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EllieC Gift for a therapist
  • replies: 4

I have read that therapists are perhaps not supposed to accept gifts from their clients for ethical reasons (although all the articles I could find did come from the US). Is this a general rule? I have my last appointment with the psychotherapist I'v... View more

I have read that therapists are perhaps not supposed to accept gifts from their clients for ethical reasons (although all the articles I could find did come from the US). Is this a general rule? I have my last appointment with the psychotherapist I've been seeing once a fortnight for 8 years now in a couple of weeks and I was planning to buy something small (like, under $25) to give at my last appointment with a nice card, I feel like it's the least I can do for somebody who has honestly changed my life for the better, but now I'm not sure? Anyone else know any more about whether this is acceptable, or has anybody given a gift to a psychologist/therapist when they were finishing treatment before?

Yellow_Gumboots Tip: cost of antidepressants
  • replies: 7

Hi friends, I've been taking 1 or 1.5 tablets a night for about 10 years and recently I'd come to realise I needed (as confirmed by my GP) to increase that to 2. As this level now constitutes "major depression" the GP changed the costing code on the ... View more

Hi friends, I've been taking 1 or 1.5 tablets a night for about 10 years and recently I'd come to realise I needed (as confirmed by my GP) to increase that to 2. As this level now constitutes "major depression" the GP changed the costing code on the prescription and it is significantly cheaper than it was before. Same brand. If you're like me and require a high daily dose, be sure to ask your GP about this next time - it doesn't hurt to ask!

Socks Anyone else felt as though they were out of options, treatment-wise?
  • replies: 6

Curious to see what course others have taken when it seems as though you've tried everything. To treat my depression I have been on various medications for 17 years. Medication does not work for me. I have gotten all I am going to get out of talk the... View more

Curious to see what course others have taken when it seems as though you've tried everything. To treat my depression I have been on various medications for 17 years. Medication does not work for me. I have gotten all I am going to get out of talk therapy/group therapy/hypnosis/cognitive therapy/meditation. My ECT treatment only gave me a few months of relief. Hospitalization was not helpful. Anyone else feel as though they just have no more treatment options? How did you overcome it? Are you still in that rut? Would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Quollity Deliberate wrongful diagnosis, breach of confidentiality - what to do to clear my record?
  • replies: 7

Hi, I had work related depression and saw a psychologist, wise and supportive but she went on maternity leave and so I changed to a psychologist recommended by a work colleague. Bad mistake. I worked out he had seen my husband (now ex husband) 5 year... View more

Hi, I had work related depression and saw a psychologist, wise and supportive but she went on maternity leave and so I changed to a psychologist recommended by a work colleague. Bad mistake. I worked out he had seen my husband (now ex husband) 5 years ago when we split up. I asked about conflict of interest but was assured he was extremely professional. Well, the first session was ok, but then he stopped listening to me and was putting his own odd “spin” events. I had two more sessions and couldn’t bear his negativity to me. I saw my GP and he handed me a copy of the letter this psychologist wrote to him which virtually quoted what my ex-husband had said about me in private and confidential sessions during this acrimonious divorce period and “diagnosed” borderline personality disorder...after a mere 4 sessions. Even my ex is shocked and upset. I have never been diagnosed with any form of personality disorder - just anxiety and depression which have always been recognised by my doctors as reasonable responses to life events. Anyway, because it was work related my work called in a psychiatrist for hire who used this psychologist’s report (despite me explaining in detail the unethical breaches of confidentiality and professional misconduct) to malign my character and blame me for the workplace issues that led to my depression. I requested a correction to my medical record from the psychologist but no response yet. I reported to AHPRA but it’s slow. I saw a psychiatrist who had supported me when I had a severe depression while doing post graduate study, struggling with my mother dying with dementia, and I had severe morning sickness throughout my pregnancy. The report I submitted to the workplace and insurers from this old psychiatrist was very supportive and made it abundantly clear that he treated me for a lengthy period of time and never saw any indication of personality disorder But work is going with the report from their psychiatrist who saw me for 40 minutes. My GP is appalled. My new psychologist is appalled, as is my old psychiatrist. But the workplace have an agenda. how do I get my record corrected? Should I see a lawyer? This wrongful diagnosis has damaged my credibility at work and I’m being treated badly by HR. I want to just quit but there are few jobs here. What can I do? thanks

Chris_B Have the conversation: how to talk to your doctor
  • replies: 5

So, you've made your first appointment and you're on your way to talk to your GP. It's quite common to feel apprehensive at this time, and worry that you're not going to be able to say what you need to. Asking questions is important, and here are thr... View more

So, you've made your first appointment and you're on your way to talk to your GP. It's quite common to feel apprehensive at this time, and worry that you're not going to be able to say what you need to. Asking questions is important, and here are three to get you started: 1. What are all of my options? 2. What are the best options for me? 3. When will I feel better? Watch the videos below and let us know what you think. What has worked for you as well when seeking treatment - how have you built a good relationship with your doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist? What questions do you ask?

