Depressed

Thanks for the support the last 2 days. My deppression (as in complete apathy/ahnedonia symptoms) seems to come in waves. I was wondering how common this is? When I was on antipsychotics it was 100% deppressed and then I came off I felt only slightly depressed and then it becomes extreme every few weeks. Hope I can keep using these forums for support

Of course you can @Alex32redden That is what we are here for

When you are not in a good place that is when you need the support the most. Happy to be here for you and it was lovely to find out a little more about you - especially since I am a sports nut myself.

That sounds really frustrating - depression is hard at the best of times but to have swings like that every couple of weeks makes it even harder. I know you have said that you don't have any offline support but was wondering who prescribes the meds - GP or psychiatrist?

Thanks Zoe.

I've read online the swings aren't unusual. The way I see it my mood is hanging down lower than normal so when it drops further for any reason it causes complete lack of interest and time slowing etc.

My psychiatrist at Headspace prescribed the meds. They discharged me so now it's just my GP. I have an appointment witj my Gp soon to talk about getting another psychiatrist.

It's fair to say I wasn't the biggest Headspace fan. I also don't like Psychiatry I find it an arrogant profession that just makes guesses based on observations and confirmation bias. Probably why they got rid of me. I definitely mentioned to them I don't like Psychiatry. I'm sure there are some good psychiatrists I've just never met one. They are also very hard to book into. I've found our mental health system really poor to be honest

I actually agree with you in that our mental health system certainly needs improvement @Alex32redden There are just not enough mh professionals to adequately look after all those that need help and a lot of those that we do have are completely overworked.

I have a great psychiatrist but she has also had to close her books because she cannot fit anyone else in. I am super lucky that she doesn't just prescribe meds and is really easy to talk to - when I can actually talk. It did take me sometime to get into seeing her but my GP worked hard to get me seen at the time and the first cancellation they had she saw me.

Your GP sounds like they are supportive and that is good - you need someone in your corner that cares and can help.

Hey @Alex32redden been following your thread and glad you're feeling a bit better today.

I also started out at headspace when I was first diagnosed. Have since seen many other psychs.
There are good psychiatrists out there, just have to be patient to get the right fit I guess ?

You are definitely right that our mental health system is a bit lacking. Was hospitalised for a period and left some scars more than it helped to be honest.

---

@Zoe7 wrote:

I actually agree with you in that our mental health system certainly needs improvement @Alex32redden There are just not enough mh professionals to adequately look after all those that need help and a lot of those that we do have are completely overworked.

I have a great psychiatrist but she has also had to close her books because she cannot fit anyone else in. I am super lucky that she doesn't just prescribe meds and is really easy to talk to - when I can actually talk. It did take me sometime to get into seeing her but my GP worked hard to get me seen at the time and the first cancellation they had she saw me.

Your GP sounds like they are supportive and that is good - you need someone in your corner that cares and can help.

---

Thanks. My GP is good. My psychiatrist didn't listen to me at all. And you could never get a word in. They also ran away with different ideas about me and never discussed them. The profession is arrogant on average and stuck in tne past. Glad to hear you found a good one. They hide behind their medical degrees and the ones I've met think they are abover you

I can honestly say my pdoc is none of those things @Alex32redden She is warm, down to earth, caring and always present. She works in a larger private hospital where I have also seen one of the psychologists as well as done DBT and they have all been wonderful. I did get lucky but my GP did a lot of the ground work to find her. They also keep in contact for my ongoing care so everyone is on the same page. My GP prescribes the medication (which is sent through to her by my pdoc) so everything is in the one place.

My pdoc was not the first my GP tried to get me into but the one she initially tried would not even return her calls - very unprofessional from one doctor to another - so I am so glad I landed where I did and the care and support she has shown has been amazing.

I do hop you find someone similar - it does make so much difference when you have the right supports in place.

Hi @Alex32redden , good to see you were on the forum last night and feeling a bit better!

---

@Alex32redden wrote:

I have an appointment witj my Gp soon to talk about getting another psychiatrist.

---

I'm so pleased to hear this, and I hope you'll have better luck this time. I have a great psychologist and a fairly good psychiatrist too, and had 2 excellent psychiatrists before that. I had to wait to get in to see them, but it was worth it...even though I had to wait 3 months for one of them, at a time when I was suicidal. So there are good mental health professionals out there. Am glad to hear your GP is supportive.