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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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nib Depressed.
  • replies: 16

I am not sure what to do at this point? My mother drinks and gambles excessively, and I am beyond surprised that she hasn't touched the thousands of dollars that is on her credit card yet. I always pay the bills for her using her money that she works... View more

I am not sure what to do at this point? My mother drinks and gambles excessively, and I am beyond surprised that she hasn't touched the thousands of dollars that is on her credit card yet. I always pay the bills for her using her money that she works for, so that we can live under a roof with gas and electricity, for example, and I make sure that this is done on time. I have tried speaking with my mother about the effects that her drinking and gambling have on myself in particular, but she either totally dismisses it, or she causes an argument over it. Now, I am not perfect, I drink alcohol (I haven't been for nearly a year as I am on a community treatment order and also because the medications I take can cause me to experience a sore stomach when I drink certain alcoholic beverages), and I most certainly enjoy playing the pokies myself. But, I never put in a fifty-dollar note after a fifty-dollar note after and fifty-dollar note in order to try and win the Major Jackpot, which mum has won a few times now. Our arguments over her addictions often become very heated, and it sometimes get to the point where we both assault each other. My father remains neutral whenever my mother and I argue, although he does agree that my mother has an addictions to drinking and gambling. I have tried to remove myself from the situation whenever we argue by simply going into my bedroom or by driving home from our local pub. But this never works, as my mother either follows me into my bedroom whilst screaming at me, or she would ring me and send me text messages repeatedly, demanding for me to answer her. I just can't win. I have also phoned a gambling hotline and the lady who spoke with me was very helpful. She suggested that I find somewhere else to live, but my family are very selfish and will not allow me to live with them, and neither will my best friend and her family. Literally nobody cares about me. They just want to see me miserable. I love my mother very much, but she refuses to seek psychological assistance in order to aide her with her addiction to drinking and gambling, and with mending our mother-daughter relationship. I no longer have a relationship with my aunt and grandmother, and I really want one with my mother.

Alannah57 Bipolar and “dissociating” from my life
  • replies: 1

Does anyone else find their mixed episodes start with feelings of dissociation? E.g with me it’s like the things that made me feel comfortable and engaged and comfortably me don’t do it anymore, and I’m no longer connected to what’s happening around ... View more

Does anyone else find their mixed episodes start with feelings of dissociation? E.g with me it’s like the things that made me feel comfortable and engaged and comfortably me don’t do it anymore, and I’m no longer connected to what’s happening around me.

Leigh1987 Is fear of abandonment a necessary part of bpd?
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I went to the gp again last night looking for some relief from the constant crushing depression and she suggested my issue may not be depression but rather bpd. From what I have read a fear of abandonment is at the heart of the bpd experience... View more

Hi all, I went to the gp again last night looking for some relief from the constant crushing depression and she suggested my issue may not be depression but rather bpd. From what I have read a fear of abandonment is at the heart of the bpd experience and that doesn't fit me. My closest friend of several years said to me a few months ago that she could no longer deal with my mental illness and never wanted to speak to me again. I said ok no problem and immediately felt a wave of relief that I didn't have to hear about her life anymore. So what do you think? Is it still possible to meet bpd criteria without that fear?

WantOut My Doctor's Giving Up
  • replies: 2

I need to function much better than I am; I have children and need to earn money, but I'm increasingly convinced my family would be better off without me. After yet another round of trying to find a new shrink, my GP has gently told me that she's out... View more

I need to function much better than I am; I have children and need to earn money, but I'm increasingly convinced my family would be better off without me. After yet another round of trying to find a new shrink, my GP has gently told me that she's out of ideas as to what to recommend and doesn't think she can help me any further. She did say the local Mental Health Team would check-in, although I can't imagine what they can do other than check I'm alive; and they haven't even done that because they're absolutely run off their feet with acute emergencies to manage. My most recent psychologist has gently told me that she thinks that maybe I should see someone else as she doesn't feel she can help, which is what my previous one also said. I'm sure the ones I've seen before that would have gotten to that point too, had I not just opted out on my own. I've tried every class of medications over the last thirty years and the one drug that worked has stopped. My most recent med review concluded that attempts at augmentation hadn't worked, my current meds weren't working, and that the only option was a washout and then trying something similar to drugs that either haven't worked or have made things worse. And that's assuming I can find a shrink: there are literally no private clinics taking on new patients anywhere in my area, I can't even get on a waiting list for a waiting list, and the public system is already collapsing under demand. My GP recommended against ECT, and I agree. I think it'll make things worse, as well as being very disruptive for my family, and god knows I don't want to be near a hospital any time soon with COVID as it is. I can't even imagine a way forward, and I have to find a way to fix things so I can parent and support my family. If I can't do that, there's no point me sticking around. Once meds and therapy are ruled out, and somehow managing with things as they are isn't realistic, what's left aside from the obvious?