IdealIllusion How to access help when you can’t get the words out?
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, This is my first post so please excuse me if it is a little muddled. I’m generally not one to self-diagnose, but I’ve been living with pretty clear symptoms of both anxiety and depression for the past couple of years. The issue is, I can... View more

Hi everyone, This is my first post so please excuse me if it is a little muddled. I’m generally not one to self-diagnose, but I’ve been living with pretty clear symptoms of both anxiety and depression for the past couple of years. The issue is, I can’t get myself to actually physically speak about it. For some reason although I can message someone about how I’m feeling, I can’t actually get it out for a face to face conversation. I’ve tried seeking help in the past, from both GPs and psychologists and every single time I either completely freeze and change the subject, or I lie and make the problem sound a million times better than what it actually is. I really need help, at the moment I’m not sure how much longer I can take of dealing with this all by myself. My question is- what can I do if I can’t seem to get it out in person? I don’t think it’s the physical act of speaking, I think I just can’t deal with seeing someone’s reaction when I talk to them about this kind of stuff. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions I would take them with open arms! Thanks

startingnew Different therapies- have your say
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone. I find when im reading alot of threads people are unsure of what therapy they would like to go with or are unaware that there are more options than what meets the eye. Some often feel embarrassed or hopeless when the therapy they are in ... View more

Hi Everyone. I find when im reading alot of threads people are unsure of what therapy they would like to go with or are unaware that there are more options than what meets the eye. Some often feel embarrassed or hopeless when the therapy they are in isnt helping or find it is making them worse. Therapy isnt suppose to be comfortable but if its not working for you, then speak up and seek other options as well. So i am interested to know from my peers what therapies you have tried or are currently trying and why/ why not you find that therapy works/doesnt work for you? i have been trying CBT before having a break and i was one of those 'its hopeless or im a hopeless case' people. I found it was good to get things off your chest however it wasnt helping me because it was bringing up alot of stuff but i wasnt being taught skills to be able to cope in between sessions. I found i learnt more on here and the people from bb and through reading materials than my therapist who is paid to help me. Any thoughts and opinions are welcome

MooRich94 Apprehension/Anxiety Towards Antidepressants
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, so I’ve been avoiding taking any antidepressants now for years due to feeling like I will be a complete failure if my life has come down to taking a pill to feel happy. Unfortunately my depression/anxiety has come to a point where it’s g... View more

Hi everyone, so I’ve been avoiding taking any antidepressants now for years due to feeling like I will be a complete failure if my life has come down to taking a pill to feel happy. Unfortunately my depression/anxiety has come to a point where it’s getting very hard to manage and i’m So over feeling sad and exhausted so I feel as if I at least owe myself to give antidepressants a crack. What I am worried about are the side effects. Can someone with experience please give me comfort. Will they make me gain weight? I don’t have any self esteem as it is, I don’t see how that’s going to help me?! Will they make me fatigued and exhausted and moody?! No desire for sex?! What’s the point of taking them when they sound like they make life worse. My first doctor who tried to prescribe them to me even told me not to read the pamphlet that comes with them because it will scare me off, so of course I did and I didn’t take a single one. Please give me some guidance, I am out of other options. I live in a rural area so face to face counselling isn’t available. I just want to be happy again and stop wasting my life feeling so miserable and run down all the time. Thanks everyone.

selfportrait Psychiatrists won't treat me
  • replies: 2

Late last year I had a falling out with my psychiatrist over late payment of fees (I'm on Centrelink because my depression and chronic fatigue have kept me off work since 2015), and I had to stop seeing him. I've been trying for several months to fin... View more

Late last year I had a falling out with my psychiatrist over late payment of fees (I'm on Centrelink because my depression and chronic fatigue have kept me off work since 2015), and I had to stop seeing him. I've been trying for several months to find a new psychiatrist, but every one I've contacted has declined to take me as a patient because of my specific medication requirements and now apparently my reputation as a difficult patient. The meds I'm on can't be prescribed by a GP, and I ran out of them almost a month ago. I'm very ill and desperate. I know that every psychiatrist has the right to refuse to treat me, and without any money to my name I don't really have any recourse. I don't know exactly what kind of advice I'm even looking for, but if anyone has anything they can share, I need any suggestion I can get.

sjay88 Weird sensation in legs when trying to sleep since Psychiatrist increased dose of Antipsychotic
  • replies: 3

About a month ago my Psychiatrist increased my dosage of Antipsychotic and while it has done what it is supposed to do, it has now left me fighting for sleep. I get this weird feeling that in my legs that makes me or feels like it makes me want to mo... View more

About a month ago my Psychiatrist increased my dosage of Antipsychotic and while it has done what it is supposed to do, it has now left me fighting for sleep. I get this weird feeling that in my legs that makes me or feels like it makes me want to move my legs all the time, it seems to occur and worsen after about 2 hours of taking meds. It is a weird and very uncomfortable sensation which is preventing me from sleeping. Has anyone else found this side effect to occur, and what was done about it. I am worried that it is just me, or that I am just imagining it. I never know with these things and I am getting very anxious about it. I have a complication as well by means of a illness that can and does affect my muscles and it feels like since the increase in the Antipsychotic, this has been enhanced. I just don't know, am I just imagining it, or is it something new for me to deal with. Any thoughts, on whether i should tell my Psychiatrist, I don't want him to think I am a complainer, should I just put up with it for the sake of feeling more in control mentally. Kind Regards Sjay88