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Sally65 Backed myself into a corner
  • replies: 3

I've been off meds for BADII for over 7 months and have been doing really well on natural and nutritional therapy, until now. Problem is, I have been off work with the flu (and now struggling to meet deadlines), have found out my knee surgery was bot... View more

I've been off meds for BADII for over 7 months and have been doing really well on natural and nutritional therapy, until now. Problem is, I have been off work with the flu (and now struggling to meet deadlines), have found out my knee surgery was botched and can't be fixed, have chronic health problems that are wearing me down and now, have been diagnosed with arthritis (explains why I have chronic pain and can't sleep). I was so determined to stay well through healthy diet, exercise, meditation and alternative health supplements that my stubborn side can't even contemplate defeat. But, the dark thoughts come crashing down and there's nothing I seem to be able to do to control them. On the surface, I'm the most together, organised person you will ever meet! Family and friends are none the wiser, but bubbling and boiling beneath is what I recognise to be a path to rapid self-destruction. I was just so convinced that toxic medication could be replaced by lifestyle change etc. and don't want to concede or dare I say, admit defeat to those who will say, 'told you so!'

bigstar Internal Family Systems
  • replies: 4

Hey there, First time poster / long time reader. Was wondering if anyone has done 'internal family systems' with their psych. I've done for the past 3 or 4 sessions with great success and I thought I was making some great progress. But yesterday, whe... View more

Hey there, First time poster / long time reader. Was wondering if anyone has done 'internal family systems' with their psych. I've done for the past 3 or 4 sessions with great success and I thought I was making some great progress. But yesterday, when I was under(in the trance, as it were), something happened, where I saw a deep darkness, like a depression like no other; I had that depression before, 6 or 7 years ago which almost killed me, and I saw it again, in the trance, and it terrified the hell out of me. I got out of the trance and told her this needed to stop because I didn't feel like I had the strength or the tools to deal with what it was revealing but that still didnt stop me from having a panic attack after. I spent the rest of last night walking. Anyway today I've woken up and I'm still very bad and pretty anxious and I have the feeling the one might have when a wolf is that door. The beast is back and awake but hasn't broken in yet. I'm terrified of this therapy as well. Although well intentioned, it has opened up something that my subconscious has done very well to keep hidden or locked. So has anyone had some sort of similar experience? I'm at a loss as to what I do. I dont want to go see her again, but there is some part of me that feels like I have to encounter this beast if I am to make a recovery and find out what it is, but then another part of me that wants to forget about therapy and try distract myself with ordinary endeavours and hope that I go back to being normal. Its like there is an opportunity for healing or total destruction. High risk / high reward. Sorry, I am aware that the language I am using to describe my internal battle isn't as 'clinical' as some of you might like, but this is how I make sense of it all in language. Any guidance would be appreciated; especially any accounts of experience with internal family systems. thank you

Inkup How effective was therapy for you?
  • replies: 6

Hi All, I've been fighting my demons (depression, anxiety and stress) for about a year now. I was placed on a mental health plan at the start of the year, seeing a Psychologist and getting on meds. I've heard from a few people dealing with the same t... View more

Hi All, I've been fighting my demons (depression, anxiety and stress) for about a year now. I was placed on a mental health plan at the start of the year, seeing a Psychologist and getting on meds. I've heard from a few people dealing with the same thing as me that it took them time to find the right meds and the right psych. Meds, I felt, have helped but I still feel like life is a struggle. I am due to see my GP to hopefully switch or increase my dosage again. My Psych focuses mostly on CBT and at first, I found it amazing. But now I find it tedious and frustrating. Understanding the reasons behind my feelings was good but now its just so repetitive. I feel as though we just talk about the science and theory behind it all and I just don't feel any better. I kind of want to talk about whats happening and I how I feel, and I almost want someone to tell me to pull my head in! I guess my question is, how effective was therapy for the rest of you? I have been suggested to see a new Psych or see a Psychiatrist instead. I am hesitant to go back through it due to the costs involved (after 10 sessions I feel more stressed about the cost). I honestly felt like it was a waste of time to me but I'm currently stuck on the same level and my mental health isn't improving. What worked for you? What types of therapy worked for you? Or did just talking to friends and family have the same effect for you? Thanks in advance.

