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Howl Finding a GP
  • replies: 2

I understand that specific recommendations are not allowed in this forum for a doctor or medication. Hoping someone can point me to any resources that may help with finding a decent GP that isn't too far from me. I've been through 5 or 6 local GPs to... View more

I understand that specific recommendations are not allowed in this forum for a doctor or medication. Hoping someone can point me to any resources that may help with finding a decent GP that isn't too far from me. I've been through 5 or 6 local GPs to try to get help, and I'm simply not getting what I need. They all seem to struggle with talking to me about depression and anxiety, and providing me with any kind of useful strategies. Frankly most GPs I've seen so far seem like they want to rush me out the door within the allotted 10 minute time slot for an appointment, and seem really uncomfortable talking about depression and anxiety. I'm living in an area where there's a low socio-economic demographic, and that may be the cause of some of the attitudes... I was seeing a counsellor, who referred me to see my GP to consider medication for what they described to be both severe depression and severe anxiety. I've tried three different medications. The one that seemed to work the best also woke me up early in the morning with extreme anxiety. Right now I'm unmedicated. Mostly because the GPs that I have spoken to seem to prescribe medications like spinning a roulette wheel to try the next one, and I can't afford the side affects anymore in my job. But I need to do something... And I do want the help. I just want someone to look at my situation and work with me to find the best solution for me, including any options that don't require medication Should I consider a psychiatrist instead?

bluegreyblack uni counsellings/mental health support??
  • replies: 3

Hi, Im current student failing horribly in life and mental health, and I finally built up courage to consider counsellings and stuff. Im thinking of visiting my uni mental health support but Im little nervous about it too, so I was wondering if anyon... View more

Hi, Im current student failing horribly in life and mental health, and I finally built up courage to consider counsellings and stuff. Im thinking of visiting my uni mental health support but Im little nervous about it too, so I was wondering if anyone here have any experience about it. Is it a good idea to go to university supports, or is it better to find GP via other method??

Cat_R84 Taking a step
  • replies: 3

I can’t think back to when I started to feel like something was not right. I don’t know if it was a build-up or just hit. I just remember now questioning if I am actually a good person in so many ways. A good daughter, a good wife, a good mother (the... View more

I can’t think back to when I started to feel like something was not right. I don’t know if it was a build-up or just hit. I just remember now questioning if I am actually a good person in so many ways. A good daughter, a good wife, a good mother (the most important thing I hold on to.) Just thinking about it makes me choke and stumble. It is time I find answers and seek help to bring myself back to the person I knew I once was. I find these days I just get angry, worked up, uncontrollable. I feel like I lose myself and I can’t regroup. Small things tip me over, I don’t like people and I criticise everything everyone does without reason. I even get jealous of people getting good things even when they are just everyday normal stuff. I am everything I don’t want to be. The only people I find a connection with is my immediate family. What scares me is how this happens. What is required of me when I already have so little left to give? I spend my days from sun up to sun down caring for my kids and husband and working. I don’t have time to “seek” help. Where do I fit that in? Normally someone would say, “you need to make time for yourself,” but that is much easier said than done. To even give 15 minutes of my time means I have to work even harder later to make up for it. Today I am going to the doctors to find out what is next. To explain something is not right and I need help but I am scared of what the answers to the help will be as I know I will be given at least the first step, see the first step but not able to take it because I will not give up being there and providing for my kids at all times. I would rather suffer silently inside or away from others observations then give up even the smallest part of who I am to my babies. I know I really can’t go on, but I don’t know how I can’t not let it either.

AliSa05 Changing from 1 med. to another and what to expect
  • replies: 4

I started an new medication at the end of September and suffered horrible side effects. Increased anxiety, insomnia, sweats after about a month the dr suggested to increase which I have done and for the past three weeks now I’ve had the side effects ... View more

I started an new medication at the end of September and suffered horrible side effects. Increased anxiety, insomnia, sweats after about a month the dr suggested to increase which I have done and for the past three weeks now I’ve had the side effects above still but also constipation, which I’ve never had in my life before. A few of the other side effects have slightly improved but definitely still there. dr has suggested changing meds. 1 day off current then start new. as it’s been 2 months of horrid side effects already I’m dreading the change over and what side effects are installed for me. Have people had side effects last for a good 2 months and then finally disappear? Do I persist with this one or change? Scared of getting worsening side effects all over again. my dr has told me not to expect many side effects but then again he also said I shouldn’t receive many initially but he was certainly wrong. I feel worse then I was before starting. i work full time so concerned how increasedside effects from changing will effect my work. Or are side effects of switching not so bad as say quitting completely any advice appreciated. thankyou.

