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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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Scared1 Lost family
  • replies: 2

HI. I don't really know what to say. I have isolated and have no living family. And now I just lost interest in anything. Any friends are long gone. Real friends anyway. I know I have things to attend to but just can't face the world. Struggle to get... View more

HI. I don't really know what to say. I have isolated and have no living family. And now I just lost interest in anything. Any friends are long gone. Real friends anyway. I know I have things to attend to but just can't face the world. Struggle to get out of bed. Have no self esteem or confidence. Is there somewhere I can connect or talk to as I have no idea and am getting worse I know. Does anyone else experience this and get thru it all. I know I'm rambling. There is just so much pain and lonelyness since my mum who I nursed for yrs passed away. I lost contact with everyone. Hence now isolation and loneliness come with not wanting to get up and function. Im not eating or sleeping. I'm hiding from life and yet need to get things done or I'll end up homeless. I'll stop rambling. Please is there anyone who knows where I can get help or hear of positive outcomes

Eizie I compulsively lie about small things and I can’t help it
  • replies: 2

Hi, I’m new here, but I’m looking for some support in regards to lying. Ever since I was young I had a brother whom was addicted to meth and myself and my family were constantly belittled and abused verbally. I learnt to lie about everything just so ... View more

Hi, I’m new here, but I’m looking for some support in regards to lying. Ever since I was young I had a brother whom was addicted to meth and myself and my family were constantly belittled and abused verbally. I learnt to lie about everything just so it wouldn’t trigger my brother because he was a ticking time bomb and would go into rage for the smallest things, the problem is it’s continued into my adult hood and I now lie to make things seem better than they are or so I don’t get the wrong reaction out of someone. My partner is constantly frustrated because he will ask if I used something of his and if I have I say no anyway because I’m scared of the reaction (not that he reacts) and he just says “just don’t lie it’s not hard” but I honestly can’t help it, I never tell big lies just little lies but honestly I just don’t know how to stop. I’ve never spoken to someone about my problems, I have anxiety and depression also which I’m on medication for and I feel like I’m trying to hold up this persona of being so happy and bubbly that I almost think I believe it myself. I don’t even know where to start, I’m 24 and I’ve never seen someone or spoken to a professional for the hell I went through as a child/teenager and I think it’s effected everything in my life- help me

Matai88 Think I have CFS - no support from GP or anyone else in my life
  • replies: 7

Hi all I think I might have CFS, however I'm not entirely sure as it's never been diagnosed by a doctor. The closest I've been to a diagnosis was around 2 years ago when I was told that my medication was creating "CFS like symptoms" by my GP, however... View more

Hi all I think I might have CFS, however I'm not entirely sure as it's never been diagnosed by a doctor. The closest I've been to a diagnosis was around 2 years ago when I was told that my medication was creating "CFS like symptoms" by my GP, however he never provided any more advice on what to do about it. I changed GPs and medications not long after that and felt OK for a few months. Then the fatigue hit again. I haven't felt 'right' since Christmas last year. Sometimes I feel good for weeks but most of the time I'm tired, aching (muscles and joints that feel like they are about to explode), confused/foggy and I feel worse after exercise, even just a 30 minute walk. I tried a gym trial the other day and after 15 minutes of lifting light weights I was done. It took me 3 days to stop aching and feeling tired. A year ago I could ride my bike to and from work (15km each way) most days, easily do a couple of hours of yoga a week, walk for 60+ minutes and hike for a couple of hours. Now I'm lucky if I manage a 20 minute slow walk. I try my best to do an hour of hatha yoga once a week but sometimes I'm just in too much pain and too exhausted. Most of my days consist of coming to work via bus and train, then going home and collapsing on the couch. I'm depressed, grieving for who I used to be and intensely jealous of anyone in good health. I've gained 8kg since I started feeling like this. I have bought up the fatigue and pain with my doctor three times now. This usually results in my iron, vitamins and thyroid being checked (always normal) and being sent to the psychologist. My psychologist says I'm depressed but what if that's only because I have this fatigue and near constant pain? I also get monthly migraines which don't help me. I try my hardest not to dwell on my health, I use relaxation techniques and don't push myself anymore but I'm steadily feeling worse and worse. So what do you do when you have little/no support from your GP, or for that matter anyone else in your life? Whenever I try to talk to family and friends I'm met with sympathetic comments then just awkward silences or a change of subject. I'm beginning to think everyone (including my GP) thinks I'm a hypochondriac. I'm suffering here, I WANT to be healthy, active and fit, I WANT help but I don't know how to get it or who to talk to about it.

