u/Rose_Davies2026

Hi everyone,

So, I was diagnosed with Stage Three Neuroblastoma at the age of 9 and was eventually No Evidence of Disease at 14.

During that time, I went through chemotherapy, radiationtherapy, immunotherapy, bone marrow transplants, multiple surgeries.

I missed out on A LOT of schooling but was fortunately able to keep up with it all.

I'm 26 now . I still struggle a fair amount, both mentally and physically (mainly migraines, nausea, dizziness, back pain ect).

Anyhow, happy to answer any questions regarding any aspect of surviving cancer, mental health, experiences as a child or anything in general!

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if ECT has significantly deteriorated anyone's quality of life?

I was in a psychiatric hospital in May and received ECT treatment. Since then, I have had severe brain fog, chronic depression and increased suicidal ideation. It has become so bad that I have had to quit a job I only started a few months ago.

In comparison, I excelled in high school, university and have had very demanding office jobs for the previous 8 years.

I have a psychologist who I have shared these concerns with, but I unfortunately can't get any psychiatric help to discuss this issue.

Hi everyone,

So, I'm in a difficult position at the moment.

I was an inpatient at the Marian Centre for 2 weeks in May. I was offered no follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist and was instead discharged out to community services.

These services rejected me as I needed specialised care that couldn't be offered in the public sector. I then tried other private facilities who rejected me owing to receiving ECT at the Marian Centre and told me I needed to go back to my original treating psychiatrist. I have since tried the Marian Centre Consulting Rooms and have been rejected by them as I did not meet their "acceptance criteria."

I contacted their Admission and Assessment Team (really friendly, actually) on Saturday and the gentleman told me to email this information - and the referral from my new GP - to the bed manager. I have since done so and hoping for a response some time next week.

I'm simply exhausted and don't know what to do. I have a psychologist who has been tremendously helpful and even he is out of suggestions for what else we can do other than re-write referrals and follow-up with centres.

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if its ok to see more than one GP.

I've been with my current GP for a few years. He has managed my mental health care and other ongoing illnesses.

My psychologist, however, wants me to see a psychiatrist for additional support. This GP is refusing to write a letter. He's pretty much against psychiatric intervention.

I work at a medical centre and one of the GPs there said he would be happy to write me a referral to see a psychiatrist. I was just wondering if that would be ok.

Hi everyone,

So, I feel like I'm in a bit of a dilemma here.

I have been seeing my psychologist since January and he has been tremendously helpful with everything.

I was discharged from a psychiatric ward three months ago after ongoing ECT. The psychiatrist there didn't offer any follow-up appointments and my psychologist has been quite desperate for me to get support. My psychologist is trying to find me a psychiatrist who would deal with BPD and PTSD issues.

In the meantime, I work at a small, private mental health centre with psychologists and psychiatriats. One of the psychiatrists there said he could offer "advice" for the medications I was put on without formally treating me as his patient.

I was just wondering if this would be ok. I'm really struggling with the medication and I have had several referrals rejected owing to me being "too complicated." I just desperately need help but I don't know what to do.

Hi everyone,

So, my GP and psychologist have two separate views on whether or not I should be an inpatient.

I was in a psychiatric hospital two months ago receiving ECT and was put on multiple medications. Since then, I have drastically deteriorated and have struggled with chronic depression, severe sleep deprivation and suicidality (including a recent attempt). As such, my psychologist wants me readmitted.

My GP, however, doesn't want me admitted. He knows I recently begun a new job and that I rely on it for rent. Without the job I will be homeless. He is reluctant to write a referral to a psychiatrist (even for an outpatient appointment) as they will likely recommend an admission.

I'm open to seeing a psychiatrist as an outpatient but I also feel like I'll be "betraying" my psychologist if I pushed that option. He has been tremendously helpful and I'm worried he'll decide he no longer wants to work with me.

Hi everyone,

Just wondering why GPs often refer patients to therapists of the same gender?

I noticed this particularly when I was a child and adolescent. I was automatically sent to a female psychologist with no questions asked.

It's only as an adult that I specifically asked for a male psychologist (long story). My GP looked a bit taken aback and then I felt as though I had said/done something inappropriate.

I live in Australia, so not sure if it is different elsewhere.

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone else desperately craves for some form of affection?

I don't have a single person to hug and at times all I want is to simply shake someone's hand.

I obviously can't go around and randomly ask to shake hands with people, except maybe my psychologist but I think that may be crossing professional boundaries.

Hi everyone,

So, as the title says, my psychologist wants me to do inpatient work but I'm really not in a position to do so.

I have been suicidal for quite some time and have made a few attempts. I was in a psychiatric hospital over two months ago and had ECT and was put on multiple medications. Since then, I have drastically deteriorated and have suffered from chronic depression, severe sleep deprivation and suicidality.

