Can't find a Psychiatrist in Tasmania.

[Anxoid]

Hi all.
I'm in an extremely bad way at the moment, and changing antidepressants (I'm over 2 weeks in, with no result yet), as the ones I've been on for 10 years or more seemed to stop working.
I've been on dsp for the last 2 years or so, for depression and anxiety, but the psychiatrist I used to see has retired. he also thought I scored very high for adhd as well.
My g.p has done a mental health plan, and referred me to a clinic but none of their psychiatrists are taking on new patients.
I've also called, many other psychiatrists, and none of those are taking on new patients either.
The only thing I can think of is online psychiatrists, but my g.p knows nothing about them, neither does anyone else I've spoken to. I don't know where to start.
Does anybody have any thoughts on choosing a good one? Or any thoughts on online psychiatrists in general?
cheers.

[blondguy]

Hi Anxoid

I understand your pain with depression and anxiety. I used to have chronic anxiety for a few years until I started seeing my GP (after seeing my psychiatrist for the AD's)

2 weeks in with your new meds without result can be common Anxoid...yet I understand your concern

Psychiatrists usually help us with our meds and some counselling...do you consult with your GP about how you are feeling with your new meds? I dont think you will find any online psychiatrists...unless I missed something!

Can I ask why you changed your original medication? (only if thats okay of course)

It would be great if you could post back...when and if you wish 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Anxoid]

Thanks Paul. Yes, i guess you're right, 2 weeks is probably about the MINIMUM an antidepressant should take to notice any benefit. If I remember correctly, it took over a month before I noticed any effect on my original pills, so I really don't need to worry about that just yet. Thanks for pointing that out!
I do talk with my g.p, and have just found a psychologist who seems excellent (only had one session with him so far).
As to online psychiatrists, I've just discovered they apparently do exist. The website "Your Health In Mind" lists a lot of them. it's probably not as ideal as seeing one face to face though...
No problem talking about my meds, but I'd better leave that until tomorrow, I've just realised its 2:00am 🙂
Cheers Anxoid.

[blondguy]

Hey Anxoid

No worries at all! Thanks for your help with the website details...I will have a look see. We dont expect a reply off anyone that posts.....only if and when its convenient for you Anxoid 🙂

There are many gentle people with similar symptoms that can be here for you too 🙂 I am usually on every couple of days as a volunteer

I hope your week is good to you!

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Anxoid]

Thanks Paul, I'm ok with any questions you or anyone else on beyond blue has, I can tell you're here to help, and that's great. The forum seems very well moderated too.

My g.p changed the meds as they didn't seem to be working anymore. I went from an ssri, (which I've been taking for about 15 years), to a snri, and an atypical antipsychotic (very low dose).

I have also been a pretty heavy user of marijuana since about age 18 (I'm 43yo), and around the same time as the ssri stopped working, so did any mood brightening effects of the marijuana. Smoking now seems to just send me into anxiety attacks. I slowly tapered off the pot, and stopped completely about 2 weeks ago.

I guess there have been quite a few things that might have led to my increasing anxiety over the last year or so.

To start with a really good friend, who suffers from severe paranoia, and won't see doctors about it, cut me, and all our mutual friends off completely, for no reasons we can understand.

Another friend was diagnosed with diabetes and emphysema, then months after he stopped smoking had a lung collapse, though he seems to have recovered fairly well since.

Another friend, just recently had 1/4 of his bowel removed, and I'm not sure how he's doing, as my anxiety has kept me pretty isolated recently.

One of my sisters spent a few weeks in a mental hospital. She says it helped her greatly, and recommends I do the same.

Another sister was diagnosed with epilepsy and anxiety.

And, my dad had a heart attack. He's doing well now though.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Anxoid,

I'm glad you are getting lots of support here and a wave to Paul for all of his welcomes and support for you too.

I just thought I'd jump in and talk about online psychiatrists since I'm familiar with that (and have done so once). The idea is that it works a little bit like Skype, except they usually use a more secure platform for confidentiality reasons. Sometimes they can be done at home, but often they'll dial into a clinic or a local hospital - so they'll have a room just for you. Since every psychiatrist is a bit different, they'll let you know all of this well in advance.

