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Vero Opt out period for national electronic health database begins
  • replies: 21

It appears “My health record” offers 3 months period for us to adjust preferences to who will have access to our medical data. there could be some ad campaign about it on tv, but I have not switched it on for a while. I have noticed short article abo... View more

It appears “My health record” offers 3 months period for us to adjust preferences to who will have access to our medical data. there could be some ad campaign about it on tv, but I have not switched it on for a while. I have noticed short article about it in the press. I am posting about this here as there maybe many people like myself who periodically do not monitor or deliberately avoid news I don’t have many details about it yet. It maybe a good idea to check this federal gov initiative.

supportiveother Treatment options in the public sector
  • replies: 6

Hi all, I'm new to these forums but know that many people here have been through or know far more than I do on these topics so I am reaching out. My partner suffers major depressive disorder and psychosis (thats his official diagnosis) and has been t... View more

Hi all, I'm new to these forums but know that many people here have been through or know far more than I do on these topics so I am reaching out. My partner suffers major depressive disorder and psychosis (thats his official diagnosis) and has been taking medications for that which have recently been increased. On top of the medication he is on a mental health plan through medicare and sees a psychologist for about 30 mins every 4 to 6 weeks. Recently, his mood has taken a dive and at his last appointment, the psychologist recommended that perhaps he stay in hospital to be monitored. He feels the medication works very minimally, and I worry that the frequency of his visits isn't enough to have a real impact. He has been admitted to the acute psychiatric ward at our local hospital before and says it made him feel worse, that all he did was sleep and eat and seeing the other people there (who may have been suffering worse than him) made him feel more depressed. Because of this he didn't feel like the hospital stay helped him at all, he wasn't being given any kind of therapy it was more just being monitored. I believe he needs more frequent therapy/ a ward that offers more consistent therapy where he can learn to control his negative emotions and thoughts and he too thinks that this would be beneficial but is hesitant to head back to hospital as he doesn't want to just lie in bed for days on end not really working through his issues. He doesn't have private health insurance, so I was wondering if anyone knew of any options available in the public sector that were free/ relatively cheap (he's currently on Centrelink due to an injury so money is an issue) that could offer more consistent support/therapy or even any wards available to the public that has these kinds of programs. Thanks in advance, M

maglincer Difference between NDIS and disability pension
  • replies: 5

Hi all, Ive recently been trying to apply for the NDIS because of my severe depression, general anxiety disorder, misophonia, tourettes syndrome and OCD. I basically believe I have a psychsocial disability because of them, mainly the depression and I... View more

Hi all, Ive recently been trying to apply for the NDIS because of my severe depression, general anxiety disorder, misophonia, tourettes syndrome and OCD. I basically believe I have a psychsocial disability because of them, mainly the depression and I haven't even worked in 4 or so years because of it. Basically what I would like to know is is there any difference between the NDIS and disability pension or are they basically the same thing? Would I be better off applying for one over the other? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Wombatz Too embarrassed to ask for help
  • replies: 4

When you have been curled up in your bed crying for 2 days and can’t face the world how do you drag yourself to a doctor just to get a medical certificate for work? Can’t imagine facing my regular GP - I don’t want her seeing this side of me. What do... View more

When you have been curled up in your bed crying for 2 days and can’t face the world how do you drag yourself to a doctor just to get a medical certificate for work? Can’t imagine facing my regular GP - I don’t want her seeing this side of me. What do others do? Do you go to a random medical centre and tell them your sob story hoping they’ll believe you? I can’t even drag myself into the shower let alone out of the house! I can’t just take days off work without a certificate either

Scruffy1 When can my care plan be renewed?
  • replies: 1

Not sure if I can ask here but please help as I am getting confused and this is not helping my situation When can my care plan be renewed? I have used up my ten visits for the year but need more sessions. My therapist wants my doctor to give me more ... View more

