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Mil How to make oneself go see a psychologist?
  • replies: 19

Hi all, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I suppose I'll get re-oriented if there's a better section of the forum for this. I'm a 28-year-old woman with a bit of anxiety. I'm seeking to get this treated as it's lately been mor... View more

Hi all, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I suppose I'll get re-oriented if there's a better section of the forum for this. I'm a 28-year-old woman with a bit of anxiety. I'm seeking to get this treated as it's lately been more crippling than before (I have anti-productive anxiety that makes me procrastinate) and I feel like it's starting to affect my sense of self (I feel like I've become an over-worrying, nagging, whining person when I used to take most things with good humour). My issue is, I've never been to a psych and I'm not really good at discussing private/intimate matters such as these so it's quite terrifying and easy to find excuses to not actually do it (I don't have time/money for this - which is true in a sense, but I'm the person deciding how I allocate my money and time so... blah). Instead I'm stuck into this phase of just thinking/talking about going to see someone. Plus I don't currently have Medicare. I recently learnt I might be able to get it, but instead of investigating this further I'm writing this. Or, as soon as I have better days, I tell myself I don't really need this, that I'm just being over-dramatic or too lazy to tackle my own issues myself, that it's not that bad etc. And it IS not that bad, I'm still functioning, just not very well sometimes and self-loathing is starting to kick in. I don't know. It sounds like a very "privileged problem" compared to some people who are in much deeper discomfort. But at the same time, I don't want to slide further down so addressing this now is probably wise. Anyone else going/gone through this? I know there's no miracle trick and I just need to do it. But it'd be nice to hear from people who have been there. I also have an unrelated (I think?) issue that I don't know what to do with but it might be best to discuss it in another post. When I'm ready. Have I mentioned I'm a professional procrastinator? Ergh! Anyway, thanks for reading and thanks for this awesome website. Mil PS: Sorry if my English sounds a bit weird at times, I'm not a native speaker.

Paul2019 Psychiatrists, medication and diagnosis, oh my.
  • replies: 4

Quick background, I have always been a bit "dweeby" and I'm an IT professional by day. I've struggled with anxiety-like symptoms for about 20 years. I've been to my GP more than once, started on anti-depressants, but they made no difference to my day... View more

Quick background, I have always been a bit "dweeby" and I'm an IT professional by day. I've struggled with anxiety-like symptoms for about 20 years. I've been to my GP more than once, started on anti-depressants, but they made no difference to my day to day life, anxiety medication was better but felt like I was using the wrong tool for the job in the sense that, it dealt with the majority of the symptoms, but I wasn't getting "better". That is, I just felt like I was maintaining. I've also done the free medicare health plan, but honestly, the psychology had little to no effect on my overall feeling of well being. My GP said that the next step is a psychiatrist, which isn't covered by Medicare, so before I go out and shell out a whole bunch of cash for more treatment, I'm looking for some other forum users who might have gone down this path. What condition were you going to get help with? (Feel free to omit this if you feel you'd prefer) What was your experience like? How did it compare to seeing a therapist or psychologist? How much did you pay (if you don't mind) and how many sessions did you need (or want, if you couldn't do all that you wanted) If you stopped, why, and would you go back? I know it's a rather generalised question

nicola21 ECT bad experience
  • replies: 2

Heyyy, so I've been struggling with depression and anorexia for 5 years. I received 30 ect treatments and whilst it did help with my depression I've had terrible side effects. I can't remember anything, literally my short term memory is dreadful and ... View more

Heyyy, so I've been struggling with depression and anorexia for 5 years. I received 30 ect treatments and whilst it did help with my depression I've had terrible side effects. I can't remember anything, literally my short term memory is dreadful and there's chunks of my life missing. I have an inability to focus completely, I'm experiencing aphasia, no math aptitude and its completely messing with my social skills and its causing me to have more panic attacks because I can't pursue my future because I am completely incapable. Did anyone else have these negative side effects and/or know what to do about them. I'm really struggling

AnitaIsHere Learning/cognitive difficulties - Any helpful ideas?
  • replies: 2

Hi all, Diagnosis: major depressive disorder. Been medicated for nearly 20 years with multiple changes to medication and attempts to go without them, to no avail. Status: Accept my lot in life and deal with as best I can. Current: Happy with medicati... View more

Hi all, Diagnosis: major depressive disorder. Been medicated for nearly 20 years with multiple changes to medication and attempts to go without them, to no avail. Status: Accept my lot in life and deal with as best I can. Current: Happy with medication. Feel normal. EXCEPT: I am absolutely stupid. I used to be intelligent. I'm trying my best to get through a degree but can't learn for the life of me. Feels like nothing will stick and my concentration is basically lost. It's just so disheartening and though I'll never be defeated because I'm as head strong as they come, I'm down to one subject and still can't focus. What things have people tried to help the brain focus?

