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Sophie_M Ask Coach Craig - Our Resident Mental Health Clinician!
  • replies: 34

Hi everyone, This is a thread for asking questions of our resident Mental Health Nurse, Craig who pops into the forums regularly. PLEASE NOTE as per our community rules, Coach Craig won't be able to answer questions about medications, these are best ... View more

Hi everyone, This is a thread for asking questions of our resident Mental Health Nurse, Craig who pops into the forums regularly. PLEASE NOTE as per our community rules, Coach Craig won't be able to answer questions about medications, these are best discussed offline directly with your mental health professional. BEFORE YOU ASK THE COACH PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING POINTS: Coaches time is limited! We cannot provide an ongoing dialogue with COACH in this thread - one post/question per person please We'd recommend you have a look through the forums before posting here to see if your question has already been answered by Coach Craig, our other members, or if there's information about it already on the Beyond Blue website. If a question pops up that has already been answered previously, or if alternate resources are available, one of our moderators will reply and direct you to the link. When writing your question, imagine you are speaking to someone in person i.e. provide a clear and detailed post with enough information that outlines how The Coach can help you. Background Information - From Coach Craig I have been involved in mental health nursing since the mid 1980’s, during my career, I have held a plethora of different roles and had many awesome experiences, I have received 2 national awards and have been awarded with a fellowship to the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. I chose mental health nursing as I soon realised that I didn’t seem to fit into the traditional ‘medical model’ of delivering care. I have worked as a nurse, manager, educator, project officer, advocate, within Youth, teenagers, Adults and Older persons mental health, both in traditional hospital settings and primary based GP clinics. I am also a trained Nurse Therapist in ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy). I am also trained as a life coach. I am thankful that I can walk alongside people who need some support, encouragement, and advice around there own mental and emotional health.

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indesperation Treatment resistant depression
  • replies: 0

my 30 year old son has been suffering from treatment resistant depression for about 12 years and he has steadily declined. He has tried every treatment available and been hospitalised several times. He Now also gets anxiety attacks most days. My husb... View more

my 30 year old son has been suffering from treatment resistant depression for about 12 years and he has steadily declined. He has tried every treatment available and been hospitalised several times. He Now also gets anxiety attacks most days. My husband and I are at our wits end, we don’t know how to help him. Watching him suffer as he has over the last couple of years is breaking our hearts. He sees his psychologist twice a week, his psychiatrist about once a month, and his GP regularly. I would really like us to be able to talk to someone who specialises in treat resistant depression, or at least has a lot of experience dealing with it. Our son needs more help than we can give him and we need help coping. Has anyone had a similar experience? Thank you

MsMJ TMS for adolescents/teens
  • replies: 0

Hello, My son (16) has been struggling with treatment resistant depression; and having tried about 4 different anti-depressants on different doses without much success, his psychiatrist is suggesting we look into TMS as a potential course of treatmen... View more

Hello, My son (16) has been struggling with treatment resistant depression; and having tried about 4 different anti-depressants on different doses without much success, his psychiatrist is suggesting we look into TMS as a potential course of treatment. I wanted to ask if anyone has had experience of TMS as a young person and what the side effects and outcomes were? My son would ideally be having it as an outpatient and I also wanted to understand any cost implications to be aware of (we have top private hospital cover). I would really welcome any feedback or suggestions. many thanks, a concerned mum

smidgen Treatment Resistant depression
  • replies: 3

Is there any discussion on this forum about treatment resistant depression or anyone who has experience with this condition who can give me advice?

Is there any discussion on this forum about treatment resistant depression or anyone who has experience with this condition who can give me advice?

FeelinTired What are some questions that are important to ask before starting with a new therapist?
  • replies: 0

Hey all. I've spent the last few weeks short listing about 50-60 therapists to find someone for long-term treatment. In the past year I tried about 4-5 therapists and none really seemed qualified to help me. I learned that none of them have 'clinical... View more

Hey all. I've spent the last few weeks short listing about 50-60 therapists to find someone for long-term treatment. In the past year I tried about 4-5 therapists and none really seemed qualified to help me. I learned that none of them have 'clinical' qualifications and it's mostly been Gestalt or Jung theory, but more importantly I didn't have a conversation before booking, it was just 'are you available, what time should we book?'. I want to find someone I can click with, I'm going to call each potential therapist and ask them a list of questions (assuming they have availability) to see if they are a right fit. I have a rough idea of my 'problem', albeit it's difficult to discuss upfront. I don't know what 'kind' of therapy would help, I'm just looking for someone who makes me feel like there's hope and can give me some assurance that I'm not wasting my time. For people who have actually improved from their therapy, can you recommend me some vital questions to ask before committing to a session?

