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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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Devilmandan Lonely
  • replies: 1

Hey, I'm new on here but wanted to let people know what I'm going Through. I have just recently moved out of the family home to work On my mental health, and now it has created an even bigger Separation between me and my wife. It just feels like ever... View more

Hey, I'm new on here but wanted to let people know what I'm going Through. I have just recently moved out of the family home to work On my mental health, and now it has created an even bigger Separation between me and my wife. It just feels like everything I Do or say to her at the moment sets her off. I know I haven't been Very pleasant to live with at times but I am trying to deal with it This time and it's been hard. Will she forgive me down the track If I give her space or am I destend to be lonely. I do have two beautiful Teenage kids and they are very understanding of what's going on. They also can't understand why there mum is being this way either But I just tell them, she is scared and worried about me, Am I wrong?

Dan145 In the pits again
  • replies: 1

I'm new to posting here about my experiences, but this is my fourth or fifth year living with depression? (I think) It's been a pretty steady decline these past few years; to the point where these changes have been so gradual, that these avoidant/anx... View more

I'm new to posting here about my experiences, but this is my fourth or fifth year living with depression? (I think) It's been a pretty steady decline these past few years; to the point where these changes have been so gradual, that these avoidant/anxiety relieving behaviours (declining social things, social anxiety, over eating,(not good food either), over sleeping, over thinking, drinking (not too much, but drinking to get drunk nonetheless), have crept their way in so silently, that I feel like a 'new me' has come to exist. And now, its like one small part of me thinks 'hang on, what has just happened' (kind of like a house party that has gone of for 4 years straight, and you're now starting to notice the unsavoury types that have made their way in to your house). I've very strategically (and cleverly might I add) constructed a social circle around me that doesn't exist, so I don't have to endure socialising and enjoying things. This in turn develops deep anxiety within me, as i'm becoming increasingly aware of this passage of time that is quickly being filled with my inaction to do things I enjoy, seeing people I want to see, sustaining relationships in general. It truly has reached a point where me sitting around all day, watching videos and movies on the internet mindlessly as I quietly acknowledge the fact about how im wasting my life away in a digital world of never-ending entertainment and getting my dopamine hit, rather than facing my problems, has become my life (PS: if anyone has any good tips of overcoming YouTube/movie/internet addiction, because my impulsiveness tells me it is an addiction, I would really appreciate that) The fact that I have recently decided to quit my job as a primary school teacher without any idea of other things I want to do is also snowballing things right now. Teaching is something I love, but it feels that my nervous system is so shot that I cant even concentrate sufficiently, which is a must with school kids. My mind is clouded, I'm stressed about income, the fact that im cloudy about thinking about what I want to do flares up anxiety, which makes me clouded with anxiety rather than coming up with solutions (feedback loop from hell, if anyone has read The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***, great book ). I feel a general hum of confusion and career misdirection. I guess im just wondering if anyone else has been in a similar spot that I am right now, and if anyone could help a fellow struggler out, cause I am struggling.

Steve_San Seeking Advice/Help
  • replies: 1

Hi All I am seeking advice to deal with depression from this thread. The story goes I am currently seeing this girl for over two months now, I think she likes me but when I trying to ask about her feelings, the answer was uncertain. Only until very r... View more

Hi All I am seeking advice to deal with depression from this thread. The story goes I am currently seeing this girl for over two months now, I think she likes me but when I trying to ask about her feelings, the answer was uncertain. Only until very recently I found that she has been depressed for a while, I don't think it a major depression, but she doesn't feel attracted to anyone at moment and she wasn't at her best/her prefer states. Of course, I want to continue seeing her, even though we rarely have physical contact (I mean holding hands). I also want to help her get out of depression regardless of the outcome whether we will continue dating or not. Because I have little or no experience in dealing with depression in my life, I am here seeking valuable advice from the community. What should I do in this situation? She refused to go out (I mean like meeting other people), she told me she is having difficult thoughts like low self-esteem, stressed, and life in general. Please, if you have experience in how to help a depressed person or you been through the same state, leave your advice/recommendation. Thank you Steve

