Treatments and therapies - Beyond Blue Forums

Not doing well with anxiety medication, should I switch?

replies: 2

I've been on antidepressants for a month now, and while they've mostly stopped my panic attacks, they've come with side effects including constipation, diarrhea, and reflux. In the last week I feel like it's gotten worse to the point where the side e... View more

I've been on antidepressants for a month now, and while they've mostly stopped my panic attacks, they've come with side effects including constipation, diarrhea, and reflux. In the last week I feel like it's gotten worse to the point where the side effects are nearly as debilitating as my original anxiety and panic attacks, all this while only being on a half dose. I'm seeing my GP tomorrow afternoon, in the meantime I was hoping others could chip in if they've had similar experiences to mine, and if the side effects persisted this long, or if they eventually went away.

Switching meds

replies: 6

I am writing this on a Sunday afternoon when my mood is at its usual lowest. Late last week I stopped taking my then antidepressant and started my new one, as discussed with my pdoc. The morning after my first dose I felt a big and sudden lift in my ... View more

I am writing this on a Sunday afternoon when my mood is at its usual lowest. Late last week I stopped taking my then antidepressant and started my new one, as discussed with my pdoc. The morning after my first dose I felt a big and sudden lift in my mood but by yesterday afternoon this had gone and my depression is now worse than usual. I have read antidepressants can make you feel worse before they make you feel better. Has anyone had this same experience? Thanks

? Hallucination on SSRI

replies: 3

Hi, I've started my first SSRI 6 weeks ago. Amongst other normal side effects I've had two odd experiences too. Withn the first 3 or so weeks I closed my eyes in bed (still very awake) and I watched my face turn into a horse. It was very vivid. I ope... View more

Hi, I've started my first SSRI 6 weeks ago. Amongst other normal side effects I've had two odd experiences too. Withn the first 3 or so weeks I closed my eyes in bed (still very awake) and I watched my face turn into a horse. It was very vivid. I opened my eyes, it went away, closed my eyes and my face started morphing into the horse again. Then last week, again awake, eyes closed in bed and I was watching labradors running around a field. Has anyone else experienced similar? will these just wear off the longer i'm on the SSRI? Ta

Is there really help out there

replies: 13

Two years ago I suffered a mental breakdown. I became quite ill, and reluctantly started taking medication 6 weeks later because I was told by a doctor that I would only get worse if I didn't. It wasn't a magical cure, and it didn't change everything... View more

Two years ago I suffered a mental breakdown. I became quite ill, and reluctantly started taking medication 6 weeks later because I was told by a doctor that I would only get worse if I didn't. It wasn't a magical cure, and it didn't change everything that I was going through, however I did begin to feel a bit better. There's no ignoring it, there is a stigma attached to mental heath issue's, and I have lost a lot of people in my life, to the point where I don't see or speak to many people at all. Anyway, I took myself off my medication after 6 months, but 13 weeks ago I hit rock bottom again. This time I made a call for help, I was scared with how I was feeling. I got a referral the very next day to start seeing a Physiologist, and started taking my medication again. I felt positive that I had done this, however, now it has been 13 weeks, and still I have had no appointment arranged. I received a letter confirming my referral 8 weeks ago, but other than that nothing. It was a very difficult decision for me to reach out for help, but now I wonder if it's even there. I have lost all confidence with getting anywhere, and think this will just remain to be something I get through on my own. I hope I make sense, Thanks for reading

Finding a GP

replies: 2

I understand that specific recommendations are not allowed in this forum for a doctor or medication. Hoping someone can point me to any resources that may help with finding a decent GP that isn't too far from me. I've been through 5 or 6 local GPs to... View more

I understand that specific recommendations are not allowed in this forum for a doctor or medication. Hoping someone can point me to any resources that may help with finding a decent GP that isn't too far from me. I've been through 5 or 6 local GPs to try to get help, and I'm simply not getting what I need. They all seem to struggle with talking to me about depression and anxiety, and providing me with any kind of useful strategies. Frankly most GPs I've seen so far seem like they want to rush me out the door within the allotted 10 minute time slot for an appointment, and seem really uncomfortable talking about depression and anxiety. I'm living in an area where there's a low socio-economic demographic, and that may be the cause of some of the attitudes... I was seeing a counsellor, who referred me to see my GP to consider medication for what they described to be both severe depression and severe anxiety. I've tried three different medications. The one that seemed to work the best also woke me up early in the morning with extreme anxiety. Right now I'm unmedicated. Mostly because the GPs that I have spoken to seem to prescribe medications like spinning a roulette wheel to try the next one, and I can't afford the side affects anymore in my job. But I need to do something... And I do want the help. I just want someone to look at my situation and work with me to find the best solution for me, including any options that don't require medication Should I consider a psychiatrist instead?

uni counsellings/mental health support??

replies: 3

Hi, Im current student failing horribly in life and mental health, and I finally built up courage to consider counsellings and stuff. Im thinking of visiting my uni mental health support but Im little nervous about it too, so I was wondering if anyon... View more

Hi, Im current student failing horribly in life and mental health, and I finally built up courage to consider counsellings and stuff. Im thinking of visiting my uni mental health support but Im little nervous about it too, so I was wondering if anyone here have any experience about it. Is it a good idea to go to university supports, or is it better to find GP via other method??