P12 Difficulties Understanding Treatment
  • replies: 86

Counsellors and psychologists to whom I have spoken have told me to identify my long term goals and strive for their achievement. But my attempts have been unsuccessful because I lack the practical skills for achievement and that has caused me greate... View more

Counsellors and psychologists to whom I have spoken have told me to identify my long term goals and strive for their achievement. But my attempts have been unsuccessful because I lack the practical skills for achievement and that has caused me greater dissatisfaction than before I attempted to achieve the goals. What is the reason for this strategy and why are counsellors and psychologists unwilling or unable to give me practical advice? I identified the technical topic most interesting to me, looked for collaborators, and asked for support to pursue my interest. I found only two people in Australia with similar interests and believe they are unwilling to collaborate with me because by discrediting me their circumstances will improve. The feedback I received about my requests for support is that the topic is not relevant to society. Instead I am expected to perform a job for which I am imperfect and therefore I am excluded because my processes and ideas are different to the industry. Is it true that society's objective is for greater normality and what is the reason for such a strange aspiration? Why does society reject people who are different? Why does society not allow me to pursue my individual interests and talents? What is the purpose of living if society has no use for my talents and the role that society would have me fulfil causes me trauma? I was told that independence will not cause me long term satisfaction. Yet, as I have tried unsuccessfully for more than ten years to form a friendship, I question this assertion. The prevailing strategy suggested to me for gaining friends is to participate in activities I enjoy as there I am most likely to meet others with similar interests and beliefs. What is the purpose of living if society directs me to one outcome but it cannot provide the means to achieve that outcome? Surely independence is a far more effective solution. I'm pretty sure I am lonely. I would like to have a friendship or at least feel welcome in society. But my efforts never seem to work. People make suggestions but I must be special because they don't work for me. The harder I try, the more independent I become, because my methods appear stranger to others, and the less liked I become. I really don't understand the society in which I live. I wish I wasn't so sad. I often cry uncontrollably and am unable to sleep when I realise I will not achieve my desires and there is nothing I can do about it. My life is apparently meaningless.

Rupes79 Taking a break from therapy
  • replies: 6

Hi Everyone, I’ve been going through therapy on a fortnightly basis for around 18 months. I changed psychologists about 6 months ago as I felt the previous one lacked patience and was pushing me through too quickly. I like this one much more and have... View more

Hi Everyone, I’ve been going through therapy on a fortnightly basis for around 18 months. I changed psychologists about 6 months ago as I felt the previous one lacked patience and was pushing me through too quickly. I like this one much more and have a lot better rapport but feeling a bit fatigued from it all and wondering if it’s wise to have a break? I’ve felt a bit drained from recent sessions and thought I might be best to call it for this year and look at resuming in 2023. Can anyone offer any advice? Thanks

JEF15 Withdrawal symptoms
  • replies: 14

Hello I am currently weaning off my medication. I have been on the same med for nearly 15 years and doing a slow tapering. I have been experiencing a number of symptoms and not really feeling like my normal self and just wanted to see what others exp... View more

Hello I am currently weaning off my medication. I have been on the same med for nearly 15 years and doing a slow tapering. I have been experiencing a number of symptoms and not really feeling like my normal self and just wanted to see what others experienced during this process. Thanks

FeelinTired How do I find a good therapist and psychiatrist?
  • replies: 6

For anyone who cares to read this, I want to preface that money is not an issue and I don't mind paying out of pocket. I don't mind using Telehealth for a good professional in other parts of Australia. I have been on the hunt for a good therapist for... View more

For anyone who cares to read this, I want to preface that money is not an issue and I don't mind paying out of pocket. I don't mind using Telehealth for a good professional in other parts of Australia. I have been on the hunt for a good therapist for about 6 months now, after a few years of very brief sessions with various therapists. The only decent resource I can find is Good Therapy, and I've pretty much made a list of all the professionals that look suitable and have had sessions with those that don't have their books closed. I have yet to find anyone who I feel could actually help me. My issues are complex, and I need someone who is very emotionally sensitive, intelligent and has the ability to actually help. My main issues can be sort of described as: existential issues, DP/DR, trauma, agoraphobia, social anxiety. Is Good Therapy the only place in Australia to search for therapists? Finding a psychiatrist also brings its own issues. I was lucky enough to get an appointment with one of the higher rated ones on RateMD. But he only does single sessions, and he told me that my kind of issues require ongoing treatment. I've had awful experiences with a psych in the past, so I'm weary of getting on just anyone's wait list. I'd like one who is empathetic and very passionate about their work. I know current wait times are 6-12 months so I know this part will be very difficult. Looking for trustworthy resources for finding a good professional. Any knowledge you have would be fantastic.