Ritz20 Feeling alone while not actually being alone...
  • replies: 1

Hi This is my first time posting something like this. I normally keep to myself about everything but lately I'm finding it hard to deal with things. I'm 27 and when I look at my life I can't really say I have achieved much. Both my parents are sick(e... View more

Hi This is my first time posting something like this. I normally keep to myself about everything but lately I'm finding it hard to deal with things. I'm 27 and when I look at my life I can't really say I have achieved much. Both my parents are sick(especially my mum. She's on dialysis) I'm also dealing with my own health issues( Lupus SLE) I used to work when I was younger but I don't anymore. I spend most my days waking up, watching TV and trying not to fall asleep during the day. I don't get out or have any friends. I've tried in the past to make friends but I get stressed and just ruin everything. I have a partner but she lives in another state and is also dealing with her own anxieties and depression. Lately It's been getting harder too deal with everything. I'm constantly feeling alone but I'm always surrounded by loved ones. I just don't ever feel like being near people and I'm constantly shutting myself off from everyone and everything. I find it extremely hard to show emotions with anything and I'm always too tired or in to much pain to go out and do anything. I just hate everything for no reason. I have no motivation for anything and I don't have anyone I can talk to. I've seen a psychologist and yes she helped a little bit but it wasn't enough. Anyway. I wasn't feeling great and needed somewhere I could share my worries. Thanks

fred2018 Tips to deal with irritability
  • replies: 5

Hi I would love to hear how different people deal with irritability either medication induced, like when you start a new medication and it worsens your mood or just irritability caused by depression/anxiety symptoms on their own or a combination whic... View more

Hi I would love to hear how different people deal with irritability either medication induced, like when you start a new medication and it worsens your mood or just irritability caused by depression/anxiety symptoms on their own or a combination which can be fun aswell hah. I use music and other distractions but would love to hear from others. Cheers

luminouspotato How do I get help?
  • replies: 1

Hi, I have been struggling with depression for a few years, but lately it's gotten so so much worse. To the point where I don't know if anything is really worth it anymore. I'm in pain all the time and I just want everything to stop for a while. I fe... View more

Hi, I have been struggling with depression for a few years, but lately it's gotten so so much worse. To the point where I don't know if anything is really worth it anymore. I'm in pain all the time and I just want everything to stop for a while. I feel like I really need someone to talk to. And so I have this friend who knows about my depression and is super supportive of me and is just great. But we don't talk much and when we do I feel like it's usually about how I am and how things are going for me. I feel really really guilty about this and so I started to just lie to him and tell him I'm fine, then at least he won't be worrying about me and he'll be okay. But he can tell when I'm lying and I feel like I'm just making him feel bad about it. I also don't want to burden him with all my problems and just drag him down. I don't know what to do. But if I don't talk to him then I have nobody else to talk to and everything is just getting so bad and I just can't. I really just need to talk to him about everything, he is the only person that I feel like I can talk to. But I feel like I'm being selfish and taking advantage of the fact that he is nice and is willing to listen, so that I am just putting all my problems onto his shoulders - too much for him to handle and just dragging him down to my level. I just can't handle this by myself anymore. But I don't want to be one of those people that hurt him while trying to help myself. If that makes any sense. I don't really know what I'm doing and I just don't know how to get help or do anything anymore. I don't want to feel this crap all the time but I don't want to hurt anybody else while I'm trying to fix that. I just don't know

London11 Feeling disconnected
  • replies: 1

Im going to start by saying that im a very private person and coming on here is a big step for me. I have recently quit my job after many years of bullying and not being listened to, finding work has been incredibly hard. It was a weight lifted off m... View more

Im going to start by saying that im a very private person and coming on here is a big step for me. I have recently quit my job after many years of bullying and not being listened to, finding work has been incredibly hard. It was a weight lifted off my shoulders quitting work but i still struggle day to day. I struggle to sleep, have disturbing dreams and feel very disconnected. Most of my life i have always been there for others, helping them anyway o can. I recently told one of my friends that i will be focusing on myself and have been completely cut from there life. I feel alone. My mother has been a rock for me, my partner tries to but cares more for his ex wifes needs. I have always felt that im a burden to everyone, and feel mentally exhausted.

