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AShadowWolf GP said they couldn't give me a MHCP nor refer me to any other mental health service because they didn't know me. Normal?
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I managed to work up the courage after hours of pacing around the area, to walk into the GP clinic that I had planned on visiting, and talk to the GP about my mental health. I don't like my family GP so this was a new one. I told her tha... View more

Hi everyone, I managed to work up the courage after hours of pacing around the area, to walk into the GP clinic that I had planned on visiting, and talk to the GP about my mental health. I don't like my family GP so this was a new one. I told her that I had been struggling with my mental health issues for several years now, that it was getting worse because I wasn't receiving treatment, and that it was impacting my ability to function to the point where I couldn't work and I failed my last year and a half of uni. I had my piece of paper in my pocket with all my symptoms and everything but paused to gauge her reaction before going into specifics. She told me she didn't specialise in mental health which is fine but I figured she'd still be able to help me or at least refer me to someone who could. Instead, she said my uni would have services to deal with my issues and I told her that I needed a MHCP to access them. She said she couldn't give me one because she didn't know me. That was surprising. People see new GPs all the time. She told me to see my family GP and I told her that I hadn't seen him in years and he didn't know about my mental health issues so it wouldn't be any different. I asked her if she could refer me to someone who could diagnose me or give me meds and she said she couldn't give referrals because she didn't know me. She told me again, to see my family GP. That I was born here so I should have one. To ask my mum/ dad/ siblings for their GP instead. I was a little speechless so I just thanked her and left. I don't even know what to do. Wasn't expecting that result. I find it weird that she didn't give me any help because she didn't know me. This surely isn't normal, right? I worry that all the GPs in my area are the same because mental health is never talked about in my community and most people have an outdated view on it.

andyb74 ADHD medication holiday
  • replies: 4

Hello all - this is my first post, i have suffered and been diagnosed with GAD/depression and been taking ssri medication for the last 8 years. I was diagnosed with adult adhd in January 2019 - i'm 45 years old. Now I'm on medications for both - no i... View more

Hello all - this is my first post, i have suffered and been diagnosed with GAD/depression and been taking ssri medication for the last 8 years. I was diagnosed with adult adhd in January 2019 - i'm 45 years old. Now I'm on medications for both - no issues, the adhd diagnosis has been pretty life changing in a good way, everything about my past (although not dwelling in it), has started to make sense - anxiety/addiction/lack of focus, etc - sounds similar to lots of other people on here diagnosed with adult adhd. My question is - my psychiatrist mentioned I should be taking adhd medication holidays every month for a day or two (definitely not talking about holidays from anti depressants - just to make that clear.) My GP hasn't heard too much about it. My psychologist has suggested rather than take no adhd medication - maybe take reduced adhd medication for a day or two. Has anyone else with adult adhd had experience with this subject? There is alot of info on the internet about kids taking adhd medication holidays - but very little about adult adhd.. I currently take instant release adhd meds. Also - i'll add - I did take 2 days off in February 2019, but felt it didn't really help. Since then I have been taking adhd meds everyday as prescribed. I'm back to see my psychiatrist in August. cheers Andy

Shenpa Psychiatrist consultation times
  • replies: 3

I've been seeing a psychiatrist for just over a year now. My psychologist wanted me to see one to get a diagnosis, so she could help me more. I have a several concerns about him, but one in particular is regarding his consultation time. I'm supposed ... View more

I've been seeing a psychiatrist for just over a year now. My psychologist wanted me to see one to get a diagnosis, so she could help me more. I have a several concerns about him, but one in particular is regarding his consultation time. I'm supposed to see him for an hour, but I've only ever spent half an hour with him. When I sign the form at the reception, it says the consultation must be a minimum of 45 minutes. I'm too scared to ask him for fear of being in trouble. He bulk bills, after an initial consultation which is very expensive. I feel very uncomfortable about this, and don't know what to do.

EmmaP SSRI Immediate Effects (First Week)- Normal??
  • replies: 7

Hi Everyone, My doctor started me on a SSRI Anti Depressant last week for anxiety and depression. I just finished my first four days of the half dose and now I am on the first day of the full dose. The first day I took them I didn't really feel anyth... View more

