Immediate support
Immediate support

Treatments, health professionals and therapies

Information on a range of different areas, including managing relationships with GPs and psychologists, and finding the right services for you.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

All discussions

Start a discussion

sway_ After third session I don’t feel like I’m getting across
  • replies: 2

Hi, I’m a 35 M. I have just moved psychologists after two sessions and I’m not feeling that I’m really being treated correctly. I have been over my upbringing on seperate occassions sometimes having to repeat myself and I feel since I’m on medicare d... View more

Hi, I’m a 35 M. I have just moved psychologists after two sessions and I’m not feeling that I’m really being treated correctly. I have been over my upbringing on seperate occassions sometimes having to repeat myself and I feel since I’m on medicare don’t want time wasted. In the past it’s been the case with other psychologists, they send back out and I’m back to my coping mechanisms nonethebetter. I feel since I haven’t yet recieved an evaluation I’m being treated simply as someone with symptoms of anxiety and mood disorder. The CBT can’t get through to me and I feel because of this I’m resistant to the methods suggested. I’ve been depressed for a long time (untreated) having to get by on by through coping mechanisms rooted in childhood, along with issues of dealing with stress I suspect also an underlying personality disorder. These get in the way of work and vice versa, either it be anxiety/panic attacks, incessant chatter (constantly told not to talk), mood swings from happy to aggressive. So at present I haven’t returned since and the thought of being sent back to job services and pushed into an detrimental environment gives me anxiety, I feel trapped. Knowing that I’ll leave the psychologist the same way I came in then should I consider seeing a psychiatrist, or what other mental health programs can be available to me ? thanks in advance

Concernedwife2018 Can he ask to go back on his old medication?
  • replies: 4

Hi Dr Kim My husband has suffered bipolar and depression a majority of his life. 12 years ago the doctors got all his medication under control (it took some working out but finally found one that worked) he took it for a few years but then felt well ... View more

Hi Dr Kim My husband has suffered bipolar and depression a majority of his life. 12 years ago the doctors got all his medication under control (it took some working out but finally found one that worked) he took it for a few years but then felt well enough and stopped taking it. He probly hasn’t taken it for 7 years and has been going great. However lately his depression has flared back up and he is not going well. I suggested he go to the doctor and get back on his medication, he doesn’t want to through concern that it will take lot of times of trying before they get the right one. Since he was on them last time we have moved towns and he has a new doctor. This new doctor has his old medical file. can he ask his new doctor to look back on his last medication and prescribe him that as he knows it works for him? - it may not this time but we thought it would be worth a start? thank you

CraigC costs to see a psychologist ?
  • replies: 3

i have recently been diagnosed with anxiety and major depression but i am financially not well off what is the costs involved? how can i get professional help without having to get a loan? i know it sounds stupid but i dont know where to start

i have recently been diagnosed with anxiety and major depression but i am financially not well off what is the costs involved? how can i get professional help without having to get a loan? i know it sounds stupid but i dont know where to start

20oney Having to change Psychologists..
  • replies: 5

Hey all, So I've recently moved to a new state and consequently have had to leave my former psych behind me. I've spent the last month or two really avoiding the idea of picking a new psych and starting sessions. But, I managed to find one and had my... View more

Hey all, So I've recently moved to a new state and consequently have had to leave my former psych behind me. I've spent the last month or two really avoiding the idea of picking a new psych and starting sessions. But, I managed to find one and had my first session last weekend. The session went fine, it was just the 'get to know you' kind of deal. So it wasn't too stressful. It's somewhat refreshing starting out with someone new after 2 years, but also daunting and annoying having to start over.. I guess I am regretting actually making the decision to find a psych and start again. I say this because I really struggle between sessions. The conversations had and the potential conversations to be, really just fester in my mind - over and over.. My new work schedule will allow fortnightly sessions which is not ideal. But asking for weekly sessions would also not be ideal as I don't want to gain a dependence on this process (though it seems I already have this...). I'm not normally great at being open and sharing the things that go through my mind. With my previous psych, we relied a great deal on email contact which was helpful but I don't think I want email contact with this psych as I would like to address issues without this 'aid'... I'm not sure how well this idea will go. I've been thinking about writing things down to take with me, but that is an incredibly uncomfortable thought for me. I'm not really sure what to do, or what my question here is. All I know, is that I am in quite a deep pit at the moment and I feel like it's going to take a few sessions before we really gain that rapport and I am able to start expressing myself.. For those who have had to start fresh with a new psychologist, do you have tips for me? Do you take it as it comes, or jump right in...? Cheers in advance, A

blondguy GP's and Anti-Depressants Important Info
  • replies: 242

Hi Everyone! New Posters are very welcome to share your experiences with a GP too! I had an appointment yesterday with my GP. He is aware of what I do on the Beyond Blue forums. I asked him about anti depressants and how he treats his patients with d... View more