The other option you could try is to talk to your psychologist about it. They usually work close together with psychiatrists and may be aware of a few that have openings.

Best of luck,

rt

[Anxoid]

Thanks rt. Looks like I might go with another option though.

I have decided to book in at a clinic, as an in patient for a while (likely a few weeks). I'm a bit scared about it, as it involves group sessions, and being away from home, which will probably spark off my social phobia. My sister stayed there for a while, and highly recommends them.

They do however have a number of psychiatrists there, and this would guarantee being able to see one relatively soon.

Seems they are big on acceptance and commitment therapy, which from what I've read has helped many people, including my sister.

I've also begun reading "The happiness trap", which seems to make sense, so far...

Hopefully this could also lead to getting a regular psychiatrist as well. I'll certainly ask them about that.

Cheers, anxoid.

[blondguy]

Hi Anxoid....(and a wave to RT!)

thankyou so much for your complimentary and kind feedback Anxoid

you have really experienced some difficult times especially with family and friends as well as your own health!

you are proactive (and then some!) with your health by utilising the services of your clinic....You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by doing so 🙂

your sister is a legend for also being so proactive with her health too Anxoid. My older brother was treated in a psychiatric hospital and was a lot better after doing so

I couldnt leave the house for a couple of months when I was in my 20's...(1980's) with ongoing high level anxiety attacks.....it was awful...I was fortunate at the time as local councils had a psychiatric nurse that did home visits

I havent smoked grass since I worked as a ski instructor in the late 1970's....I am not an expert on cannabis..all I know is that its a lot stronger than 40 years ago as its grown hydroponically which elevates the THC levels and can also 'open the door' to any underlying mental illness that we didnt know we had...whether genetic or through our upbringing/life experiences

Im 59 and have learned that acceptance therapy works very well....as when we use 'calm and genuine acceptance' our anxiety does reduce the 'circle of fear' that anxiety feeds off. Its hard work yet the results are wonderful!

Just for your info....I have been seeing my GP monthly for a 'tune up' for 23 years as he has a strong and caring focus where mental health is concerned (still bulk billed through a charity years ago)

Its wonderful to have you as part of the Beyond Blue family Anxoid 🙂

you are amazing..... and not alone

Paul

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Anxoid,

It's good to hear back from you. Ah, that sounds like a smart idea - I bet knowing your sister found it helpful is probably reassuring too. I'm really glad that you have that option available to you (as not everyone does).

I totally get that your anxiety would be high with these sessions (mine too probably!), but I'm also sure that these sessions will be so helpful it will far outweigh the social phobia. I know for me whenever I've had to do anything like that it is always the first session that's the worst because my anxiety is so high, and then it settles. Hopefully you'll have that experience too.

Yes, I'm familiar with The Happiness Trap! It's a bestseller. I'm familiar with ACT too.

I hope it all goes well as an inpatient. Keep us updated 🙂

rt

[Anxoid]

Well, looks like I've decided, I really can't handle the idea of being in the clinic for so long. That and the cost.

But that's ok because amazingly I have managed to finally find a psychiatrist, with some great reviews, who can see me in a couple of weeks!

I was really impressed when I called her, especially by the fact she likes to do a 2 hours for the first session.

She also has mindfulness listed in her techniques, so I'd say she might be more of a mix of psychologist and psychiatrist than most psychiatrists, which seems ideal.

So glad I did one more round of calls to psychiatrists.

So I'll keep on taking the new antidepressant until then, and keep on with the happiness trap, then see what she says.

I think the fact that my sister doesn't suffer from social phobia might have ment it was the perfect choice for her, but I feel much more comfortable with this choice.

It could be that some time down the road, some kind of group therapy might be a great thing to do, but I think I'd just feel trapped in a mental hospital right now.

Thanks again, both of you, it's good to hear from people who have been through problems, and gotten through.