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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: 0

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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KeepCool99 Newly diagnosed
  • replies: 3

HeySo as title says newly diagnosed just couple of days ago. I had guessed it in back of my head for a while now but just kept trying to shrug it off. It's hard but I guess everyone else here knows that as well. Cheers.

HeySo as title says newly diagnosed just couple of days ago. I had guessed it in back of my head for a while now but just kept trying to shrug it off. It's hard but I guess everyone else here knows that as well. Cheers.

William_Chen2142 Playing a fake character in order to maintain friendship
  • replies: 2

From childhood onwards I have managed to deal with what used to be an asocial attitude of mine by essentially becoming somewhat of a people's pleaser. Not in the sense of actively going out of my way to present the certain princess with an expensive ... View more

From childhood onwards I have managed to deal with what used to be an asocial attitude of mine by essentially becoming somewhat of a people's pleaser. Not in the sense of actively going out of my way to present the certain princess with an expensive diamond ring out of the blue, but more so catering to the religious and political views of those who I am surrounded by and occasionally affiliate myself with. Do note that here when I refer to those whose community I am part of, only a small percentage of those are people who I can call friends since we rely on one another for casual or personal comfort. But it's absolutely having a detrimental affect on my productivity and overall productive and in worst case scenarios, livelihood morale. I have found that as I start to draw a line between me and my community once religious and political conversations were brought up which drastically contradicted that of what is actually correct, only then I did truly realise that the whole time I was living a double life, a completely fake persona. Every single time I was dragged into such conversations, I would always just stay completely silent. I had no courage to speak up because I know I would be ostracised if I did due to diagreements on such sensitive topics. However while my attitude towards such topics were fake, all the times we have spent bonding together were not and that is what in retrospect I would refer to as "an ignited match stick splintered into one's heart". But now that works related to such topics have become somewhat of a profession for me, it is now more of a critical time than ever for me to find somebody who truly gets me. Not just as an acquaintance, but someone I can generally just love. Further discretion is advised here, because the following event is highly sensitive. Just two nights ago I have in the peak of my loneliness dreamed of going on a jog and picnic with an imaginary Woman. Although produced in an artificial environment, the happiness and fulfillment I have felt that instance in my own labyrinth was never matched before. When I did wake up, I immediately without thought went to fix up my room in preparation for a visit, only to realise it was all fake. Ever since then my performance at my projects and my emotions have been going DOWN a consistent spiral. I have actually for the first time thought about whether it was worth going through all this or if it is better to from now on isolate myself and let my emotions take full control.

IneedHelp_1234 I’m depressed
  • replies: 1

Hi i have been struggling with depression for 7 months now and its really hard for me to cope i have had two family members die last year and the year before that i had a family member go to hospital with a serious injury and i have lots of friends t... View more

Hi i have been struggling with depression for 7 months now and its really hard for me to cope i have had two family members die last year and the year before that i had a family member go to hospital with a serious injury and i have lots of friends that turned out to be not good friends and every night i cry thinking about everything

Stilloutthere Hopelessness and Anhedonia
  • replies: 1

Hello all I will preface this by saying that I am safe, and have no plans to harm myself. I have had a tumultuous last 3 months or so. Work has been terrible, and relationships inside of the environment have devolved to a point where my so called tea... View more

Hello all I will preface this by saying that I am safe, and have no plans to harm myself. I have had a tumultuous last 3 months or so. Work has been terrible, and relationships inside of the environment have devolved to a point where my so called team mates have attempted to set me up to be at the head of non compliant safety incidents (I am an engineer). Thankfully I have my immediate managers support, but honestly every time I engage with work I am either sitting blankly and unengaged or reverting to an anxious fight/flight state. I work from home, which at least allows for breakdowns and tears when everything becomes too much, but these can be set off by the smallest things now. The work environment no longer feels safe, and I am having great difficulty pulling myself out of the "humanity is disgusting, greed inspired, selfish" misanthropic attitude and even intellectually engaging with the idea that "not everyone is bad", despite all the proof otherwise. I find myself frequently having thoughts that I am so disillusioned with the human species as a whole that I no longer want to be a part of it. While these thoughts do not take the form of suicide, there is definitely a death ideation, or desire to no longer be.I have many mental health routines that have been in place for a very long time. I have suffered from depression on and off for over 30 years now, and for the last 10 years or so have managed through mindfulness, a consistent meditation routine, and exercise. I am glad to say that I am managing to continue with my meditation and exercise at the moment, even though it does not appear to be assisting in any way. I have always had trouble feeling joy/happiness, and stopped aiming for that a long time ago and reoriented to "contentment", as I can at least be content even in the midst of sadness and despair. Lately I have experienced difficulty even imagining that I could be content I lost my best friend and fur baby companion (dog - Jacko) at the start of November, and then his brother Banjo (cat) less than a week later. Between work stress and grief I feel like I have been almost on autopilot for the last 3 months, unable to feel anything other than despair/unhappiness. I have battled since a teenager for good mental health, through addiction, suicidal thoughts, and thought I had made great progress. I have thought of self blame for letting work stress get me to this point. I have booked in an appointment with a therapist and my GP in the next week.

sugarplum1999 I feel lonely!
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone. How do people deal with loneliness? I am not from Australia and I suffer depression and anxiety. Last year I moved in with my boyfriend but we had to move to a different houses after 9 months due to some issues we had. He is an alcoholic... View more

Hi everyone. How do people deal with loneliness? I am not from Australia and I suffer depression and anxiety. Last year I moved in with my boyfriend but we had to move to a different houses after 9 months due to some issues we had. He is an alcoholic and lost his job and he got injured at the time so he had to move with his parents because he couldn’t afford rent with me. Now, that we don’t live together I feel so lonely even though we talk over the phone everyday sometimes, but I feel lonely and pretty sad, can’t cope with depression on my own, I was thinking to go to a psychologist but I can’t afford it as I don’t have Medicare. I was wondering if someone could give me some tips and advices on how to cope with these issues. Thank you in advice!

