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Happygoluckymiss SSRI Medication & your experience
  • replies: 19

Hi all, i went to my fabulous gp today to discuss my mental health. I’ve had troubles sleeping & increasingly bad panic attacks. They’ve been very bad of late. We had a very frank discussion about possibly trying an SSRI to help manage the anxiety an... View more

Hi all, i went to my fabulous gp today to discuss my mental health. I’ve had troubles sleeping & increasingly bad panic attacks. They’ve been very bad of late. We had a very frank discussion about possibly trying an SSRI to help manage the anxiety and sleeping issue (insomnia- 2 years). i am apprehensive about starting an anti-depressant as I know how sensitive I am to medications & I honestly do not have it in me right now to mange the side effects (the last 2 months have been very difficult). We compromised and devised a plan of attack which I will trial & reflect on & if no improvement then look at SSRIs. I am just looking to this wonderful & supportive community to see how you went on SSRIs & if they are really helpful? What does it feel like? i know everyone is different & I am not asking for medical advice regarding the medication, merely your experience with them. I value & respect all opinions. - happygoluckymiss

elfinawe Counsellors in Brisbane who bulk bill with M.H. Pan?
  • replies: 1

Are there any Brisbane metro people who have come accross a service who will bulk bill if you have a Mental Health Plan. Not necessarily with a Health Care Card. Thanks in advance.

Are there any Brisbane metro people who have come accross a service who will bulk bill if you have a Mental Health Plan. Not necessarily with a Health Care Card. Thanks in advance.

16sundayz SSRI Medication
  • replies: 3

On Tuesday my doctor increased my medication and yesterday I was really hungry and ate far too much. It wasn't anything like junk food but too many slices of toast with vegemite. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them? Have y... View more

On Tuesday my doctor increased my medication and yesterday I was really hungry and ate far too much. It wasn't anything like junk food but too many slices of toast with vegemite. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them? Have you gained weight from it? It's the first time I've taken this particular medication.

Ovait Panicking about Independent Medical Exam
  • replies: 9

I am scheduled for a psychiatric IME tomorrow and I’m extremely anxious about it. I’m currently suffering from depression, anxiety and maybe PTSD. To make this appointment I have to catch a 2hr train to Sydney then brave the craziness of the city to ... View more

I am scheduled for a psychiatric IME tomorrow and I’m extremely anxious about it. I’m currently suffering from depression, anxiety and maybe PTSD. To make this appointment I have to catch a 2hr train to Sydney then brave the craziness of the city to get to the IME office..... I’ve been avoiding crowds so this is anxiety provoking by itself! My brain tends to turn off when I’m feeling particularly stressed so I’m worried that I’ll say the wrong thing or forget to mention something else, or worse still mention something in my past that they can turn against me which will lead to being cutoff. Although I have ample medical reports to backup my history since my accident, the spectre of being labelled a “malinger” is hovering in the background. I know the best course of action is to be truthful, not embellish etc but I’m hyper aware their job is to dispute my claim. Is taking a notes into the exam allowed or frowned upon? Should I audio record the appointment? Thanks, Ovait

Barbie2005 Doctors can be annoying - help!
  • replies: 7

So, I’ve got a GP that is sooooo annoying! He won’t listen to my symptoms, usually physical, or brushes them off! I know this sounds rude, but seriously. I’ve been having lots of pain since I was 5, and she just says “they will pass in a couple of we... View more

So, I’ve got a GP that is sooooo annoying! He won’t listen to my symptoms, usually physical, or brushes them off! I know this sounds rude, but seriously. I’ve been having lots of pain since I was 5, and she just says “they will pass in a couple of weeks” or “it’s just growing pains” or something like that. I recently got very annoying with some of these pains, so I googled them to see what it could be and what I could do about it. I discovered that they could possibly be something life threatening(of course, I’m not sure. I’m not a doctor!). I have a doctors appointment in a week or so, and I have an entire notebook of pains and things wrong with me. So, what I was wondering if anyone here has any tips on how to ask him about these things in a way that he might consider it could be anything serious? He refused to diagnose me with Hypermobility Syndrome because he said it wouldn’t make a difference. Thanks!

