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thebull OCD and Anxiety sufferer introduction.
  • replies: 4

Hi, I was diagnosed about eight years ago. I was 35 at the time, and we just had our first and only daughter. This is when my anxiety and OCD thoughts started to overtake me and my mind thought of vulgar behaviour and anxiety that came with it. Altho... View more

Hi, I was diagnosed about eight years ago. I was 35 at the time, and we just had our first and only daughter. This is when my anxiety and OCD thoughts started to overtake me and my mind thought of vulgar behaviour and anxiety that came with it. Although I would never have gone through with any of it, it scared the hell out of me. I thought I was going crazy, mind racing whirling over and over. Eventually, I got referred to a Psychiatrist who put me on some heavy anti-psychotics, making me a walking zombie, I was also put on another medication to help with ongoing crushing headaches. My initial diagnosis back then was Schizophrenia and OCD. Later we moved to Queensland, got a new GP, saw him as I needed a script for my medication, usually do not give out scripts on the first visit, but he trusted me at the time and is now my regular GP. I wanted to come off the medication and we started my taper, this is when things went bad for me again, reducing it my mind started playing havoc again, thoughts swirling around non stop head feeling like it was spinning as well as feeling agro or frustration against small things creeping into my head, short with family and my 8-year-old daughter, I was going insane. I felt like I need to go live somewhere in the bush secluded and away from everyone, as I reflect, likely because I hated myself being this way to my daughter and family. I went back to my GP and told him some details and was referred to a Psychiatrist in Queensland, who diagnosed me with severe OCD and anxiety. We tried another medication for a bit, and that wasn't working, just put me to sleep and tired all the time. I was then placed on another medication and remain on it, I did try dropping the dose, and my mind started racing once again. Being on this medication has helped tremendously in regards to the whirling and intrusive thoughts. I am also on other medication to help cope with work in a contact centre where you get abused most days. Am looking for new work in my primary field of expertise. I have been off one particular medication now for about 3 weeks, so that is a win, GP said that this was likely masking some of my mental health issues as well so coming off this brought it out so we could then treat the proper symptoms. Some days like today I want to go and bash something or break something. Have settled now and calmed down. TY

PetaMac16 Help with my anxious 11 year old
  • replies: 3

I am at my wits end with my daughter's anxious behaviours and tantrums that are causing pressure on relationships. I am interested to get peoples thoughts on medicating children or CBT in children what works what doesn't. My daughter has quite severe... View more

I am at my wits end with my daughter's anxious behaviours and tantrums that are causing pressure on relationships. I am interested to get peoples thoughts on medicating children or CBT in children what works what doesn't. My daughter has quite severe anxiety where she is frightened to go to sleep at night and will be up and down for hours because she is worries that she is going to choke as she has a constant "lump in her throat" (which of course is from anxiety) I have tried many apps including Smiling Minds which are of some benefit but feel that her anxiety is escalating as I had an episode just last night that lasted for over 2 hours of crying screaming and stomping her feet ...... please help !

thatrabbit Feeling Invalidated?
  • replies: 4

Hello, I've decided to join these forums today and share my experience after having my first appointment with a clinical psychologist and discussing the possibility that I may have Bipolar disorder, and trying to express my issues with this illness. ... View more

