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roriblack Can I request a second mental health plan if I plan on changing Psychologists before my 12 months of 6-10 sessions is finished?
  • replies: 6

Hello! Last year my GP wrote up a mental health plan for me and referred me to a psychologist. I attended three sessions, however, the psychologist was extremely expensive for me ($250+ without rebate ~$180 with), also I found I didn't connect with t... View more

Hello! Last year my GP wrote up a mental health plan for me and referred me to a psychologist. I attended three sessions, however, the psychologist was extremely expensive for me ($250+ without rebate ~$180 with), also I found I didn't connect with the psychologist and found her rather condescending and quite insensitive (she asked me about sleep hygiene, I mentioned how I drank warm milk before bed and she said she found that disgusting??? not something I want to hear from my psychologist.....). anyways, I stopped going but now I feel like my mental health is getting worse and of course I'm not going to get any better without help so i'm wondering if I can request a new mental health plan from my GP for another psychologist, or would that not be allowed? from what I know the plan allows for 6-10 session in a year, my previous plan was created around 8 months ago, will I have to wait until the 12 months is up? Thank you guys!

MrDonut28 Question(s) About anyone living in Australia from overseas, or an Australian with some insight/work difficulties
  • replies: 5

Hi there everyone! This is a brief intro about me: I am a 28 year old American, who moved to Australia in Dec. 2015 and have married my lovely Australian wife in Nov. 2016. As of now I am on a Temporary Partner Visa (applying for Permanent Partner Vi... View more

Hi there everyone! This is a brief intro about me: I am a 28 year old American, who moved to Australia in Dec. 2015 and have married my lovely Australian wife in Nov. 2016. As of now I am on a Temporary Partner Visa (applying for Permanent Partner Visa in Nov. this year) I went to Uni in the states from 2011-2014 and had gotten my bachelors in primary education. Now onto my brief medical history. I was diagnosed in Oct. 2014 by my GP in the states with GAD (general anxiety disorder) after having struggles in the school I worked at. My GP prescribed me ADs (antidepressants) which I am still taking currently everyday. In addition, I have also undergone tests in Australia and have been diagnosed with Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism as of last year in Australia. This involves taking a monthly testosterone injection because without it I get very tired, lethargic, and my overall quality of life is poor. Now for my questions. I have struggled keeping work because of my GAD (and social phobias I know I have but undiagnosed at the moment) and was wanting to know if there any free (or subsidized) services for helping people with mental disorders obtain work? Currently I am not on any sort of payments in the States or Australia, and I do not want to go down the route of seeking claims or payments, but I feel that I may have to because the nature of my anxiety and HH make it difficult keeping work. In addition, I want to be able to supply for my wife, and we are currently living with my in-laws which does not help with my anxiety. Has anyone been in this sort of situation? It has been difficult looking for answers. I have booked to see a psychiatrist in May, which would be my first appointment after getting a referral from my GP here in Australia. If anyone can point me in the right direction, anything would help! Ultimately, I would like to have a job which I could do and not feel like I am being judged, and be able to get the supports I need from an understanding employer, as well as move out under the in-laws with my wife so we can have our own place to rent, or own one day. If no one has an answer from the above, then as a last resort could someone point me in the direction as to how/if/how I could claim a payment, either in the States or Australia? Because I read online that I would have to live in Australia for 10 years before I could even put a claim in. Thank you in advance for reading my post!

Anonymously_Me Withdrawal symptoms antidepressants
  • replies: 4

Hi, so I've had anxiety/depression for about 10 years, started taking antidepressants in 2009 and decided to have a break from them this year since I was at an OK place in my life and I was no where as near as bad as I was in 2009. I went to the GP a... View more