stayweird Psych//Counselling//Therapy??
  • replies: 4

I hope this makes sense to someone and they'e able to shed some light. I know the difference between a Psychologist and Psychiatrist but I'm wondering who I should consult first. Counselling? Therapy? Psychologist? Things have been getting worse. I h... View more

I hope this makes sense to someone and they'e able to shed some light. I know the difference between a Psychologist and Psychiatrist but I'm wondering who I should consult first. Counselling? Therapy? Psychologist? Things have been getting worse. I have self managed for the past 12 years as the anxiety surrounding admitting what I feel and think scared me off. I had a GP tell me I had depression in High School but he said it was a phase. I guess I just want help. I want someone to talk to. I want help from a professional to see if I'm normal or what is going on. If you have any suggestions about the difference between fhe above and what I should do first - it would be appreciated. Thank you for your time ☆

mxgncraig Seeking help from a councillor - help
  • replies: 3

Hi, I have decided that I have reached a point within my anxiety where I need to speak to a professional. For the last 16 months I have been dealing with waves of severe anxiety since I was in a car accident which almost killed me. This accident has ... View more

Hi, I have decided that I have reached a point within my anxiety where I need to speak to a professional. For the last 16 months I have been dealing with waves of severe anxiety since I was in a car accident which almost killed me. This accident has resulted in me needing complex reconstructive surgery, more than a year down the line since it happened. This amongst other personal happenings (one. thing. after. another.) has become a plague in my life. I have found myself more recently dealing with intense feelings of depression and panic. My weight has plummeted - and as someone who used to suffer with eating disorders this is a scary concept to me. My work life is suffering. My personal life is suffering. While I have the most wonderful, caring partner (whom I just got engaged to), I am beginning to feel as though I need to speak to someone who can help. Before it becomes too much to handle. However, I have no idea how to go about this... I am embarrassed to talk about it because I genuinely feel as though I am just being silly, and by being negative about it all - I am just attracting more negativity. But I'm not, I know that. Can anyone please tell me how they approached finding professional help? Thank you.

Peony88 Help! I think I’m a compulsive liar
  • replies: 3

Since I can remember I have lied when it comes to getting myself out of trouble or things that make me uneasy or nervous. Until recently I’ve managed to lie my way out of a few situations. This one situation which I’ve gotten myself into is complicat... View more

Since I can remember I have lied when it comes to getting myself out of trouble or things that make me uneasy or nervous. Until recently I’ve managed to lie my way out of a few situations. This one situation which I’ve gotten myself into is complicated and I already have major depressive disorder and anxiety. Basically ive separated and started to see an ex who doesn’t know I’m separated and my husband just found out about the ex through my daughter when she showed up to the home unannounced. It’s the nervousness and anxiety which I think are the cause of the lying as I don’t want to upset people with the truth and I need to prepare myself for telling someone truths on important matters. I don’t know where to begin to fix all these problems I’ve created myself.

bear73800 Scared of starting treatment
  • replies: 6

I saw my GP a few days ago and was given anti-anxieties for the week but the depression is getting worse. I feel hopeless, sad and guilty. I'm 23 years old and havent had to deal with depression properly since I was about 15, I was made to see a psyc... View more

I saw my GP a few days ago and was given anti-anxieties for the week but the depression is getting worse. I feel hopeless, sad and guilty. I'm 23 years old and havent had to deal with depression properly since I was about 15, I was made to see a psychologist and I really hated it, I always felt worse leaving the sessions than when I arrived. Im scared of getting worse before I get better.