Taking a step

replies: 3

I can’t think back to when I started to feel like something was not right. I don’t know if it was a build-up or just hit. I just remember now questioning if I am actually a good person in so many ways. A good daughter, a good wife, a good mother (the... View more

I can’t think back to when I started to feel like something was not right. I don’t know if it was a build-up or just hit. I just remember now questioning if I am actually a good person in so many ways. A good daughter, a good wife, a good mother (the most important thing I hold on to.) Just thinking about it makes me choke and stumble. It is time I find answers and seek help to bring myself back to the person I knew I once was. I find these days I just get angry, worked up, uncontrollable. I feel like I lose myself and I can’t regroup. Small things tip me over, I don’t like people and I criticise everything everyone does without reason. I even get jealous of people getting good things even when they are just everyday normal stuff. I am everything I don’t want to be. The only people I find a connection with is my immediate family. What scares me is how this happens. What is required of me when I already have so little left to give? I spend my days from sun up to sun down caring for my kids and husband and working. I don’t have time to “seek” help. Where do I fit that in? Normally someone would say, “you need to make time for yourself,” but that is much easier said than done. To even give 15 minutes of my time means I have to work even harder later to make up for it. Today I am going to the doctors to find out what is next. To explain something is not right and I need help but I am scared of what the answers to the help will be as I know I will be given at least the first step, see the first step but not able to take it because I will not give up being there and providing for my kids at all times. I would rather suffer silently inside or away from others observations then give up even the smallest part of who I am to my babies. I know I really can’t go on, but I don’t know how I can’t not let it either.

Changing from 1 med. to another and what to expect

replies: 4

I started an new medication at the end of September and suffered horrible side effects. Increased anxiety, insomnia, sweats after about a month the dr suggested to increase which I have done and for the past three weeks now I’ve had the side effects ... View more

I started an new medication at the end of September and suffered horrible side effects. Increased anxiety, insomnia, sweats after about a month the dr suggested to increase which I have done and for the past three weeks now I’ve had the side effects above still but also constipation, which I’ve never had in my life before. A few of the other side effects have slightly improved but definitely still there. dr has suggested changing meds. 1 day off current then start new. as it’s been 2 months of horrid side effects already I’m dreading the change over and what side effects are installed for me. Have people had side effects last for a good 2 months and then finally disappear? Do I persist with this one or change? Scared of getting worsening side effects all over again. my dr has told me not to expect many side effects but then again he also said I shouldn’t receive many initially but he was certainly wrong. I feel worse then I was before starting. i work full time so concerned how increasedside effects from changing will effect my work. Or are side effects of switching not so bad as say quitting completely any advice appreciated. thankyou.

DES_ do they actually help you get a job and hold it down?

replies: 4

hi, I am not sure if this is the right category to post this in, or if this forum is the place I should ask this question at, so if not, please point me to the right direction and I'll appreciate it. I'm currently with the regular jobactive service a... View more

hi, I am not sure if this is the right category to post this in, or if this forum is the place I should ask this question at, so if not, please point me to the right direction and I'll appreciate it. I'm currently with the regular jobactive service and my job search service provider is not exactly helping me at all. all they have done so far is to put me in an op shop to do work for the dole_ which I don't mind too much because I used to do the same work for the dole activity and it's a familiar environment, but it's not giving me any extra money ('cept for the odd $20 or so fortnight!) so I really need to get a job. then my depression and anxiety come in to play_ I really, really dislike cold calling and cold marketing, handing in resumes, only to be told "we will call you back" then get no responses afterwards. I get cold and clammy hands. I get shaky and my voice trembles when I make phone calls. some people just put it down as my laziness or just not willing to work, that is not true. I do want to work to make my life better. plus my "disability" is not physical and not visible, people tend to not believe that I have difficulty getting a job due to my conditions. "try harder" I am told. I am trying hard, but it spends me. so I thought, well maybe DES can help me find a job and hold it down (for at least 6 months? or so I heard)_ is that true? do they ACTUALLY help you get a job if you are qualified for their services, not just "do yer job search and come back in a month for another appointment!"?

A Pragmatic and Positive step by RANZCP

replies: 0

E-cigarettes and vaporisers – new RANZCP position statement 26 November 2018 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has recently released a new position statement in support of the legalisation and regulation of nicotine-contai... View more

E-cigarettes and vaporisers – new RANZCP position statement 26 November 2018 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has recently released a new position statement in support of the legalisation and regulation of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes and other vaporised nicotine products. People living with mental illness are more likely to smoke tobacco, and they smoke more heavily than the general population. They are less likely to succeed during a smoking cessation attempt. Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of the poorer health and mortality outcomes suffered by this group. E-cigarettes and vaporisers may provide a less harmful way to deliver nicotine to those who are unable or unwilling to stop smoking tobacco. The RANZCP therefore supports their use as harm reduction tools for people living with mental illness. Tobacco harm reduction is an essential component of any strategy to improve health outcomes for people who smoke tobacco. Harm reduction strategies are designed to reduce rather than eliminate the harm associated with particular activities. However, there are still significant gaps in our knowledge about the effects of long-term vapour inhalation on people’s health. Further research is required, including research to ascertain the effectiveness of vaping for smoking cessation, and whether it may provide a novel route into smoking initiation.

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