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Jeriava How do I talk to my doctor?
  • replies: 9

I’ve been struggling with my life for the past 7-8 years but I finally made an appointment with a doctor. I feel really scared though because I don’t ever go to the doctor for anything, and I havent seen this doctor for so many years that I’m really ... View more

I’ve been struggling with my life for the past 7-8 years but I finally made an appointment with a doctor. I feel really scared though because I don’t ever go to the doctor for anything, and I havent seen this doctor for so many years that I’m really scared that they’ll judge me or won’t believe anything I say. I’m really anti social so I feel like I won’t be able to say what I wanna say or I’ll say the wrong thing causing them to just dismiss me and move me along without helping. I’m just tired of feeling alone, depressed and just worthless but I’m really scared to talk to them.

Chris_B Are you looking to support someone else with depression? PLEASE READ before posting
  • replies: 0

This forum is for people seeking support for their own mental health issues. If you're posting on behalf of someone else with a mental health issue that you're concerned about, please have a look at this section of our forums: Supporting family and f... View more

This forum is for people seeking support for their own mental health issues. If you're posting on behalf of someone else with a mental health issue that you're concerned about, please have a look at this section of our forums: Supporting family and friends with a mental health condition It's full of threads from people who have family members and friends going through anxiety, depression or other related conditions. Have a read through the threads there, and feel free to take part in the discussions. Below are also some helpful beyondblue resources you might want to look through first as well: Supporting someone Have the conversation

AGrace SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING DEPRESSION
  • replies: 132

Hi Everyone, Here are some ideas you might like to try for managing symptoms of depression. Of course everyone's different, so let us know what works for you, and please feel free to add to the list... Mindfulness – through breathing or engaging the ... View more

Hi Everyone, Here are some ideas you might like to try for managing symptoms of depression. Of course everyone's different, so let us know what works for you, and please feel free to add to the list... Mindfulness – through breathing or engaging the 5 senses Distress Tolerance – Accepting Emotions and Self Soothing Distraction – Put the thoughts/feelings aside and come back to them when you are ready to deal with them Positive Affirmations – Have some affirmations written down repeat them to yourself daily Sleep/Exercise/Diet – All 3 aspects of our lifestyle can impact the way we think/feel Increasing Pleasurable Activities – Engage in at least one pleasurable activity per day

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Private33313 Where to seek help?
  • replies: 3

Hi guys. I have been suffering from loneliness and depression ever since I came to Australia 3 years ago as student, but in the past few years, especially after the lockdown, it's been particularly rough. I am really shy/scared to seek help as it's h... View more

Hi guys. I have been suffering from loneliness and depression ever since I came to Australia 3 years ago as student, but in the past few years, especially after the lockdown, it's been particularly rough. I am really shy/scared to seek help as it's heavily looked down on my culture, especially for men but now it's gotten to a point where I just spend my day dreaming about nice things then I go to night thinking I didn't do anything. I used to breeze through my uni subjects during first few semester but past few semester I failed, first it was one subject, then two, then the same one every semester, I have exam in few days and I feel even if I pass one subject it'll be an achievement, I feel like my uni is going to cancel my course and am really scared, I can't motivate myself to do anything at all, I also gained a lot of weight because of this as well. My life is just on a downward spiral and I feel really numb about everything, can't seem to enjoy anything or have fun at all. I am not really a introverted guy, I used to love going outdoors and playing sports back in my home country, but here I don't have anyone to talk to, I live alone and spend most of my day inside my room doing nothing, I work part time but even there I just go for the sake of it, and I feel I am living the same life everyday. I really want to seek help but I don't know where to begin, if someone can guide me through where to seek help, I would really really appreciate it. Thanks

JK87 Feeling like my loved ones could move on better without me holding them back
  • replies: 2

Exactly as the title said. I have loved ones, but they’ve drifted away and I sincerely feel like without me they could drift away guilt free and they’d have better and richer lives for it

Exactly as the title said. I have loved ones, but they’ve drifted away and I sincerely feel like without me they could drift away guilt free and they’d have better and richer lives for it

Pink grapefruit Lonely without friends. Cannot trust others.
  • replies: 15

This is my second time to post a thread. I don’t show it in front of others but I have been feeling very lonely especially since I moved to Australia about 10 years ago. I tried to make ones by joining some local events etc but I was not able to get ... View more

This is my second time to post a thread. I don’t show it in front of others but I have been feeling very lonely especially since I moved to Australia about 10 years ago. I tried to make ones by joining some local events etc but I was not able to get close with them. One reason I think is I cannot trust others. I feel that they are all trying to deceive me or put me down, which some people really did in the past. Life without friends is really sad and depressing but Its hard for me to trust others and open my hearts. How can I change this situation?

