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Laynelove Atypical Depression
  • replies: 7

Hi, I'm 25 year old female, I've never been diagnosed but i suspect I have atypical depression. I'm getting increasingly frustrated at the lack of information out there on this. I don't want Wikipedia type info, I know the textbook definition of what... View more

Hi, I'm 25 year old female, I've never been diagnosed but i suspect I have atypical depression. I'm getting increasingly frustrated at the lack of information out there on this. I don't want Wikipedia type info, I know the textbook definition of what it is. im just curious to know why there are no forums, personal stories, success stories, evidence of recovery out there on the internet. Is this because people just get labelled as depressed without a subtype or is it because no one knows anything about atypical depression. Has nobody ever recovered from this? Is this a life sentence for me? I'm fighting so so hard just to get by...but I'm not actually living and I haven't been for a long time. i am also getting really frustrated at the fact that I can't get a clear diagnosis. I have seen several therapists who don't want to put labels on me, when I finally saw a psychiatrist with my concerns I still walked out without being diagnosed. It's really important to me that I get a label so I can focus on the correct issue. The therapists I've seen keep talking about my past, but no one has ever given me cbt which is the best known method to help me with what I think I have...but then they turn around and say I'm 'treatment resistant'. I don't feel like I've ever been treated at all. just wondering if anyone has any experience with atypical depression? I'd rather positive stories but if they don't exist then just the truth is fine. Thanks!

waters1999 Are psychologists able to refer you to a psychiatrist?
  • replies: 3

Recently i have had my schedule open up more (despite my boss' efforts to prevent this). I feel i may be ready to seek help but i know a psychologist is not going to cut it as i have had experience with this in the past and i gained very little over ... View more

Recently i have had my schedule open up more (despite my boss' efforts to prevent this). I feel i may be ready to seek help but i know a psychologist is not going to cut it as i have had experience with this in the past and i gained very little over an extensive amount of time. With that being said i would much rather talk to a psychologist about what i am feeling rather than a GP.

SomewhatDamaged Worst experience with a mental health professional
  • replies: 5

I had my first ever appt with a psychiatrist today after 30yrs of hit n miss with ADs. I was already anxious but it ended with me in complete distress n i feel absolutely devastated with what was decided for me based on 20mins of miscommunication. I ... View more

I had my first ever appt with a psychiatrist today after 30yrs of hit n miss with ADs. I was already anxious but it ended with me in complete distress n i feel absolutely devastated with what was decided for me based on 20mins of miscommunication. I am so disillusioned with the mental health system right now...no wonder ppl give up

David Nobody Counselling and Group Sessions
  • replies: 39

Hi, I am attending “group sessions” for depression as an outpatient. And have done so as an inpatient. I’d like to ask what people’s opinions are about there being “no wrong answers” in a group session. To me this is very strange... Of course there a... View more

Hi, I am attending “group sessions” for depression as an outpatient. And have done so as an inpatient. I’d like to ask what people’s opinions are about there being “no wrong answers” in a group session. To me this is very strange... Of course there are wrong answers. Just like there are wrong things said here in response other people’s questions. I’m not saying it happens often, or that it happens intentionally. I would just like to feel that my opinion matters enough to be treated truthfully. I don’t mind being wrong. I mind not knowing if what I have said, or think, is wrong. David

incrediblytired I stood my ground with my psychiatrist and now I'm finally being taken seriously
  • replies: 3

I've always had trouble explaining my mental health to people, including my doctors and psychs, and as a result I've spent the past several years having symptoms brushed off. Everybody was quick to tell me it was "just depression" (which is a serious... View more

I've always had trouble explaining my mental health to people, including my doctors and psychs, and as a result I've spent the past several years having symptoms brushed off. Everybody was quick to tell me it was "just depression" (which is a serious illness on its own, there’s no “just” about it) even though I knew it was deeper than that. Guess who's finally being treated for probable bipolar type 2??? It took me so many years to get here, and it's still early days, but the relief of finally being HEARD and treated in a way that is more beneficial than harmful is a bigger relief than I can explain.