Gab2014 Antidepressants Vs No Antidepressants
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I'm Gab and new to this site. My Doctor has said she thinks I should start taking antidepressants. I was relieved, like a weight lifted off my shoulders. She was supportive. I got them yesterday. I took one this morning (and feel just awful) ... View more

Hi all, I'm Gab and new to this site. My Doctor has said she thinks I should start taking antidepressants. I was relieved, like a weight lifted off my shoulders. She was supportive. I got them yesterday. I took one this morning (and feel just awful) I'm confused about what to do. You see late last year I was injured at work, I became really teary and not coping with the pain and so Work Cover sent me to see a psychologist. Its been somewhat helpful. I've learnt to belly breath and try to relax. I've added some light exercise into my day (hydrotherapy for my shoulder injury) and I've tried watching some funny movies and having a laugh. My pain has really settled now, but my tears have increased. I'm back at work on very light duties a few hours a day (have been twice so far after 4 months off work) and while there I feel OK. Today the psychologist said "Maybe you can choose to eat better, exercise more, laugh more and have sex. Rather than take the antidepressants. She has encouraged me to try other things. There is and has always been a stigma with antidepressants. I don't know what to do. My decision making is out the window. So are my eating habits - I'm super overeating. (10kg gain in 4 months from inactivity and comfort eating) I'm feeling so low. Oh and I feel gross... uncomfortable. I feel guilty. I'm yelling at my kids, a lot. I have twins girls 18, and they just cant seem to clean properly, I'm overrating all the time. I'm crying and feeling heartbroken about all sorts of things. I have no energy. I sometimes cant even get energy for a shower. I think I should take them. But I don't want to feel worse while they kick in. I've also taken on a distance ed Uni course that starts next Monday. I don't want to be foggy. I don't want to defer and feel like I've failed. I really want to do it. But I'm worried I'm not going to be able to do it. My Mum thinks I should take them, my Brother says stay away from them. What are your thoughts? To take or to not take antidepressants?? Cheers Gab

masdo Uneasy about new meds/treatment
  • replies: 3

Hi, I've been struggling with depression and anxiety for a while and recently decided to get help. I was put on medication to start with. The first week I was alright, just felt dizzy and had more trouble sleeping and headaches, but once I upped the ... View more

Hi, I've been struggling with depression and anxiety for a while and recently decided to get help. I was put on medication to start with. The first week I was alright, just felt dizzy and had more trouble sleeping and headaches, but once I upped the dose at the start of the 2nd week I had a fever and was sick so I stopped taking them after it got worse when I took it the next day. When I went back to my GP he said it was strange and asked me some questions etc and planted the idea in my head that maybe I have bipolar or something more serious, because I said I have extreme mood swings and he said that may also be why I reacted to the meds. This has freaked me out and I'm quite scared to start my new depression/anxiety meds which he has put me on in the meantime, especially because I also have to get regular blood tests if I start these, and I have a phobia of needles. I'm seeing a psychologist for the first time next week and just not sure what I should do. I know I should speak to my Dr about it but I felt like I had to take the meds and if I don't I'll get worse and won't know either way what is wrong with me.

Jettyboi First time on meds. Please help
  • replies: 3

Hey iv never been on or done anything like this before. Iv recently been diagnose with persistent depressive disorder and had anxiety for quiet awhile. Iv just been told that medication is my best bet at this point but I have no idea how it works or ... View more

Hey iv never been on or done anything like this before. Iv recently been diagnose with persistent depressive disorder and had anxiety for quiet awhile. Iv just been told that medication is my best bet at this point but I have no idea how it works or makes you feel. Obviously it is supposed to help but iv heard that it can make you worse before it gets better and I'm not sure if I can handle that. I have no one around me to talk to and I feel I'm slowly digging myself a deeper hole that is becoming harder and harder to get out of. I really need help in how to talk to my partner about this. I know they won't understand even though they will try there hardest too and I'm not sure how to control those feelings. I just would love some suggestions with all of this.