Gingy_75 Anxiety being a Jerk!
  • replies: 3

Quick question... started new meds a week ago & now I seem to be getting involuntary jerks in random parts of my body... also feeling an internal tremor are these normal side effects? I’ve taken this particular AD in the past and never had any side e... View more

Quick question... started new meds a week ago & now I seem to be getting involuntary jerks in random parts of my body... also feeling an internal tremor are these normal side effects? I’ve taken this particular AD in the past and never had any side effects

Gingy_75 Got the shakes
  • replies: 2

Have developed a new symptom, recently, not sure what to make of it?... Does anyone else feel shaky, like your trembling internally when you get up in the morning? I’m feeling a little shaky as I’m typing this, which in turn is making me more anxious... View more

Have developed a new symptom, recently, not sure what to make of it?... Does anyone else feel shaky, like your trembling internally when you get up in the morning? I’m feeling a little shaky as I’m typing this, which in turn is making me more anxious. My 3rd day taking medication, would I be feeling side effects already?

Quercus The Miracle Question. What to do when therapy techniques open a can of worms.
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone can relate to this and perhaps share how they coped. A few days ago I learnt about therapists using the 'Miracle Question'. As in you wake up and a miracle has happened and you feel well. What has changed? How do you k... View more

Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone can relate to this and perhaps share how they coped. A few days ago I learnt about therapists using the 'Miracle Question'. As in you wake up and a miracle has happened and you feel well. What has changed? How do you know a miracle has happened? I'd never heard of this before. Wasn't expecting my mind to go straight to answering the question. And it set me off badly. Nothing was different in my imagination at first. Still managing depression, still sore with the autoimmune arthritis, kids just as feral and me just as cranky as usual. But then I saw the change. My Mum knocked on the door and let herself in. Pulled up a chair at the table and it was so relaxed and informal it was clear this was a regular thing. And I wasn't expected to fake happy and perform. And my goodness did that hurt. I had to remind myself we can't make choices for other people. I wanted that scene to be real. But it's not going to happen. If I've been asking for almost 6 years now and nothing has changed then perhaps I need to let the dream go. Has anyone else found themselves triggered by something in therapy and unable to shake it days later? What did you do to regain a sense of stability? Nat

Hardyz100 Do anti depressants cause hair loss?
  • replies: 2

I’ve been diagnosed with depression anxiety and adhd last year and received a medicine. I’m wondering if this causes hair loss or other anti depressants?

I’ve been diagnosed with depression anxiety and adhd last year and received a medicine. I’m wondering if this causes hair loss or other anti depressants?

LoveSeeker Distraction rather than facing grief?
  • replies: 11

Hi Everyone, my partner is going through a tough time following his separation from his wife half a year ago. He was the one separating but he is going through a depressed period because everything is overwhelming him (e.g. guilt, seeking purpose, ch... View more

Hi Everyone, my partner is going through a tough time following his separation from his wife half a year ago. He was the one separating but he is going through a depressed period because everything is overwhelming him (e.g. guilt, seeking purpose, change management etc.). He told me that he is having a tough time facing his grief and the reality of his situation, so instead he is trying to continuously distract himself. I am worried that he will not move through the grief process properly if he holds himself back from facing the pain and sadness to work through them. He is aware of what he is doing but he does not seem able to challenge himself. On top, he does not cry because his grandfather told him that real boys don't cry. So now, even when he goes to psychotherapy, he stops himself from speaking about a topic from start to finish if he finds himself close to tears. I would like some advice on whether you believe that distraction can still be a method of getting through everything or whether this will indefinitely prolong his pain and difficulties finding back to a better path. It is taking its toll on me, too because I have full uncertainty on when this will get better. I handled my own marriage breakdown very differently and went through all my pain with a lot of awareness because I wanted to get out on the other side soon. I feel he is stuck in a loop of drowning his sorrows in keeping himself busy just so that he does not have to think and feel too much. Can you also please help me understand what I could do to support him on getting through this better, i.e. how I could support him to work through his pain rather than around it. Thank you!