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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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keyofreason bipolar type 2 - value of validity
  • replies: 4

so long story short after years of displaying bipolar-like symptoms I saw a doctor who brought up bipolar and who referred me to a psychiatrist who assessed me. at the time I had thought the psych focusing on my gender but later was accidentally give... View more

so long story short after years of displaying bipolar-like symptoms I saw a doctor who brought up bipolar and who referred me to a psychiatrist who assessed me. at the time I had thought the psych focusing on my gender but later was accidentally given a copy of his assessment and found that he had indeed been assessing me for bipolar and had found it very likely that I was ‘in the prodormal stages of a bipolar-like illness’. the symptoms have only increased over the year since then, with hypomanic episodes fairly uncommon at three-six proper ones a year seeming to be my standard, but that’s kind of irrelevant I think. I’m on medication for bipolar but due to an unhelpful accusatory doctor I don’t believe I’m at a therapeutic level yet. without going into too much detail, I was stuck with a very unsupportive shrink for some time who insisted I was an unreliable attention seeker, and now I find myself in the adult world wondering if I’m even supposed to try and have professional validity in the form of actual diagnosis anymore. I feel a crushing need to be able to ‘prove’ what’s wrong with me, and to have the validity to fall back on rather than my current spiral of “nothing is wrong and you’re just being an idiot”. It seems to me that there is overwhelming evidence including a psychiatric assessment pointing to a valid diagnosis being possible but now I’m so turned around by the bad shrink that I just don’t know what to do. I can’t even feel comfortable referring to my hypomanic episodes as such even though that’s exactly what they are, simply because I feel like I need professional validation. What are your takes on this? Is it even worth trying to get this confirmed? Most of the time I don’t even care cause I just feel like trash and expect nothing to matter, but other times I just burn with the need to be able to say “This is what’s causing these behaviours, and I can prove it,”.

Saladdressing Life just feels meaningless.. existential depression?
  • replies: 4

And it’s not like I haven’t tried to or don’t try to create meaning in my life. I’m about to finish my master’s degree, I have a job in my field even before graduating, I have friends and family that care about me but I just see no point to any of it... View more

And it’s not like I haven’t tried to or don’t try to create meaning in my life. I’m about to finish my master’s degree, I have a job in my field even before graduating, I have friends and family that care about me but I just see no point to any of it anymore? I’ve had cyclical bouts of depression all my life but this time around it seems to be the the worst. I got better and discontinued therapy but am finding myself going back to see a counsellor this week it feels neverending. I guess I’m just getting my feelings of my chest cos frankly I don’t think any of my friends understand or can relate. I genuinely think the world is going to shit. There are things that bring me immense joy and I try to submerge myself in them as much as I like for example, astronomy, live music and reading. But on a social level I just feel empty like I cannot connect with anyone and even if I do there are things I may judge them for because they feel like a product of what this world has become. Hookup culture for example, I’m nowhere ready for a serious relationship because I want to heal from past wounds and better manage my depression. But it just makes me sad how people have become disposable. You see how rampant the use of online dating sites is in my age group and it just makes me sad there’s nothing real or of substance anymore. It literally feels like shopping for people, like people are just objects to swipe right or left on, their value and worth based on their appearance. And you give up so easily on somebody because there’ll be 10 others you can find with the tap of your thumb. I guess I’m just rambling. I feel like I have no one to talk to who’ll understand and I don’t want to burden anyone but I need to focus on my assignments for uni so just thought I’d clear my head until it’s time to discuss this more with my counsellor in person. Thank you to anyone who’s read this so far.

Florin1 Where do you go when you’ve tried everything?
  • replies: 3

Here in middle age I realise that I’ve been depressed, on and off but always lingering somewhere in the background, for more than 30 years. I have been able to access psychologists, psychiatrists, councillors, CBT courses etc not just here in Austral... View more

Here in middle age I realise that I’ve been depressed, on and off but always lingering somewhere in the background, for more than 30 years. I have been able to access psychologists, psychiatrists, councillors, CBT courses etc not just here in Australia but also in big teaching hospitals in the US and Canada while I was working there, and also in Western Europe at various times. Whatever help has been available I’ve tried. I’ve been on various antidepressants for many of those years. Here I still am, unable to see how to make life bearable despite having an amazing job that allows me a huge amount of creative freedom, a very loving and supportive partner who would do anything to help me feel better, no money worries, a beautiful house etc I have grown to hate the adverts and campaigns to ask for help, because for me it just hasn’t helped, so when I see those I feel like I’m beyond hope. My GP is great but having sent me to 3 or 4 different specialists (psychs etc) I feel that I’m exhausting possibilities. I go to each one so hopeful, so ready to try damn well anything to feel better. I never do. I do know that depression runs in my family. And it’s a curse. And I feel that mine is getting worse as I get older. I just feel broken.

FigTree Hopeless and exhausted
  • replies: 3

How do you keep going when you feel completely directionless, alone, and exhausted by everything going on in life? No self-care strategy is working, and no professionals I've spoken to have actually been helpful. I often feel like my mental health is... View more

How do you keep going when you feel completely directionless, alone, and exhausted by everything going on in life? No self-care strategy is working, and no professionals I've spoken to have actually been helpful. I often feel like my mental health is so complex, that no professional is really equipped to properly support me - currently waiting for an appointment with a psychiatrist, but any tips welcome (that are unlikely to have already been tried) xo

Darkedawn Depression symtpons
  • replies: 2

Is it possible to have all the symptoms (or most) of depression and not have it?

