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Depression

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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: 1

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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chiko123 Extreme loneliness, with no one to turn to
  • replies: 6

Hello all, For the past few years I have been in a long distance relationship (>16000km). For the first couple years I was managing life well, balancing talking over the phone and studying. However, in particular, the last year I have felt so numb, t... View more

Hello all, For the past few years I have been in a long distance relationship (>16000km). For the first couple years I was managing life well, balancing talking over the phone and studying. However, in particular, the last year I have felt so numb, to the point where I don't care what would happen to me. I felt like I had no reason to be happy, because I only felt truly happy when I was with my boyfriend. Then in between I just studied and was content with my loneliness. Slowly putting on a face more and more. As of today the last time I saw my boyfriend was over 9 months ago, and although we still have strong feelings I can feel my detachment growing. In addition, throughout the year from March, given the COVID situation I have been attending uni online. At the beginning, when there was the national lockdown, there was a period I didn't leave my house for 3 months. I gradually began to loose my uni friends. Something I have especially noticed in the last couple of months, because although restrictions have lifted, I don't seem to get invited to parties anymore, or when I message my then-friends, one won't respond for hours, and the other never responds. I feel like I have lost all of my uni friends. When I realised I was loosing my friends, I decided to join a club. The club was my saving grace. I met new people and had great fun. However, now activities won't resume for another three weeks and I don't know how I can cope. To make things harder, I met another guy there, which makes my situation much harder. Now I find myself torn about whether long distance is such a good idea after all. So on top of my loneliness and sadness, I find myself facing a life-changing decision. I know deep down that I'm so lonely, to the point of desperation. I need to experience joy and life with people around me. I feel like I need to feel energy and life again. I miss happiness. I need a hug, I need someone who I can talk to. I need a friend, I need to be touched and I need to be loved.

Law007 Keep on making the same mistakes over and over and over again..........
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I posted on here few years ago, life really does go Full circle. Last time I was fresh out of prison in rehab for Ice, was going great guns got clean and began to chase a Career surveying. Nearly finished my cert 4 but stress Of heavy court c... View more

Hi all, I posted on here few years ago, life really does go Full circle. Last time I was fresh out of prison in rehab for Ice, was going great guns got clean and began to chase a Career surveying. Nearly finished my cert 4 but stress Of heavy court case and rehab stress, I pulled out 2 weeks Before finishing a whole year of hard work. I relapsed And started shooting up. I finished rehab and court and eventually Got clean on my own. I haven't worked in 8 months not due To covid. I got made reduntent relocated to another state and was living In my car, my car blew up no insurance and had to go back Home. On way home I had a breakdown and smashed a Train up eventually got charged but I'm finished with Court now. 3 months ago I was passenger in serious car crash (Lucky) to be alive. I relapsed after the crash and got Convicted for refuse roadside drug test. I've just lost my Licence for another 2 years, and I just can't let it go I've been here before over and over, but I just can't let it Go, the strange thing is I was homeless past 6 months Got a nice place to rent as an independent adult for the first Time then I chose to drug drive and stuff it all up. My mind is Racing so much ive been clean at least 2 months, but I'm starting to feel too much, I can feel my life's stuffups In my soul. I just feel like I'm too far gone mentally, just watching myself and looking at photos of me in The good days I don't recognise myself. My own voice Just keeps laughing at me and keeps saying HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU KEEP STUFFING UP AND NOT MAKE ADJUSTMENTS? I don't know when the message will Sink in. Honest, Ive been having a premonition something Bad is going to happen, everything has gotten real dark Since the car accident and I don't have any friends at All, no family, but then I remembered you guys, I Love you guys god bless you and the work you d He who truly believes shall have the gift of eternal life Pray for me I really need it, sending out my prayers And love to all struggling love

Rarra Hi BB
  • replies: 5

My name is Sharra and I have been struggling with my depression for over a decade now. Despite the very hectic, overwhelming thoughts in my brain I can usually self-soothe myself to some degree, but lately I have been finding it harder. I recently de... View more

My name is Sharra and I have been struggling with my depression for over a decade now. Despite the very hectic, overwhelming thoughts in my brain I can usually self-soothe myself to some degree, but lately I have been finding it harder. I recently decided to tell a couple of people about my suicidal thoughts, which was a very big step for me as I have generally internalised everything. One person could not handle this information at all, and one stopped speaking to me shortly after. I thought I would come here for some comfort and to feel less alone in my feelings, because I know everyone is hurting this year and feeling a lot, but I am really struggling to connect with anybody about my emotions.