Hello, I've decided to join these forums today and share my experience after having my first appointment with a clinical psychologist and discussing the possibility that I may have Bipolar disorder, and trying to express my issues with this illness. I had seeked her out, specifically, because she was the only psychologist that listed having 'experience with Bipolar patients', along with vague text about being able to make 'assessments' and 'diagnosis' for clients. So, I believed, this was the best place to start my mental health journey with, what I now believe, is Bipolar disorder. For reference, I'm 18 and have been feeling definite symptoms since 11/12, and this runs in my family. I did not go into this appointment with any prior expectations, but I came out feeling invalidated. Straight away, she noticed I had ticked the 'Bipolar' box, and we talked about what I was feeling. Her tone, and the way she approached what I said / diverted the topics, made me feel like she wasn't acknowledging my problems. I felt like this because, after everything I had said to her, she mentioned that 'this doesn't sound severe / drastic enough for Bipolar' - specifically referring to my elevated state, which she mentioned: 'this is how normal people feel'. She never talked about mental illness, or even Bipolar in general. She latched onto, and told me, that: 'people feel how you're feeling because they eat crap food, take medications, and don't exercise'. She also went on to say that: 'it would just be best, if people didn't have Bipolar in the first place'. How is this supposed to help me at all? I acknowledge, like any person would, that a healthy diet, good exercise, good routines and (generally) a lack of UNNEEDED medications benefits everyone. But I really did not like how she went about this. What about the people who have this chronic illness? What about those suffering from something like, Schizophrenia? Are you going to tell them to get off their medications, eat a healthy diet, and go on? I found this pretty insulting, not just for myself, but for those that are actually suffering with these things. I felt like, ultimately, she didn't 'believe' in these mental health issues, and that everything can be fixed with a healthy lifestyle. I hope these feelings of mine are justified. I came out of this initial appointment feeling as though my last 8yrs of dealing with my inner turmoil was nothing.

Ravenstag Sweating side effect
  • replies: 4

I get the most aweful sweating from my medications. It can be the middle of winter and I feel cold but my face looks like I've just splashed water on it. I'm a checkout chick so I'm constantly moving and it's so embarrassing. I get multiple customers... View more

I get the most aweful sweating from my medications. It can be the middle of winter and I feel cold but my face looks like I've just splashed water on it. I'm a checkout chick so I'm constantly moving and it's so embarrassing. I get multiple customers a day asking if I'm alright or commenting on how hot it is. Sweet is just pouring off me, getting in my eyes, dripping off my nose. I'm worried people will be grossed out by me handling their food and potentially dripping on it. Does anyone know some sort of solution for this? Like facial antiperspirants or remedies. Anything? I've been dealing with it for years and I don't know what to do. My face is the worst but I do sweat all over. When it's particularly hot parts of my skin get painful, like I'm being hurt with needles. Mostly around my shoulders, neck and back. It really hurts, and on a few occasions even happened on my face. It's like I can't move or I'll be hurt with a thousand needles. I can't deal with this any more.

incrediblytired Separating mental and physical health issues and being taken seriously (potential chronic fatigue)
  • replies: 2

I'm currently working with a psychiatrist and my GP to figure out whether my mental health issues are limited to severe depression and anxiety, or whether there is something else at play (after a lot of research I'm pretty much certain I have bipolar... View more

I'm currently working with a psychiatrist and my GP to figure out whether my mental health issues are limited to severe depression and anxiety, or whether there is something else at play (after a lot of research I'm pretty much certain I have bipolar type 2, but my psychiatrist doesn't listen to me, which is another problem all together) but during this process something else has come up that I don't know how to address. For many many months I've been struggling with extreme exhaustion. I've always had a rough sleep schedule and often have bouts of insomnia, so I chalked it up to that (not to mention the, you know, depression), but the more time passes the worse it gets. I'm tired ALL the time, and no matter how much sleep I get I'm still miserable and tired afterwards. It's affecting my life to the point where I can't make myself wake up and get out of bed, I nap all the time, and I'm sore and cranky. This hasn't been helping my declining mental health at all. I took leave from work several weeks ago for mental health, and I'm so grateful for it because I have no idea how I'd manage employment in this condition. After googling, it looks like I tick a lot of boxes for chronic fatigue syndrome. The problem is, I'm too scared to talk to my doctors about it because I don't want to be seen as just making things up for attention or have it brushed off as just a part of my depression. What are other people’s experiences with this? How do you get people to take you seriously when you already have so much going on and you just KNOW they're sick of you? Does anybody else have similar stories to share? Advice?

