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
Categories
Start a discussion

All discussions

Start a discussion

b_l_u_e_b_e_l_l_ Adjustment Disorder?
  • replies: 11

I've just come back from my long term gp... who has written a new mental health plan and referral for me. Along with depression.... it has Adjustment Disorder written on it!! I feel really quite angry... As far as I know adjustment disorder refers to... View more

I've just come back from my long term gp... who has written a new mental health plan and referral for me. Along with depression.... it has Adjustment Disorder written on it!! I feel really quite angry... As far as I know adjustment disorder refers to a symptoms which are virtually an "over the top" or "unreasonable" reaction to life circumstances. My gp who has known me half my life and witnessed severe grief and tragedy with a potential crisis currently unfolding has written this.... I feel totally betrayed and so upset. Like he has just invalidated everything I've been and continue to go through. My history is long.. and traumatic... I just don't get it...

biobliterator How to access my medical records?
  • replies: 2

I'm still looking to apply to DSP... I've been putting off seeing the psychiatrist due to anxieties from past bad experiences, and other things. Doctors have regularly withheld information from me, due to my psychosis and being under 18. I've seen lo... View more

I'm still looking to apply to DSP... I've been putting off seeing the psychiatrist due to anxieties from past bad experiences, and other things. Doctors have regularly withheld information from me, due to my psychosis and being under 18. I've seen lots of different psychologists at different places, and I want to compile all my information for the new one. For my sake, for his sake, and for Centrelink down the line, I think it would be useful to have these. Im unsure how to go about it, I talked to my GP who had called around (I'm fuzzy on the details, it's been about a month) and asked for me. Apparently it can cost around $130 to get my medical records. Is that even legal? Is there something I'm missing? I'm so sick of not knowing what is going on. I turned 18 and I want to be in control!

ArtLover1997 DSP (Disability support pension) help?
  • replies: 5

hey uh, first post here not sure what to ask or how to phrase myself ill soon be trying to apply for DSP because for almost my whole life ive been depressed and on and off suicidal. my social anxiety isnt as bad as it could be but its up there too. i... View more

hey uh, first post here not sure what to ask or how to phrase myself ill soon be trying to apply for DSP because for almost my whole life ive been depressed and on and off suicidal. my social anxiety isnt as bad as it could be but its up there too. i cant hold a job since both times ive tried to keep myself going ive had melt downs, panic attacks and ultimately hid away in a "depression session" as i call it (basically an intense period of time in a depression slump) in an idiots guide to getting help way, what does centerlink need/want me to bring them? i believe ive hit the marks for their checklist of "is she sad enough to help" but im not quite sure how to go about it medical evidence? who do i talk to my doctor or centerlink? im so out of my depth here ive been trying to work mself up to apply all year and its a real struggle. any help around DSP and depression stuff would be wonderful if anyones willing to drop some wisdom? thanks for even reading.

DylanR MY TRUTH
  • replies: 1

Hey guys, I’m new here so I’ll start by sharing my story. Back in 2017 I had what I think was a panic attack at the time I thought it was a heart attack (only 27 by the way) and I ended up in hospital, the doctors told me I had a heart condition call... View more

Hey guys, I’m new here so I’ll start by sharing my story. Back in 2017 I had what I think was a panic attack at the time I thought it was a heart attack (only 27 by the way) and I ended up in hospital, the doctors told me I had a heart condition called Wolff Parkinson white syndrome (extra electrical pathway in heart) had a bunch of tests done and was told not to worry about it and have a good life. but of course nothing is that simple and every day since finding out I have had health anxiety that has been bad enough to put me in hospital a few times, even though I was told not to worry I spend everyday consumed of thoughts of am I going to die today or do I have cancer almost convince my self it’s true. I have been put on meds that have made life a little less stressful I also combine the meds with natural oils which has been working a treat for me. I would like to hear others story’s of health anxiety and natural treatments. keep on fighting anxiety warriors I truly hope things get better for all of you.

Island11 Not coping with current treatment
  • replies: 1

i Have always had anxiety however it recently became a problem for me after getting caught in the nsw bush fires back in November. I started taking medication 10 days ago. I saw a psychologist in December and again this week but she is heavily booked... View more

i Have always had anxiety however it recently became a problem for me after getting caught in the nsw bush fires back in November. I started taking medication 10 days ago. I saw a psychologist in December and again this week but she is heavily booked and despite her wanting to see me next week I can’t get an appointment till mid feb. My gp has told me to check in with him in a month. so for the next month I am feeling on my own and completely drowning. My partner isn’t working at the moment so he is taking care of our three kids (5yrs, 3.5yrs, and 6mnths). I am jumping in when and where I can but I feel emotionally fragile. not too sure where to from here. Just waiting? I feel like I need to be hospitalised

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