Hi, so I've had anxiety/depression for about 10 years, started taking antidepressants in 2009 and decided to have a break from them this year since I was at an OK place in my life and I was no where as near as bad as I was in 2009. I went to the GP about it and had it organised to ween it off slowly (as the affects of stopping medication suddenly is harmful) and that if I start to feel really down and it get's bad again that I will just go back on it. Anyway, I weened it of within a few months. I was very careful with it and had it organised on my calendar and all, And a couple of days after I completely stopped it, I just cry constantly. everyday and over nothing. I have been quite moody as well and it's just like how I was back in 2009 in some ways. I've heard before that other people have had withdrawal symptoms from stopping antidepressants so I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and when, or if, these symptoms stopped? I was going to wait until it had been a month to see if my body adjusts, so far it's been a few weeks. I don't really want to back on the antidepressants either, I know they help, but I don't like the idea that I have to live my whole life depending on something, I want to be in charge of my mind. But I don't know if this is my depression and anxiety coming back to it's worse, or if it's just my body getting used to not taking the medications. Any advice would be appreciated

Allan533 Can referrals be used generally?
  • replies: 2

After a particularly bad time recently I discussed with my psychologist the possibility of going on medication for a while, and they agreed. So I went to my GP, got a referral to a psychiatrist that I think would be a good fit, and gave them a call. ... View more

After a particularly bad time recently I discussed with my psychologist the possibility of going on medication for a while, and they agreed. So I went to my GP, got a referral to a psychiatrist that I think would be a good fit, and gave them a call. Turns out that the next slot (barring cancellations) is in November. I don't mind white-knuckling it for a couple months, but November is way too long. My question is, even though my referral is to a particular psychiatrist, could I use it for another? Or do I need to go back to my GP and get another? Because that seems like a big waste of both of our time. Google has let me down, unfortunately. Or maybe my Google-fu is weak, that's certainly possible.

CloudGate Taking SSRI's for anxiety/PMS for the first time.
  • replies: 7

Hi, I was hoping to hear from some other people who may have experience, particularly any ladies who may be in a similar situation. I have GAD and day to day it's usually manageable, I just turned 30, I ride my bike alot, eat well, try not to drink t... View more

Hi, I was hoping to hear from some other people who may have experience, particularly any ladies who may be in a similar situation. I have GAD and day to day it's usually manageable, I just turned 30, I ride my bike alot, eat well, try not to drink too much and get enough sleep. The past year I noticed my anxiety gets significantly worse with PMS. I have a really rough time where none of the usual things help and I feel really miserable, critical of myself and so worried about even the smallest things, to the point I stay in bed/on the couch for days. An example: Last month I lost my keys during this time and it turned into a full-on overwhelming nightmare where I am the biggest failure....then once this time has passed I can usually look back a bit mystified as to what just happened and how everything spiralled into such a big deal. After chatting with my doctor and gyno and tracking my moods, I agreed to try a low dose SSRI for 2 weeks every month during luteal phase, which is something recommended by gynaecologists and some studies (I read up a lot before agreeing to give them a shot). I'll admit I've been scared of pills in the past and been hesitant to try them- I'm worried that I'll feel numb, or it'll make it worse or a whole myriad of reasons... but also I'd really like to get on with my life instead of flipping out over a small event and feeling really terrible about myself for a week or more every month. It didn't help that when I went to collect my prescription the pharmacist started grilling me about why was I only taking them for 14 days at a time, that he didn't think that would be effective, had never heard of doing that etc. That was nearly enough to make me forget the whole thing. It seems like when you look around there's all these negative stories but I know many people have positive experiences and it's not a one size fits all approach. And it's weird because I'd never judge someone else for taking medication, but I feel critical of myself for doing so. Perhaps someone in a similar situation may have had a beneficial experience? How did you feel in your first weeks? So far I feel a bit groggy and kind of removed, still kind of wondering if I'm doing the right thing or If I am in a situation that warrants needing medication. I know it's really early and I'm willing to keep trying, it's just all new right now and I don't really have anyone else to ask! Thanks

Aelin Struggling to choose a GP, Psychologist and Psychiatrist... how do you MHP?
  • replies: 3

Noob to the thread here I love reading everyones experiences and advice and am hoping you could give me a hand My original GP went on leave the week after we put together my mental health plan. The referrals to psychiatrists that she gave me all fell... View more