4x4 About to have mental breakdown.
  • replies: 2

So ive made good improvements on managing depression and anxiety over past year due to talking to psychologist ect so ive been unemployed for few months like many others in Vic. Been hard dealing with been at home with mum and dad so much as just to ... View more

So ive made good improvements on managing depression and anxiety over past year due to talking to psychologist ect so ive been unemployed for few months like many others in Vic. Been hard dealing with been at home with mum and dad so much as just to much of same. I picked up new job and its long hours living away from home, cutting hay during up coming hay season. And we have to take what we can at the moment as job market isnt great. Perticully in rural vic so im glad to get out of house and away from home, but i feel gunna be alot of change at once and my depression doesnt do well doing when im tired i really strugglem big chages i dont cope well either. I feel like ive been bottling alot of stuff up, can't see any of my friends as all live in melbourne and really struggle with no social side. Feel like ive been really dependant to talk to some alot via phone and feel like im driving them away and i cant deal with this. I feel like im really gunna put my mental health at risk and all in name of income. Lots of other things in my brain rushing though and cant even find a decent movie on tv at night to take my mind off things. last time i had a breakdown it was pretty sketchy times and all cause i cause i couldnt control my mental health. I know it was while ago but still im scared starting new job and long hours will be final thing that trips it all up. i should be excited about going back to work but idk what is gunna happen. I was doing so well my phycoligist said we dint need to do seasions and doc wanted me to get off meds, now im here.

Kombivan What does depression feel like?
  • replies: 7

what does depression feel like? I was diagnosed with anxiety but I'm worried I also have depression. i really try to be positive. i try so hard but i dont think im trying the right things. i need something else in my life, i fear im going to regret n... View more

what does depression feel like? I was diagnosed with anxiety but I'm worried I also have depression. i really try to be positive. i try so hard but i dont think im trying the right things. i need something else in my life, i fear im going to regret not doing everything i wanted to do and try. i often want to cry but the tears just dont come out. I feel like if i cry, my tears are fake. The thought of crying feels like its a waste of time, or like these tears are wasted on me. I should let someone else who's struggling more than me cry them. ill be happy but there are these dark thoughts always sitting in the back of my brain, telling me i shouldnt be happy becuse i know i did bad on a test that im still waiting on the results for. Or I'll remember that soon ill have to come face to face with someone I really dont want to see. I feel like the little kid inside me has died. the part of me that always thought i could do and be anything. Im facing reality now and I realise that stuff is hard. and i dont think im tough enough to get through. I dont think I can do uni, and i dont think i can keep working in a job where I feel like Im reading a script over and over again as I make small talk with customers. I stop feeling real. I got this feeling when I caught a glimpse of myself in a reflective surface at work. Its like while I was working, i was in a trance and when I saw myself in the reflection, i suddenly remembered where i was and what i was doing. Life feels so different now Im officially an adult. Im finding fewer things to get excited about. im worried all the time, and this picture of who i want to be in my mind feels so out of reach. Impossible even. Is this what depression feels like?

Jayau1 Feeling lost and worthless
  • replies: 7

I recently was made redundant. The sad thing is that the redundancy was not necessary, it was a boys club looking after their own. In a way, I'm glad to be out of that place as I was bullied and made to feel worthless for over 10 months. By nature I'... View more

I recently was made redundant. The sad thing is that the redundancy was not necessary, it was a boys club looking after their own. In a way, I'm glad to be out of that place as I was bullied and made to feel worthless for over 10 months. By nature I'm a people person, always putting others before me, helping with both their professional and personal issues. COVID then came and with a large team of over 100 people, it became a challenging task to support such as large team throughout these times. The company wanted me to fail and would not provide the support necessary. By nature, I wouldn't say I've always been an overly confident person, but prior to coming to my previous place of employment, I was at the top of my game. The consistent mind games and torture has changed the person that I once was. I now have zero confidence, no energy, and fearful for what the future holds. Being unemployed in these tough times has certainly had a major impact on me and my family. Having to see my son try to complete year 12 this year, the recent loss of my father and the state of my mother has been hard enough, now with the added pressure of being unemployed has impacted me immensely. As a father and husband, I have failed my family and see no way getting back to where I was a few years ago. For someone almost 50 yrs of age, I have an impossible challenge ahead. Having applied for many roles, I am over the constant rejections and at a loss of what to do. I feel like a burden to the family and want to just hide in a corner. Whilst I know there are many others in much tougher situations, it doesn't make things any easier. There are days when I am inspired to beat this and prove that I can be the person I once was. I have spoken to a few professionals, but each time feel that this hasn't helped me progress. I understand things take time and that the effort needs to be put in. But I also have days (much like today) where I just want to be on my own and hope to find this all a bad dream. As time progresses, my willingness to fight and look for employment is slowly diminishing. I just don't know what to do anymore.

Mickii Feeling alone
  • replies: 6

Do you ever feel like you are facing a battle alone? How do you feel better when you don't know what is wrong? I have an amazing family, help from medical people...but I still feel lost. I wish someone would say...this is what is wrong with you. Some... View more

Do you ever feel like you are facing a battle alone? How do you feel better when you don't know what is wrong? I have an amazing family, help from medical people...but I still feel lost. I wish someone would say...this is what is wrong with you. Sometimes I feel amazing....but more often defeated. I know this is weird, but I don't want to die, but I don't want to live. Do other people feel that way?

