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Summer93 Borderline Personality Disorder
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and wanted to get some advice regarding my mental health. I've been seeing a psychologist for a month or so now and it's going great. I really feel as though she is helping me identify and overcome so many bad habits. How... View more

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and wanted to get some advice regarding my mental health. I've been seeing a psychologist for a month or so now and it's going great. I really feel as though she is helping me identify and overcome so many bad habits. However, in my first session, she said I may have BPD and told me she may need me to do some cognitive tests (quizzes etc). I overthink a lot. When she gave me a schema test to fill out last week, I started to overthink it once I got home and now I can't help but think I really may have BPD, since the test is associated with it. I've been reading into it and, to be honest, I know I most likely have it. I don't want to be diagnosed with it because of the stigma associated with it, but I also really want to know. Does anyone have any experience with being diagnosed with BPD or know what the schema test could indicate? I feel like my psychologist is leading up to telling me I have it but she wants to be sure before, which is probably what this test could help with doing. Thanks in advance.

AnxiousS Tips for getting help
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I've decided recently that I need to see someone about my mental health/anxiety. Since starting uni this year I've really struggled (I've posted about it before), and my mental health which has never been perfect has really taken a turn ... View more

Hi everyone, I've decided recently that I need to see someone about my mental health/anxiety. Since starting uni this year I've really struggled (I've posted about it before), and my mental health which has never been perfect has really taken a turn for the worse. I've found myself really struggling with everything and I know trying to finish the next few years is going to be very hard if I keep going this way. My problem is that I've never really been one to talk about my mental health. The mental health conversation in my family is currently non-existent (and it's not one I really want to have with them). Even in high school I only had one teacher who I could ever talk to (as I said my mental health has never been great) and even then I often held a lot back. Back then, I guess I was always stable enough that I could manage it for the most part on my own but I think I might be a bit past that point now. So basically my question is whether anyone has any tips or advice to make this easier because right now I'm stuck in a rough place of knowing I need help but not being able to ask Thanks in advance!

Donaughuerty Considering ECT for a condition that is not mdd, bpd or sczd
  • replies: 2

I need to take a session of ECT in order to fix my sleeping problem. It's the only solution I can think of. I have been referred to a sleep specialist, she says that a psychiatrist will be the one to recommend ECT. I'm afraid that they will just dism... View more

I need to take a session of ECT in order to fix my sleeping problem. It's the only solution I can think of. I have been referred to a sleep specialist, she says that a psychiatrist will be the one to recommend ECT. I'm afraid that they will just dismiss the request. It is well-known that ECT is only used as last resort aid for treatment-resistant depression, etc. My case is different, so I am really hoping they would understand; I mean, I have heard of patients being pulled out to try new treatments under pioneer studies. Well, I have been prescribed several medications; have tried chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, sleep restriction. None produced an effect. All in all, I'm curious to how ECT will affect me. My condition: I slept with a temporary thought and now had been stuck on it for 3 weeks, 24/7. One evening, I tried to incorporate this temporary thought into sleep; for awhile, I lost myself to doing just that. I then noticed myself resting, and realized my brain was now actively incorporating the temporary thought on its own. This awareness would take over my everyday brain activity, even sleep. I now only half-sleep, in 90-minute fragments. What I did and am experiencing now may be similar to daytime parahypnagogia. I currently don't know how to undo all of this. Just to add, this temporary thought alters perception, that's why I'm sure I'm under it, non-stop. I thought ECT because my case resembles that of a woman who had severe paradoxical insomnia no meds could fix until ECT, or the case of a woman uncomfortable with her altered self she got from a meditation retreat. After being on so many prescriptions, she had to undergo ECT. I don't really know how ECT works but I have a dulled default mode network that is now hijacked and altered by this persisting temporary thought, and somehow ECT can delete these alterations if it can.

Helpneeded97 Finding help
  • replies: 2

I'm not sure how to go about this but I'm looking for info on admitting myself I'm not sure even where if it's just a hospital and how much it would cost I need intensive help I went to online chat but noticed there is a time which I didn't realise I... View more

I'm not sure how to go about this but I'm looking for info on admitting myself I'm not sure even where if it's just a hospital and how much it would cost I need intensive help I went to online chat but noticed there is a time which I didn't realise I'm not sure what to do and I can't take much time off work especially if it's gonna cost alot I need help I'm not OK and I know that but I'm not sure what help I need so I feel like if I admitted myself maybe I can really focus on my mental health as I haven't done in many years mostly because it is expensive but I've reached the point where I need help or who knows

romantic_thi3f Going to therapy for the first time (tips)
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone There’s a lot of people in these forums that have thought about going to therapy for the first time, so I thought I’d make a post about it. I get that it’s scary. It’s daunting. You’re basically coming in and saying hello to a person you’... View more

Hi everyone There’s a lot of people in these forums that have thought about going to therapy for the first time, so I thought I’d make a post about it. I get that it’s scary. It’s daunting. You’re basically coming in and saying hello to a person you’ve never met ready to open up for the first time. I’m no stranger to therapy, but these are things I’d wish that I’d known - - It’s totally okay to be scared and to not know what to say or do. Therapists are used to that. - Therapy is your time. This seems kinda obvious but it’s not - it’s okay to speak up, to ask questions, to challenge your therapist, to question why he/she said this not that, or where you’re heading and what you’re focusing on. - Whatever you are feeling is totally normal. I’ve walked in and out of therapy feeling anything from scared, sad, excited, angry, frustrated, confident - it’s annoyingly cliche but it is part of the process. - If you’re not ready to talk about things, you don’t have to. You might decide to go to therapy to talk about trauma, but if you’re not ready - then you’re not ready. It took me a long time to tell my therapist about some of the personal things that had happened. I wanted to build up a lot of trust first. - There are lots of different therapists. No two are ever the same. Likewise, there are lots of different therapy approaches; psychotherapy, CBT, DBT, ACT - the list is endless. It’s not all sitting on a couch talking endlessly about your feelings. Sometimes it’s practical with homework and real world tasks. - You’re allowed to switch if your therapist doesn’t feel right for you. Sometimes it really is about who you click with and feel most comfortable with. - You don’t have to have a diagnosis or feel like you’re crazy to go to therapy. One of my older therapists said she wished everyone went to therapy because you learn so much about yourself. I totally agree with that. They are there for you; whether you feel like you’re in a puddle or you’re drowning. Soo what do you think? Is there anything else you wish you’d known before seeing a therapist? Is there anything that helped you take that first step? Please feel free to share!

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

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?