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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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Twixbar The world is flying by me and Im stuck here
  • replies: 9

Hi! This is my first thread - Im not really sure how it works and Im not really sure I know what I want to say. I am lonely and scared - Ive always surrounded myself with high achievers and in the past, that made me grow and better myself but now, it... View more

Hi! This is my first thread - Im not really sure how it works and Im not really sure I know what I want to say. I am lonely and scared - Ive always surrounded myself with high achievers and in the past, that made me grow and better myself but now, it just drowns me. I advocate for mental health and looking out for friends and family who are down but when it comes to myself I have no compassion. I cannot love myself - I feel broken and betrayed by myself. I feel like a failure - when one thing goes right, 20 things go wrong for me. Logically, I know my life is still pretty good despite my condition - I shouldnt be like this but I am and that makes me feel worse. My family don't understand how I am feeling and just tell me to get over it - every else has. But now I am on anti-depressants and can't control my emotions or motivation and I cannot tell my family. I have to lie about my expenses to see psychological help and get medication and I feel so separated from them, so separated from my high achieving friends who keep progressing with their amazing lives while im stuck here. The whole world is flying by me and Im just stuck here.

Nervouscss Bipolar and looking for guidance
  • replies: 2

Hi, I’m new here and I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar for about 6 months now although I was incorrectly diagnosed with major despressive disorder for the last 5 years. I also suffer from really bad social anxiety. I’m a 19 year old female and I strug... View more

Hi, I’m new here and I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar for about 6 months now although I was incorrectly diagnosed with major despressive disorder for the last 5 years. I also suffer from really bad social anxiety. I’m a 19 year old female and I struggle every day with bipolar even though I’m on 3 different types of medication to help get it under control. I can’t hold a job due to my mania being too intense and my depression being too bad so money is a serious problem for me. I was on Centrelink for study but I couldn’t continue studying because my brain is so dead I can’t stay focused on anything and it’s really hard for me to process information. The only time I leave my house is for doctor appointments and to see my psychologist. The only financial support I have is my mum and my boyfriend which they insist is fine but it makes me feel so helpless. I’ve got very few friends since finishing school and none of them know about my mental state. I feel like I need to get a job or study like everyone else my age (which my extended family members have rudely pointed out) but with my unstable moods and extreme anxiety about leaving my house, this feels practically impossible. I feel trapped inside my head all day every day. I wish I could see my psychologist more often but with my money issues, I can only see her once a month if I’m lucky because of my mental health plan. I’ve already tried going to my local mental health unit but the only thing the “psychiatrist” told me was to lose weight (I’m slightly overweight due to being on so much medication) and make more friends. I’m not confident in the public mental health unit anymore since hearing that. I was made to feel like this is all my fault and maybe I should just get over it which is physically impossible. I try to act as okay as I can around my mum as she’s already stressed enough about her work and the rest of my brothers. I have 0 confidence and self esteem even though I’m trying to improve my body positivity through exercising every day but losing weight isn’t going to help what’s going on in my head and I fear I’ve also developed an addiction for exercise and I’m very conscious about what I eat and how many calories I consume in a day. I’m really struggling with myself mentally and physically and I feel my life lacks so much substance but I’m so mentally tired all the time and it’s just so hard to try and stay positive. I’m constantly in a dull state and I really don’t know who to turn to anymore.

derpytwins I feel alone
  • replies: 1

One of the many problems i have in my day to day life is that i feel alone... i know i have family and teachers i can talk to but i don't feel like they are helping enough for me to be past it... it's very hard for me to feel happy but so easy to mak... View more

One of the many problems i have in my day to day life is that i feel alone... i know i have family and teachers i can talk to but i don't feel like they are helping enough for me to be past it... it's very hard for me to feel happy but so easy to make me feel unwanted, hurt, depressed... this is really annoying for me to where i just want to stay in my room and cry and sleep and don't get up for hours. i have been doing therapy for 2 years once a month and 4 months of group therapy every Monday Tuesday and Thursday. But i feel like it isn't working like since everyone else i have seen do therapy gets better and i'm not it makes me feel alone...

Merced Sex will suffice.
  • replies: 3

I’ve been suffering from clinical depression for a while now, but only recently diagnosed. The mental health nurse I had been seeing since I was 15 for things like anxiety and anger. I miss those days — At least I actually felt something. In the last... View more

I’ve been suffering from clinical depression for a while now, but only recently diagnosed. The mental health nurse I had been seeing since I was 15 for things like anxiety and anger. I miss those days — At least I actually felt something. In the last few months my mental health nurse had packed up and moved. I had only just started learning how to manage my depression with the aid of my MH nurss and was prescribed medication. I live in a rural area and allied health was a luxury which has now been taken away with nothing to compensate. I’ve been left alone to deal with this empty pit in my stomach that I was not ready to deal with alone again. I’ve explored other avenues, I kept at my medication until it ran out, but I felt no different on or off it. I refuse to go see my GP without allied health but find it impossible for me to unload 5 years worth of therapy on to someone new. I’ve tried getting high, which just left me feeling the same. To make a long story short, the only thing that has worked for me is sex. Or anything sexual. It’s only a brief feeling but when I have sex I actually feel something. Even if it’s regret, anger, sadness, happiness, whichever... It’s something. I’ve only recently lost my virginity September last year but find myself thinking about it all the time; wanting it all the time. For the record I don’t sleep with anyone willy nilly. I like to pick and choose who it’s with, I like the romance. Nothing more. I don’t care for the men I’m with and none of them care for me I hope. I feel like I’ve sunken myself into a pattern that I don’t particularly care for but I’m not in a rush to get out of. I’m still lonely and I still feel numb every other hour of the day. I don’t really know if I’m asking for advice or looking for affirmation or whatever, I think I’m just speaking out loud.

