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Jacket A few questions about starting with a psychologist
  • replies: 9

TLDR: Just jump to the questions at the end. Hi everyone. Thank you for maintaining such a positive forum. I'd like to ask some advice. I just started seeing a psychologist, as I've got anxiety and depression stemming from the fact that my lovely wif... View more

TLDR: Just jump to the questions at the end. Hi everyone. Thank you for maintaining such a positive forum. I'd like to ask some advice. I just started seeing a psychologist, as I've got anxiety and depression stemming from the fact that my lovely wife and I may not be able to have children. It's been wearing me down so heavily. I saw a psychologist who specialises in assisted reproductive therapy (e.g. IVF, which we're considering) for one session, and she was great, but before we had a chance for a second session, she cancelled all future sessions due to a family emergency. I was quite devastated but of course, it's important for her to look after that. So I tried to see another one, that a friend who hadn't liked CBT recommended, who operates from an "existentialist modality". I know those words but didn't know what it might mean for therapy. I went to one session but she asked questions that didn't seem to really help. e.g. "What is anger to you?" when I don't really have anger issues, mainly sadness and anxiety, and "What is a woman?" I could see this working for people in different circumstances like my friend, but it's not helpful for me at this stage, I think. And she asked some really confronting questions that the two friends I've told about say they are very dangerous (leading me down to new unwelcome dark thoughts) and I shouldn't spend any more time with her. But I don't know. I've only given her one chance, so maybe I should give her another. But I don't want to go too far down this path. I wish the first one was still available. The first psychologist did recommend some people, but they're about $200 for 50 minute sessions, and though I can possibly afford it and get the Medicare rebate, it seems really high end, higher than the other two. So, I guess I'd like to know some tips. I'll just number some questions to make it easier, but please don't feel obliged to answer all: 1. Should I try with this second lady some more? 2. If I try to get a new psychologist, should I try CBT or something else? 3. What's CBT all about? 4. Are there other types that might help me? 5. Does anyone know of any other ART therapists around Melbourne? I know you're not allowed to ask for specific recommendations, but is it okay to ask for someone with a specialty? Thank you so much in advance. I feel lost at the moment.

Avacado My experience.
  • replies: 11

Good afternoon to all, another newbie making a another post. First of all hats off to regular contributors, posters and the people who reply. I'm the person that comes front on with the lights on so I'll just jump straight into it, I am a survivor of... View more

Good afternoon to all, another newbie making a another post. First of all hats off to regular contributors, posters and the people who reply. I'm the person that comes front on with the lights on so I'll just jump straight into it, I am a survivor of sexual abuse from my teenage years, over the 20 years I've tried to resolve my issues with this, no luck yet. Each time I approached the "professionals" it's the same routine, we care, we are here to help, here swallow these pills, I've tried so many pills, my stomach can't take them anymore. Not one doctor has offered more than a band aid solution, the two mental health services refuse to even offer counselling, even after referrals from the Royal Flying Doctor Service, I am further denied physical health care, I am unlicensed and the closest bus service is 170 km away, I sit here with mental and physical issues while others in the community are treated to countless "angel flights" after they spend 7 months of the year driving a 4x4 and caravan around Australia, centrelink has been just a nightmare about things, even to the stage where their "social worker" can freely call me a lair, I'm stuck in the queensland outback, no work due to ill health, no treatment option because of financial and transport issues, no mates that can help, I've gone broke trying to get my health sorted, this year on average I've had to restrict my food to only two maybe three meals per week, repaying cash loans for trips to the hospital, I am participating in the national redress scheme, which has further raised more issues, I've been promised counselling from different organisations, but that was all it was, just a promise. After waiting for now 27 months I might give up waiting for anyone to call me back. Yet I have to watch the local mental heath care workers take on new client after new client. I don't if anyone else experiencing this at all, or maybe its just. 20 years I've tried to resolve my issues "the right way" but all I get is pushed under the rug. "get over it" is another good one. I'm crucified for saying harsh words to someone, but the same people can Rob the community organisations and steal from the people here. Maybe just me being over sensitive, not sure.

