from then than from up the line". So I know information is difficult to understand. I know Psychologists had done a brave thing being our advocate to Govt and asking for more sessions. Did this work? lol The info is better than TV lol... it's from my Doctor. Is it because my 'story' is pretty torrid and the traumas are varied and periodically throughout my life? Please let me know if you have had same number of sessions given on your MHCP? Not sure if I'll believe it until I'm sitting in front of my new Psych and they say so too. Thankyou EM

Yepitsme23 Psych or counsellor?
  • replies: 3

I’ve recently become aware that I have a problem lying about stupid little mundane things that really shouldn’t be an issue. I’m after suggestions on whether a psych or counsellor would be best?

I’ve recently become aware that I have a problem lying about stupid little mundane things that really shouldn’t be an issue. I’m after suggestions on whether a psych or counsellor would be best?

TheBigBlue Help! Is this unethical?
  • replies: 5

Hi All, Now I in no way want to get this medical professional in any trouble, but it isn’t sitting comfortably with me so need some advice. Firstly, keep in mind I was stood down from work in March. My business is not eligible for Jobkeeper & as my p... View more

Hi All, Now I in no way want to get this medical professional in any trouble, but it isn’t sitting comfortably with me so need some advice. Firstly, keep in mind I was stood down from work in March. My business is not eligible for Jobkeeper & as my partner earns over a certain amount, I am not eligible for jobseeker. At this stage my business is closed until September, so I have NO financial income of any form for the next few months. This medical professional lives interstate but would travel to my state once a month for face to face appointments. Once COVID hit & borders closed, we had to adjust to FaceTime calls. No problems, we switched to weekly FaceTime calls. I sent them an updated medical health plan. After 2 appointments I started to wonder why I hadn’t received a bill. So I asked them & they advised that due to the circumstances they were not charging for the month of April as they would charge Medicare & waive the gap fee. ok, if that’s the way they want to proceed in April then so be it. I did the right thing by asking about it & thought the reasons they gave were valid. Plus it was a MASSIVE relief to me as I am literally living off my savings right now. However, I had now had two FaceTime appointments for May & again have received no bill ???? I’m scared if I don’t remind them again I may get an unexpectedly large bill at the end of the month. This person knows about my financial circumstances & I have a really good doctor/patient relationship with them. But my anxiety is screaming at me. Is this person doing a wrong thing by not charging me? Are they giving me extra free sessions because of my financial situation? Am I a bad person for thinking if I don’t mention the lack of bills, that perhaps I will get away more free sessions? If they thought they were doing me a favour, will I embarrass them by asking about it again? Would it mean they will change their mind & start charging me again? im so very, very confused & while the lure of free hour long weekly FaceTime appointments is very enticing, my pride won’t let me take advantage of the situation. Any advise would be appreciated. At this point I’m leaning towards asking them about the bill again. It just seems.......... weird

Guest_9866 Safe Social App Recommenation
  • replies: 2

Hi. Im looking for recommendations for Apps which are designed and moderated for people who are alone and just beed some connection at times. Similar to Daybreak (you post and strangers have their best heart in right place). Not Facebook style (compe... View more

Hi. Im looking for recommendations for Apps which are designed and moderated for people who are alone and just beed some connection at times. Similar to Daybreak (you post and strangers have their best heart in right place). Not Facebook style (competition and a mask). I went for years if not decade or two alone with no contact. Before social media. Now I have moved away from social media Im actually finding it hard (I only had pages on, and I stop personal info about two years ago and just post humourous). Ive been going on daybreak app but its not really suitable for me anymore. I stop drinking two years ago. But hoing on daybreak just for comfort. Why I am finding it hard now got me stuff. Considering I was isolated big time so long. I am still isolated but technology changed it. Im getting back away from social media, news etc. So I am looking for replacement to daybreak. A safe app that I can let my feeling on or find comfort without judgement. I dont have real life friends - I never really ever did except back in 1996 Senior High School. I see the world differently so it makes be different to others. I have worked, only briefly and always get sack because I dont fit in. Im not unemployed but self-efficient (leant to live below poverty line and done well). Never had a intimacy. Anyway you get the picture. I stop drinking etc 2 years ago roughly. My mental health has recovered but at time although rarer these days I might struggle but nothing like I once was

Alex43 Desperately Seeking a Psychiatrist
  • replies: 2

Is anyone able to recommend an adult psychiatrist in the Newcastle area? Or does anyone have any recommendations as to how to fast track to get an appointment? My daughter is waiting to be assessed for a personality disorder. I have a GP referral but... View more

Is anyone able to recommend an adult psychiatrist in the Newcastle area? Or does anyone have any recommendations as to how to fast track to get an appointment? My daughter is waiting to be assessed for a personality disorder. I have a GP referral but there is such a long waiting list at the one I have been referred to and in all honesty I am not sure my daughter or we, as the family can wait that long. We are reaching desperate times..... I have called a few that I have found online but no success. We are from out of area too so don't have any local knowledge. Thanks for any help out there.

