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

Hanna3 Anxious that new GP I'm seeing tomorrow will be rude to me
  • replies: 10

Hi all, I am seeing a new woman GP tomorrow. I moved to this town about three months ago and had a woman GP recommended to me. She was dreadfully rude, halved my anti-anxiety and sleeping medications at the first visit (when I was going through a lot... View more

Hi all, I am seeing a new woman GP tomorrow. I moved to this town about three months ago and had a woman GP recommended to me. She was dreadfully rude, halved my anti-anxiety and sleeping medications at the first visit (when I was going through a lot of stress having moved to a new town) despite my having a letter from a specialist and my previous GP that they were happy with me on the dose I was on. I asked for help with a toenail that is digging into my toe, I got a free visit to a podiatrist in the town where I lived before (pensioners get five free visits to allied health professionals in a calendar year) but because he was only getting the Medicare rebate for seeing me (yes I get that it's low but I worked and paid taxes for years so people in my position could have access to affordable health care) - anyway because of that he refused to clip the nail. So it's getting worse and painful. I told her and she said why should a podiatrist treat me when they only get $35 for seeing me. So that was that and I still have the problem. I went back with breathing problems from the smoke here (we are very near major fires, air pollution is a real problem and I am asthmatic) and I was also suffering from heat exhaustion. I told her I was in a fibro house with no air conditioning and she replied I should not have air conditioning because it would increase my carbon footprint. We have hit mid to high 40s for months here. She is a GP married to a physician and I am sure she lives in a very comfortable home. So then I heard from other people that she is nice to some patients and other people have found her so rude they have left to another practice or refuse to see her. So it's not just me. I asked the reception staff who was nice and they recommended another GP at the same practice. I asked how to pronounce her surname and the staff said just to call her Dr Jane (I'm not using her real name). When she called me in and I called her Dr Jane she blasted me for not calling her Dr Surname (not first name). I've had another woman doctor at the same practice recommended but I am frightened she will also be rude/nasty to me. I've never had such a problem before. How do I cope if she is, and how do I explain why I won't ever go back to the other woman doctor? This is for an authority script where the GP has to phone up to get the OK to give it to me. Am feeling really anxious another doctor is going to be rude to me. Any advice please?

Crisocione Anxiety related to taking prescribed medications
  • replies: 9

I've recently been diagnosed (apparently) with cyclothymia, and I am not sure if that's correct or if it's just the stress of my phd, but while I always had up and down, it has never been as dramatic as in these past few years. Still, I can't accept ... View more

I've recently been diagnosed (apparently) with cyclothymia, and I am not sure if that's correct or if it's just the stress of my phd, but while I always had up and down, it has never been as dramatic as in these past few years. Still, I can't accept the diagnosis. It's like part of me is convinced I am doing everything to myself and by myself and I am tricking people, because I don't want to do anything with my life. I don't know. Part of me is also convinced that the recent worsening of my anxiety symptoms is due to something else, like another disease like Parkinson or stuff, but my blood tests resulted all perfectly normal. Recently I have had weeks of absolute full blown panic and anxiety, combined with my extremely low mod, I simply stopped doing anything and I stopped working as well. Today my gp decided to prescribe me medication and I am terrified to take it. About six months ago, I had a bad reaction to some non related drug (a muscle relaxant for an injury) that a doctor prescribed to me at a too high dose and wrong times of the day, and now I am scared of any kind of medication. I am terrified I am going to take this new medication and die in my sleep. During my worse panic moment the action of falling asleep would make me have a panic attack, and I am just scared that knowing this medication makes me sleepy will just make me panic. I am not sure what to do. I want to get better as soon as possible, I have to work and do so many things and the more I wait in panic and apathy the worse my future is going to be. But I also live away from my family and now I can only rely on myself if I feel sick while taking the drug (I am supposed to take it at bedtime), unless I take it during the day and at work.

Ames82 Coming off medication. Pros and cons
  • replies: 7

I have been on medications for approx 2 years, however this has been quite inconsistent, I have needed support from a friend when on it to actually take it. I have now been off anti depressant for a month and now I’m torn between starting again or st... View more

I have been on medications for approx 2 years, however this has been quite inconsistent, I have needed support from a friend when on it to actually take it. I have now been off anti depressant for a month and now I’m torn between starting again or stopping them completely. Different view from people. My psych says being off them may help me further develop skills to truly be in touch with my feelings. My doctor says give it a try and see. Part of me wants to put a end to medication other part feels it’s a safety net, anyone else experience this? I don’t know what to do for the best

Notgood Voluntary Admission
  • replies: 5

Hi, I was not sure if this was the correct forum to be posting about this, but I was looking for some more information on self admission to hospitals. I have not been getting the help I need as most places here do not have the resources or can only s... View more

Hi, I was not sure if this was the correct forum to be posting about this, but I was looking for some more information on self admission to hospitals. I have not been getting the help I need as most places here do not have the resources or can only see patients once every 6-7 weeks. I feel that I need to be admitted to the mental health unit in hospital to get proper treatment. But I don't know what to do. Do I turn up at the ER and tell them I want to be admitted to the mental health unit? I'm unsure, as there's very little information I can find online. Thank you

Curleee Shifting away from medication
  • replies: 11

Hi there I have complex ptsd, some bipolar and some borderline symptoms (so said the psychiatrist)..... ive been on medication for the best part of 12 years.... I want to go off the medication..... I am not feeling any better or any worse than I have... View more

