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Jugglin_Strugglin Exploring Gut and brain connection in Mental Health
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I would urge you all to find the time to listen to the podcast of Conversations with Richard Fidler on ABC Radio today 16/3/17. "Exploring the science of gut feeling" It is an interview with Dr. Guilia Enders, Author of "Gut: the inside ... View more

Hi everyone, I would urge you all to find the time to listen to the podcast of Conversations with Richard Fidler on ABC Radio today 16/3/17. "Exploring the science of gut feeling" It is an interview with Dr. Guilia Enders, Author of "Gut: the inside story of our Body's Most Underrated Organ". She is a medical Dr, who is now doing a phD on the link btw the human digestive system and overall physical and mental wellbeing She discusses the relationship between the gut and it's microflora and the brain. Especially, the last half of interview (final 20-25minutes) which discusses the connection between this and depression, as well as general mood & our sense of well being and in our sense of just being. Valuable information. There is a lot of research happening on this. Fascinating stuff, it makes me hopeful that treatment breakthroughs are on the horizon and that treatments may become easier and with less adverse effects than anything we currently have. Lee!

bluemariner what is expensive, what is not.
  • replies: 3

Hi Everyone...have just looked at cost of psychologists in the Sydney area. Wow! 220 per session minus 124 medicare rebate means im up for $96 gap to pay. I am self employed and last year earned 40K of which only 28K was taxable. This year looking si... View more

Hi Everyone...have just looked at cost of psychologists in the Sydney area. Wow! 220 per session minus 124 medicare rebate means im up for $96 gap to pay. I am self employed and last year earned 40K of which only 28K was taxable. This year looking similiar. I live on the Central Coast. advice or experience in what is expensive and what is not? Thanks!

Justme1311 Triggered in DBT, but want to keep going
  • replies: 2

Hi, This is my first post, and I'm sorry if I do something not by the rules by accident, but I wanted to talk this through with people who "get it". Today I went to DBT (dialectical behaviour therapy) for the first time. Context: I hate group therapy... View more

Hi, This is my first post, and I'm sorry if I do something not by the rules by accident, but I wanted to talk this through with people who "get it". Today I went to DBT (dialectical behaviour therapy) for the first time. Context: I hate group therapy, I've been through 20 years of psycho therapy now and I just really want to access the distress tolerance stuff, and I have a history of "perfectionism" and not feeling like I'm ever good enough... but literally ten minutes into the session and the first assumption we had to agree to accept was "everyone needs to work harder, get better, be better". So, with my history hinging on the statement "close enough is never good enough" this triggered me and I felt totally dismissed by the psych running the group. I recognise that I want to keep going because I know the approach has some stuff that I want to access, but has anyone else felt triggered by this "assumption"? Why is the word "need" there? How about replacing it with "want"? Is this a branding issue? like, do different "versions" of DBT have different wording?

Doctor who_aspy Anyone know of treatments for Panic Attacks with depressive episode
  • replies: 2

just wanted to know if anyone knows of any treatments that work for panic attacks with depression following them? i have tried cbt and exposure therapy. been dealing with this for 12 years and need other options

just wanted to know if anyone knows of any treatments that work for panic attacks with depression following them? i have tried cbt and exposure therapy. been dealing with this for 12 years and need other options

One_step_at_a_time Is there any nutritional foods or supplements that may help with AD withdrawals
  • replies: 1

I am having an absolutely terrible time with since coming off my Depression / Bipolar medication (I am on a new one). Over the months that I tappered off it seemed to be OK but something has happened drastically over the past week. My Psych didn't ev... View more

I am having an absolutely terrible time with since coming off my Depression / Bipolar medication (I am on a new one). Over the months that I tappered off it seemed to be OK but something has happened drastically over the past week. My Psych didn't even mention any of the things that have been happening to me. I have become so grumpy and violent and even small things I cannot process or cope with. I have withdrawn and cancelled all my appts cause I find in between the shakes and dizziness I cant cope with driving. I've been on several different meds for depression/bipolar over the last 15 years and I can recognise the zaps, brain fog, memory issues etc. This time I am hearing voices at night and thought someone was breaking in, when I do sleep I wake suddenly and I'm not in the same house, have leg pain, am sweating profusely one minute, freezing cold the next. I can't get into my GP for a while and I don't want to go to ED as I work there. Are there any Super foods or Mood foods that may help or supplements or the like to help me get through this. I've even stopped my pain meds which is making me even more miserable. I'm on my own but a single parent so I need to be here and functioning. How long is this going to go on for. How do I know if this is the withdrawal or the new med? Any insight much appreciated.

Nancyblue Dissapointed with therapist and doctor
  • replies: 10

I would like to talk about how a bad experience with a therapist and doctor can totally destroy all of the progress that has been made for ones mental health. After relocating after many years i made sure i set up supports. I had a doctor and therapi... View more

