New Zealander (Kiwi)

[Si]

Hi there people.Just wondering if there is anybody from New Zealand on here.Would be keen to talk to anyone though about this crazy condition.I have never been officially diagnosed with sp by a doctor but when browsing on the net one day I came accross the symptoms of this condition,I could just about tick every box.And all of a sudden I had found a reason for all the years of this mental torture and shyness.I also thought that there was something wrong with me, that I felt like I don't fit in anywhere.I have always dreaded social situations and facing authority fiqures like employers etc.It has basically ruled my life for years and my mind is constantly a battlefield.I don't know anybody else in my area with sp and it is not something you go out and advertise.Would be keen to hear what other peoples experiences are and I can tell you how I sometimes succeed in overcoming it.Cheers

 

[Horatio]

Welcome Si

I'm a fellow kiwi as is FruitLoops and Vincent, although I haven't seen him around for a while and I think he lives in Thailand now.

your symptoms certainly sound very similiar to a lot of people here, if you look through some of the threads in the forum here you will hopefully realise that your not the only person who struggles with those issues

H

 

[kiwi]

...me! If you're in Auckland I can suggest a clinic that treats SP and other conditions (though I only went there briefly, and that was 8 years ago!)

 

[abc1234]

gone

 

[Nice2MeetU]

Hi I'm from Christchurch. Nice to see some fellow NZers on here who can relate what we're all going through.

 

[FruitLooPs]

Hi I'm from Christchurch. Nice to see some fellow NZers on here who can relate what we're all going through.

Well mate so am I, if you want info on getting help or diagnosed i can give it to you. Just PM me or ask in here.

I went in originally for depression but came out with SP lol thats after i let it all hang out when it became too much.

Anyway, it does make you feel better knowing you're not alone and its not just all make believe. I have a calling card for a senior clinical psychologist @ the anxiety disorders unit in chch if you want details.

*edit* hah, i just realised you aren't the guy who started the thread - anyway if he is in chch it still stands, or for anyone else in chch.

P.S. im 20 as of today, alone and eating cake on my own while trying to be positive. Yay for me in a really depressing kind of way :twisted:

 

[Horatio]

I have a calling card for a senior clinical psychologist @ the anxiety disorders unit in chch if you want details.

I went there too

 

[silverwolf]

have any of you kiwis heard of a guy called Ray Sefo he's my idol.

 

[FruitLooPs]

have any of you kiwis heard of a guy called Ray Sefo he's my idol.

Sure have, kickboxer right? K1 - seen a little of it, sugar Ray Sefo? Seems like a fairly cool guy.

 

[Si]

Well nice to meet you all.Thanks for the replys.Yea Ray Sefo, I know him.Kicked his arse in a tournament last weekend..............(just kidding).
Sounds like its HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you too Fruitloops.Thought I might give you a bit of my background for something to read.I actually live in Invercargill, which for those of you outside of New Zealand is at the very bottom of the country and one of the most southern cities in the world.But you wouldn't think so with all the warm tropical weather we get (no comment from you Christchurch boys please).I'm an old bugger about to turn the big 40 this year.I'm a motorcycle technician by trade and have just retired from my last job after 12 years in the same place.I was a service manager for about 9 of those years so I had to deal with people all the time.And it was bloody hard.Would try and avoid answering phones and let other people deal with the customers if I could get away with it.But I think it has been good therapy for the sp.It kept me in social situations constantly although I couldn't wait to get home at the end of the day.I was also married for 10 years and I have 2 sons aged 7 and 10.But I have been divorced for about 2 years now.Because of the sp I doubt wether I could get into another relationship.But I would like to mention a couple of things that have helped me over the years.One is excersize or some form of sport.And in a group of people in a social situation I have found alcohol helps to overcome the shyness (mainly because I am not normally a drinker and it doesn't take much to get me happy).Well enough of my dribble.Look forward to hearing from you.Take care people.

 

[FruitLooPs]

Ah thanks Si - just finished, i've just got back from playing pool with a mate and im rather drunk so take what follows with a grain of salt.

*many digs @ invercargill and its weather*

A motorcycle tech! score, man I love those machines - I'm gonna get me one some day!

40 ain't old mate, you just need to get back in the saddle with dating I guess - cant be any harder than it is most of us anyway :lol: :wink: Good to hear you've got family.

Fully agree about exercise, im trying to run 5km every night or two to keep in shape and stay happy. As for the alcohol i think i've already answered that

 

[Nice2MeetU]

I have a calling card for a senior clinical psychologist @ the anxiety disorders unit in chch if you want details.

Just wondering what happens once you get treated by the people at this anxiety disorders unit? Is there some kind of waiting list?