Hi Everyone, My doctor started me on a SSRI Anti Depressant last week for anxiety and depression. I just finished my first four days of the half dose and now I am on the first day of the full dose. The first day I took them I didn't really feel anything, just a bit drowsy a couple of hours after taking it (I took them with food). The next day in the afternoon (I took the dose in the morning) I started feeling like I couldnt concentrate, like I would be staring at something like my computer at my desk job and I knew I was looking and I was trying really hard to work out what I was looking at but It wasn't computing or concentrating properly (if that makes sense). Kind of like when you have a dead leg and you are trying really hard to get it to move but It wont listen to your brain or it feels like its in slow motion. I felt fine to drive (wouldnt drive if I thought it was unsafe) but when I was stopped at traffic lights on the way home I would find myself staring off into space much more than usual, my brain still wasn't computing that I was staring at something. Then when I got home I had the absolute giggles, everything was funny which was strange. I felt silly I was jumping around overly happy and excited over everything but I felt good! Saturday was much the same and when I went out and didn't drink I still felt like the life of the party, on a 'high' if you will, whereas usually if I had gone out and not drunk I would have felt boring and not as fun. Everything was funny and exciting and I was much happier than usual. Sunday I had an anxiety attack in the morning and felt anxious once more, and had another couple of attacks in stressful situations. Then the afternoon I felt good again. Today (Monday) the first day of full dose, about two hours after I took the dosage I felt slightly drowsy, and I just had a wave come over me and I felt adrenaline course through my body, light headed and weak. I haven't exerted myself, I'm just at my desk job. I feel odd, but not overly happy like I have been. Its still an effort to concentrate properly on my work. Are these normal sort of reactions? I was a bit concerned when I felt overly happy the first couple of days because I felt much better than I had been for a long time, no anxiety or the feeling of being down or sad, but my doc said it would take at least 4-6 weeks to work properly. Is this just my body getting used to it? Anyone's personal experiences or opinions would be much appreciated!

16sundayz Hypnosis
  • replies: 4

I don't suppose anyone here could help me? I've been talking to my psychologist lately about him doing hypnosis to help me relax more in sessions and not get so anxious that I end up dissociating and "freezing up" as he calls it. The thing is I have ... View more

I don't suppose anyone here could help me? I've been talking to my psychologist lately about him doing hypnosis to help me relax more in sessions and not get so anxious that I end up dissociating and "freezing up" as he calls it. The thing is I have no idea what questions or so to ask to get it started. I do know that I'd like to be less anxious and less triggered which then in turn causes the freezing up and dissociating but I don't know how to get through even the beginning of it at the relaxing stage for him to continue going deeper in to it. Any advice would be really appreciated. He said we can start it when I want to and I asked him can we start at the next appointment which is August 13th.

Willy05 SNRI for Anxiety/Depression
  • replies: 5

HI all, I have been on the anti depressant merry go round for the past couple of months. After being on SSRI meds for around 10 years it pooped out on me. My GP has now put me on an SNRI for my anxiety and depression, but the GAD seems to be my major... View more

HI all, I have been on the anti depressant merry go round for the past couple of months. After being on SSRI meds for around 10 years it pooped out on me. My GP has now put me on an SNRI for my anxiety and depression, but the GAD seems to be my major problem of late. It is my 21st day on the SNRI, the first 2 weeks were hell, nausea most of the time, no appetite ( I have lost 12kg in two weeks) tingling body, this last week I have seen a lot of improvement, but I now seem to hit a wall in the middle of the day. I wake up at 4.30 am to exercise, either the gym or a walk. Get to work at 7am and clock off at 5pm. I feel great after exercising for a few hours, but as 9.30-10 am hits my mood drops, I loose interest, feel tired, I get the muscular aches and tingles, but as 2-3pm hits my mood lifts & I feel better until I go to bed at 9pm. I have a 3.5 year old son who can be a handful and a 9 week old son and a loving wife. My main question is will the wall I hit in the middle of the day get better after more time on the SNRI or should I be asking my GP about upping the dose?? Has anyone else experienced something like this??

GucciSquirrel Voluntary admission - do I still need it? If so, can I have a little more time to prepare?
  • replies: 1

Hi all, Firstly, thank you for sharing all your experiences. I've found many of my questions about voluntary admission into a private psychiatric clinic have been answered in a number of previous threads, but I have a couple more. For background, I h... View more

Hi all, Firstly, thank you for sharing all your experiences. I've found many of my questions about voluntary admission into a private psychiatric clinic have been answered in a number of previous threads, but I have a couple more. For background, I have been off work for about 4 months due to my illness. I can't fit my entire medical history within a 2,500 character limit, but I was deemed unfit for work (and still am). About 3 months ago, I was placed on a waiting list to go into a private psychiatric clinic for treatment, as I was in a really bad place at this time. Late last week, I was informed it was my turn to go in for admission and a date has been set (two days time at the time of writing), but as I feel like I've made some recovery, I wonder whether or not there's still justification for me to become an inpatient. As suggested in a previous thread, I've made a list of goals that I'd like to achieve in order to get better. I've also read comments suggesting that being a voluntary patient in a private facility could be a great opportunity to work on getting better without any distractions. Whilst my main concern is whether or not I should go in for voluntary admission as the worst has passed for me (for now), I have external commitments that I am unable to delegate on such short (two working days) notice. Also, the clinic does not mention anything on its website relating to technology that may or may not be brought with patients. I am aware that the expectation is to fill my days with treatments and therapies, along with reading and/or artistic pursuits during downtime. However, my natural creativity manifests in written form, and I'm considerably more effective as a writer when using a PC rather than paper. I guess that's a question for the admissions staff. I'm wondering if it would be appropriate (or even possible) for me to ask for my admission to be delayed for a few more days. I need at least three working days to make arrangements to ensure my financial commitments can be met without interruption. Doing this would allow me to focus 100% of my mental energy on recovery. However, as above, my biggest concern is that I'll take a bed from away from someone that may need it more than I do right now. Whilst I'm not well enough to go back to work, I am improving and I am keen to get back as soon as I can. But I still need more help before I'm ready. Apologies for the wall of text, but there's a bit I needed to cover off. Thanks.