Exhausted_Mumma Does the feeling of NOT wanting to be a mum go away?
  • replies: 3

I'm struggling hard core with being a mum. My life has so many shit things in it right now I just want to escape. Has anyone here ever experienced PPD (post-partum depression) and if so how do/did you get over it? Please help....!

I'm struggling hard core with being a mum. My life has so many shit things in it right now I just want to escape. Has anyone here ever experienced PPD (post-partum depression) and if so how do/did you get over it? Please help....!

Cherry84 Heart broken
  • replies: 6

When your 3 year old daughter asks in the most caring way…. Are you ever going to be happy? And then asked my husband ‘what’s wrong with mum’ today felt like a normal day, nothing bad happened… But what she said straight away broke my heart that I’m ... View more

When your 3 year old daughter asks in the most caring way…. Are you ever going to be happy? And then asked my husband ‘what’s wrong with mum’ today felt like a normal day, nothing bad happened… But what she said straight away broke my heart that I’m having this effect on her and to know I’m not good enough for her… she deserves better than me

Cthulhu A break-up during isolation
  • replies: 3

I separated from my wife at the beginning of December and shortly after ended up in a relationship with a work colleague who had become my emotional support during that time. Fast-forward to last Tuesday night and they broke up with me via text. Desp... View more

I separated from my wife at the beginning of December and shortly after ended up in a relationship with a work colleague who had become my emotional support during that time. Fast-forward to last Tuesday night and they broke up with me via text. Despite the short duration, it was still heartbreaking, but that isn’t the problem. The problem is that my son tested positive for Covid the very next morning (he’s ok). During times of sadness and depression I would normally get out of the house and go for a walk on the beach or something, but I’m stuck in the house for a week’s isolation now and I can feel the depression taking hold. I tried watching Netflix last night, but every second movie I scrolled past was just triggering nostalgic feelings which made my depression worse. I’m at a loss at what to do. How do I control my depression without my usual coping strategy?

Sadie23 Can't stop crying
  • replies: 7

Hi I have had depression on and off for years but recently I have been crying all the time for no apparent reason. Crying uncontrollably is not something I have experienced before and I haven't got any skills that make it stop. Any ideas?

Hi I have had depression on and off for years but recently I have been crying all the time for no apparent reason. Crying uncontrollably is not something I have experienced before and I haven't got any skills that make it stop. Any ideas?

Kll_ Never enough
  • replies: 2

I'm tired, so very tired. I look at my life and all I see is failure, I wanted someone to love, to spend my life wife, I wanted a family, I just want to feel something has gone right. Now i am almost 40, alone, just told I am infertile and I can't se... View more

I'm tired, so very tired. I look at my life and all I see is failure, I wanted someone to love, to spend my life wife, I wanted a family, I just want to feel something has gone right. Now i am almost 40, alone, just told I am infertile and I can't see a way where I am happy. I don't want to be around friends because they have what I don't and it makes me feel worse. So one I sit in a house that has never felt like a home, alone and cry. I tried so hard for it to be different, I put myself out there and I am never enough. I am exhausted from it.

BBUser98 Fear of abandonment
  • replies: 6

For the past 2 years I have been in a relationship that has proved to be very intense at times and problematic with communication. 1 week ago my partner said she wanted to end it to look after herself and so I could look after myself. 2 days ago she ... View more

For the past 2 years I have been in a relationship that has proved to be very intense at times and problematic with communication. 1 week ago my partner said she wanted to end it to look after herself and so I could look after myself. 2 days ago she went to a psychologist who told her it’s extremely likely that I have BPD after she mentioned it as I told her I am suspicious of having it. Of the 9 traits I have all 9 quite severely. I’ve looked for help and a mental health assessment but my gp has called in sick 2 appointments in a row. Her psychologist told her that we shouldn’t contact eachother for 3 months and I reluctantly agreed so that I can help her. I promised her I’d look after myself but it is so hard, I’ve slept less than 2 hours a night for the past week and barely have the appetite to eat anymore. Im so paranoid that after 3 months she won’t love me anymore and will abandon me which I really can’t take and I can’t stop thinking about it. I really feel at the end of my tether. As with the BPD I don’t know if I can take that either, it means a whole lifetime of being absolutely miserable and unable to live a normal life. Im also constantly overwhelmed by guilt that I’ve hurt her during our relationship due to feelings I can’t control. any advice is welcome, I don’t know what to do anymore. I live by myself and my family and friends aren’t close by. I feel completely alone.