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Ames82 Daily support needed
  • replies: 2

Hi all, this is a little complicated and I’m still bit nervous to post but here goes... I am not in a good place right now. Severe depression and anxiety. My meds have been increased but it simply isn’t helping. My psychiatrist and psychologist are p... View more

Hi all, this is a little complicated and I’m still bit nervous to post but here goes... I am not in a good place right now. Severe depression and anxiety. My meds have been increased but it simply isn’t helping. My psychiatrist and psychologist are pushing for me to be admitted into a psychiatric hospital but I’m not up for that . I hide my illness to my family and friends for a number of reasons and my admission to a hospital would mean a whole part of my life unveiled which would come as a shock to them. I’m not ready for that. I have formal therapy once a week. At the moment this isn’t enough. I was recommended the mental health crisis team to check in but again it’s too hard to talk on the phone... I even have anxiety about taking phone calls so I avoid it . Problem is I really need some consistent support as it helps me give something to focus on and get through. Is there any other alternatives apart from a hospital admission. Is there a sms support around. I know there is online chats but I hate re explaining my story every day. I don’t know if any of this exists but I’m really trying to reach out . I have no safe family and friends and I’m in a dark place and I can’t get out of it.

Meowface Antidepressant weight gain
  • replies: 5

Hello - does anyone have any tips or experiences losing weight after being on antidepressants? Ive gained over 10 kilos in 12 months. I’ve been off the meds for about 4 months but haven’t lost any of the weight yet. I really thought it would shift ea... View more

Hello - does anyone have any tips or experiences losing weight after being on antidepressants? Ive gained over 10 kilos in 12 months. I’ve been off the meds for about 4 months but haven’t lost any of the weight yet. I really thought it would shift easier! I’m trying to be more active with walking and have joined a gym. It’s the diet that I find hard - so many ideas and mixed messages out there about what’s best!! Thank you for reading.

Ace_Of_Spades Adjustment Disorder???
  • replies: 4

So, I was diagnosed with Adjustment disorder three years ago based on a stressor that occured three years before hand. Correct me if I' wrong but, isn't adjustment disorder supposed to come on within three months of the stressor and pass after six? N... View more

So, I was diagnosed with Adjustment disorder three years ago based on a stressor that occured three years before hand. Correct me if I' wrong but, isn't adjustment disorder supposed to come on within three months of the stressor and pass after six? Not begin three years after and not pass after six years? I don't know why my diagnosis hasn't changed and I don't know how to bring it up with my Doctor. Just looking for advice and some solid facts about the disorder, need to know if I'm not understanding something correctly.

Krater Seeing a psychologist with a background in allied health care
  • replies: 7

I am looking to go to see a psychologist soon. My GP appointment is scheduled this week to formalise a mental health plan. I am feeling apprehensive to see a psychologist as the past month I have been completing a mental health placement as part of m... View more

I am looking to go to see a psychologist soon. My GP appointment is scheduled this week to formalise a mental health plan. I am feeling apprehensive to see a psychologist as the past month I have been completing a mental health placement as part of my degree. I have been trying to use appropriate interventions like breathing and mindfulness and exercise and diet and basically everything I have been recommending to other people. I feel like if I go to a psychologist I will be hyper aware of their clinical thinking and session plan as I have been a part of it myself. the same thing happened when I spoke to my placement supervisor about being overwhelmed by my current situation. And she wasn’t lovely and receptive but told me exactly what I thought she would (to make sure to eat right, exercise, do something for stress relief each day and speak up if I am still feeling this way). I just don’t know how much more there is to offer. has anyone experienced something like this or something similar to this? Any advice or reassurance is welcome.

Needsmotivation Drop in clinic & counselling advice
  • replies: 2

Is there such a thing as a drop in clinic in Sydney? I tried counselling but mentally trying to put my problems (concerns) in buckets, putting holes in buckets, filling cups up, boxes etc was not for me as I couldn’t relate and gave up. I need help b... View more

Is there such a thing as a drop in clinic in Sydney? I tried counselling but mentally trying to put my problems (concerns) in buckets, putting holes in buckets, filling cups up, boxes etc was not for me as I couldn’t relate and gave up. I need help but don’t know where to go.

broken_wings02 Antidepressants
  • replies: 5

Hey everyone, I've been officially diagnosed with depression 2 months ago and perscribed medication. I feel like the meds have sucked the life out of me. I feel like I'm flat lining all the time and never get excited about anything. I've lost motivat... View more

Hey everyone, I've been officially diagnosed with depression 2 months ago and perscribed medication. I feel like the meds have sucked the life out of me. I feel like I'm flat lining all the time and never get excited about anything. I've lost motivation to play sport and train at the gym. Does it really get any better?