On a positive note, I have recently started a new job which I thoroughly enjoy and I obviously can't take time off straight away for sick leave. I live by myself and rely on this job to pay rent. I have no one else to support me.

I'm very overwhelmed with it all and don't really know what to do.

Hi everyone,

Just wondering what time everyone else wakes for work.

I usually wake between 2:30 - 3:00am.

I shower, dress, drink coffee, study, don't eat breakfast and then start work at 5:00am - I'm an administrator at a hospital.

I know it's unhealthy, particularly given my sleep pattern and eating schedule which really only contains of dinner, but it is what it is.

Just wondering how different everyone else's schedules are like?

To any therapists (or people in therapy), do therapists genuinely care about their clients?

Ultimately, a job is a job. My psychologist has been tremendously helpful and is a very empathetic and caring in session. He emails me, or responds to my emails, between sessions - not that I send that many. As much as I would like to think that he genuinely cares, I understand I am simply paying him for his services each week.

My previous experiences with other psychologists, though, have been incredibly negative and I guess I'm still deeply sceptical about how concerned someone can honestly be for their client.

Hi everyone,

My psychologist and I are concerned that my GP is not taking suicide issues seriously.

I have been both passively/actively suicidal since January. I've spent time in a psychiatric hospital and received ECT and was put on new medications. Since then, I've had an increase in chronic sleep deprivation, depression and suicidality. I have made two attempts in the past month and was escorted by police (surprisingly very calm and positive experience) to hospital last week.

My GP is refusing to write a psychiatric referral and would rather me "wait and see" at how I go when starting a new job.

My psychologist is written extensively to him about past history and attempts, and is concerned that nothing is being done.

I don't know if I'm being too dramatic or if he simply isn't taking it seriously.

Hi everyone,

So, last Saturday I rang the Mental Health Emergency Response Line (Australia) and was taken by police to the hospital .

I was actively suicidal and told the nurses on the phone that I was going to take my life in the morning.

Anyhow, I wasn't admitted to hospital as there simply wasn't any beds available and that I had to work on Monday.

I'm just concerned about telling my psychologist as I wasn't given a discharge summary and I'm worried now that it doesn't sound believable.

Hi everyone,

I'm commencing my psychology degree next year, so quite a way off from masters!

However, I was just wondering what is considered "good" professional/volunteer experience to get into a masters degree?

Professionally, I currently work as a secretary in a psychology/psychiatric centre and have standard admin duties, in addition to writing clinical reports that have been dictated.

In terms of volunteer work, I used to volunteer with the FIFO Family Project. I'm currently with Lifeline and was hoping to get into some research assistant/volunteer roles later in my degree.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice or suggestions?

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if there is a way I can "remove" certain triggers from my Instagram feed?

Reddit prohibits me from naming anyone, so let's just say there is a very public figure who appears severely underweight. I've never followed her or listended to her music, so I'm not sure why I'm constantly seeing content of her.

I don't know if she has anoereixa or not, but her appearance is very worrisome and it's quite triggering to consistently see. It reminds me of how I used to look and then I feel stressed that I'm no longer that starved, even though in hindsight I know I'm obviously far more healthier now.

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering how worrisome it is to a therapist if a client is writing suicide notes?

My psychologist is aware that I have been actively suicidal with a plan, means and intent. I did have two attempts in the past month, although they were not "serious" attempts.

I'm in the process of waiting for a psychiatric referral as well - long process, even though I did have ECT at a private hospital only two months ago.

I'm probably so used to feeling this way that I don't quite understand the severity of it all.

Hi everyone,

So, I'm going to start my psychology degree next year through Curtin University.

In the handbook for each course, I noticed it gave the option of "Internal/Fully Online." Naturally, I understand I'll have to attend campus for exams and tests.

On My Enrollments, however, I noticed the courses didn't have an online option to enrol into. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this trouble or if it is required to enrol online through Open University.

Hi everyone,

So, I'm going to start my psychology degree next year.

In the handbook for each course, I noticed it gave the option of "Internal/Fully Online."

On My Enrollments, however, I noticed the courses didn't have an online option to enrol into. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this trouble or if I may need to apply through Open University to access Curtin's courses?

Hi everyone,

So, since having ECT and being placed on a number of different medications, my suicidality has drastically increased.

I've had two attempts this month - my psychologist only knows about one. Anyhow, I have written a few suicide notes (one addressed to him). I'm somewhat hesitant about telling him about the note. I don't know if I will go ahead with another attempt or not, but I have the notes "just in case."

Hi everyone,

It's my grandmother's birthday in a few weeks and my brother and I are planning on taking her to an Italian restaurant.

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for restaurants that may not be too loud - not major issue, but just preferable if possible.

I've tried Roberto's on Bennett and that was quite good.