Hello

[Ed1975]

Hi everyone.

First post. Recently diagnosed with complex ptsd and depression. Never knew I had it until recently so I'm trying to navigate this mess. I have an ACE's score of 9 and am currently trying to get specific treatment for my addictions. I've never felt so hopeless. GP has been useless, psychiatrist wants me on antidepressants which I've refused. It can be a lonely existence. I'm hoping to get to know people in similar positions. I'm on the Mid-North Coast of NSW.

Health system is terrible BTW.

[rav3n]

welcome to the forums!! @Ed1975 

getting new diagnoses and tryna understand what that means and how to go about it can definitely be overwhelming to process, i'm so sorry you feel alone in this. really glad you've joined us, there are definitely other members who can relate to what you've shared. 

are you open to giving therapy a go? 

it's okay if you feel hopeless and defeated right now, a lot of us have, but just know that healing is possible. recovery and improvement is possible. it may take some time, and that's okay. we're here for you.

[Ed1975]

Absolutely. I've been searching high and low for therapists.

[rav3n]

that's great! it can be hard finding one, hey. not sure if you've already checked out this site, but thought i'd share these 2 links just in case:

• Find Counselling, Therapists, Psychologists - Psychology Today Australia
• Find a Psychologist | APS

[Ed1975]

Thanks. Yes, I've used those. I need someone trained in CBT for specific harmful behaviours and there's nobody close to where I live. I'm in regional NSW, there's only 1 psychiatrist in this whole area (appx. 100,000 people). I'll have to travel for the right psychologist. 

[rav3n]

@Ed1975 gosh that's so frustrating that it's so limited in your area!! would you be open to online CBT like via telehealth? 

also wanted to share a lil tip about using the forums - you can tag people using the @ symbol and typing their username to ensure they get notified of your response, like this: @Ed1975 if you don't tag the person you're responding to, they might not get your post. hope this helps!

[Till23]

Hi @Ed1975 and welcome to the forums

I have found them to be a friendly and supportive space.

I'm sorry you have the double whammy of a complex mental illness and live in a regional location.

Mental Health services are in short supply everywhere but much worse in regional, and even worse in remote locations.

I also have cPTSD and depression, but also anxiety (I also have a high ACE score). I also live in a regional area, luckily for me it's a regional centre so more services than people 100km or more away from me, who are really scratching around for services, waiting for FIFO mental health workers or using telehealth, and then often travelling 100s of kilometers for some services.

I hope you can find some assistance in the forums. One thing you should know straight up, is you are not alone.