E_Templar DES_ do they actually help you get a job and hold it down?
  • replies: 4

hi, I am not sure if this is the right category to post this in, or if this forum is the place I should ask this question at, so if not, please point me to the right direction and I'll appreciate it. I'm currently with the regular jobactive service a... View more

hi, I am not sure if this is the right category to post this in, or if this forum is the place I should ask this question at, so if not, please point me to the right direction and I'll appreciate it. I'm currently with the regular jobactive service and my job search service provider is not exactly helping me at all. all they have done so far is to put me in an op shop to do work for the dole_ which I don't mind too much because I used to do the same work for the dole activity and it's a familiar environment, but it's not giving me any extra money ('cept for the odd $20 or so fortnight!) so I really need to get a job. then my depression and anxiety come in to play_ I really, really dislike cold calling and cold marketing, handing in resumes, only to be told "we will call you back" then get no responses afterwards. I get cold and clammy hands. I get shaky and my voice trembles when I make phone calls. some people just put it down as my laziness or just not willing to work, that is not true. I do want to work to make my life better. plus my "disability" is not physical and not visible, people tend to not believe that I have difficulty getting a job due to my conditions. "try harder" I am told. I am trying hard, but it spends me. so I thought, well maybe DES can help me find a job and hold it down (for at least 6 months? or so I heard)_ is that true? do they ACTUALLY help you get a job if you are qualified for their services, not just "do yer job search and come back in a month for another appointment!"?

NMTB A Pragmatic and Positive step by RANZCP
  • replies: 0

E-cigarettes and vaporisers – new RANZCP position statement 26 November 2018 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has recently released a new position statement in support of the legalisation and regulation of nicotine-contai... View more

E-cigarettes and vaporisers – new RANZCP position statement 26 November 2018 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has recently released a new position statement in support of the legalisation and regulation of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes and other vaporised nicotine products. People living with mental illness are more likely to smoke tobacco, and they smoke more heavily than the general population. They are less likely to succeed during a smoking cessation attempt. Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of the poorer health and mortality outcomes suffered by this group. E-cigarettes and vaporisers may provide a less harmful way to deliver nicotine to those who are unable or unwilling to stop smoking tobacco. The RANZCP therefore supports their use as harm reduction tools for people living with mental illness. Tobacco harm reduction is an essential component of any strategy to improve health outcomes for people who smoke tobacco. Harm reduction strategies are designed to reduce rather than eliminate the harm associated with particular activities. However, there are still significant gaps in our knowledge about the effects of long-term vapour inhalation on people’s health. Further research is required, including research to ascertain the effectiveness of vaping for smoking cessation, and whether it may provide a novel route into smoking initiation.

Camembert Can anything be done for acute anxiety/attacks?
  • replies: 2

Hello! So I'm not sure if I've used the correct terminology in my title, but I hope you can get the drift of what I'm saying anyway. I am on a medication for anxiety/depression that I take every day, and I think it has helped overall. But what about ... View more

Hello! So I'm not sure if I've used the correct terminology in my title, but I hope you can get the drift of what I'm saying anyway. I am on a medication for anxiety/depression that I take every day, and I think it has helped overall. But what about more acute panic attacks? My Dr told me that I should do some breathing exercises to help with attacks, but they don't really do anything for me personally. I asked if there is any medication that I can take when I get an attack, but she said no. Is this true? Wouldn't it be nice to be able to take a pill when you first feel the symptoms of an attack (for me, breathing problems!!) coming on, to make it go away!! Does this exist? Should I ask my Dr again if medication could help for these more acute situations? Thank you Camembert.

Belle32 Melbourne support group for depression
  • replies: 2

Hello does anyone know of any support groups for people with depression? id like to meet up and talk with people going through the same thing to supplement counselling

Hello does anyone know of any support groups for people with depression? id like to meet up and talk with people going through the same thing to supplement counselling

Evaporating Background How to step up treatment?
  • replies: 1

I’m having a pretty severe round of mental illness at the moment. I’m seeing a psychologist regularly (about monthly), and I probably can’t make that more frequently. I’ve been looking at getting back onto some mild non-SSRI antidepressants as soon a... View more

I’m having a pretty severe round of mental illness at the moment. I’m seeing a psychologist regularly (about monthly), and I probably can’t make that more frequently. I’ve been looking at getting back onto some mild non-SSRI antidepressants as soon as possible to try and relieve my symptoms, but I’m stuck for how to arrange a prescription. My Mental Health Plan was created by a GP who I don’t have much faith in (I went with them because they were the only one I could get into at short notice at the time), and they have pretty poor reviews on Google for this stuff. I see another GP sometimes who seems more receptive, but they aren’t the one who my plan is with. Any suggestions for what I should do?

lilykitten People pleasers support?
  • replies: 4

I'm a people pleaser. Yes I know it and I hate it but how can I get help? It is destroying me and my kids and any chance I ever have for happiness. I was brought up strictly but have turned my own kids into unhappy brats by never saying NO. My husban... View more

I'm a people pleaser. Yes I know it and I hate it but how can I get help? It is destroying me and my kids and any chance I ever have for happiness. I was brought up strictly but have turned my own kids into unhappy brats by never saying NO. My husband left me for 2 reasons. Firstly I was resentful and passive aggressive " Don't worry honey I will bring home the income for 15 years you don't have to work" and secondly because I was distant never enjoying his company because I was always thinking of what I should be doing or organising. " No you go out Hon, I'll stay home and clean the kids room and we will even save money without having to pay for me". The most idiotic symptom I suffer is full-blown panic attacks (nausea dizzyness tight-chest pins and needles) when I organise fun family events, so I never get to enjoy them. My coworkers and boss walk all over me but still have no respect for what I do for them. My kids reward my efforts by being increasingly grumpy with me and say they are depressed as their escalating demands take over their lives. What should I do? Who do I turn to?