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What other options are there? I feel so stuck and hopeless

BowSenior Contributor23 Apr 2026, 5:21 pm AEST

What other options are there? I feel so stuck and hopeless

I been battling what feels like an unbeatable battle for years.

I attempted a semi planned as planned an admission can be through the public system to have ECT treatment last week. I had the support or my community pdoc and case manager and it was so well thought out and planned as much as I could to make it successful.

I went in voluntarily, presented at the ED. The ED was a breeze, I was quickly triaged and straight back to a mh bed. I seen everyone needed to see and then moved to short stay. I seen everyone again and then moved to an acute mh ward the following day and seen everyone again.

it ended in a nightmare. None of the instructions from the dietitian were followed, which were super important to ensure I stayed well and able to remain there for treatment, I was allowed no home comforts- my pillow and blanket, they used ‘infection control’ as their excuse. And then despite being there as a voluntary patient I was not allowed any leave. My 70yr old mum and 10yr old D were just left standing alone in the dining room of an acute mh unit, I was absolutely livid!

it was amazing how they refused to let me go down to the cafe to get a drink yet didn’t bat an eyelid when I said I was going home. It was ridiculous. I was there 2 nights.

I am still so angry and frustrated by the whole experience. My SW came to visit today. First time I’ve seen her since I discharged myself cause I’ve been sick in bed the last 3 days- 99% sure I got it from the hospital and their ‘infection control’. She asked me what’s next? Where are things at now?

I can’t afford private health. It’s really not an option. There are a couple of other potential helpful treatment options available for treatment resistant major depression, but it’s all private. Why are there so many restraints on accessing valuable and potentially life changing therapies???

I honestly don’t know where I go to from here.

23 replies

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In response to: What other options are there? I feel so stuck and hopeless

Misty7Senior Contributor27 Apr 2026, 2:14 pm AEST

Re: What other options are there? I feel so stuck and hopeless

Hi@Bow,

Sorry to hear that you have had the run around at the hospital and that you didn't have a good experience at Dokotela. When a doctor doesn't listen it's so deflating. Some should honestly not be doctors. It took 4-5 years to get a diagnosis for PTSD from a different doctor because my previous doctor didn't want to give me a mental healthcare plan and i suffered a miscarriage in November. Sorry for going off on a tangent.

You might have to admit yourself multiple times until they start listening to you and you get the treatment you need. I would keep trying and be persistent until someone listens. You might have to go to another hospital somewhere further out. I found this but it's in Canberra. https://www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/services-and-clinics/services/neurostimulation-therapy-suite

In order to get treatment, do you need to voluntarily admit yourself at ED or can it be done without admitting yourself with a referral from the Psychiatrist to the mental health Unit?

In response to: What other options are there? I feel so stuck and hopeless

BowSenior Contributor27 Apr 2026, 5:45 pm AEST

Re: What other options are there? I feel so stuck and hopeless

@Jynx @DogMan79 So I did much researching and experimenting and I’ve come up with a result that I am heaps happy with!

the picture on the left of goofy was with the mod podge photo transfer medium. Wasn’t real happy with the end result, it looks grainy, if you rub too much you end up rubbing the print off and I’m too impatient to wait the 24hrs to dry.
I tried to transfer it with acetone. 100%. No didn’t do anything.
Then I tried a waxy type paper I found in the cupboard. The print was still wet when it came out of the print but not enough to transfer, just a bit of a smudge.
My last attempt- the other image, was to print onto iron on transfer paper and then use my head press! It worked brilliantly! Just need to figure out if I remove the paper straight away or let it cool down. And I’ll also cut around the image so you don’t get the backing square. I just hope it will transfer onto painted timber.

In response to: Re: What other options are there? I feel so stuck and hopeless

JynxModerator28 Apr 2026, 8:40 pm AEST

Re: What other options are there? I feel so stuck and hopeless

Oh it looks sick @Bow!! I think I've seen videos of what you're talking about too @DogMan79 - it's like you dip the object into the emulsion to get the image to transfer? It's such a mesmerising process 👀😍

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