I would like to talk about how a bad experience with a therapist and doctor can totally destroy all of the progress that has been made for ones mental health. After relocating after many years i made sure i set up supports. I had a doctor and therapist who knew me well where i used to live and now having to go over my history again and again I felt totally unsupported by any of the GPs that i met. limited by time contstraints and always running late. Things went from me "treading water" to feeling like I was drowning. I got to a point that I was suicidal (I had thoughts in the past but this was the worst.). Being familiar with mental health, i did what i was meant to do and went to the GP. I knew i needed some support. The GP was totally dismissive and abrupt. I Asked her to put me on a mental Health plan so i could see a psychologist. I asked her to increase my meds which she did. At no point did she enquire how i was feeling or any concern. Thank goodness I know what to do be cause she did not. Starting with her lack of concern. Not once did she ask about my safety. (yes of course i am still here but the point is she did not seem in the least concerned at all). There was no follow up appointment. NOTHING!! I sorted it out on my own as usual. Yes I sound bitter and angry but that is why I am posting because i need to get it out there. I didn't hurt myself because i have children, two dogs and a husband. I think I could have easily done something. I even have the method picked out. The doctor knew none of this and didn't even ask. I got stuck in. Saw a therapist, did yoga, ate and slept.Then I got very down again and needed to see my therapist recently. It is an effort to see her. The last visit i had with her was a disaster. I arrived at her waiting room to see another lady waiting as well who was on her first appointment and she too had travelled quite a distance. Turned out my therapist had double booked us AND was running 30 minutes late. The lady waiting was very upset but i reassured her that the therapist was worth the wait. I gave my appointment to the lady waiting and got back in my car and drove an hour and half back home again. The therapist rang saying "these things happen sometimes". I however think that in this sort of profession it is inexcusable and i am not sure if i will go back again. I felt so unimportant and fragile. It has knocked me so much. The lady who was also booked to see her apparently cancelled her session. Not a good start

feelingblue12 How do you get the courage to see a professional?
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone For most of this year, I've been feeling like life is pointless. I overthink everything that happens and every word that I or someone else says. Anything mildly negative and I assume the person doesn't like me or is annoyed by me. I feel ... View more

Hi everyone For most of this year, I've been feeling like life is pointless. I overthink everything that happens and every word that I or someone else says. Anything mildly negative and I assume the person doesn't like me or is annoyed by me. I feel like life is against me and it's making it hard to find enjoyment in anything anymore. I think I have anxiety and depression and I really want to get help so I can go back to a normal life, but at the same time, I feel selfish for feeling like I do when there are so many other people that have things worse than me. How do you get the courage to speak to a doctor? We only moved to the area a couple of years ago and I don't have a doctor I feel like I trust yet. It took me months to work up the courage to tell my boyfriend of 5 years so telling a doctor that I don't know seems impossible. Appreciate any help you can give. Lilly

Kakapo How much can I help my partner in his treatment?
  • replies: 3

Would it be inappropriate of me to write a short letter to his doctor or psychologist about the symptoms I see him experiencing? I just want them to give him the best treatment he can get. I won't be going with him, as he likes to do these things alo... View more

Would it be inappropriate of me to write a short letter to his doctor or psychologist about the symptoms I see him experiencing? I just want them to give him the best treatment he can get. I won't be going with him, as he likes to do these things alone. But I wanted them to see things perhaps from a different perspective so they may be able to diagnose him easier.

Sam05 Need advice for treatment - depression and anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, This past 10 months I have been battling with depression. My symptoms include suicidal thoughts (occasionally), feeling tired and lethargic, social awkwardness/anxiety, inability to have or express any of my own opinions, no motivation, ... View more

Hi everyone, This past 10 months I have been battling with depression. My symptoms include suicidal thoughts (occasionally), feeling tired and lethargic, social awkwardness/anxiety, inability to have or express any of my own opinions, no motivation, loss of interest in things that I really wish I had the passion for, shutting off from friends and family and a general lowered mood. Despite listing all these symptoms, I do have my days where I thrive and feel as though I handle myself very well in any given situation. One day I'll be laughing and joking around at work, getting on the frontfoot to make plans with my friends and overall having a lot more confidence in myself; the next I won't talk to anyone at work for an entire shift and have to cancel attending the plans that I previously just made with my friends as my mood and confidence just takes a massive hit out of nowhere. There doesn't appear to be any trigger that causes this and I just want to know what kind of treatment options are recommended for my condition. I was previously on an antidepressant for 6-7 months, which caused my low mood phases to be exacerbated, with my symptoms being much more excruciating (feeling suicidal for a full week). Whilst on this antidepressant I was suicidal for a week, and the next week my mood was greatly elevated; with this cycle repeating for the 6-7 months I was on it. Since coming off of this medication my symptoms are still enough to interfere with my everyday life but they aren't as terrible, but I am in a low mood around 80% of the time. I also tried speaking to a psychologist but that was unhelpful as when I was in a low phase, I would have nothing to talk about as I really struggled with interacting, meaning nothing substantial ever came away from it, and the psych concluded it was due to a chemical imbalance. Currently I am on a naturopathic approach, taking magnesium, SAMe, B vitamins etc. But I am doubtful this has done much to help me. Any responses as to what treatment options I should consider would be extremely helpful and appreciated as my only priority is to live a happy and fulfilling life! Thank you

Jinja Medication Side Effects
  • replies: 2

Hi I posted a few weeks back and went through some real dark moments. Since then I have been seeing a counselor and psychiatrist. The psyciatist has presprecibed me medication. I haven't taken it yet as counselling has been helping. I went through a ... View more

Hi I posted a few weeks back and went through some real dark moments. Since then I have been seeing a counselor and psychiatrist. The psyciatist has presprecibed me medication. I haven't taken it yet as counselling has been helping. I went through a real high last week and last night out of no where I hit a real low. I sait to my partner "I'm good for nothing" and that just came out of the blue. I have anxiety hanging over from work issues. I have monday off, but anxious about just heading into work. I feeling sexual issues come on and I feel low today. I'm thinking of getting the medication...but hear it can have sexual side effects. Is this serious and what are the benefits of taking medication? Thoughts about medication...much appreciated