how is anxiety disorder treated in Australia?

[tommy34]

Hey everyone, I was wondering what a doctor will do if I go confessing my symptoms. I wrote a list an to my surprise it was huge. will the doctor just get me to do a bunch of tests? Cause I can't do that.

 

[Conscious21]

Hi Tommy34,

I didn't have to do any tests. My doc was happy to take my word for it when I gave a list of anxiety and depression symptoms, and prescribed an SSRI. Xanax seems to be a pretty popular option too, although because I had depression as well the SSRI was the better option.

It was a great idea to write a list and get some perspective on your symptoms. Good luck with getting some treatment.

 

[belarki]

In my experience a GP will write out a script for an SSRI like it was candy. Not so with benzodiazepines (better for accute panic attacks than GAD anyway); however valium can be pretty regularly prescribed if other means to manage anxiety have been tried.

I'd recommend you try to get to see a psycologist or psychiatrist (instead of or in addition to meds) though. Look into cognitive behaviour therapy or acceptance & commitement therapy in particular.

 

[misk]

theres quite a few options really.
unfortunately its a bit hit and miss in terms of what works for each person though.
i'm seeing a psychiatrist who put me on zyprexa as i have anxiety which leads to depression and so far its working great.

as belarki said, it would be best to see a psychiatrist and/or a psychologist.
a GP may not take the time to understand your condition or if you even have one before giving you a script for what they think will work.
i found the psychiatrist took his time to ask questions to understand my life and thought process a bit better and covered quite a few of my conditions rather than just assuming an SSRI will work wonders.

 

[Mr Blonde]

He might refer you to a psychologist, which can really help but can be expensive. I'm assuming you aren't an Australian citizen, right? Citizens can get 12 free sessions through Medicare and their GP just has to ask them a few questions first.

If you are in a really bad situation though, Lifeline and other services offer free counseling and 24 hour phone support lines.

 

[yawning man]

Hey Tommy

I asked my GP for a mental health referal and saw a psychologist for half price. 70 bucks a session in which we did CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy). It's been about 2 months since i finished seeing him and i can manage my anxiety quite well.
I still gets bouts of it. I started tafe in feb and the first few weeks were a bit nerve wracking, but nothing of the irrational thoughts that i used to have. Settled in pretty good now.

There are many options rather than the medicated type. Ask your Gp man!

cheers

 

[tommy34]

Thank you everyone! I saw a GP today, he talking about the possibility of SSRIs but I expressed my concern to him about them. He suggested medication and psychologist therapy. I went there seeking benzos because I wanted some relief desperately. I didn't want to ask either because he would think I an just a drug seeker. would there be a chance I would get some for when my symptoms are unbearable? I really don't want to try different antidepressents for the next 10 years, I can't live like this.

 

[Mr Blonde]

Thank you everyone! I saw a GP today, he talking about the possibility of SSRIs but I expressed my concern to him about them. He suggested medication and psychologist therapy. I went there seeking benzos because I wanted some relief desperately. I didn't want to ask either because he would think I an just a drug seeker. would there be a chance I would get some for when my symptoms are unbearable? I really don't want to try different antidepressents for the next 10 years, I can't live like this.

Benzos aren't the be all and end all of anxiety treatment. If you just went off all the negative things people have reported about benzodiazepines like you are doing by refusing other medications, you wouldn't be asking for them either.

 

[Dedbeet]

The thing with benzos too is that they often only help for awhile, or help partially but not completely. If it really is panic disorder, there are better choices available than benzos despite the attraction and feeling that benzos could help right on the spot. Often they don't, or don't help enough, or only help for a short period.

 

[psytaco]

hey man. Good to hear that you went on got help. i thoroughly recommend going and seeing a psychologist. I did this for depression and anxiety and it worked really well.

it might be a good idea to see how you go with seeing a psychologist first before you go and start taking SSRIs. i have taken them, and they have both good and bad effects. there's a few threads about them floating around Aus DD, but if you want more info I am happy to post it.

The problem with benzos is it is very easy to overdo it if you have an anxiety disorder. In my experience, they are quite effective, but you might want to take them all the time because they provide relief. also if you post on bluelight I also presume you like to get high, so there is a good chance you will abuse them for that too. It only takes a couple of weeks of daily use, and you start getting a physical dependence. I, and many others can vouch for this, being addicted to benzos and getting off them is HARD and VERY PAINFUL. You think your anxiety is bad now, but wait until you are going through withdrawals.

So i would only recommend benzos if you keep their use to the times when the anxiety is severely effectling you, and don't do them everyday.

This is probably poor advice, because it is also addictive, but if the anxiety gets really bad, I found that codeine is quite effective in reducing it. I used to use this every few weeks when it got unbearable before I started seeing someone about my anxiety. Do a cold water extraction to get rid of the ibuprofen or paracetamol which can be very bad for your organs.

 

[Sustanon]

It is one of the most treated illnesses in Australia. He will analyze the situation based upon what u have told him and will refer u to a psychiatrist and can/will prescribe you some benzos. Some doctors are against writing prescriptions as a shitload of people have abused teh hell out of it and they prob got into trouble prescribing so many things. There are other options opposed to medications but im sure ur doctor will tell u about those methods and good luck with it. Im currently tapering of benzos myself and its not sumfn ud wanna do for a long period of time.

 

[psytaco]

Just on side note. How did al you guys end up getting 10 free sessions at the psychologist?

Mine were subsidised, began at a little over half price, then when down to a quarter of the price towards the end. I'm a student too, so it can't of been income based.

 

[Jakeperson]

There's a tetracyclic antidepressant called Mirtazapine which is indicated for Generalized Anxiety. A person I know who uses it says it reduces his anxiety but he's kinda drowsy in the morning, so he drinks coffee and tea to counter the fatigue. Perhaps you can ask your GP to prescribe that to you.

When it leaves you drowsy it works like seroquel, you're just to fucked to be anxious. Once you get tolerance though it does absolutely nothing in the way of anxiety for me.

 

[Divine Moments]

Just on side note. How did al you guys end up getting 10 free sessions at the psychologist?

Mine were subsidised, began at a little over half price, then when down to a quarter of the price towards the end. I'm a student too, so it can't of been income based.

Mine were all free, on the mental health care plan

 

[psytaco]

^ yeah I was on a mental health care plan too

 

[nin015]

I've had about 16 visits now and haven't paid a cent. After 8 visits I go back to my GP I get another 8 free visits.

If your in Sydney look up Headspace at Camperdown.

 

[ageingpartyfiend]

CBT seems to be pretty good as a short-term fix, but perhaps is a kind of first-aid for anxiety type thing...the anxiety tends to resurface as the issues creating it remain unaddressed

imo if you're after a longer lasting and deeper healing get some decent person-centred therapy

 

[Busty St Clare]

I find a couple of these usually helps....

NSFW:

Failing that a cold beer and a back rub will usually get me purring again.

 

[Mr Blonde]

^ Lol that took me about 10 seconds to get.

Just on side note. How did al you guys end up getting 10 free sessions at the psychologist?

Maybe it's a price based thing? As in, the psychologist you were seeing charges above what Medicare will cover?

I might need to look that up.

 

[Mr Blonde]

^ You can buy Kava tablets here in Australia or on Australian based websites. I know of a certain pharmacy with a naturopath in Brisbane that sells them OTC. From what I've read on Erowid and here they aren't that potent, this is a quality brand in terms of other herbs they supply though - Mediherb is the company and they are fairly reputable as far as I've heard.

I was thinking of getting some to try out this week maybe.