Eley Medication -withdrawl timeframe
  • replies: 6

Hi My son has been taking SNRI medication for the last nine months, then approximately 2 weeks ago the psychiatrist has told him to take half the dosage so he can start a new NRI medication, it has been 6 days since now he has not taken the SNRI as s... View more

Hi My son has been taking SNRI medication for the last nine months, then approximately 2 weeks ago the psychiatrist has told him to take half the dosage so he can start a new NRI medication, it has been 6 days since now he has not taken the SNRI as started the new one. The side effects of this drug withdrawl is horrific, how long does the side effects last .? i know everyone is different, tried called the psychiatrist but his not there til after the weekend. My son has been taking the new medication for one week now Need some thoughts please

MakeTheWorldABetterPlace Serotonin syndrome or serotonin toxicity experiences...
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, I was interested to hear people's experiences with the serotonin syndrome. It is potentially fatal. It takes different forms and can differ in the degree of severity. Sometimes it has psychotic features, other times it doesn't. This is a... View more

Hi everyone, I was interested to hear people's experiences with the serotonin syndrome. It is potentially fatal. It takes different forms and can differ in the degree of severity. Sometimes it has psychotic features, other times it doesn't. This is apparently rare. But I think it is more accurate to say that it is rarely diagnosed. For me, I've had two episodes of the serotonin syndrome in three months. For me, it had psychotic features (e.g. auditory hallucinations). It is incredibly disempowering to have this occur. When you know you are experiencing the serotonin syndrome, especially when there are psychotic features. This is because your claims are discounted by nurses and psychiatrists, at least by those that don't know you well, as claims of a psychotic person lacking insight. Even for me, a person with a PhD in economics, with access to peer-reviewed journal articles pay-walled to most other people, I struggled to be taken seriously by those who didn't really know me. I finally had to take things into my own hands to improve my situation. I can only imagine how daunting and frustrating this would be for others. I'm not alone in my experience. I know of at least one person in the US that has written about this, although not a medical doctor herself, she is medically trained in neuroscience as a researcher. She identified this in her mother. However, as was my experience too, her claims were not believed. Unfortunately for her, her mother passed away as a result. My recent experiences and my heightened risk of further experiences means that this is something I'm very passionate about making sure others don't also have to suffer through. My psychiatrist apologised, still, it would have been good to avoid this entirely. I'm keen to hear others' experiences, as I said I think this is actually quite common. People have become more informed over time in terms of formal education, access to the Internet, access to peer-reviewed research. They may very well know that they have experienced the serotonin syndrome, although it was left not diagnosed. I really think that there needs to be a risk assessment tool developed for people to better identify cases of the serotonin syndrome and to ultimately improve outcomes. I still have some lingering and possibly permanent damage from my experiences. An instrument that is quick to implement like the K10 or the DASS21 would be good to see developed and used. Please share your experiences and thoughts.

16sundayz NDIS
  • replies: 1

How long did people have to wait until they were approved for NDIS? I'm just wondering if it's even worth applying for it. I would use it to pay for my psychologist so I don't have to pay him $600 again for going over 6 of the free 10 sessions I get ... View more

How long did people have to wait until they were approved for NDIS? I'm just wondering if it's even worth applying for it. I would use it to pay for my psychologist so I don't have to pay him $600 again for going over 6 of the free 10 sessions I get currently with the Mental Health Care Plan.

Ames82 EMDR therapy for trauma
  • replies: 4

Has anyone had this therapy ? EMDR= eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy. My psych think this is a good idea but I’m not too sure. Never heard of it . Scared of starting something new . Don’t want to fail. Any advice would be good th... View more

Has anyone had this therapy ? EMDR= eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy. My psych think this is a good idea but I’m not too sure. Never heard of it . Scared of starting something new . Don’t want to fail. Any advice would be good thanks

fred2018 Withdrawing from medication
  • replies: 5

I understand I can't mention specific medications but generally , what tips/tricks do people have coming off any mood medication ? as its been a bit rough for me of late.

I understand I can't mention specific medications but generally , what tips/tricks do people have coming off any mood medication ? as its been a bit rough for me of late.