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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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Guest_9043 Not sure what's even happening.
  • replies: 4

I feel so lost. I had big dreams. I don't know where they are. It's almost like I lost my zest. It's been a truly MASSIVE year from begging right until now. So many huge thing have happened. Im thinking about 2020. I have to move again asap in 2020. ... View more

I feel so lost. I had big dreams. I don't know where they are. It's almost like I lost my zest. It's been a truly MASSIVE year from begging right until now. So many huge thing have happened. Im thinking about 2020. I have to move again asap in 2020. I'm closing down one business and starting another. I've changed so much in myself this year. I just don't know where to even begin. I know baby steps. I just don't know where to start. I'm having difficulty formulating a plan. I feel lost cause I have no beginning point. I have a flatmate that picks on me real bad to the point I no longer sleep in my room or am in the house during the day. I stay in the shed when I'm not home and slept in the shed last night just to get away from her. I just want to feel hope again. I'm feeling sad, lost and despondent. Just a heads up,please don't suggest therapy. I have other posts here talking about my journey with therapy. Thank you.

MJL Fallen back into depression
  • replies: 3

I go in and out of depression and tonight I’ve fallen in deep. It feels almost impossible trying to reach out to my loved ones. It’s difficult trying to verbalise what i feel when I don’t fully understand it myself. I can’t stop crying and I’ve resor... View more

I go in and out of depression and tonight I’ve fallen in deep. It feels almost impossible trying to reach out to my loved ones. It’s difficult trying to verbalise what i feel when I don’t fully understand it myself. I can’t stop crying and I’ve resorted to drinking. My depression is like quick sand. One step in and I feel like I sink deeper and deeper with no possibility in getting out.

Alannah57 Should I seek help for a delusional period that stopped nine years ago?
  • replies: 2

When I was fourteen I started believing bizarre delusions that were implausible, such as that I was being watched by the world, and that objects could communicate with me. I also had very excited, energised feelings. I managed to stop those delusions... View more

When I was fourteen I started believing bizarre delusions that were implausible, such as that I was being watched by the world, and that objects could communicate with me. I also had very excited, energised feelings. I managed to stop those delusions somehow when I was fifteen, but I’m just wondering if it sounds like something to be concerned about now, even if I haven’t been affected by delusions in a long time.

Vanillacar Seeking a tangible managenent plan (26m)
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, I've taken a few good hits in life and always managed to bounce back, resilience has always been one of my stronger points. Although at the moment, and in the last few months, I've been suffering in silence. My partner of 10 years has cotton... View more

Hi guys, I've taken a few good hits in life and always managed to bounce back, resilience has always been one of my stronger points. Although at the moment, and in the last few months, I've been suffering in silence. My partner of 10 years has cottoned on that something isn't quite right, and pushing me to seek help. Not something I've ever done in my life, I've always sorted things out on my own. I've always felt (as messed up as this is) that it's weak, inferior, and pathetic, and I just can't shake the stigma. Worst of it is that I'm the first to make sure that my friends are doing ok and should seek advice, but I can't even get myself together to do it myself. My concern is that this has become a flaw, a weak spot in my character, which will prevent any further career progression in my profession. I know this is wrong. But the voice in my head telling me that I'll never make it to management, never be considered for a senior position, tearing down all of my ambitions all day relentlessly just never seems to end. I'm remunerated generously, I live in a nice house, in a nice suburb, in my mid 20s with the love of my life. I just want more, I don't know why, but I feel like every day I'm in a losing battle with my own negative thoughts. What are some rock solid, tried and tested techniques? What do people do other just talking about it? Do I need to start a though diary or something? I've just started with the headspace app, wasn't overly impressed that they want to squeeze money out of people already at a low point, but thats the world I guess. I wake up at the same time every day (5:50am), and manage my sleep apnea to the best of my ability. I eat reasonably healthy, and have started working out regularly again after a 6 month hiatus. I feel like things should be better by now. But still I just shut off emotionally, run in auto pilot, and just watch everything pass me by. I'm done with this selfish wallowing in self pity and for lack of a better word, need to get my sh*t together, for those who care about it. I'm sorry if anything of this is vague, or poorly explained, I'm at a loss and wanted to seek some form of guidance before I either relapse or actually speak about it. Regards, A

sadgirlhours i feel like im missing out on so much
  • replies: 1

hey, i'm a 15 year old girl and i just feel like i've missed out on so much. i know what i'm about to say sounds very dumb and its such a first world problem and i feel bad saying it cuz there are starving children in africa and my problems are so in... View more