RhythmFields Panic attacks, alcohol dependence, medication and arthritis. My back story. Now stuck in a loop of panic and depression.
  • replies: 5

Round in circles i go. I have had addiction to alcohol and prescription medication. Currently i have both. As i understand a very dangerous combination. A LONG story. Please bear with me. A bit of background; Age 42 Have suffered anxiety and depressi... View more

Round in circles i go. I have had addiction to alcohol and prescription medication. Currently i have both. As i understand a very dangerous combination. A LONG story. Please bear with me. A bit of background; Age 42 Have suffered anxiety and depression my whole life. As far back i can remember, even before i started drinking at 18. I have always liked to drink. From 20-35 i was a binger with friends. Rarely on the weekdays, but hit it hard on the weekend. When i was in my mid 30's i had a car accident. I was prescribed pain killers. Some times codeine, usually i would take ibuprofen to ease the pain. As life went on after 35 i started having panic attacks, so i turned to my old friend alcohol, a few after work to de-stress(also to help with the pain i was suffering form my car accident). Over time that few turned into more and more, then i was at a 6 pack every other day and more on the weekends. There came a time my body did not agree with the ibuprofen. Bad stomach cramps and sweats, followed by vomiting. As this was my pain killer of choice , i had to then resort to codeine. Everything settled for quite some time. Getting closer to 40. The injury from the accident was giving me constant headaches and i had trouble functioning. I got to a point the pain was so unbearable, i had to be taken to hospital. I had unbearable pain and panic attacks. Enter benzodiazepines and high doses of codeine (given to my by the hospital). At this point i was referred to a specialist for chronic pain. 1 MRI scan later and i was diagnosed with arthritis of my facets joints, early onset due to the nature of my accident. I already had a 1 bottle of benzodiazepines for my pain relief. Had half the bottle left. To help me keep calm during my MRI the specialist gave me another script for it to make it easier on my nerves. At this point i did not think much of it and went and got the scan done. From the results, i had an Quarterzone injection. After a couple of days, i had never felt so good. No pain, and i felt i could conquer the world. Had not felt pain free for many years. In the background i still had my benzodiazepines, and took a tablet after work to destress. Life was as good at could get at this point. Work at this point was getting slow and the company was not winning contracts. 10 people down to 5. The 5 left due to the slow down in work and got jobs in other companies. I was hanging on for hope that work would pick up. Work did not pick up, and after spending 6 weeks in the office with nothing to do, they offered me a redundancy. I accepted as my neck pain and panic attacks was starting to come back, then saw the my specialist for the next treatment. Hope-full that it would work and then i would be back in the workforce in no time. So next was a Facet Joint Rhizotomy (burning the nerve endings off in my neck). I was also given more benzodiazepines. The treatment worked. Worked too well. I had no sensation in the back of my neck for 6 months. The only issue with this treatment was that i could feel no pain, so no warning of everything flaring up. I got to a point where i could barely move my head, no warning of how stiff my neck was until it was too late. Back to the specialist i went. I had some treatments with injections to reduce the inflammation. Also went to physio therapy. This improved things to a point. At this point i was getting low on medication. I stated to the specialist that the benzodiazepines was helping me to relax and i needed more to keep improving. The specialist stated you don't need any more to improve and advised me to come back if my neck was an issue again. 2 weeks after stopping the medication a day i started having uncontrollable panic attacks. (the first couple of weeks i had headaches and some stiffness in the neck). I went to buy food from the supermarket and my head started spinning and i felt like i was about to pass out. Went to my local GP, who i had been seeing since i was 6 years old. I was told that it was likely due to stopping medication so quickly. I was prescribed benzodiazepines again and was cutting down slowly. With the next month the days got longer apart and i stopped taking it and everything was fine. My beer consumption at this point was every other day. A couple of months later, i got the news that my potential girlfriend suddenly decided to see someone else from a friend of mine. Things went down hill very quick. I started drinking every day and the 6 beers went to 10. Before i new it i was an alcoholic and i could not function past an hour of waking up and drinking. I then went to the doctor stating i could not cope and was prescribed benzodiazepines again. Everything seemed ok until a couple of months passed. In the middle of the night i woke up choking and vomiting. In the days that followed i booked my self into a rehab clinic. It was scary as they told me to try and cut down, but to keep drinking as they were concerned about issues with withdrawals. AND to stop taking medication. Right at this point for GP retired. So no trustworthy GP. Finally after a week i was able to get to the clinic. After a long conversation, alcohol test, drug test and vitamin B injection they put me through a detox. After the full 5 days i felt amazing and never wanted to drink again. No alcohol for a month. Until......... I found out my GP retired. I was free of alcohol, but not the benzodiazepine addiction. I still had some left, so i took small doses after that until i had none left. Then after i ran out the panic attacks started again. So i started to drink again. At this point i was lost. I tried to find a GP. The first just gave me a script and sent me on my way. I was drinking every other day, some times every 3 days. At this point drinking was not an issue for me. I kept doing that for many months, until Christmas came and was told I could not see my daughter for Christmas. The drinking got worse and I was denied benzodiazepines after a few visits to the doctor. At that point I was consistently taking it everyday. After that I went to a new doctor. I was honest about everything and was referred to a physiologist. I tried to reduce my drinking. 1 month later I admitted to a drinking problem due to the fact my mind was clouded and I could barely think any more without getting panic attack. So alcohol detox again.... I had no alcohol for three months. After the detox the doctor monitored me closely. 2 weeks had passed with no prescription medication. The panic was starting to set in. I was told that my dose was a nothing dose and it is not an issue. My heart rate was above normal, I could not think straight and I did not care if would not wake up in the morning. Every step or movement would be me having a panic attack. 5 weeks in and I went to the hospital due to me thinking I was having a stroke. ECG and much consultation. The hospital said it was neck related and I was having a panic attack. So I was prescribed benzodiazepines. 1 tablet and I felt dopey but normal. The last few weeks of hell erased by the drug. Still I was told that it was a nothing dose. FF now. New doctor and trying to get best meds for me. To help me with uncontrollable panic attacks. The no. 1 thing he has said is that everyone is different. And some people are sensitive to medication (so dosage is different for people). I now have trust in a doctor, that I didn’t have until my long term one retired. I am seeing him weekly and he is adjusting accordingly. To sum it all up, if you don't want to read it all........ I have a drinking problem again. If I detox from drinking, I fear that I will be cut off from the vprescription medication. I don't want to be told the dose I take is a nothing dose and want to taper very slowly due my panic attacks. I simply don't want to go full circle and start drinking again to try and get my panics attacks under control again. Stuck in a Loop.