Shanthan Going back to the beginning
  • replies: 5

Hello all, This thread will be my third one discussing my depression. I don't understand what's going on. Beginning of this month, I started working on my condition. I'm financially unstable to afford therapy or help. So, I began looking into these f... View more

Hello all, This thread will be my third one discussing my depression. I don't understand what's going on. Beginning of this month, I started working on my condition. I'm financially unstable to afford therapy or help. So, I began looking into these forums to get tips. I thought I was doing my best and coping. But, there were many situations where I went back to the beginning, and my whole mind went dark. For the entire week, I was optimistic and motivated. But today, it hit me again. I go into a darker place where hundreds of thoughts run in my mind, which are harmful. Once that happens, that worse thought comes back again, where I think, "it's time". I feel weak; I feel like I will not survive this. After a while, I stop feeling anxious. But, the thought still exists. I don't know whether I can start over recovery.

Deathbug9976 Rant about my coping mechanism.
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I’m new here and I just wanted to get something off my shoulders. I’ve recently found a way to cope with my depression by going on long walks daily, but as a teen I still have to talk to my parents first. For the past few days I have ask... View more

Hi everyone, I’m new here and I just wanted to get something off my shoulders. I’ve recently found a way to cope with my depression by going on long walks daily, but as a teen I still have to talk to my parents first. For the past few days I have asked to go on my walks but been declined. My parents know I have depression, and I they said they will take that into account when making decisions with me, but I’m being declined the one coping mechanism I have found. what do I do?

Panthera Electroconvulsive Therapy
  • replies: 8

I have been advised by my psychiatrist to have Electroconvulsive Therapy. I am willing to do this, but would like to know of its effectiveness from those who have had the treatment. Some key questions I have are: - How long does it last - What happen... View more

I have been advised by my psychiatrist to have Electroconvulsive Therapy. I am willing to do this, but would like to know of its effectiveness from those who have had the treatment. Some key questions I have are: - How long does it last - What happens if it stops working My apologies if there are forums already devoted to this topic. I have just joined and am not sure how to search the forum database.

Daliah Too strong of an empath
  • replies: 7

Hi, so I have really really strong empathy and I’m a little worried. I was about to tell my parents that what they had bought had an incorrect ingredient (they made a small mistake at the shops) but the minute I thought it, my heart froze and I felt ... View more

Hi, so I have really really strong empathy and I’m a little worried. I was about to tell my parents that what they had bought had an incorrect ingredient (they made a small mistake at the shops) but the minute I thought it, my heart froze and I felt intense sadness and guilt as if I was on the opposite end. So now I can’t tell them because I can’t put them through the emotional turbulence of making a mistake without hating myself. Has anyone felt this? Like understanding the other persons pain to the point it physically hurts?

Duey1975 Where to from here....
  • replies: 8

I have always ben a very stable person, grounded and mentally secure. I don't stress easily, and when an issues arises, it gets fixed or forwarded to someone to fix it. In June 2017, my mum was diagnosed with Stage 3 fibrosis at the age of 67 of the ... View more

I have always ben a very stable person, grounded and mentally secure. I don't stress easily, and when an issues arises, it gets fixed or forwarded to someone to fix it. In June 2017, my mum was diagnosed with Stage 3 fibrosis at the age of 67 of the liver from drinking to much. She was advised that if she stopped drinking, lost 5 kg's and ate a clean diet, she would be good for anther 20yrs. She passed in February 2018 as she hit the drink harder. So, while i was trying to support my dad and help look after mum, i found out the day after fathers day in 2017 that my wife was having an affair with a man she works with. She continued this for another 6 months after the affair was exposed. I supported my wife through her families health issues 15 odd years earlier and was her rock. She told me that she couldnt be there for me during this time on multiple occasions. She moved out for 3 weeks, continued to see him while i ran the house and looked after our kids Late April 2018, my wifes affair was knocked on the head by him as he was getting a job promotion. Late April 2018, my grandmother passed away. She was old and had a good life, but it was dads mum, so double whack for him. June 2018, my dad was admitted to hospital with a blood clot from ankle to groin. I was advised he would be dead in 4 minutes if it was to let go. after 6 weeks in hospital, he was released. August 2018, my wife and i had another blow up about her actions, i went to move out but didnt. September 2018, my son was admitted to the children mental health ward for suicidal thought and hearing voices. December 2018, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, with chemo following for the next 4 months to April 2019. the remainder of 2019 was fairly event free. 2020, was ok except for my wife having her gall-bladder removed mid year and the fun that goes with that. Again, i supported her through that. Late 2020, our house and car where severely damaged in a large hail storm, which we had to relocate to while repairs were done. We moved out for repair in May 2021. While we were moving out, my wife advised that she had pretty much left our marriage. For the next 2 months, she would take her rings off when going to work. So, in July 2021, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was preparing to leave in June 2021 prior to the diagnosis, but now feel stuck while she undergoes treatment and reconstruction. But is is hard to stay focused and mentally strong while doing this...