hey, i'm a 15 year old girl and i just feel like i've missed out on so much. i know what i'm about to say sounds very dumb and its such a first world problem and i feel bad saying it cuz there are starving children in africa and my problems are so insignificant and petty but i guess i'll just say it because i want to get it off my chest. as a kid i didn't grow up watching disney or nickelodeon. i do remember watching barney but that's it. now its nearly the end of the decade and people are all talking about old disney shows and reminiscing in their childhoods. and since i never watched those shows as a kid it just makes me feel like i missed out on a lot. before you say anything, yes, i know i can just watch the shows now. BUT, IT'S DIFFERENT. watching shows as a kid and looking back at it when i grow up feels very very different compared to watching a kids show in my teens just so i can talk to people about it. i just feel like i missed out on a lot as a kid and now the decade is ending my childhood is also ending and that makes me extremely depressed. we only get one childhood. ONE ONLY, AND I MESSED UP ON MINE. MY CHILDHOOD SUCKED and that's fine i suppose i can make up for it by having a great teenage life. but no. i only have one friend that i'm comfortable hanging out with and she lives in england while i live in australia. i don't have a group of friends to mess around and have fun with. i just feel like i'm missing out on the "teenage experience". we only get one life and i'm ruining it, messing it up. i want to relive and improve parts of my life, but sadly, i cannot. missing out just makes me so anxious and depressed and i don't know what to do please help

Pregnantandterrified Mystery Disease and Depression and miscarriage
  • replies: 3

It’s been a year since I was on here.... so much has happened to me since. As my name suggests, I was pregnant. I later miscarried at the end of January, which was a horrible traumatic event. I was 4.5 months pregnant. I then began having all sorts o... View more

It’s been a year since I was on here.... so much has happened to me since. As my name suggests, I was pregnant. I later miscarried at the end of January, which was a horrible traumatic event. I was 4.5 months pregnant. I then began having all sorts of strange neurological symptoms (thought to be brought on by the rapid change in hormone levels) These “attacks” were debilitating, and terrifying. Pupils dialating unequally, tremors, shortness of breath, chest tightness, heart palpitations, feelings of imminent death, migraines, icepick headaches, weak legs and more recently, uncontrollable finger movements. Sometimes they last 5-7 days. no doctor can tell me what is happening to me. They are just waiting for something worse to happen that would make a diagnosis more clear. And yet, here I am, in tears almost everyday, completely fearful, and on edge waiting to see what happens next. My son is 3, and I’m scared he might end up growing up without me. I’ve never been so unwell and I feel like even the doctors think I’ve lost the plot. I’m trying to be strong for my family, but I’m so scared I can’t keep it together. Can anyone tell me how to keep your spirits up when you feel you are crashing apart? I feel so hopeless. Not suicidal! Just defeated, and sick.

Alir88 Depression
  • replies: 12

Depression settles low Like a damp winter fog Enveloping me It's cold tendrils reaching out Wrapping me in their grip Squeezing Until I am fighting for every breath My lungs burn they struggle to expand The shallow rise and fall of my chest Disguisin... View more

Depression settles low Like a damp winter fog Enveloping me It's cold tendrils reaching out Wrapping me in their grip Squeezing Until I am fighting for every breath My lungs burn they struggle to expand The shallow rise and fall of my chest Disguising the panic That bubbles up Threatening to explode My hands Clench Tighter and tighter As I search for a distraction From the inner turmoil And pain Until another wave Overwhelms me Forcing a moan from my lips I close my eyes And contemplate the abyss in front of me The deep black nothingness Beckons And taunts Offering an escape From the crushing loneliness That is Depression

Goldenribbon What’s wrong with me please
  • replies: 5

Outwardly my life looks amazing and I feel guilty even writing this . I have so much to be grateful for but I feel so alone , so desperately lonely . I have adult children grandchildren and a husband . In my family I am the one who listens to others ... View more

Outwardly my life looks amazing and I feel guilty even writing this . I have so much to be grateful for but I feel so alone , so desperately lonely . I have adult children grandchildren and a husband . In my family I am the one who listens to others and no one would guess that I’m in deep trouble myself . My husband is distant and aloof but others tell me he’s always been likes that so I have to accept it . I married him because he felt safe and like what I needed after a violent relationship so yes I guess it’s true . I simply don’t inspire any passion in him , none and I mean in any way . Everyone in my life sees him as perfect because he provides for me and came into my life when I was a single mI’m. Even my kids favour him over me and when I left they took his side . Effectively I almost lost my family over it so I went back . Now I’ve lost any tiny bit of self respect. I have horrible health ( chronic pain) making holding down a job very hard , I cry all the time and the worse part is I’ve been seeing a counsellor for almost two years in secret ( because I’m terrified of letting anyone know how much I’m falling apart ) and I can’t even bring myself to tell her that I am so incredibly depressed that I lay awake in the middle of the night thinking how much I hate myself what a bad person I am and how no one cares about me not really . I can’t even think of a way out and if I could I’m sure I wouldn’t find the inner strength to take it . I used to be strong or think I was but not now . Even the pain I’m in I can’t share on any kind of level that people take serious because people are dismissive of me. I’ve looked back at my life and realised that as a child my parents didn’t like me , my two biggest relationships before marriage were very abusive and my husband now although he says he loves me is lukewarm . Basically people don’t like me . Men have only really liked me to use me for sex and women in general have never liked me . My own mother only started to act like she liked me in the last few years . I used to think it was a case of like yourself them others will follow but I really don’t think so . It must surely be the case that some people are born less lovable or likeable than others. . There’s a lot more . Things I feel bad about but I’ve written a novel already . Why can’t I tell anyone all this horrible stuff about me . What is wrong with me ? Thankyou to anyone who has taken the time to read my rant