jonjr The sad reality is true
  • replies: 7

Let me introduce myself, i am a 48 year old male who suffers with dissociative amnesia with fugee elements , gad and panic disorder . Getting straight to the point,. living on the GC has shown me the ugly truth of what i believe has become the immora... View more

Let me introduce myself, i am a 48 year old male who suffers with dissociative amnesia with fugee elements , gad and panic disorder . Getting straight to the point,. living on the GC has shown me the ugly truth of what i believe has become the immoral and illegitimate practices happening within psychology treatment. i say that as i have gathered evidence. After many local enquirers into help i have been denied even ignored fully. The following are the reasons I have been given:... i am sorry it is not in my specialist area to treat this, i am sorry we are way to busy to take this on ( even though i know they have free spots or new physiologists ), or simply do not respond to messages or emails. The worrying thing is, the first reason I quoted was the option of a well known uni that teach the very people we seek help from.. Just look at the main bulk of work psychologist look for it is either young family or single youth, teenage adhd work, and now nearly all are telehealth only format. Now there is nothing wrong with that if that if it is the only way you can reach help,but it shows that any complex or work that may involve a more invested approach is simply pushed aside as lets face it , it is a lot quicker and easier to deal with the for mentioned categories. rather than a complex illness in a face to face scenario. The fact that the cost is the same per session over the phone as a face to face is a worry and the fact that so many psychologist only offer telehealth as there choice now shows how unregulated and cash cow like this area has become. We all see the GP sector with large medical centers that chew through patients like cattle with hardly any personal relationships between patient and doctor and now I see the same think happening with psychology. but even worse as there is no person to person interaction at all. You can see a wave of psychologists that pop up offering non face to face help only and even false business addresses that relate to a physical practice but are simply a front. Is this the future that we want? Un experienced psychologists protected by the internet playing about with complex problems? . It will indefinitely lead to cheap overseas options for therapy online, that will open up a wave of fraudulent, immoral practices. Please do the research its easy to see the problem and you will be shocked.. I could give you a list of immoral practices but its bigger than the word allowance. Be safe

OrangeYouGladYouMetMe Where Else to Turn?
  • replies: 4

I've been diagnosed with depression/anxiety since about 15 (symptoms from 12ish) and I'm now in my mid 30's. I've been on an SSRI for eight years which helped with my anxiety and being a functional human. Last year I was diagnosed with ADHD and began... View more

I've been diagnosed with depression/anxiety since about 15 (symptoms from 12ish) and I'm now in my mid 30's. I've been on an SSRI for eight years which helped with my anxiety and being a functional human. Last year I was diagnosed with ADHD and began taking stimulants, which has helped a great deal but has the downside of feeling like I am puppeteering my body. It has destroyed my appetite and I feel like I'm caring for a needy Tamagotchi all the damn time (Oh look 2PM better force the woman to drink).The big problem is that I'm more depressed and frustrated than ever. I'm incredibly lonely, I have no friends, no family and aside from work I spend all my time alone. I'm a virgin, haven't dated and despite trying everything from mixed-gender sports to online dating, I'm still alone. My psychiatrist is a medication vending machine (Insert $250 and get a script - yay!). He told me I was 'too clever to have suicidal thoughts and should just not think about it'. My GP reluctantly referred me to another, but after waiting for six-months the appointment was cancelled when the doc was off sick and I was added to the end of the list.I fully believe in psychology, but in my experience they let me give TED talks about my current ADHD driven hobbies and take everything at face value, which is unfortunate as I lie unintentionally/easily. I've never gotten anything I would see as therapy from any of them. I had begun to see one on the regular this year, but she had to have an operation, and now it has been three months. They then cancelled my appointment 'as she was no longer taking late appointments' and I was put on the back of the three-month + long wait list....So what is the point?Really, what else can I do? I'm pretty sure the way things are going when I have my classic breakdown/freakout/anxiety attack one day I'm just going to kill myself, or at least try, as I get very distressed and reckless (and it's getting worse, month by month) Obviously, I don't want that but I am also finding it is too difficult to keep getting help. The constantly changing appointments stress me out, the price of it all stresses me out, and honestly nothing has helped, I'm still the same depressed person I've always been. What else is there? Where can I go? Please, there's got to be somewhere I can turn for more support or accountability.