kel32 brain zaps.
  • replies: 3

hi guys, just looking for some self help tips in regards to brain zaps when coming of snri's please. day 3 of zero tablets taken (tapered very slowly) and cant even move eyes or head without getting these zaps! i know theyr not dangerous but any self... View more

hi guys, just looking for some self help tips in regards to brain zaps when coming of snri's please. day 3 of zero tablets taken (tapered very slowly) and cant even move eyes or head without getting these zaps! i know theyr not dangerous but any self help would be great thank you

Sueetties Excessive worry about weight gain from an antidepressant :-(
  • replies: 5

Hello, So this marks the 6th month since I have started on an antidepressant to treat my depression. I have been overly feeling good about my mood. However, I am unable to put aside the excessive worry of gaining weight for the last 6 months as so mu... View more

Hello, So this marks the 6th month since I have started on an antidepressant to treat my depression. I have been overly feeling good about my mood. However, I am unable to put aside the excessive worry of gaining weight for the last 6 months as so much has been said about the unwanted side effects. I know I’ve been in a perfect weight range (47.5kgs) for years and I’m still the right size. However, presently, I unconsciously stand up on a scale from time to time (3 or 4 times a day) and weight myself up for fear that I will gain an extra unwanted 5 pounds. This has driven me insane. Excessive exercise is another thing that has plagued me as well. I know it’s good to do some exercises but seem that I have been overdone it, 4km run a day non-stop for 6 months. I feel gross and I don’t know how to stop. I am afraid one day I stop exercise, depression will come back. I feel that this is some sort of a psychological symptom which can be a concern. I do not know what to do now. i wonder if anyone has similar experiences and how to overcome the worry and fear? thank you.

16sundayz Psychodynamic therapy?
  • replies: 8

My psychologist and I are doing doing combinations of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy. Does anyone have any info for me please on Psychodynamic Therapy or link about it?

My psychologist and I are doing doing combinations of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy. Does anyone have any info for me please on Psychodynamic Therapy or link about it?

sensitiveswan I hide my mental state too well
  • replies: 7

I am struggling at the moment, with both anxiety and depression. I can't go a day without a full breakdown. I know I can't work at the moment, as I work with children and I can't be crying at work. The very thought of going to work gives me a mild pa... View more

I am struggling at the moment, with both anxiety and depression. I can't go a day without a full breakdown. I know I can't work at the moment, as I work with children and I can't be crying at work. The very thought of going to work gives me a mild panic attack! It takes a great deal of courage to leave the house, yet when I get to the GP or wherever I have to be I put on my 'public' face. I sometimes worry that I won't be taken seriously, but it is so difficult to let my guard down. I've applied for sickness benefit, but what if they say no because they deem me to be mentally well? I know I'm not, in fact the tears have just started again while I right this. Does anyone else have this problem?

Scottish-Parrot_Jaimie Feelings for Psychologist. Do I tell her?
  • replies: 19

I've been seeing my current psychologist fortnightly for a few months now, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't find her quite attractive from day one, but at that point, it was simply me noticing she was good looking and that was that. As we had more... View more

I've been seeing my current psychologist fortnightly for a few months now, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't find her quite attractive from day one, but at that point, it was simply me noticing she was good looking and that was that. As we had more sessions together though, I started actually crushing on her, but now, as I really think about it, these feelings aren't particularly romantic, or sexual. Its more platonic than that, like I wish she was my mother. The thought of actually being romantic with her weirds me out, yet I still have this crush like infatuation. I'm 25 (hardly qualified to be) and she's in her late 30's, if that means anything. I'm also a woman; a very gay one, so this situation is confusing. I have a letter that I've written her that addresses these feelings, but I'm unsure whether or not I should give it to her for our next session. I'm scarred she'll stop seeing me, or I'll make things super weird between us. I'm aware of what transference is, and it seems accurate to this situation, but I feel like I haven't been seeing my psychologist long enough to justify such a connection, and I'm not sure how transference is viewed in modern psychology given how many Freudian methods of treatment have been (rightfully) moved away from. Anyway, the letter is very honest, although admittedly downplaying how often I think about her just the tiniest bit. Is it worth giving it to her? I don't want to distract from our work or ruin what I have with her. Thank you.