New and decided to ask for help

[gherkins]

I'm not even sure what to say.

I have problems and I'm just so tired of them. I have agoraphobia since the beginning of the pandemic. I'm diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and OCD. I take medication like I'm supposed to but I feel so numb. I have been staying up all night insomnia which makes me feel worse. I think I'm binge eating.

I need some type of help but I don't know where to begin. I just want to feel better.

[jaz28]

hello there,

first of all, i want to say that i am sorry you are going through this and that i am here for you and am available to talk.

you mentioned medication - but have you seen your doctor about seeing a psychologist? this really helped me anxiety, therapy was beneficial in talking through it and using coping strategies was amazing.

i hope this helps,

jaz xx

[Mark Z.]

Hi Gherkins,

I'm so sorry, I cannot imagine how hard it is for you. But seeking for help is absolutely the right decision.

I agree with Jaz that you need to try a psychologist, come to your GP for a referral, it should be your priority.

You can also give a call to beyondblue hotline, they'll give you some suggestions as well.

At the same time I think you need more company, including family and friends, for emotional support. Are they available for you? Mental health support worker or support group might also be helpful, but I'd still suggest you to start with seeing a psychologist.

Mark

[smallwolf]

hello and welcome.

I will just make a comment on the medication side of things - if the effects of taking the medication are not good when you next see your GP mention to them how they made you feel. Of course this depends on how long you have been taking them also.

coming and chatting here is also a good move - I think / or hope. the people here are nice and will support you during this time.

[gherkins]

Thanks for the reply.

I have had mental health plans in the past. I saw a couple psychologists that were bulk bill when I lived in another state. It seems when the GP assigns me one, there is always some pricey co pay which I can't afford. I ring them to make the appointment and when I find out my share to pay is something like 25% of my job seeker, I just give up.

Would it help to find a bulk bill one first and then ask my GP to refer me to them?

[gherkins]

Thanks.

I've got psychologist on the list and took a look at the resource list from the main page here.

A couple of them said free. My mind is thinking really? Will they talk to me? I'm a bit afraid to ring people on the phone at this point.

I'll try to see if I can find any that bulk bill and when they could see me.

I live in a share which is all I can afford now and barely with the cost of housing increasing so much. I don't have any friends or family here. My parents are deceased. My siblings live overseas.

[gherkins]

Thanks.

I take the medication and it works enough to where I don't have strong panic attacks anymore. It also knocks out the OCD germ phobia.

I don't think it does much for depression. It's been changed a few times and each time I am a little bit hopeful that this one will work and I wait and wait and maybe it works a little at first for depression.

I'm wondering if a drastic something would trigger something in my brain. Like when I fly somewhere, it was so different, that it flipped a switch on my brain. I can't picture myself getting to an airport right now. I'd like to picture myself just walking around the block without being completely out of breath fearing I have to lay down on the sidewalk to stop from fainting. I wish I could say that was distorted drastic thinking but it's actually happened several times. Ok I've nattered enough.

[smallwolf]

I was on a medication for both anxiety and depression. I felt that it did nothing for one of those two. It sort of plateaued out. I said this to my psychiatrist and found a different medication I could use.

On those free psychologists... if I says FREE I would def. give them a call and tell them where you saw their name etc. Of course, if they don't sound like they would be a good fit for you then...

If you don't feel up to calling them straight away, perhaps set a time when you could?

[Mark Z.]

Hi,

I'm sorry that you don't have parents or friends here supporting you. But you do need some social connections. Either keeping in touch with your oversea friends by video, or developing some local friends by going to a church or attending an hobby group for example, it will be helpful to your mental health.

Yes it's true that some supporting resources are free. But if you're not comfortable to ring people on phone, you can do it later, don't give yourself too much pressure.

When you come to your GP and ask him/her to refer a phycologist, first several sessions should be bulk billing. There were more bulk bulling sessions during the pandemic because of the government support, you can check with your GP.

Mark