BrendenFlea Should I find another therapist?
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm new here. I've been recently seeing a therapist for my anxiety, depression and other issues. Just had my third session today, and to be honest I feel like I don't gel with her at all. My first session was really confronting. She asked some re... View more

Hi, I'm new here. I've been recently seeing a therapist for my anxiety, depression and other issues. Just had my third session today, and to be honest I feel like I don't gel with her at all. My first session was really confronting. She asked some really personal questions, some that I would never even would consider answering if a close family member or friend asked. It really made me evaluate myself as a person and how the things in my life have shaped me into what I am today, it was hard not to cry. Second session was worst. She was asking me all these questions about my upbringing and school life. One question she asked that really stood out to me was 'Why did you decide to go to this private school?' I told her because all my friends were going, and it seems like a prestigious school. Then she asked a follow up question, 'Whats wrong with public school?' I told her 'nothing, private just has more opportunities.' And somehow she comes to the conclusion that I am a snob, and I am better than everyone else?! How can I think that I am better than everyone else when I have self conscious issues? I grew up in a poor suburb, my parents are of working class back ground, which I am fortunate enough and grateful they've allowed me to attend such a great school. I couldn't help but feel offended, but I made it look like I was agreeing with her, even though I know deep down inside I am not a snob. I feel as if she's dominant in a conversation. When ever I give an answer, she seems to twist my words and distort my views even further. Third session today was ridiculous. She started 10 minutes late and my appointment only went for 40 minutes (supposed to be a full hour). She was reading through my notebook of my thoughts and how I've been feeling during the week. Again, she brings up the idea of me being snobbish, because I wrote about how I was nervous approaching my GP about my mental health, and getting a mental health plan, because I thought they would have no idea about the subject. She assumed that I think a specialist is better than a GP, and somehow a GP is inferior? Of course a specialist is better in terms of skill, but as a human they are equal! She then continues to waffle on about other examples, like how an architect is no better than a plumber, and how I am not special. LOL WHAT? I never said I was special. Where does she get these ideas from? Sorry for the rant. I have a lot to share and wasn't sure how to express it. Should I find someone else?

Chickenhead What is a psychologist meant to do?
  • replies: 2

I went through a really difficult time a few years ago and after speaking with my GP was given a mental health plan for anxiety. I went to a few sessions with the psychologist attached to the practice but felt so bored. She would ask basic questions ... View more

I went through a really difficult time a few years ago and after speaking with my GP was given a mental health plan for anxiety. I went to a few sessions with the psychologist attached to the practice but felt so bored. She would ask basic questions followed by how it made me feel, and that was about it. I feel I have a very complex history and she just didn't seem interested in finding out about it. I had already developed my own coping strategies, so she didn't offer any other guidance. I gave up going back. I then found a psychologist that specialised in female autism and had several sessions with her. I went through the testing and she confirmed I met the criteria for diagnosis. We went through some coping strategies but I chose not to get an official diagnosis. The sessions were solely focused on autism. Its now several years on and I'm becoming aware how much my history effects my every day life. I suspect I would meet the criteria for autism, depression, anxiety and ptsd, but I have no idea how I would go about finding someone who would actually talk to me at length and care to work through everything. It just seems too difficult to go through it all, and my experience is they hear some of my story, say how sorry they are and ask if I'm coping, and completely miss the fact that the situation I've just relayed is just the tip of the iceberg. And just because I'm not having panic attacks this week, it doesn't mean my life is no longer effected... It means I've become Masterful at avoiding triggers. How are the sessions meant to work? Do they focus on what's happening here and now, or do you talk about your history and how that effects you?? I would like to actually talk to someone about all my history and how my current situation has developed as a consequence, but is that even necessary once they've come to a diagnosis? If they knew it all, they may see how unhealthy my current circumstance has become and be able to work on fixing what's broken in me so I can do better than just "coping" strategies.