Starry_starry_night A hopeless situation
  • replies: 5

I am currently having a major depressive episode. I don’t remember ever feeling this bad. This time there are so many things wrong in my life, I can’t see things getting better. I have been off work with an injury for the past 3 months and the only t... View more

I am currently having a major depressive episode. I don’t remember ever feeling this bad. This time there are so many things wrong in my life, I can’t see things getting better. I have been off work with an injury for the past 3 months and the only time I go out of the house is to appointments needed for my injury. My children have been taking me because I can’t drive at the moment. I don’t want to be around anybody, I cry all the time, I have no energy, I sleep up to 15 hours a day, feel no joy in anything and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. When I do go back to work, it’s a job I hate and dread going to work and struggle to physically do the job now. Can’t afford to train to do anything else and I am already 50. It’s almost impossible to get new work at my age, especially being in low entry level employment. About 18 months ago I found out that my 18yo daughter had been molested by my nephew from the age of 11. I blame myself. My daughter now has ptsd and all that goes along with that. I don’t know how to help her. My sister, who was my best friend, doesn’t speak to me anymore, because she blames my family for what happened at the hands of her son. My children and I are mostly ignored by the rest of the family as they would rather pretend that nothing happened. I also work for that sister, the situation is miserable. Last Christmas my children and I only had each other, while the rest of the family, all 28 of them, all had a wonderful Christmas Day together. I am dreading Christmas. I have been separated from my husband for almost 10 years, and I gave him my house in the settlement. Now we are in unstable accommodation. It’s constant stress. My ex’s girlfriend now lives in my old house and my children are no longer welcome there because she doesn’t want them there. All of my teeth are loose because of all my medication, and I don’t have the money to be able to do anything about it. I won’t cope at all with losing my teeth. It’s another thing I can’t fix. Reading through this sounds like I’m being a selfish sook. But I feel the whole situation is hopeless and can’t be fixed. Although I would never do anything to myself because of my children, I wake up everyday and wish I didn’t. I just don’t want to be here and deal with this crap every single day. I don’t know what to do. Please help.

Raine20 Pregnant and worried about the future
  • replies: 1

Sorry if this is hard to understand... I’m 22 weeks pregnant and recently some problems have been coming up involving my relationship, work and the future. I’ve just gone into my 20s and my partner and I have a 12 year age gap. He works 5 to 6 days a... View more

Sorry if this is hard to understand... I’m 22 weeks pregnant and recently some problems have been coming up involving my relationship, work and the future. I’ve just gone into my 20s and my partner and I have a 12 year age gap. He works 5 to 6 days a week whereas I’m only a casual and work very short shifts about 2 to 4 times a week. He is getting very stressed about being broke especially when baby comes. We have only been together just over a year and I had doubts coming into this relationship because I knew we were at very different stages in our lives. Although he was still living with his parents he had it set that he wanted to get married, have a family and buy his own house. I was 19 when we met and not doing very well in life, not having finished school and I had unaddressed issues with depression and was also developing anxiety. These were the reasons for my doubts, I worried I couldn’t pull myself out of it and build the lifestyle and career that I would need to help him get where he wanted to be in life. We’ve come along way since then and are renting our own house as well as having a baby on the way. Anyway, I’ve been going in and out of depression since being pregnant. I really want to have this baby, I had an early miscarriage a few months before becoming pregnant again, so I’m very happy about this pregnancy however I’m struggling to find motivation in all other aspects of my life. I’m finding it increasingly hard to enjoy work as I didn’t particularly like my job before. This is making me want to avoid it even more Because of the way it makes me feel. This is now causing problems in my relationship and I feel like I’m making my partner unhappy especially since he has problems with depression as well. We come from very different families and upbringings, I have a family history of alcoholics, addicts and mental health problems. I’m worried that my partner thinks I will end up the same, I don’t feel like I’m good enough to fit into his life and family. He says he loves me but I’m worried that will change if I can’t be happier and find some motivation. I’m worried that I’ll never be able to be the person he wanted. I don’t understand why is so hard for me to just get up and do the things I need to and why the more I think about it the more I just want to curl up and not talk to anyone. I want to be the kind of person who is happy and motivated to work hard. I don’t want this to ruin my relationship. I need some advice, I don’t know what to do.