Not sure if I can ask here but please help as I am getting confused and this is not helping my situation When can my care plan be renewed? I have used up my ten visits for the year but need more sessions. My therapist wants my doctor to give me more under allied health as I qualify for a chronic disease management plan which I haven’t used this year. doctor won’t give me a referral saying he can’t do it but says he can renew my MHCP on the anniversary of when I first got it and I don’t have to wait till the new year. is this correct? If this is the case I will only have to pay full amount for one or two sessions which will be great But i was under the impression I couldn’t renew it till January. I am paying for my next session and will pay for others to see me through the year if it can’t be renewed beforehand. thanks in advance for any advice

Dan-the-Downer Unsure of In-Patient program.
  • replies: 1

Hi all, My psychiatrist has recently recommended I go to the In-Patient program at Greenslopes. He has said it is anywhere from 2 to 5 weeks, and is a current serving and veterans facility only. (I think it is called the Keith Payne Unit, but the sit... View more

Hi all, My psychiatrist has recently recommended I go to the In-Patient program at Greenslopes. He has said it is anywhere from 2 to 5 weeks, and is a current serving and veterans facility only. (I think it is called the Keith Payne Unit, but the site only discusses the out patient programs) I can find a short blurb on it online but I have been unable to find any real info on the program. I'm unsure whether it is a good idea. I'm concerned about the impact on my family and work being away potentially for over a month.I'm trying to approach this like any other decision and do research, but in this case the anxiety of the unknown is leading my to shy away from it. Has anyone had any experience with the Greenslopes facility, or with In-patient programs?

Emily543215 Need help
  • replies: 4

I recently went to a mental instatution, got put on medication, its making me very aggitated, seems to just be making me worse. Ive felt really angry, more depressed then usual. Ive asked my doctor if i can see a therapist so i can be diagnosed prope... View more

I recently went to a mental instatution, got put on medication, its making me very aggitated, seems to just be making me worse. Ive felt really angry, more depressed then usual. Ive asked my doctor if i can see a therapist so i can be diagnosed properly, so i can be put on the right medication and can be helped the way i need which i think is therapy and medication. The doctor refused tho cause thats not part of my mental health plan.

supportiveother Inpatient in a Public Hospital
  • replies: 5

Hi all, Has anyone got any personal experience on what its like as an inpatient in a public hospital? Is therapy involved or is it mostly just medication and monitoring? How often do you see the psychologist etc? From what I can gather doing my own r... View more

Hi all, Has anyone got any personal experience on what its like as an inpatient in a public hospital? Is therapy involved or is it mostly just medication and monitoring? How often do you see the psychologist etc? From what I can gather doing my own research on hospitals in my area (Sydney) theres usually an acute ward and a ward for those staying longer and I was wondering if anyone has any experience as to whats involved with admission to either of those. My partners psychologist has recommended a hospital stay but he's hesitant to stay in an acute ward because those he's been to previously haven't really offered any psychological treatment and at the moment we can't afford a private hospital. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards, M

zac0 Not a real therapy, but something that has provided some help to my anxiety and depression: Authentic Relating
  • replies: 1

Hello all, Alright, so I don't want to come across as the new-age 'guru' laden in crystals and stinking of frankinsense, but I would love to know if anyone else has engaged in Authentic Relating and found it be cathartic or provide a relief of sympto... View more

Hello all, Alright, so I don't want to come across as the new-age 'guru' laden in crystals and stinking of frankinsense, but I would love to know if anyone else has engaged in Authentic Relating and found it be cathartic or provide a relief of symptoms. According to some literature (Johann Harii and Brene Brown) a lack of authentic communication and meaningful relationships could be a cause of the societal increase in mental health issues. Authentic relating involves using playful games to facilitate those exact values, and I'm wondering if anyone has any personal stories - either from AR or organically - about finding some form of relief by communicating without shame, etc, to someone deeply trusted. Sorry for rambling... I'm really interested in ways to create healthy communities, and considering running workshops in AR, but I'm just trying to work out if it could actually help people. Thanks for sharing! xx

Rsh88 Private or public?
  • replies: 2

For about a year I have been a patient in the public sector and I'm not really that impressed with my outcomes at present. Does any one have any experience with treating bipolar disorder in private practice vs public? Types of medication prescribed e... View more

For about a year I have been a patient in the public sector and I'm not really that impressed with my outcomes at present. Does any one have any experience with treating bipolar disorder in private practice vs public? Types of medication prescribed etc? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.