elegantDownfall I don't feel wanted in this world
  • replies: 2

Hi Beyond Blue Forums, I've been feeling rather down and very much unwanted by the people in my life. I feel like I'm always second-rate, used and will never ever be good enough for anyone. My friends and family are all very talented, high achievers ... View more

Hi Beyond Blue Forums, I've been feeling rather down and very much unwanted by the people in my life. I feel like I'm always second-rate, used and will never ever be good enough for anyone. My friends and family are all very talented, high achievers and aim for good careers and a solid future. Me on the other hand, I'm always supporting my friends dreams, encouraging them to take chances and feeling happy for them. I try my best to work hard and do well, hoping that one day I'll be able to shine and stand next to them. But I realised, no matter how much I try, how much time and effort I put in- I'll never be good enough for anything, I'll never be able to succeed and I'm just not going to have a future. My parents at home are supportive of me, but they don't see the whole picture. They kind of feel that if I'm well fed and have a roof over my head, then I'll be happy. I'm also limited to how much emotion I can show in my household. Since my family has always been very large and happy - with no one ever having a history of mental/emotional issues, they don't really understand how to deal with someone been upset or going through a phase of emotional breakdowns. Overall I just don't feel very wanted. I feel that my friends kind of have me there just for the support. They'll use me once and then kind of throw me away. I'm always second-rate in everything, I'll never stand out and I kind of accepted that I will never be special to anyone. I always feel isolated from this world, tired and really just want to give up.

ScarlettR Does heat cause mental illness?
  • replies: 2

As it's well known, Australia has intense heatwaves. In recent years, the summers had gotten hotter (global warming?) and the Bureau of Meteorology said that heatwaves could cause mental illness. I agree with this. Any thoughts?

As it's well known, Australia has intense heatwaves. In recent years, the summers had gotten hotter (global warming?) and the Bureau of Meteorology said that heatwaves could cause mental illness. I agree with this. Any thoughts?

white knight Mood changers
  • replies: 5

It is understandable that those with mental illness are more moody. An extreme of this is bipolar. Moods are an inherent part of day to day life...such is why mood stabilizer medication is usually prescribed. Along with such medication, bipolar or no... View more

It is understandable that those with mental illness are more moody. An extreme of this is bipolar. Moods are an inherent part of day to day life...such is why mood stabilizer medication is usually prescribed. Along with such medication, bipolar or not, we should seek a bundle of remedies to approach our illness. Just like relaxation is good for anxiety and therapy good for BPD sufferers, a multi pronged approach is the best way. With moods we can add these ideas to our arsenal. We have several body sensors that can trigger good feelings and alter our mood. Hearing. How many of you have a change in mood when you turn the music on? Make sure you select the up tempo happy music though or your mood can plummet as mine did recently when a sad song from the 1970's reminded me of my dash to the bush escaping society. Eyes. Look up. See the blue sky. Today a neighbor told me he saw 13 wedgetailed eagles in the sky at one time. Wow! Clouds, wow! Look at nature. Adore the animals in the sanctuary. Observe. Skin. How many of us welcome a hug? Just someone touching us. Words aren't always needed. Argh...someone is here, that's good, that's peaceful...I'm not alone.... Taste. A mint. A simple lolly can distract your mind that's in a bad place. I love cooking, different tastes. It's turned into a hobby that changes my mood. careful not to bake cakes....they flop = bad mood. Instead I cook thins easily done like donuts, vegetable pies and Anzac biscuits. It also gets positive reaction from family taste testers. That boost confidence. Smell. Ever got out of a car at the top of a mountain or in a forest and taken a deep breath? Argh...that's so nice. What about picking roses from your garden and placing them in a vase in eyeshot of your seating position in the lounge? You instantly smile as you sit down. A mood stimulator!! With the mind we should feed it. Give it what it wants. What is clear is that just remaining stagnant saying to yourself "I'm in a bad mood" is not allowing for any stimulation and we don't believe we can be stimulated because of our mindset. Bad moods are like automatic negative irritations that we think are not controllable, not unlike depressive states. We can usually do something about it. Remember the senses and the apology to the person on the receiving end of our mood. It might not be your fault but it certainly isn't theirs. Tony WK

Coadie I’m broken
  • replies: 2

I need help, I loved her and she’s hurting, I’m hurting. She said she needs time to heal, she said I can’t help but that’s all I want to do. I just want to help her, I can’t even help myself

I need help, I loved her and she’s hurting, I’m hurting. She said she needs time to heal, she said I can’t help but that’s all I want to do. I just want to help her, I can’t even help myself

jax_in_my_heart Bipolar 2 - suspect medication is slowing me down and I hate that
  • replies: 1

I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 about 18 months ago, and it took a good 12 months for me to adjust to this and try to take my medication regularly. My biggest problem is that I feel I’ve lost part of what made me ‘me’. I used to be able to a thousand ... View more

I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 about 18 months ago, and it took a good 12 months for me to adjust to this and try to take my medication regularly. My biggest problem is that I feel I’ve lost part of what made me ‘me’. I used to be able to a thousand different things, I worked full-time and had several very busy volunteer jobs, and studied, and I always crammed it in. Now I find that I’m not really interested when I get home from work. I still go out all the time, work full-time, see friends, etc, but I just don’t go at the frantic pace I used to. And I really miss that, because it gave me so much joy and fulfillment. I can’t work out if this is because the pills make me slow down and more ‘normal’ speed, or if it’s due to my relationship break-up six months ago, or maybe I’m just getting older (I’m 35). Has anyone else experienced anything like this?