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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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paranoid_android How to find a job when your mental health is in shreds
  • replies: 4

I've suffered from severe depression and anxiety for over 10 years. I have spent much of my life on welfare living day-to-day. I've given up on having a financially secure existence and see it as a joke now. That's not to say that I haven't been empl... View more

I've suffered from severe depression and anxiety for over 10 years. I have spent much of my life on welfare living day-to-day. I've given up on having a financially secure existence and see it as a joke now. That's not to say that I haven't been employed. I've worked mostly in call centers that are, for lack of a better term, soul-crushing environments. Demanding KPI requirements (often impossible) and job insecurity would have had a massive impact on my mental health, more so than I gave credit for at the time. I've been poor for so long that I've just become used to precariatism and I think I underestimate the impact my financial situation has on my anxiety. I've been taking steps to improve my life but have hit a roadblock in terms of what I can achieve within the limits of my financial situation. I'm currently studying at University but most of the students in my degree are significantly younger than me and they don't really socialise. Uni also doesn't pay. I want a job; not just for the money but also for somewhere to go and to be part of a group. I need the structure, I need the socialisation. My experiences with employment have been so negative, my brain has wired itself to be extremely pessimistic when it comes to jobseeking. It also doesn't help when there are seemingly no jobs anywhere suitable for me. Everything on seek.com etc is call centers, sales, hospitality or requires previous experience or transport. I don't drive and my only experience is in a field I would rather not re-enter (call centers). I'm 33 now and it is very difficult to compete with hundreds of thousands of more well-adjusted younger people all fighting in a job market where there are not enough jobs in the first place. I guess what I am getting at is I am wondering what options I have? My studies are my priority and I'm not looking for a job that is going to demand my complete devotion to the company. I just want something I can rock up to, do the job then go home. I need something that is low-stress, not because it's easy but because my brain literally cannot cope with that stress anymore. Something that I can do part-time or casual around my university schedule. Not having a job is slowly killing me. I want to work but have no idea how. Are there any places that exist that can help me find what I am looking for? Job providers don't assist you unless you are an active jobseeker on Newstart. They also don't really have an appreciation for mental health.

David Nobody Sadness or Depression
  • replies: 4

My thoughts When you are sad, some memories can make you happy When you are depressed, memories just make you sad Sadness brings tears, but then they go away Depression brings tears, they stay and everything else goes away If you are sad, friends can... View more

My thoughts When you are sad, some memories can make you happy When you are depressed, memories just make you sad Sadness brings tears, but then they go away Depression brings tears, they stay and everything else goes away If you are sad, friends can help If you are depressed, what friends? Sadness doesn’t affect your memory Depression just makes you stupid You are sad for a specific reason You are depressed for no reason at all Sadness passes and is forgotten Depression stays forever, and is remembered forever People provide comfort for free when you are sad Depression costs money Empathy is easy for sadness Pity is easy for depression Everyone gets sad Only you are depressed The hard part is getting “people” to understand.

mr_magoo fearof change
  • replies: 3

I have a fear of change how can i control it At the moment i am too scared to do anything.Its like i don't want to help myself does anyone have similar issues and how do you deal with them

I have a fear of change how can i control it At the moment i am too scared to do anything.Its like i don't want to help myself does anyone have similar issues and how do you deal with them

Kim40 A strange town alone ,no friends
  • replies: 2

I'm 47 years old and left my partner two years ago,after 22 years and moved to a new town ,I'm not social ,and I can't make friends I live alone and don't have contact with anyone I'm scared to go out and shopping is a nightmare cause I'm paranoid pe... View more

I'm 47 years old and left my partner two years ago,after 22 years and moved to a new town ,I'm not social ,and I can't make friends I live alone and don't have contact with anyone I'm scared to go out and shopping is a nightmare cause I'm paranoid people are looking at me,I'm very lonely now

Tolpo Work injury
  • replies: 4

Been off work stuck in the house for 12 months and recently reinjured myself at rehab and it looks like along long time before I recover if at all living on painkillers my doctor I call the Google doctor he just googles everything I don’t want to eve... View more

Been off work stuck in the house for 12 months and recently reinjured myself at rehab and it looks like along long time before I recover if at all living on painkillers my doctor I call the Google doctor he just googles everything I don’t want to even talk to him about my depression I just need to vent to someone as my thoughts are notgood ones

Phnx2405 WHEN THE DARKNESS COMES CALLING
  • replies: 2

Even on days of clear blue, beautiful skies; the darkness comes calling The inner monolog is so loud you cannot hear the outside world The inane whispers and screams alike, drowning and falling Lost in the self contained chaos with little to no wisdo... View more

Even on days of clear blue, beautiful skies; the darkness comes calling The inner monolog is so loud you cannot hear the outside world The inane whispers and screams alike, drowning and falling Lost in the self contained chaos with little to no wisdoms of pearl No suicidal thought is spared No more tears left to shed When the darkness comes calling Break down after a long day of trying to hold it together Every scar, a seam that was slowly unraveling with anxiety tugging at loose threads Crying in a heap, not a grey cloud above Better off dead, better off dead No suicidal thought spared No more tears left to shed When the darkness comes calling No time like the present standing still No more blood left to spill When the darkness comes calling Broken and beaten Life is so fleeting Pulling myself apart but not yet given up Scratching and clawing Begging for relief Pounding of this beautifully broken heart My tears have dusted over like antiquities of pain Wounds grown over like tumours of tainted memories One more incision is only a bad decision away One more knot is not enough to choke away the misery Even on days of clear blue, beautiful skies; the darkness comes calling And even at my strongest I struggle to not say goodbye It’s hard to keep ignoring when each call could be the end No suicidal thought is spare, no more tears left to shed…