Krix Hi. I’m not very good at this so..
  • replies: 10

Hi. Feeling less than stellar - so joined for advice. I have had a serious bout of depression/anxiety since March 2020, and I’m holding out && going downhill. saw my dr for the first time in 12 years and he want me in hospital for 2 weeks to change m... View more

Hi. Feeling less than stellar - so joined for advice. I have had a serious bout of depression/anxiety since March 2020, and I’m holding out && going downhill. saw my dr for the first time in 12 years and he want me in hospital for 2 weeks to change medication and observe. My work has suffered due to poor performance that I am at risk of losing my job. I have a meeting in 1 hour. Do I disclose I am sick and will be away for this long? I have major deadlines - thought I could hold out and fake it but the cycle of fear/guilt/anxiety/depression means I’m honestly not going to survive. Dr suggested admission on Sunday Potted history: previous & family depression, male, married, one teen son.

Perry2936 Pointlessness
  • replies: 2

I am 33 years old, on the Autism Spectrum and completely at a loose end in my life. There is nothing left to work for, nothing left that interests me and I am completely isolated because I struggle to connect with anyone. I struggle to connect with m... View more

I am 33 years old, on the Autism Spectrum and completely at a loose end in my life. There is nothing left to work for, nothing left that interests me and I am completely isolated because I struggle to connect with anyone. I struggle to connect with myself. Psychotherapy isn't working (and I have been attending for many years, paying ridiculous sums of money to talk to someone who merely listens and writes, without any further I volunteer for homeless people, yet I feel so detached when I am volunteering, I struggle to connect and feel like a robot. I don't even know if I am helping or just going through the motions. I work in a dead end job in supermarket retail, and have failed multiple degrees in the hopes of getting a better job. Not because I don't understand the work, but because I can't find the support that I need. I spend hours scouring on Meetup for relatively interesting meetups, but most are "coffee and cake", some of which I have been to. I often sit, observing but unable to contribute much to the conversation. I have felt like this my whole life. Watching, observing, understanding, but unable to contribute. I feel like life has lost meaning and I'm going through the motions. I am agoraphobic, but I push through and often go to shopping centres and other busy places to remind myself that I am not alone. All this does is make me more isolated and exhausted. I go to the library, and read books, but get bored after most books that I am interested in have essentially the same information, and information that I can easily get off the internet. I was interested in music, and can play piano very well, but without community, what is the point? Depression has muted all of my interests and without a miracle, my days (besides working) consist of laying in bed with a weighted blanket, scouring information on the internet, hoping I can find a solution to my problems and binge eating. My mother died when I was 13, my father is an alcoholic (whom I had to remove myself from 17 years ago) and my sister (who lives in another state) is depressed herself, and is unemployed. My extended family have been estranged from each other for 20 years, there is no support. Chronic loneliness is ruining my life, and a visit to a random Meetup group is not a solution. When I do reach out, I am often met with "Oh, I'm busy with the kids" or, "Find your own friends." I have no children either, not through choice either. I am struggling and need help.

BipolarAF Please help
  • replies: 9

I'm feeling pretty helpless I’m bipolar type 1, medicated for 3 years, and been experiencing paranoia and distrust towards people close to me. i tried several times to chat with a clinician online but my internet keeps dropping out. I tried to chat t... View more

I'm feeling pretty helpless I’m bipolar type 1, medicated for 3 years, and been experiencing paranoia and distrust towards people close to me. i tried several times to chat with a clinician online but my internet keeps dropping out. I tried to chat to my partner about my intrusive thoughts/paranoia/distrust and he raised his voice and told me to go to hospital even though I said that’s not what I want to do at all. I feel like there’s no one I can trust or talk to I feel so isolated. I feel like even my closest friends don’t understand and that I can’t trust any new friends either. My paranoia is telling me my friends will try send me to hospital/abandon me/make fun of me/think I’m insane even though they haven’t shown me they would do that. It feels like my partner is turning against me and I’m a burden and whilst I understand a lot of this is ‘in my head’, I’m having impulses to run away from everything/delete social media/break up the relationship/disappear. I know this isn’t rational or what I want to do but I tried to talk to him and it didn’t work and I kept feeling like he hated me and is doing things behind my back. I even have felt like my friends are plotting against me and I know that can’t be right but these ideas keep coming into my head. I just wanted to talk to my partner and have him reassure me but he struggles with empathy and emotional reactions and often jumps to anger as a response and it’s just affirming my greatest fears. I don’t know how to switch the paranoia off or deal with it. It’s starting to leak into every day conversations and the thoughts are becoming louder and louder saying I need to just run away from everyone. When I was younger I would do that, just pack a bag and disappear and it was quite unhealthy and unsustainable. I have a nice life here I don’t know why my head is telling me otherwise. Does anyone have any idea how to cope with this ?