Kamilley Struggling
  • replies: 1

I’m new and haven’t really spoken to anyone about my anxiety/depression. I was diagnosed with PTSD/PND when my first child was born 9 years ago and after a short period on medication I came off it and tried to manage on my own. 9 years and 3 kids lat... View more

I’m new and haven’t really spoken to anyone about my anxiety/depression. I was diagnosed with PTSD/PND when my first child was born 9 years ago and after a short period on medication I came off it and tried to manage on my own. 9 years and 3 kids later and I am a total wreck. I’m an overthinker, have regular panic attacks that come out of the blue and alternate between angry/overly happy and super down very quickly. My kids deserve a happy, fun mum who takes them out places rather than a mum who panics if our routine isn’t followed or we are out the house too long. I have periods of time where I am totally numb to everything, like I have passed the panic stage and have just given up on everything. Social interaction at the moment is just in the too hard basket and I don’t have the energy to think about getting help. I would be happy just to crawl into a hole and not come out. and that’s me. I feel a bit better writing it as I don’t have anyone in my life that cares. Thanks for reading

Mr_Nate Who am I these days...
  • replies: 3

For 12 years until recently I was a carer for my now ex disabled partner doing everything for her, helping her in and out of bed, in and out of bed, on and off the toilet, cleaning and bathing her, cooking, washing, cleaning as well as spemding time ... View more

For 12 years until recently I was a carer for my now ex disabled partner doing everything for her, helping her in and out of bed, in and out of bed, on and off the toilet, cleaning and bathing her, cooking, washing, cleaning as well as spemding time with the kids and working for her father which didn't leave much time for myself. I ended up tired, depressed and was at the point where I didn't care anymore and wasn't looking after myself, lost touch of who I am, what I wanted in life. As I mentioned, I have recently moved out, still Depressed and suffering with Anxiety, gave up working with her father after the years of being treated like crap from him put-downs every day, verbal abuse and put-downs and dodging flying cups, plates and knifes most days, thing was getting pretty toxic. Now I am away from what I say was a toxic situation, I am still suffering with Depression and Anxiety, with not working and trying to live on Newstart which is $550 per fortnight and alot of free time on my hands I tend to think too much about things that's happened. I feel like now I away from that toxic situation/relationship I have lost touch with who I am, what I want in life, and being I have a low self-esteem and low confidence levels form put-downs and verbal abuse I don't know how to build up my confidence and self-esteem. What can I do? Where do I start? How do I find who I am again? I hate feeling depressed, I hate anxiety, I want to be alone alot of the time when I should be spending time with my new partner of near 2 months now

Marema Read this! It’s helping me!
  • replies: 3

I highly recommend reading “why we sleep” by Matthew Walker. the importance of rest and sleep just can’t be overlooked. I have just recently started antidepressants, after trying to manage without them for most of the year. I’ve been reading, and try... View more

I highly recommend reading “why we sleep” by Matthew Walker. the importance of rest and sleep just can’t be overlooked. I have just recently started antidepressants, after trying to manage without them for most of the year. I’ve been reading, and trying to prioritise healthy eating and enough sleep. also important and fascinating, helpful books are “good to go” by Christie Aschwanden about the science of recovery (focusses on the physical but does not at all overlook the intertwined nature of mental and physical being) ”can you die of a broken heart” by cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Nikki Stamp. also, how quickly can SNRI meds start to effect a person? Within days? Positively or side effects...