Hi there I have complex ptsd, some bipolar and some borderline symptoms (so said the psychiatrist)..... ive been on medication for the best part of 12 years.... I want to go off the medication..... I am not feeling any better or any worse than I have previously.... still plodding along with the piques and troughs..... I’d appreciate knowing if anyone has gone off medication? I’m just feeling some of the side affects are frustrating me? And maybe if I started w a fitness trainer and a solid plan around stuff, that maybe I could go off medication..... I know that any advice I’d be receiving isn’t from doctors (on this forum).... but I’d still appreciate any advice thanks mel

beardedmammal Overwhelmed looking for MH services, VIC
  • replies: 3

Hi, first time poster here. I've spent some time today trying to find out how to go about accessing mental health help. I came across the NewAccess program, but after convincing myself it was the right approach for me and mustering the courage to loo... View more

Hi, first time poster here. I've spent some time today trying to find out how to go about accessing mental health help. I came across the NewAccess program, but after convincing myself it was the right approach for me and mustering the courage to look up local offerings I found it is not available in VIC. I then found what looked like a promising alternative offered by my local Primary Health Network, clicked the link and found that the service is no longer offered. So how does one go about finding a suitable mental health service? I think I would benefit from a CBT approach, but not sure what the actual next steps are. Any advice appreciated, or recommendations.

Mlg Wrong diagnosis
  • replies: 1

This is difficult. I don't normally like to share. But I need to do something. I have been in the mental health system since I was 17 years old. Ive been on medication on and off with a diagnosis of depression and anxiety. I've had sessions with ment... View more

This is difficult. I don't normally like to share. But I need to do something. I have been in the mental health system since I was 17 years old. Ive been on medication on and off with a diagnosis of depression and anxiety. I've had sessions with mental health workers, psychologists, nurses etc. Everything I've tried has just been a bandaid. I feel like it's something else. Something else that I have struggled and suffered greatly to control. I am now 35 and I just can't keep on pretending the bandaid helps. It honestly doesn't even scratch the surface. I'm from a small town. My GP is a busy man. He has done his very best referring me to someone who can give me the answers I need, but the waiting lists are long. Almost months to a year long. I am not financially able to seek out private health care. I am at an utter loss of what to do.

Nuttytech npd Treatments
  • replies: 3

HI there I give everyone same back sorry on my diagnosis about 9 mouth I was seeing a psychologist as I was finding it hard to corp with same issues I had. and I was going and she with make everything feel better and thing where ok. then I had a cour... View more

HI there I give everyone same back sorry on my diagnosis about 9 mouth I was seeing a psychologist as I was finding it hard to corp with same issues I had. and I was going and she with make everything feel better and thing where ok. then I had a court order to see I think a forensic psychologist where I had to be test for 2 day to see if I was a fit person to or would need more psyco help.And after same time the report was sent to me the psychologist and other poeple. It was determined I had a personality disorder but he was not sure on what one and the report outline 3 that it maybe. Antisocial personality disorder , Avoidant personality disorder where the main that he was saying was Narcissistic personality disorder. after my psychologist and same other poeple read the report they saw different and made there on report. with me being diagnosis with autism, High-Functioning Depression ,dyslexia , and antisocial traits . was giveing antiDepression and did cbt for 3 mouths. Now let me bring you to today and why my treatment was wroung and why I asking for Narcissistic personality disorder treatment. after the treatment was over for cbt and the antiDepression was done. I have start to hit all the sign for Narcissistic personality disorder in a very big way. and poeple who know me are start to looking at the report see the sign to. so my question is there treatments for Narcissistic personality disorder that I can do online as I can not see a psychologist in there office as I travel a lot for my work I stay in a town for 1-3 weeks before move to the next town and I don't have the money to pay the hour rate off a psychologist.

Icantfindaname Making a complaint about a psychologist in Qld.
  • replies: 2

Can anyone please tell me where I can find answers to these questions regarding a psychologist in Qld: 1. Can a psych voice or video record a session without my consent? 2. Can I record without the psych's knowledge or consent (Qld) in a session wher... View more

Can anyone please tell me where I can find answers to these questions regarding a psychologist in Qld: 1. Can a psych voice or video record a session without my consent? 2. Can I record without the psych's knowledge or consent (Qld) in a session where I am the client? In Qld, privacy laws allow for recording without consent where you are a party to the conversation. 3. Can I get a copy of a psych's notes about me sent to my new psych? or how do I access a copy myself? 4. If anyone has put in a complaint about a psych, which body did you complain to (I believe there are a few options depending on level of alleged malpractice and one process specific to Qld being the HQCC who failed to investigate properly a complaint I made about a dentist many years ago) 5. Would you mind sharing the outcome of the complaint ie were you believed? was action taken? is the psych still practising? what were their breaches? in hindsight would you still complain? Thank-you kindly

hxylxy Where Do I Start With Getting Diagnosed?
  • replies: 2

I've just turned 18 and been living out of home for a bit over a month now. I've known that I've had depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember but never been able to receive any kind of help. I lived with my abusive mother who refused to l... View more

I've just turned 18 and been living out of home for a bit over a month now. I've known that I've had depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember but never been able to receive any kind of help. I lived with my abusive mother who refused to let me see a doctor or go on medication but now I'm out of home it's finally an option. But I don't really know how to start. I also have good reason to believe that I have a personality disorder of some kind but obviously not wanting to self diagnose I have to figure out how to see a doctor. I guess what I'm most concerned about is making the initial appointment and figuring out how to bring it up. I don't know what to say or expect? I'm just really scared about it and I've been continuously putting it off because I simply don't know what to say and I'm going to be alone. How do I bring up depression and anxiety as well as wanting to get tested for a personality disorder to my doctor?