summerloverr How to support partner struggling with mental health
  • replies: 3

my current boyfriend and i have officially been together since october 2020. From pretty much the get go he had told me about his previous struggles with his mental health, however in the last few months he has been hiding his struggles from me which... View more

my current boyfriend and i have officially been together since october 2020. From pretty much the get go he had told me about his previous struggles with his mental health, however in the last few months he has been hiding his struggles from me which have been affecting our relationship (i didn’t know of his current struggles, so i was somewhat blaming his behaviour on him because he didn’t realise the effects it was having on me and our relationship). I was blaming him for making me feel like he didn’t want me around with certain people, for making me feel like i was ‘embarrassing’, for not acknowledging or respecting me much, for acting different towards me around different groups of people. I told him the way he was making me feel, he apologised, said he doesn’t want me to feel that way. a few days after we were out and i was made to feel that way again, i had ‘the shits’, the following evening i asked if he was going to talk to me, his response “i don’t know who i am anymore, i don’t enjoy the things i used to, some days i don’t know if i’m going to get up or not, i don’t know what i want, some days i love everyone other days i hate everyone, i don’t know if i want a relationship, i love you and i don’t want to drag you along through all of this. I reassured him that everything will be ok, that i will get him the help he needs, i said people who love each other help each other, i’m not going anywhere i just want you to feel like yourself again. Is this his mental health talking? i don’t want him to push me away and regret it down the track. since that conversation he doesn’t want me, he can’t look at me/give me the usual kiss goodnight “i love you”. I hate seeing him like this and hurting. He kept all of this to himself because he is too worried about making others worried what they will think about him. He says his way of coping is making himself as busy as possible to make sure his mind doesn’t wander (e.g., working on his days off - he is a shift worker). I am finding him help (doctors/psychologist appointments aren’t easy to find these days). I am asking for any advice/tips on how to support my partner through this rough patch of life. I know this won’t be an easy journey or will it fix itself overnight.

Guest_1573 I have zero motivation. Totally disillusioned and drink too much
  • replies: 11

Hi I have been off work for a very long time due to an injury. Throughout that time I was hassled and bullied by workcover. I was also dealing with the depression and stress from losing the job I loved. I ended up drinking as I was so lonely, bored a... View more

Hi I have been off work for a very long time due to an injury. Throughout that time I was hassled and bullied by workcover. I was also dealing with the depression and stress from losing the job I loved. I ended up drinking as I was so lonely, bored and anxious. I have now recovered from the injury and have got my payout etc. Trouble is I now trust nobody and have no faith in anyone or anything. I have attempted numerous jobs and they have all turned out to be horrible in that the focus on inclusion etc is not actually happening? Bullying is rife out there!! I now just like drinking and zoning out a bit as I find reality too awful. I find most people to be rude and selfish. I am totally disillusioned with all of the jobs I have taken on (and left). Same with the help I have offered to rescue dogs. Everyone appears to be a control freak and all I want is peace and to rescue a dear dog. But everything always goes pearshaped. I am on my own with a difficult teenager and I don't know what to do anymore. Everything I do goes wrong. I have spoken with counsellors, psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors. Again...get palmed off and that just adds to my disillusionment with everything. I am a very strong person and I never give up. I just want to know if anyone else feels the same. The lack of respect out there is terrible. The focus on everything is apparently to not bully or judge people but it is ludicrous as that is all that seems to happen. I am fed up with society in general and I just want to live a quiet peaceful life helping dogs. Is that too much to ask?