Hi Everyone! Here’s a recap of the forums for the month of February.
Feel free to post your own reflections for the month under this thread!
Community Voices: What are people talking about? Finding the right MH
treatment/Professional “I wanted to ask...
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Hi Everyone! Here’s a recap of the forums for the month of February.
Feel free to post your own reflections for the month under this thread!
Community Voices: What are people talking about? Finding the right MH
treatment/Professional “I wanted to ask how do I go about finding a
counsellor/psychologist who will see me with the mental health care
plan? I am uncertain about the one the GP provided because of this
experience. I want to find one that suits me but I don't know how to
find one that will accept the MHCP.” – court8 “It took me quite some
time to find and develop a good relationship with my therapist. Has
anyone else found that process to be harder than it should be? I am
aware and respect the rules of this forum in "no recommendations' but I
wanted to see if anyone else out there thinks that finding the right
therapy/therapist can sometimes cost too much time and money? I'm not
disputing what therapy costs, just the cost of sitting through sessions
before finding the right fit?” - Pedro75 Read more on this topic: Bad
experience with GP... Unsure how to commence MHCP? Barriers to finding
the right therapist. Trouble with group GP practice & obtaining S8
medication - toxic practice? Health Anxiety “This morning I feel super
dizzy, after resting I then felt better. Some days I feel okay. But
every morning my first thought is that I hope I don't have a headache or
feel lightheaded today. I'm only in my 20s, there's no history of brain
tumours in my family. It's just very hard right now and I hate being so
worried and obsessive about it.” - jemma09 “I have gone through every
test with my doctor multiple times and I am completely healthy but I
panic that I am going to have a heart attack if I elevate my heart rate
with exercise. Has anyone experienced this and have any pointers on how
to combat this issue?” - Number 86 Read more on this topic: Health
related anxiety. Health Anxiety - Strength Training Anxiety-fear of
sickness/dying-heartattack Staying well while starting a new job “I
panicked this morning while having a shower and started crying and
hyperventilating and felt dizzy. I rang work and said my daughter was
sick. I like the job it isn't stressful but I have a lot to learn, and I
don't want to stuff up or not understand anything. I am putting a lot of
pressure on myself to be a great employee.” - July26 “I want to be a
nurse, I got good grades throughout university and I loved my clinical
placements. This transition however is huge and I don’t know how I am
going to get through it. Any nurses out there who have a similar
experience?” – Romy Read more on this topic: Newbie - I'm not coping
starting this new job. New nurse, crippling anxiety High anxiety over
new job, not feeling Valued Contributor Award Our Valued Contributor for
the month of February is Juliet_84 ! Juliet_84 has been on the forums
for a number of years and while being open and vulnerable about her own
mental health journey, Juliet has consistently demonstrated our
community values. While being friendly and supportive towards other
members on the forums Juliet has shown to listen without judgement and
reflect people’s experiences in a way that acknowledges the feelings and
opinions of others. Thank you Juliet_84! New Champ Alert! Please welcome
our newest Community Champion uncut_gems (also known as Aaron)! Aaron
over a short period of time has immersed himself within our community,
being positive and friendly towards new members and is eager to support
others by sharing his own mental health journey and academic interests
in e-mental health communities. To read more about uncut_gems and all
our incredible community champs we encourage everyone to visit our
thread ‘Introducing...the community champions’ BB News: Focus on forums
is a new series part of Beyond Blue’s Personal Best publications. This
series specifically focuses on common conversations, questions/concerns
and reflections from our online community over the last month. Check out
last month’s article on motivation here.
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/personal-best/pillar/in-focus/focus-on-forums-motivation
Beyond Blue’s first podcast is in production and we want you to help us
name it! We have a shortlist of three options so we want your help to
choose the best one by voting for your favourite. For more information
and to cast your vote please follow the link below!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BBPC2020 Health Professional Reflection
from Nurse Jenn 'Healthy Worry' Versus 'Health Anxiety' Worry comes in
all shapes and sizes and no one's worry is quite alike. A common post on
the forum is one that is often called health anxiety. Many people
present to the forum with worries about their health which is normal,
especially when a person is facing an unusual symptom or new diagnosis.
This is very common. But with the rise of the internet, and using Dr.
Google, a small symptom can become much bigger with only the touch of
the button. Paying attention to your health and how your body feels is
important. Seeing a GP or specialist can provide reassurance that
everything is functioning within normal limits or that you have a plan
to address physical health symptoms. But sometimes, despite this, the
worry continues and can even get worse and become more like symptoms of
anxiety. Some symptoms of anxiety include but are not limited to:
Physical: panic attacks, hot and cold flushes, racing heart, tightening
of the chest, quick breathing, restlessness, or feeling tense, wound up
and edgy Psychological: excessive fear, worry, catastrophizing, or
obsessive thinking Behavioural: avoidance of situations that make you
feel anxious which can impact on study, work or social life The symptoms
of anxiety can actually feel like some physical illness symptoms and
create even more stress. You can see how the cycle can become difficult
to manage. Taking a proactive stance to addressing worry early can
prevent it from becoming worse. Addressing both the mind and the body at
the same time is using a 'whole of person' approach to healing. This is
often referred to as a holistic approach. If you visit your GP or health
professional and feel that you are worrying beyond what is normal, talk
to them about how you are feeling. Another place to start is on the
forum or talking to someone you trust. If you want to read more about
other people’s experiences, use the search bar and look up health
anxiety. You are not alone.
Meet your community champions!