BoxaGuy Diagnosed with Adult ADHD at 40 Male
  • replies: 3

Hi all As the title says. Process to diagnosis took years for various reasons, I always knew something was wrong but couldn't figure it out. Occasionally id see a GP and be prescribed anti-depressants or referred to different types of counselors, phy... View more

Hi all As the title says. Process to diagnosis took years for various reasons, I always knew something was wrong but couldn't figure it out. Occasionally id see a GP and be prescribed anti-depressants or referred to different types of counselors, physiologists and from memory one or two psychiatrists. At around 39 i needed the issue sorted so i committed to getting it done. First step was to get a GP close to home to see regularly, i spoke to her about the issues and asked for a referral to see a psychiatrist, I gave my reasons and she agreed, during this time she also referred me to see a clinical physiologist, with the physiologist i visited with him ten times Visiting the psychiatrist for the first time resulted in the usual, depression with some anxiety and a script. I returned to my GP discussed the results and asked for another referral to see a psychiatrist, again she agreed, also another referral was made to see a clinical physiologist. This process continued until the third visit with the same psychiatrist, where he stated ADHD and referred me to another psychiatrist who specializes in that area. On seeing the ADHD psychiatrist he diagnosed me with Adult ADHD and like anyone with some sense I spent hours and hours researching it as much as I could and my conclusion was the same, spot on. I’ve now been prescribed medication and have been taking them for around the past 10 months along with regular visits to the ADHD psychiatrist. So far I’m not sure whether the meds will help or not, at first I felt they were but now I’m thinking it was me that was making them work being optimistic and positive, both emotions are hard to replenish if possible after setbacks. To get to this stage has taken a lot of faith and energy, both of which I have very little of now and I’m starting to worry, that’s why I’m here, looking for some help or advise on how to engage/consult with the ADHD psychiatrist. I can’t think of a better way to put it, it’s like dealing with a real estate agent or car salesman trying to palm of a product. I just can’t get the thought out of my head that the better he is at his job the poorer he’ll be. So cost is an issue for me. How much do I pay before I go broke or give up? What I should discuss with him to not waist time? How long do I keep seeing him for and how often? The cost would be fine if I knew the outcome had a good chance of being positive, as I stated faith and energy are very low and im not sure how to proceed.

JayW Workers Compensation - reimbursement for treatment and approved treatment types
  • replies: 8

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I'm just after some advice on people's experience. Firstly, moderators if this isn't the correct section of the forum to post I apologise and could it please relocated if in the incorrect spot. I have been diagnosed as ha... View more

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I'm just after some advice on people's experience. Firstly, moderators if this isn't the correct section of the forum to post I apologise and could it please relocated if in the incorrect spot. I have been diagnosed as having anxiety/depression by my GP back in February 2016 but it has been going on since early 2014. The primary cause for the diagnosis has been a series of workplace incidents leading to a mental illness. i have submitted a claim for workers compensation and I'd like to know which treatments and/or services can be reimbursed. I am seeing a clinical psychologist which I'm sure will be reimbursed. However, due to my illness I have put on in excess of 20kg in the last 2-3 years, which has led to being diagnosed with sleep apnea and requiring a cpap machine and a susceptibility to physical illnesses such as infections and migraines. I guess my real question is: Can I claim reimbursement for a nutritionist, personal training/gym to get my weight and physical health under control? From the reading I have done there is a credible link between mental health and weight gain, and weight gain and deteriating mental and physical health. My view point is my workplace caused a mental health illness, that illness caused unwanted physical side effects. So I should be able to get assistance with the side effects? Any help would be appreciated, either official or your own experience. thank you.

agobella Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone Has anyone ever had the above treatment. It does say that it is used for depression, nothing about treating anxiety. Would be interested to hear thoughts from people who have had this type of treatment. Sera

Hi Everyone Has anyone ever had the above treatment. It does say that it is used for depression, nothing about treating anxiety. Would be interested to hear thoughts from people who have had this type of treatment. Sera