Jen_Verona I've never felt so shattered
  • replies: 3

Hi. I've never reached out like this, but for the last while (could be weeks, could be months, I don't know anymore) I've felt just destroyed. Shattered. On the outside I look fine, but almost every time I get a moment of privacy I break down and eit... View more

Hi. I've never reached out like this, but for the last while (could be weeks, could be months, I don't know anymore) I've felt just destroyed. Shattered. On the outside I look fine, but almost every time I get a moment of privacy I break down and either cry or have a panic attack. I've seen a psychologist about the panic but not about the other side of it. It's a crushing feeling in my chest and throat that never goes away. It makes me snappy and distant at my friends/family and I'm afraid of losing them if this keeps going, so I work really hard to hide this constant, soul-sapping feeling from those around me. I've never felt this low before, never been diagnosed with depression (only social anxiety and mild panic), and am looking for any advice. Thanks.

Chestburster Current job triggering depression
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I changed job recently and have struggled with the new job, due to the following: - Constantly long hours (50 hours/week vs 38 hours stated on contract). I actually accepted the contract due to the stated hours because I was seeking for work-... View more

Hi all, I changed job recently and have struggled with the new job, due to the following: - Constantly long hours (50 hours/week vs 38 hours stated on contract). I actually accepted the contract due to the stated hours because I was seeking for work-life balance as I need to look after a family member with disability. - Lack of control over problems I get blamed for. Problems are caused by other teams or system issues that are beyond my scope/authority to change, but there's expectation for myself to always get it right. This results in working overtime to resolve issues created elsewhere. - At times, incomplete communication or last-minute instruction change, meaning I could be working for certain tasks for days just to have to redo them all over again. I've communicated above issues to my line manager, but this trend still continues, as my employer is very disorganised and slow to improve (for example, a critical project could be delayed for 10 years due to mismanagement). The pay is decent, but it's repeatedly triggering my depression and anxiety. I dread going to work every morning and have to cover up my unhappiness during my interaction with collegues. I barely have the mindspace and free time to do job hunt after getting home from work, so I usually do it on weekends only. I've been tempted to quit without having anything lined up, but I'm concious employers prefer to recruit someone still employed. I did quit a job earlier in my career and found another job three months later, but at my current level of seniority, the competition is more intense, so I prefer to not risk it if possible. I know that I need to toughen up and continue to search for a new job. It's just at times (like right now), I feel overwhelmed and I'm too ashamed to being opened about my depression. I wonder if other members here have been in the same situation and what did you do to manage it.

EspressoAndDepresso Birthday Depression and Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi just wanted to get this off my mind I just turned 21 on Saturday and had been planning my party for ages, spending money etc. which I really don't have as I just wanted a happy night. The night came and I was riddled with anxiety which only grew t... View more

Hi just wanted to get this off my mind I just turned 21 on Saturday and had been planning my party for ages, spending money etc. which I really don't have as I just wanted a happy night. The night came and I was riddled with anxiety which only grew throughout the night. My friends weren't having fun and I was stressed and having a panic attack. People started leaving by 9pm which is bad and I could barely stay awake and keep myself from crying. By 10pm it was only my closest friends left and we pretty much went straight to bed. In the few days after until now I've been so depressed as my birthday sucked and I feel bad inviting people over for a bad night and I made myself and my parents help and stress so much and spend money we don't have on a party that turned out terrible. I didn't allow time for my family to spend time with me, didn't cut cake, didn't get my family's presents or anything and I just feel so terrible and told my mum i feel bad and could tell she felt like she did a good job and i was telling her that it sucked. It's all a mess and I feel horrible. I wish I had just had a family birthday without friends there instead of spending my time crying for the past 4 days. Anyone else experienced the worst time?

MotherofDragons 26.Depressed.Overweight.mother.seperated?
  • replies: 4

I’m just an absolute mess. Watching my two beautiful kids sleeping. Crying my eyes out because my husband told me for the second time in as many months that he is thinking about separating and is unhappy in our marriage because I am overweight. ive a... View more

I’m just an absolute mess. Watching my two beautiful kids sleeping. Crying my eyes out because my husband told me for the second time in as many months that he is thinking about separating and is unhappy in our marriage because I am overweight. ive always had weight gain issues - not going to make any excuse for it. After two kids I’ve gained a total of 26kgs (leaving me at 96kgs). i put everyone in our family before myself to ensure their happiness. And when I get a second to myself I just want to rest. I seriously just want to not have to think, just relax and have something to eat. Ive been battling with depression (and anxiety) since 2008 and have been medicated since. I don’t want to seperate. I love my husband so much. I love our family. I am frightened. And so hurt. So so hurt by what he has said about me, to me. How can you say that to your wife? and now I have thoughts that maybe I should leave him because of how hurtful his words have been. Hes acting like this doesn’t effect him at all. But he’s talking like he’s already preparing for a separation. Theres no support. There’s no checking on me to see if I’m ok. No word on how we’re going - if things are looking up or getting worse. Nothing. Just his life continues as normal. And I am absolutely shattered. I hate feeling this depressed. Please someone say something that is going to make it better. Please