Beem Health anxiety/bereavement
  • replies: 2

Hi all. I'm a newbie here, and very nervous. I have suffered from health anxiety for a few years, and it started as nothing to really worry about. Right now, it is out of control. To make things worse, my Mum passed away very suddenly in February. I ... View more

Hi all. I'm a newbie here, and very nervous. I have suffered from health anxiety for a few years, and it started as nothing to really worry about. Right now, it is out of control. To make things worse, my Mum passed away very suddenly in February. I was there. I visited a GP months ago for help, and whilst sobbing out of desperation in her office, she was smirking at me. She prescribed me an addictive drug, but the script remains untouched and unfilled as I don't feel that will be beneficial. Now I don't know where to go for help. I am anxiety ridden, guilt ridden, and incredibly lonely. Every day I feel like this will be my last day on earth. From lung cancer (ex- smoker dealing with a huge amount of guilt), a brain tumour, heart attack, bowel cancer. I should be clear that I have no feelings of self harm. Would anyone have any suggestions on where to go from here? How many GP's can we visit looking for help before we are classified as doctor shopping? I appreciate you reading this far.

bluehorseshoes Best time to take medication - alertness side effect
  • replies: 4

Hi team, I've been taking an antidepressant for 7 months now and it has helped my anxiety a lot. I wanted to ask for advice here in terms of the best time of day to take ADs (antidepressant) - in order to avoid the side effects of lack of alertness/f... View more

Hi team, I've been taking an antidepressant for 7 months now and it has helped my anxiety a lot. I wanted to ask for advice here in terms of the best time of day to take ADs (antidepressant) - in order to avoid the side effects of lack of alertness/fatigue/trouble concentrating. I was first told to take mine in the morning, but have just this weekend started to take at night with meal to see if this reduces the fatigue that comes and goes during the day that started with the meds. What tips have you got for managing fatigue AD side effects - apart from napping :)? What time of day do you take it? If you've changed the timing of medication, what changes have you noted? Changes in your condition/changes in side effects? I would really appreciate comments from people with experience with ADs and fatigue/alertness side effects. In much appreciation, Bluey.

EmeraldE Should I Seek Professional Help?
  • replies: 3

Hi there everyone, I'm very new to Beyond Blue so I was hoping if someone could help me out. Recently, I've been through some really anxiety-inducing family issues that have left me feeling numb emotionally and even more recently, with an inability t... View more

Hi there everyone, I'm very new to Beyond Blue so I was hoping if someone could help me out. Recently, I've been through some really anxiety-inducing family issues that have left me feeling numb emotionally and even more recently, with an inability to concentrate and an overwhelming desire to just stay in bed and not get up. The fact that it's cold outside really doesn't help to much either. I'm in my second last year of highschool and have been feeling really unmotivated in class, despite having early been really looking forward to this year's studies. I come from a poor family from my mum's side (who I live with) and she's going through a really bad time with her divorce and is having to sell her family home and move us in with my grandmother who lives quite far away from my school and this has stressed her and myself out immensely. Since my dad took my mum to court, I haven't spoken to him but in years before that, we had visited him and his (admittedly terrible) girlfriend and her daughter. During that time I developed a fear of conflict (as he is quite loud when angry) and a severe fear of touch that I *think* might be haphephobia? I've also always had issues with sleep and have been unable to fall asleep before midnight for a few years now. My mother is going through a lot at the moment and doesn't have the time or money for my issues, so I don't want to worry her. However, I can see that my mental health has been affected deeply by the ongoing issues throughout my childhood so I want to get some professional opinions here. Should I seek out a therapist/psychologist/councilor? If so, how would I go about doing that and what would it cost me, assuming that I would likely have to fund such a thing through my own funds to not put pressure on my mother. I'm sorry this post was so long, but I hope someone can give me some advice, as I have been meaning to do this for a while, but hadn't built up the motivation until today's little scare. I'm looking forward to hearing from someone.