Happygoluckymiss Managing mental health
  • replies: 11

Hi all, i have realised that now I am ready you speak with a mental health professional. I recognise I need to now talk about this with a professional and perhaps confront the fear of talking about it. I have seen professionals in the past and know t... View more

Hi all, i have realised that now I am ready you speak with a mental health professional. I recognise I need to now talk about this with a professional and perhaps confront the fear of talking about it. I have seen professionals in the past and know that by having this baseline it will be the start to help manage the not so good times. I’m not looking forward to the emotions after - so I am asking this beautiful community on ways they’ve processed their interactions with their MH professional and if there is anything that I can take with me in my mental health toolbox to help ride that wave? Was it a relief? Hard? As always, I open all suggestions! - happygoluckymiss

MysticMark Advice regarding Disability Support Assesment (DSP)
  • replies: 2

Hi Al, This is my first post in BB so please go easy on me. In a few weeks I have an assessment with Centrelink for my DSP. I have not worked for the last 8 years due to severe depression, anxiety, insomnia, chronic Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunctio... View more

Hi Al, This is my first post in BB so please go easy on me. In a few weeks I have an assessment with Centrelink for my DSP. I have not worked for the last 8 years due to severe depression, anxiety, insomnia, chronic Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD) & necks spasms. I have now developed tinnitus given the extreme pressure caused by my TMD. Only started Newstart a couple of months ago. Previous to that had to claims at all with Centrelink as I was in a relationship. I am on a variety of medications and have tried many in the past. I have supplied Centrelink with a complete Clinical Psychologist report, GP report & Chiropractor report. Also, I have an upcoming Psychiatric appointment in a couple of weeks. However, that will be after my DSP assessment. Naturally, I am very anxious and freaking out about the Centrelink assessment. Can you give me some advise on what to expect from this assessment. Thank you, m.

DannyG places to get support online, phone (not in person)
  • replies: 7

what is anyone's experience that they are willing to share about places online or on the phone where they have succesfully found support? for instance when in person help from a doctor or health professional is not an option for whatever reason? (phy... View more

what is anyone's experience that they are willing to share about places online or on the phone where they have succesfully found support? for instance when in person help from a doctor or health professional is not an option for whatever reason? (physically far away from you and unable to get to them, cannot afford to pay for such a service, mental health plan sessions have already been used etc.)

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