Welcome to the Friends, Family and Carers Group Hub! Introduce yourself here 🙂

[Bisquit1]

New here.  Looking for others to chat with and connect with over shared experiences.  I am new to the world of being a support person for a family member and want to be strong, to learn, to become as healthy as possible.  

Fun fact:  hmm, I enjoy mowing the lawn (strange, right?). 

Best, 

Biscuit

[pp1904]

Sorry to hear this. Your situation sounds similar to mine, except my son has bouts of energy where he appears charming and helpful. I don’t have anything to offer you, except to say that I understand 

[tacocat]

Thanks for offering your support, and welcome to the forums @pp1904 🙂

[BipolarWife1]

Hi all, 

thanks for having me here. My husband has recently been diagnosed with Bipolar 2, on top of ADHD, and we are both struggling a bit. He is due to start mood-stabilising medication [edited by moderator] after some blood tests in the new year, but he’s very mixed about the news. It’s been suggested that we source a Bipolar specialist psychologist to help him navigate self management as he knows very little about the condition. Does anyone have any suggestions? South East Melbourne preferred but he may agree to Telehealth. 

[rav3n]

hey there @BipolarWife1 welcome to the forums! so glad to have you join us 😊

just wanted to let you know that our community guidelines of 'limited detailed descriptions' states that we don't allow the naming of specific medications in order to prevent others from being upset/triggered and to keep the community safe. i've removed the medication name and replaced it with 'mood-stabilising medication' instead so its more vague. you can read more about our guidelines here: Guidelines and technical support - SANE Forums

unfortunately, members cannot share the details of practitioners, however, we encourage you to utilise the these websites to find a psych in your area:

• Find a Psychologist | APS
• Find Psychologists and Therapists in Victoria - Psychology Today

you can add filters so that it specifically searches for someone who specialises in bipolar 2 within the location of your choice. hope those sites help!!

[Howtomakegravy]

I'm new here and don't know how this works. I'm the stepfather of a 20yr stepdaughter who recently disclosed hearing voices and having multiple (4) personalities as part of her. She also dissociates for the past seven years, she disclosed, which involves chunks of time she doesn't remember and she 'zones out' at times. Apparently, it used to be 1 personality but the other three 'appeared' a few weeks ago after her Uni exams. The number of personalities, or alters as I come to learn, are in addition to the 'host.' We are looking into a diagnosis for dissociative identity disorder (DID). I'm trying to support her, and it was a relief to her when I believed her. By believing her however, my world was turned upside down and I have no idea what I am doing or should be doing. One thing I know for sure is that I'm not coping and need help, so I've joined SANE in the hope of connecting with some forum associated with DID. I don't know how this works here whether its just a notice board with all manner of issues or whether there are dedicated forums for certain conditions. Please advise.

[rhubarb_teef]

Hi there, very new to the forum

I currently have a brother in the hospital experiencing psychosis, and it sounds like he may end up with a schizophrenia diagnosis (scary, but goos as it could help him access support and more specific help in the future). 

My family and I are struggling with this, but we’re doing ok considering the circumstances. Unfortunately for us, but fortunate for others, not many people understand what either my brother or my family is going through so it’s hard to talk to anyone but each other about it.

Because of this, I’m trying to find some information on support groups for families and carers in the east of Melbourne so that we can build some community with people who ‘get it’. If anybody has any suggestions or contacts they would be greatly appreciated!

We’ve tried to contact Mind Australia but unfortunately haven’t heard back yet, so I’m trying all avenues.

Thanks so much in advance.

[rhubarb_teef]

Oops sorry please excuse the typos, my hands have been a bit shaky since I received news of the episode.

[Suzi]

Hi Suzi here, I’m a carer for my son who has schizophrenia. He is stable and well for long periods but then when stressful situations arise I can see the signs, I know where it’s heading, I know what’s coming, I dread it and I feel so very worn out. He won’t seek help, I try to stay calm, I try to reason but it’s the same thing every time. I’m 70 he’s 50, I just don’t know how to keep doing this. My heart hurts for what I know he is going through but god m tired of it. Friends say I’m here but they all disappear when it’s bad. I can’t blame them. 

btw… fun fact about me…. I am a terrible cook, so much do that my friends know the best thing I do is two minute noodles