Is it possible to have all the symptoms (or most) of depression and not have it?

mmads1 I don't know what to do anymore
  • replies: 1

I feel as if I'm turning into the person I've always feared. One who feels as if they cannot ever be the best version of themselves. All I feel like I'm doing is hurting the one I love because I become so insecure. My flaws create me to become so def... View more

I feel as if I'm turning into the person I've always feared. One who feels as if they cannot ever be the best version of themselves. All I feel like I'm doing is hurting the one I love because I become so insecure. My flaws create me to become so defensive, so defensive that I begin to take out my anger on others with vocally. I want to be better, there's no doubt about that. I want to not lose my temper. I just keep crying at night, hating myself for who I am and what I can become. I always try to be helpful to my friends and be kind, but there's always this hidden part of me that can come out and I want it to go away. I need help and advice on how to change. I don't want to be the person who lets there insecurities hurt others. I need to find out ways that I can better myself and not get sad, angry and jealous in a romantic relationship. I just want to find ways to also feel a greater amount of self love and to learn how to handle more situations calmly in the moment, rather than exploding. Thank you for reading.

Laz19 Help
  • replies: 8

I don’t know what to do anymore, I can’t make friends or relationships. Everyday it is becoming harder to go to work and the gym because I don’t know what I’m doing it for. Im finding it hard to enjoy things anymore and struggle to leave the house. I... View more

I don’t know what to do anymore, I can’t make friends or relationships. Everyday it is becoming harder to go to work and the gym because I don’t know what I’m doing it for. Im finding it hard to enjoy things anymore and struggle to leave the house. I wish someone would just show me what to do to feel good again.

Laz19 Help me please
  • replies: 7

I sit at home and play video games all day or go to the gym or walk the dogs. I do nothing else, not by choice. All my friends never have time for me, never invite me to things. Im terrible at social connections now, even with people I call my friend... View more

I sit at home and play video games all day or go to the gym or walk the dogs. I do nothing else, not by choice. All my friends never have time for me, never invite me to things. Im terrible at social connections now, even with people I call my friends I never feel like I can connect. Im depressed, everything I try and do be it friends, relationship or work blows up in my face. I don’t see why I bother anymore and maybe that’s why I don’t try anymore. im a disappointment to my parents, I’ve achieved nothing in the time since I left school and things have only gotten worse since then. Now nothing makes me happy, I have no one to talk too. I don’t know what to do anymore, it’s been so long and im just tired of it all.

Mayfreed Ashamed, middle aged, feeling at rock bottom
  • replies: 11

I am 46 and have long dealt with depression and anxiety, I have been separated for 2 and a half years now and have been managing well, I have a good job I enjoy although am quite a bit older than my colleagues, and although they are lovely this can f... View more

I am 46 and have long dealt with depression and anxiety, I have been separated for 2 and a half years now and have been managing well, I have a good job I enjoy although am quite a bit older than my colleagues, and although they are lovely this can feel very isolating at times. I thought I was doing better after my separation and have been on a couple of dating sites but remove myself shortly afterwards because it is a blow to my self esteem. Last night I went out with some drinks with a friend and ended up inviting a man in his 20s who I had been chatting to on a dating site to my apartment. I thought it was flattering for someone to tell me I am sexy. I ended up having sex with this much younger person who I don’t even know, which is out of character for me, my little apartment has been my sanctuary since my separation and I don’t let many people in here, which is why I feel so ridiculous and bereft. I know this person is not unsafe and have respectfully asked that he does not contact me again. I feel like a pathetic, middle age woman and I am so ashamed and embarrassed. I don’t want to leave my apartment today, I don’t want the world to see my face. I feel so alone, I thought I was doing well but this feels like an absolute low point that I am not sure how to move on from. I have managed to shower and absolutely had to put fresh sheets on my bed. I know I need to avoid alcohol, I think I’d be too ashamed to even tell this to my counsellor. Does this happen to other people?

Sammmmmmm123 Am I depressed?
  • replies: 2

For the past 3 years I've had some depressive symptoms but I don't know if I actually have it. Those symptoms are: 1) It's hard to get out of bed in the morning (because I dread school, I have undiagnosed S.A.D. and I'm always at the library by mysel... View more

For the past 3 years I've had some depressive symptoms but I don't know if I actually have it. Those symptoms are: 1) It's hard to get out of bed in the morning (because I dread school, I have undiagnosed S.A.D. and I'm always at the library by myself because of this crippling social phobia) 2) I cry sometimes at night 3) Sometimes I'd want to be dead for a day to see if anyone really cares 4) I get angry/fustrated over small things sometimes (apparently that's a symptom of depression) 5) Feeling demotivated at school 6) I'm kept awake at night thinking of why I'm the way I am and other stuff But also I still get enjoyment from music and video games. And my weight is normal, I think. Also am I doomed to be homeless if I make it to 18 because I'll be too socially anxious to get a job? Because I'm 15, and my S.A.D. has only been getting worse. The future doesn't look too bright, even though my grades are pretty good. :c