Hi Everyone! New Posters are very welcome to share your experiences with a GP too! I had an appointment yesterday with my GP. He is aware of what I do on the Beyond Blue forums. I asked him about anti depressants and how he treats his patients with depression/ anxiety and why some GP's dont prescribe meds. This is what I learned yesterday from one doctor. He has always had an interest in depression and anxiety and prescribes AD's where the symptoms fit the criteria to do so He will refer to a psychiatrist if a patient shows symptoms of a more 'complex' mental illness and not prescribe meds himself Some GP's have little interest in 'getting involved' with depression and will refer to a psychiatrist with little if any discussion He isnt 'pro meds' or 'anti-meds' He treats depression as a serious illness with meds to improve his patients health & well being He mentioned that a pro-active GP can know more about AD's than some psychiatrists as GP's have more frequent patient contact It did surprise me that some GP's have little or no interest in treating depression. I hope these GP's are in the minority. I am interested to know any good or not so good experiences other people have had with a GP. I posted this thread originally so any people with untreated depression/anxiety have a better understanding of how experiences with a GP can be positive step towards recovery. All your thoughts are most welcome Thankyou for taking the time to read my thread Kind thoughts Paul

FringeDweller Is this an invasion of privacy?
  • replies: 5

I've been seeing a psychologist in conjunction with my mum to try and sort out some issues in our relationship mainly stemming from her not believing me when I told her about my cousins physically assaulting me.(this started when I was six, I'm now l... View more

I've been seeing a psychologist in conjunction with my mum to try and sort out some issues in our relationship mainly stemming from her not believing me when I told her about my cousins physically assaulting me.(this started when I was six, I'm now late 30's) At my last appointment with the psych, she informed me she had already asked my mother for my school reports to see if anything shows up in them. When she told me this I started to panic and cry, I was 6 or younger when the abuse started. I know she is looking for some evidence of a change in behaviour but what is likely to show up in my reports when it started so young? If nothing shows up, is she and my mum going to think I'm lying? Is this an invasion of my privacy? I feel like I should have been asked before my mother, these are my reports about me. I've tried looking around online to find any laws, policies or guidelines that would cover this and I can't seem to turn up anything that answers this. Psych told me she didn't tell my mum why she wanted the reports, but my mum isn't an idiot, she will look over them, she will make her own judgements, if nothing shows up it will give more credence to mums theory that I'm lying.

Iceberg 20 Years of Taking Antidepressants
  • replies: 13

I've been on antidepressant meds for 20 years now, is there anyone who has got off them after using for so long. I was told I would need to take them for the rest of my life.

I've been on antidepressant meds for 20 years now, is there anyone who has got off them after using for so long. I was told I would need to take them for the rest of my life.

bassicallyfocused Best private health care cover for psychologists?
  • replies: 8

Hi all Wondered if there was a wisdom here about good PHI providers for clinical psychology visits? I intend to compare several, but it is a bit overwhelming. A few pointers on where to start would be much appreciated. Thanks! David

Hi all Wondered if there was a wisdom here about good PHI providers for clinical psychology visits? I intend to compare several, but it is a bit overwhelming. A few pointers on where to start would be much appreciated. Thanks! David

stroppytom Acupuncture for acute and standard GAD
  • replies: 2

Has anyone tried acupuncture as a treatment for anxiety? I'm keen to know if it helped you. A new acupuncture service has opened nearby and the practitioner is an elderly gent from China so I would imagine he knows his stuff. At this point I am willi... View more

Has anyone tried acupuncture as a treatment for anxiety? I'm keen to know if it helped you. A new acupuncture service has opened nearby and the practitioner is an elderly gent from China so I would imagine he knows his stuff. At this point I am willing to try anything.

Mark26289 Run out of subsidised sessions from my MHP. Any other options?
  • replies: 2

Hey, Sorry if this isn’t really the place for this post. Feel free to delete it if it’s not. So ive got a mental health plan from my GP which has totalled to 10 susidised sessions with my psychologist. I’ve been seeing my psychologist bi-weekly since... View more

Hey, Sorry if this isn’t really the place for this post. Feel free to delete it if it’s not. So ive got a mental health plan from my GP which has totalled to 10 susidised sessions with my psychologist. I’ve been seeing my psychologist bi-weekly since the beginning of the year and today he informed me that I’ve have now run out of subsidised sessions. I’ve been paying $37~ with my rebate, and next time I come in the cost will raise to $120.. Which is way too much for me to afford as I am really struggling financially at the moment (my anxiety and depression being the reason) Financial struggles have been a major issue for me. I’ve been really struggling to pay for rent and day to day expenses... added with this on top it’s got me really overwhelmed.. and without the support of a doctor I’m really worried I’ll just fall in a heap. Anyway, I was wondering if there’s any other options I can use outside my mental health care plan that will gain me more rebates? If not I will probably have to stop going and I really am worried about that. Thanks for your time.