Boxer123 New user dealing with depression
  • replies: 2

I am a high-functioning alcoholic and recovering drug addict with recurrent depression issues who has so far largely refused help from medical professionals. About five years ago after nearly 15-years off hard drugs I relapsed and began using heroin ... View more

I am a high-functioning alcoholic and recovering drug addict with recurrent depression issues who has so far largely refused help from medical professionals. About five years ago after nearly 15-years off hard drugs I relapsed and began using heroin again to cope with the stresses of work, where I was expected to do two peoples’ jobs while being gas-lighted and undermined by an incompetent boss. Because I was making good money (six figures) I was able to cultivate a substantial addiction in a very short period of time, all the while continuing my heavy drinking which had been a constant throughout my life. After repeated attempts to kill off my heroin habit over the next three years, I finally relented and sought medical advice. I was put on the methadone program for the next two years. Three months ago I quit methadone cold turkey – not an easy thing to do due to its long half-life. Initially I felt much better after the 10-day sickness passed, but for the past couple of months I have been crushed by periods of crippling depression. Sometimes I have been able to manage this by drinking, but just as often I can’t get out of bed for days at a time and have zero appetite – in the past three days I’ve eaten just one banana. I desperately want to get over this sickness but am struggling to see a clear way through. I thought killing off the methadone would help, but now I’m just swamped with dark thoughts that simply won’t leave. Not even sure why I’m posting this here, it just feels like something I need to share with someone, somewhere.

Ravenclaw5 How do you cope day-to-day when it gets tough?
  • replies: 8

I’ve had depression for about 10 years. It very much comes in cycles for me. Sometimes I will be travelling pretty well and then it creeps back in. I often avoid it and don’t do much to help myself until it gets really bad and I end up being self-des... View more

I’ve had depression for about 10 years. It very much comes in cycles for me. Sometimes I will be travelling pretty well and then it creeps back in. I often avoid it and don’t do much to help myself until it gets really bad and I end up being self-destructive. I don’t really have much family/friend support but I’ve always seen GPs/Pscyhologists/Psychiatrists. However, I’ve recently moved towns and haven’t yet connected with any health services. I feel like I just go through cycles of counselling (which costs so much money) and I don’t really pick up any new strategies that actually make a difference/that I genuinely want to use. I stress about how much it costs when I don’t feel like they have given me any helpful strategies (although I do feel better talking to them). Right now, I’m struggling to get through the day. I work in a job that is very people-oriented and requires me to be pretty aware and on-my-game. At the moment, I’m so anxious about completing daily tasks that I just can’t even start them. When I’m at work, my mind feels fuzzy and I struggle to communicate with people (which is the main part of my job). I just don’t want to be around anyone. I kind of want to push through my symptoms of depression and anxiety because in the past I’ve given in and given up completely. I’ve quit many jobs and broken down at many different workplaces from getting to this point. I feel like I’m at breaking point in this job now too. I’m worried if I keep doing what I’m doing, I’ll break down at work and end up quitting in a moment of desperation. If I did leave, I don’t want it to be like that. Also, it’s extremely difficult to get more than a day or two off work so I cant take any extended time off or anything to just reset (I don’t think time off would help me at all as this intensifies my anxiety). Do I take one day off? Do I just keep pushing past the symptoms and try to not fall apart at work? Do I quit this job and try and find something less stressful, where I can have more flexibility to manage my mental health? Does anyone have any strategies to stop yourself just completely falling apart when you just have to go to work/look after kids/etc? Do you just push through to get things done? Im going and getting a referral to a psychologist this afternoon but I need immediate strategies.

Guest_934 I have a well paid job, enrolled in a top degree bit why I am still feeling depressed? Feeling like I just woke up and wondered how I got here!
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, It's been a few years since my last post. I thought I could keep everything in my life under control. But now, I'm feeling super anxious and depressed. I'm in a well paid job, I'm financially secure (for the first time ever) and now I'm ... View more

Hi everyone, It's been a few years since my last post. I thought I could keep everything in my life under control. But now, I'm feeling super anxious and depressed. I'm in a well paid job, I'm financially secure (for the first time ever) and now I'm doing night classes for a professional degree and yet I'm still down. I can feel myself unraveling at the seams and I can't stop it. I'm starting to avoid work and taking more sick leave and I'm handing my assignments in late for uni. My job is good but my boss at work is bullying me and I feel it's because she can sense I'm depressed but I can't leave my job because I'm supporting a sick parent. My law degree is highly competitive and I'm starting to really doubt myself and now I'm not attending classes. I thought it was my dream degree but I'm guessing I enrolled so I could find a viable way out of my current dysfunctional job. I feel like I'm sabotaging myself and feel helpless. I've decided to go back to therapy but I'm not sure if that will help and my meds just make me feel numb. Has anyone just woken up one day and wondered where their life went and how they got here?