Lostflutterby Worse off on meds?
  • replies: 3

So I always thought I was better off on meds,until today. After yet another bad day I've been looking back on the past few years and have realised my mental state has only been worse since I started meds. Prior to that life was a steady level of issu... View more

So I always thought I was better off on meds,until today. After yet another bad day I've been looking back on the past few years and have realised my mental state has only been worse since I started meds. Prior to that life was a steady level of issues that never really changed. I have two kids and during my last pregnancy 2 years ago, off the meds I was fine. Does anyone have any comments?

DrWho_nerd No help after mental health plan
  • replies: 5

Hey everyone. I have PTSD and am really struggling. I got a mental health plan to see a psych to try and help but 10 sessions are now finished. I can't afford to pay the full price ($190) to keep seeing the psych, they won’t bulk bill, and don’t offe... View more

Hey everyone. I have PTSD and am really struggling. I got a mental health plan to see a psych to try and help but 10 sessions are now finished. I can't afford to pay the full price ($190) to keep seeing the psych, they won’t bulk bill, and don’t offer to assist patients with financial difficulties in any way. I have only a few strategies and most of the time they don't help, there was no planning for what to do when the 10 sessions finished, and I was given nothing by the psych to help me through or work on now that I don't have any sessions left. I have spoken to my GP, but they said there is nothing else available to me (ATAPs have refused to help me because I have had a mental health plan) and they couldn't offer any other suggestions. I am also going to have to face my abusers at a legal hearing soon without any support. I don't know what to do, I am struggling to get through every day. Anyone have any advice?

J-J Need advise about Centrelink
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone, I'm currently on Newstart allowances with a medical certificate, stating I'm not fit for work at the moment due depression, anxiety and PTSD. I've had my certificate renewed twice so far for 3 months each and I'm more than likely will ne... View more

Hi Everyone, I'm currently on Newstart allowances with a medical certificate, stating I'm not fit for work at the moment due depression, anxiety and PTSD. I've had my certificate renewed twice so far for 3 months each and I'm more than likely will need more time off. My anxiety and depression flare up really bad a couple of weeks before my medical certificate is due to be renewed. I've spoken with my Psychologist and we are still working through everything about this cycle. Is there something else I can be on with centrelink so I don't have to be renewed every 3 months? Thanks for your help in advance

sledz14 Coming off Anti-Depressants and It's Side Effects
  • replies: 4

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone is currently weaning off or has stopped taking anti-depressants and experiencing the awful side effects/withdrawals? A bit of background about me. I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder back in 2012 after a series of fai... View more

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone is currently weaning off or has stopped taking anti-depressants and experiencing the awful side effects/withdrawals? A bit of background about me. I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder back in 2012 after a series of fainting spells due to low blood pressure. Unfortunately, the fear of fainting and subsequent vomiting (in public!) caused constant panic attacks which then caused agoraphobia and depression. When I first saw a GP, they immediately put me on medication and referred me to a psych. Looking back I wished they never prescribed me anything since the psychologist was a godsend and I learnt how to successfully manage my anxiety and panic. I've been on anti-depressants now for 6 years and ready to come off. I have spoken with my GP (not the same as before) and we've discussed a plan to slowly come off, but no matter how slowly the withdrawal symptoms are horrific. Before I decided to stop, I knew the side effects would be crap, but now as I'm experiencing them, it's so easy to feel alone in this. I have an amazing support network, but they'll never know how it really feels. Is anyone else also coming off the meds? Side effects include nausea, lightheadedness, confusion, agitation, brain zaps, nightmares, dizziness and anxiety (yuck!) If you are, how are you coping? Any tips or suggestion to help get me through this? Thanks.

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