Lonely_Ship Depression and anxiety for years, and struggle to trust most people since 2021.
  • replies: 5

As title says I've struggled with depression and anxiety for over a decade. I'm a 28 year old male so I've probably already lost most sympathy there. Everything seems so hard and exhausting and I keep trying to make positive steps in life, particular... View more

As title says I've struggled with depression and anxiety for over a decade. I'm a 28 year old male so I've probably already lost most sympathy there. Everything seems so hard and exhausting and I keep trying to make positive steps in life, particularly trying to be social and physically active but I struggle so hard to trust anyone beyond my immediate circle, even people I used to be very close but haven't seen in ages I feel closed off and apart from. Like shit said likely off-handedly or on social media will stick with me for months and cause tears. I see so much stuff that make me think large parts of society would hate me and struggle to cope with it.I feel like I cannot stop thinking about these things despite how much I want to be just relaxed and immersed in something else. Speaking of things to be immersed in, I find hobbies, games, and media to be immersed so difficult to find that I have not already played or watched. Everything seemed to have something which is a modern day reference or thing which brings me back to hat I'm trying to escape.I just don't know what to do anymore, I feel useless and used up of my energy and productivity.

startingnew Struggling alot right now
  • replies: 11

Hi everyonei havent been in here in quite some time now but i am struggling alot. My mental health conditions are worsening and having several chronic pain and other health conditions everything is so hard. i feel so alone and isolated. the only peop... View more

Hi everyonei havent been in here in quite some time now but i am struggling alot. My mental health conditions are worsening and having several chronic pain and other health conditions everything is so hard. i feel so alone and isolated. the only people i speak to are those that need something or those that i have to support otherwise im just alone and have no one.

idkanonymousig09 I'm not sure if there is something going on with me
  • replies: 1

Recently, i have been having mental breakdowns randomly, but specifically at night alone in my bedroom. it is school holidays for me and my groupchat with my friend group has been blowing up. they have been making plans to hang out over the break, no... View more

Recently, i have been having mental breakdowns randomly, but specifically at night alone in my bedroom. it is school holidays for me and my groupchat with my friend group has been blowing up. they have been making plans to hang out over the break, normally i would go with the plans but lately i would rather stay at home instead. not even telling anyone that im not going, not messaging anyone at all. every time i hear a notification, i mostly ignore it. i dont mean to ignore my friends, but something inside me is wanting to, school is coming back soon and im afraid to face them again, and have them possibly question where ive been, why im not responding or hanging out. every time i think about this, leads me to tears and me wanting to throw my phone across the room. idek anymore........

jenny059 Lost and alone at 60
  • replies: 1

Hi new hereim divorced and renting I’m 60i have no means to get my own home I don’t have anything after divorce and very little superannuation my ex now has an inheritance and living very well my son just built a beautiful home with his wife and kids... View more

Hi new hereim divorced and renting I’m 60i have no means to get my own home I don’t have anything after divorce and very little superannuation my ex now has an inheritance and living very well my son just built a beautiful home with his wife and kids I’m happy for himmy brother just bought a brand new home around the corner from him financially very stableIt breaks my heart I’m in this position after losing the family home and only having my last pay cheque when it was sold. My ex used our mortgage as his atm so nothing left there.How do I find happiness and feel secure now. I live pay cheque to pay cheque I get so down and worry when I have to retire thank you

Succulent Queen Confidentiality and Crisis Line Experiences
  • replies: 2

Hi All,Would anyone be willing to share their experiences in talking with crisis helpline support? Maybe that very well known one that isn't Beyond Blue? I recently had an experience with a particular helpline that left me questioning confidentiality... View more

Hi All,Would anyone be willing to share their experiences in talking with crisis helpline support? Maybe that very well known one that isn't Beyond Blue? I recently had an experience with a particular helpline that left me questioning confidentiality.The operator knew which town I worked in without me telling her. I have called this number once a week in the lead up to Xmas as well as these last three weeks throughout January. I have named the town in at least one of these phone calls but not today, however the volunteer operator did name it. Her explanation was a staggered and vague few words about the computer telling her I was in Victoria. She could not tell me where she got the town's name from and referred me to the FAQ section of the helpline website to give feedback. At the time of the call I was in Melbourne which is 160k's away from that town so the computer could not have detected me as being in that town. Now... here's a point of truth to consider, the state of your mental health does not equate to a measure of your intellect. To equate mental health with what is normally assumed to be a limited intellect is a form of stigma. Stigma at work associated with mental health is part of the reason I rang the number and not something I wanted to experience from a helpline.The point of this post isn't to tear a service down or overstate it's worth. Its about sharing experiences as fairly and honestly as possible. I am grateful to be in the first world where I can call a non-judgemental stranger for free and talk about anything, now, I don't think I use that number again.What are your thoughts on confidentiality? Confidentiality can only be interpreted a single way in my view unless transparent variables are added to broaden its meaning which wasn't the case.First and foremost this post is about confidentiality. Confidentiality of any type that relates to mental health, mostly helplines.Confidentiality underlines the integrity of any health service. Confidentiality when maintained gives you confidence. In many personal relationships, confidentiality can also be described as trust. When you entrust sensitive information to a service you expect it to be upheld. This part of the benefit in calling a helpline. What are your experiences with confidentiality that is related to your mental health information verbal/documented/formal/informal - doesn't matter. Thanks