 

[FruitLooPs]

I have a calling card for a senior clinical psychologist @ the anxiety disorders unit in chch if you want details.

Just wondering what happens once you get treated by the people at this anxiety disorders unit? Is there some kind of waiting list?

I wouldn't know sorry, Horatio might be able to help out. I more or less walked in off the street because of my dad and his depression, he also goes to them.

I went in, got diagnosed and then ended up in a medical study for two weeks. Then I had information coming out my ears and an offer for treatment later that year, I never did anything about that though. At the time I didnt feel bad enough to warrent going to a group therapy session or something, i thought i'd feel out of place. :?

 

[jessnz]

hi i just joined, i'm from christchurch too

 

[FruitLooPs]

hi i just joined, i'm from christchurch too

Hey there, and welcome to SPW!

Hope you stick around for a while, tis a cool place

 

[Horatio]

I have a calling card for a senior clinical psychologist @ the anxiety disorders unit in chch if you want details.

Just wondering what happens once you get treated by the people at this anxiety disorders unit? Is there some kind of waiting list?

I wouldn't know sorry, Horatio might be able to help out. I more or less walked in off the street because of my dad and his depression, he also goes to them.

I went in, got diagnosed and then ended up in a medical study for two weeks. Then I had information coming out my ears and an offer for treatment later that year, I never did anything about that though. At the time I didnt feel bad enough to warrent going to a group therapy session or something, i thought i'd feel out of place. :?

I was put on an "8 month waiting list" for the clinic after going to the emergency psyciatric place near the main hospital

after about 4 months I went along for an assesment thingy and then went every week or every second week for a few months. they showed me a video about anxiety disorders starring John Cleese and told me I had to lose weight. Also they taught me to breathe like a pregnant lady.

they were basically preparing me for a 2 week long group cognitive therapy thingy which was supposed to cure me but I moved cities before the next group began so never did it. I was gonna apply to see if there was a similiar anxiety unit here but cant be bothered going on another waiting list to have another assesment so I can watch another John Cleese video. I much prefer to rent John Cleese DVDs from the DVD store, its a lot easier and you dont have to wait so long.

Im now seeing a private psyciatrist/therapist who is rather expensive and is crippling me financially (I pay more to see him than I do for rent!) but he seems to be the best person Ive seen so far. He has always been honest with me and told me there aint no fast fix, the only way for me to get through it is 5 years of hard work and a hell of a lot of money

oh and welcome Jess! we are getting quite a collection of Kiwis now!

 

[Vincent]

Hey still here,

haven't been on for an age as Net access public....

still based in Taiwan, headin back to NZ for a month or so soon, scared to see old friends, if there is any common ground. Plan to try and do some outdoor labour to get renewed for teaching when I return to Taiwan after. Actually I think home must be easier than here, cos here I attract stares like flies on shit, although I've devoloped a strong phobia of anyone with a white face. Can't wait to leave the pollution and overpopulation, its near impossible to find space here.

Great to see there are other kiwis on, its hard being there cos there aren't enough people to support specialists. I haven't looked into it here.
How much does that specialist set you back Horatio? Have yous heard from others its a five year program? I did GROW in Tauranga (my home town), and Hamilton (university town). Its a support group run by sufferers of mental health and I think its all over.

:?

vincent

 

[Horatio]

Hey Vincent,

great to see that your still around! there seems to have been a number of kiwis join recently which is good to see

How much does that specialist set you back Horatio? Have yous heard from others its a five year program?

$150 a fortnight and no that estimate of 5 years of treatment is what my doctor told me would be a realistic time span for me in my condition to recover if I get continual treatment, it isnt a set program as such

roughly I'm looking at about $20 000 worth of treatment and in order to get better I have to first get worse, the sessions arent exactly the highlight of my week and I only go because I dont know of any other options and I cant just sit on my backside and hope that one day I will magically "snap out of it"

 

[Vincent]

That's a fair chunk of dough,

what do you do in the sessions? I know what you mean about having to get worse before better,

I find now that with being more aware of my thoughts and anxiety, I feel more self conscious.

What kind of work do you guys all do?

 

[Horatio]

That's a fair chunk of dough,

what do you do in the sessions? I know what you mean about having to get worse before better,

I find now that with being more aware of my thoughts and anxiety, I feel more self conscious.

What kind of work do you guys all do?

most sessions involve a 20 minute light chat about the week gone by, current affairs, anything really

the next 40 minutes is usually spent discussing rather unpleasent memories in my past, mostly from the school yard days. it often tends to dredge up memories I wouldve rather stayed forgotten

what kind of work do I do? I work in the TV industry