neurodivergent? Yelling, noisy in my head

[Trae]

Hi,

I'm a single Dad from Sydney and estranged from my kids

I'm trying to find out where I get a diagnosis as I can't think straight through the noise in my head. I've had treatment for depression but I feel it's something else and my GP isn't very knowledgeable although he means well.

My symptoms are:

• lack of ability to concentrate due too much noise in my head despite being on anti-depressants. Noise Cancelling headphones "help" so I can relax enough to sleep 4-5 hours.
• I require text to be HUGE to read it. This is not because I can't see smaller fonts but because I get lost reading the same line over and over again. (I can use text to speech to get past this but it's not always possible and forms are everywhere)
• Difficulty remembering. When I'm reminded of a memory, it's as clear as day but without reminding everything is a jumble of images. I forget my kids, my name. How long I've been here.
• disconnected from my body. I feel like I'm inside m head separate from my body.
• Paranoia. every sound outside my house or creak inside my house triggers me to crawl into bed and if I don't remember to put on my headphones, images of violence against me and being a failure are in my head.
• Agoraphobia. I used to love crowds, parties and being social but now just going to my front door causes panic.

Where do I turn for treatment please?

p.s.  I'm applying for Centrelink help with assistance

[Eagle Ray]

Dear Trae,

I’m so sorry you are dealing with these challenges. I am thinking a psychologist or psychiatrist who specialises in neorodivergence or neurological symptoms may be good. You can get your GP to refer you for a mental health care plan, or research therapists yourself to see if you can find someone who seems like the right fit for the symptoms you’re struggling with. Many therapy practices now have a website with areas of speciality. You can get 10 sessions this way with a Medicare rebate. My understanding is psychiatrists are generally more expensive (I see a psychologist at present).

I’ve had numerous neurodivergent-type struggles and have long suspected I have attention deficit disorder and have had autistic-like symptoms since childhood. From the beginning I could not follow verbal speech instructions and have mild prosopagnosia (cannot recognise faces). I’ve always had great difficulty with short term memory too. I have gradually learned over time that many of my symptoms are likely related to early life trauma and I’m also diagnosed with complex PTSD. I don’t know if any early trauma would be linked in your case, but if so finding a trauma-informed therapist would be good. I have involuntary imagery as well which is definitely improving now. I get fearful a lot in many situations but on the whole that has also improved.

 I think the best thing is finding a good therapist who is knowledgeable about the experiences you are having. I found I had to try a few to settle with the right one. It sounds like some of your symptoms have developed more recently, so they could help you get to the bottom of what is going on.

It would be so hard being estranged from your kids. My heart goes out to you. Please take care of yourself and know supports are out there and it can just take some time and effort finding the right help.

You can also call helplines such as the Beyond Blue helpline. They may be able to help steer you in the right direction for finding help too. Their number is 1300 22  4636. They also have webchat if that is easier.

Sending you support and I hope you can find some answers soon. Best wishes,

ER

[Trae]

Thanks ER

It sounds like you have had a lot to deal with. Thank you for sharing your thoughts

I'm on a long waiting list to see a psychiatrist on the public system so hopefully I will start to see improvements if they can organise this to be more regular than once every 3-6 months. Fingers crossed.

I am writing it on a big piece of paper so I remember

Thank you again for reaching out with your suggestions 🙂

I hope this time of year is a wonderful one for you and yours

[Eagle Ray]

You’re welcome Trae. It would be so challenging dealing with those things you are experiencing. I hope you get to see the psychiatrist soon.

 Some of us here on the BB Forum who will be on our own at Christmas and/or New Year will probably chat over on the BB social threads on one or both of those days. So if you need a chat over the silly season feel free to do so. Take care and best wishes,

ER

[Trae]

I would love that but if I didn't get alerts o would forget about this post. navigating the site causes confusion thank you for the offer though I appreciate it