FreyaB Need advice about a Psychiatrist
  • replies: 8

Hi all I am a very new member here - I have been in a very stressful marriage for the last 7 years. My wife's father is a Psychiatrist and just before she left she was talking to him on the phone and came back and said to me "Dad said you need to tak... View more

Hi all I am a very new member here - I have been in a very stressful marriage for the last 7 years. My wife's father is a Psychiatrist and just before she left she was talking to him on the phone and came back and said to me "Dad said you need to take these" he was faxing a script for a new medication over to our local chemist. I have never had a conversation with him about any issues at all and my former wife said it was just to help me get through the day - I didn't really think too much about it - I do have depression and have taken medication for about 8 years now (post cancer diagnosis and my mothers recent death). With the medication I took just over a months worth of it and then looked it up ! I now know its an anti psychotic - I have never had any issues related to psychosis at all - ever. I'm feeling like he should not have written this script for me and wondering what I can do if anything, I'm almost feeling like its medical negligence as there was no consultation, didn't talk to me about anything at all and wasn't aware of other medications that I took - would really appreciate some advice - thanking you all in advance

ahsoka OCD & Therapy
  • replies: 2

So I’m currently seeing a therapist and have been since the beginning of the year. We have mainly focused on anxiety, mood and self worth as that is what I brought up when I first started going. And it’s definitely helped me to realise more of what’s... View more

So I’m currently seeing a therapist and have been since the beginning of the year. We have mainly focused on anxiety, mood and self worth as that is what I brought up when I first started going. And it’s definitely helped me to realise more of what’s going on inside my head. However I think I might have ocd. It makes so much sense but part of my brain keeps telling me I’m being dramatic or making it up. Which has made me be nervous to bring it up with my therapist. I really want to bring it up but I can’t stop the thoughts that I’m looking for attention or being dumb. If anyone here has been diagnosed with ocd and could tell me anything about what that was like I’d really appreciate it.

Universling COMPLEX TRAUMA
  • replies: 6

Looking for a therapist or a support group I am new to beyond blue and am having trouble understanding how to use this website, never done this before. I suffer trauma/ reliving bad experiences, socially isolated, no family support as I was born into... View more

Looking for a therapist or a support group I am new to beyond blue and am having trouble understanding how to use this website, never done this before. I suffer trauma/ reliving bad experiences, socially isolated, no family support as I was born into a family with a destructive personality disorder

Oz_M Questions about how to get an emotional support dog.
  • replies: 2

I'm a 15 year old boy and I have been dealing with depression, anxiety and anger management issues for a long time. I have reached a point where I hate leaving the house and even just getting out of bed is difficult. The only thing that can help me d... View more

I'm a 15 year old boy and I have been dealing with depression, anxiety and anger management issues for a long time. I have reached a point where I hate leaving the house and even just getting out of bed is difficult. The only thing that can help me do this is my families dog. When I do go outside, I have breakdowns and get severely overwhelmed by people and it is affecting me at school to the point where my attendance is around 60%. I used to see a psychologist however I cannot express how I feel or open up so I told my parents that I am better so they would stop wasting money sending me there since I wasn't gaining anything from it and they insisted on me going despite me saying it wasn't helping (my parents also won't let me be medicated). I feel like a support dog would help me greatly as my family dog has such a big influence on me in the morning. The thing is I'm not sure if I am able to get one or where to get one. I also don't know how to tell my parents since they will tell me to go to a psychologist again which I dread. I've heard you require specific reccomendations from a GP and psychiatrist to get one and since I have stopped treatments I'm not sure I am eligible. If you have any information or advice that might help, whether it's for getting a support dog or even just telling my parents how I feel, I would appreciate you taking some time to share it with me. Thanks.

AliSa05 Withdrawal and brain shivering increased anxiety
  • replies: 11

I have recently 7 weeks ago come off my antidepressant medication cold turkey basically and at that time also started a new one. I am still experiencing what I would best describe as brain shivers along with body shivers at the same time. I also feel... View more

I have recently 7 weeks ago come off my antidepressant medication cold turkey basically and at that time also started a new one. I am still experiencing what I would best describe as brain shivers along with body shivers at the same time. I also feel like I have a tightness in the chest most of the time like the onset of panic attack, the most severe I have ever felt. I’m starting to feel down at the fact I’m still experiencing these symptoms as they are really effecting my life, also the lack of acknowledgement from my psychiatrist and gp who tell me this shouldn’t be happening after this time frame of 7 weeks off. Basically I wonder what the hell is happening to me have I sustained some form of perm. Brain damage?