Noob to the thread here I love reading everyones experiences and advice and am hoping you could give me a hand My original GP went on leave the week after we put together my mental health plan. The referrals to psychiatrists that she gave me all fell through because they had enormous waiting lists. I didn't't do anything for a few months but I have just started my first full time job after uni and am not coping well at all. I think that my GPs diagnosis of a healthy dose of depression with a touch of anxiety for flavour doesn't tell the full story, but that is what's on my MHP. My personal situation has also changed quite a bit since I first got the MHP and it really a poor reflection of my current self. Can it be rewritten? I found a psychologist through some directory and he is great and I think I would really like to work with him to improve my relationship with myself, but he isn't interested in the specific pathology of disorders - which isn't helping me to communicate what is wrong to either myself or others, or know what to ask/search for to help myself at home. Should I try to find another GP to refer me to a psychiatrist? I feel like I need to get myself physically well (chemistry-wise) so that I can have the clarity and stability to figure out and fix my thoughts, but also need some quick patches to get me through the next few weeks. I'm struggling to know what to try and what might work because I'm not totally sure what is wrong. I also feel like a Psychiatrist will be more expensive, so my 6 free visits could be put to better use there. Can I use my remaining 4 elsewhere if I have already used 2 for the psychologist?

acacia100 Does medication help?
  • replies: 17

Hi, I have been not coping well lately. After a phone call to beyond blue i finally managed to get the courage to go to the doctor for help. The doctor is saying i have anxiety and depression and i have been booked in for counselling. My appointment ... View more

Hi, I have been not coping well lately. After a phone call to beyond blue i finally managed to get the courage to go to the doctor for help. The doctor is saying i have anxiety and depression and i have been booked in for counselling. My appointment is not for another 3 weeks but i feel like i need help sooner, i feel like Im crumbling on the inside, i look at others and see them go about their day to day life with ease and i wonder why i struggle so much internally... I have near constant panicky feeling, heavy chest, feel worthless and hopeless and cry easily....i just feel so....broken. I don't have many people in real life that i can talk to, i don't have many friends and i worry so much that if i burden the friends i do have with my issues then it will push them away and then that fear of losing people i care about causes even more anxiety. I hate the way i feel and i wish i could turn it all off, i have tried and tried so hard to help myself feel better and be more positive. I am unsure about taking medication, i don't like the idea of it but i just want to feel content, happy and normal and not feel like impending doom is upon me every day. I would like to know other peoples experience with medication or counselling ? Did it help? and how long until it starts to work? Is it the depression that makes me feel so miserable and worthless or is it just my life? Will the shitty feelings ever go away because if they don't then i don't see the point in anything....whats the point in it all?? Thanks in advance

Turtle_eyes Should I
  • replies: 3

I spend my days just wishing they would end. I have no work and no real desire to work, as I left my old career and now need to find the energy to start anew, which fills me with dread. My partner finds me hard to deal with as I mope around home, fee... View more

I spend my days just wishing they would end. I have no work and no real desire to work, as I left my old career and now need to find the energy to start anew, which fills me with dread. My partner finds me hard to deal with as I mope around home, feeling sad. I hate doing that to her. I wonder if I should just start riding around Australia? I have a good touring bicycle setup and could live pretty frugally. At least I keep moving, and am outside.....at home I am withering on the vine. Pros: Outside, exercise, travel, fun. Cons: Boredom, loneliness, huge distances, safety. Just wonder what people think about my idea? Pros? Cons?

louisaoooo Antidepressants with birth control
  • replies: 3

Hi, I have just been prescribed antidepressants for my anxiety, panic attacks and emetephobia as well as birth control for my bad menstrual pain. I am scared to start taking both as I'm not sure what side effects both cause together. Has anyone else ... View more

Hi, I have just been prescribed antidepressants for my anxiety, panic attacks and emetephobia as well as birth control for my bad menstrual pain. I am scared to start taking both as I'm not sure what side effects both cause together. Has anyone else ever had this?