Litty Jobs and depression
  • replies: 2

My job is fast paced and there have been a lot of problems lately, I have tried to talk to my boss about them, he knows I have depression and he has not been very supportive. I don't know if my worries about work are anxiety or real. I keep breaking ... View more

My job is fast paced and there have been a lot of problems lately, I have tried to talk to my boss about them, he knows I have depression and he has not been very supportive. I don't know if my worries about work are anxiety or real. I keep breaking down in tears when talking to my boss and he has now fired me. I won't get a reference how do I get another job and stop this in future, help. Litty

Dougie A change for the worse?
  • replies: 3

Hey all, I'm new, and this will be my first time posting on any forum of any kind, so it does seem a bit strange. I'm a university student, just about to turn 21. I've had several injuries over the past year or so that have prevented me from exercisi... View more

Hey all, I'm new, and this will be my first time posting on any forum of any kind, so it does seem a bit strange. I'm a university student, just about to turn 21. I've had several injuries over the past year or so that have prevented me from exercising, and my girlfriend cheated on me as well. I don't really have any close friends; I've never really had any close friends. I saw a psychologist for the first time this week as my feelings of hopelessness and loneliness were beginning to be unbearable. I struggle constantly to display my emotions or to even feel anything. I don't feel comfortable talking to any of my friends about how I'm feeling or anything like that. I've obviously never been formally diagnosed with anything, as I've only just started seeing this psychologist, so even now I feel I'm being overdramatic. I thought going to the psychologist was going to make me feel better, but I feel far worse. I never talk about my fears or feelings to anyone and confronting them like that has made me feel even more hopeless and lonely over the past couple of days. What's happened to everyone else on the forum once they start asking for help. I feel more isolated than ever. Thanks for being out there whoever it is. Dougie

Gambit Is it my fault?
  • replies: 3

Haven’t posted here in a while. It’s not that I’ve gotten any better unfortunately, just forgot this account existed until I needed advice haha. For context, I met a guy online. We’ve been friends for a while now. In the beginning we were very close.... View more

Haven’t posted here in a while. It’s not that I’ve gotten any better unfortunately, just forgot this account existed until I needed advice haha. For context, I met a guy online. We’ve been friends for a while now. In the beginning we were very close. People would rarely see us apart, and if we were, they’d ask where the other person was. We would message almost constantly - he’d say good morning, I’d do the same, we’d talk on call for hours. Lately, it feels like things have changed. Recently he decided he wanted to start making videos. Having no knowledge of how to edit himself, I agreed to help. (I don’t know if that’s related to the issue, but context.) He made less of an effort to initiate conversation, and if we did talk over text, he’d be cold. And the only time he’d contact me was to ask about “our” work. He started to ignore me in game too, even if I tried to team up, it’d be met with dismissal. I didn’t address my issues at first, trying to avoid causing him trouble. I just let the thoughts intrusively fester in my own mind until, finally, I got fed up and confronted him. He reassured me things were the same, that I was one of his “best friends”. And for a little while I was at ease. He started to invite me occasionally, we would talk less about work and he’d initiate conversations. And then everything went back to how it had been. He’d ignore me, only text first to talk about work, reject me. I was back to feeling neglected and miserable. He’s so two faced, being cold over text, but charming on call. The back and forth is sending me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I think deep down I know, he’s just keeping me around for his videos, that this isn’t good for me. But, if it wasn’t already obvious, I’m smitten with him. (Stupid, crushing on someone online, I know.) And like all things we love, admitting they might be bad for us feels almost impossible. At least for me. It’s not just my feelings hindering my judgement, I felt like with this guy I had someone I could confide in, trust. A real friend. Now it just feels like I’m being used and I’m too desperate for him to just admit the truth. Why is he so cold over text, but acts so warm over call? Why does he go from being affectionate - praising and encouraging me - to just ignoring me? One second he makes me feel like I’m on top of the world, and like shit the next. I don’t know what to do anymore. Sorry this got so long and rambley, I guess I just needed a place to vent my thoughts.

Fromthegong New to the forum!
  • replies: 3

Good Morning, Just a quick note to introduce myself. I am new to this forum, in fact I am new to any online forum! Quick back story, I had a Panic Attack early this year, first one for nearly a decade. Left me shocked, bewildered, depressed and sever... View more

Good Morning, Just a quick note to introduce myself. I am new to this forum, in fact I am new to any online forum! Quick back story, I had a Panic Attack early this year, first one for nearly a decade. Left me shocked, bewildered, depressed and severely anxious. I have improved over the last few months, but still suffering from the aftershock which I means I am still battling with Anxiety and associated Depression. Looking forward to chatting.