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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: 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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May_84 feeling broken
  • replies: 9

hi everyone, I am very new to this and I wanted to reach out and introduce myself. My name is May and I have been living with depression for the last 8 years. I probably had it for longer but I was diagnosed in 2009. I really thought I had gotten eve... View more

hi everyone, I am very new to this and I wanted to reach out and introduce myself. My name is May and I have been living with depression for the last 8 years. I probably had it for longer but I was diagnosed in 2009. I really thought I had gotten everything under control over the last two years but since I slowly weened myself off of anti-depressants I have had a bicycle accident which resulted in fractures that necessitated me taking time off work and needing to push my studies back (I am now very behind my full time studies and I have assignments and exam revision I am trying to do which has been incredibly stressful). I also feel very behind at work because I had to take a significant amount of time off and I didn't have much leave due to being relatively new with my employer. I think the injury and subsequent time off work and well feeling useless and isolated has not been very helpful. I haven't been able to exercise and my eating hasn't been great which I know would not be helping me right now. I have been finding myself feeling quick to anger and I feel like i am full of negative emotions (I've never been an angry person so this is a very new thing to feel anger as a response to stimuli that would never make me angry). I am so ashamed of how I am feeling and I have been hashing over my past mistakes and things I have done when I know I should have known better. Instead of forgiving myself, I am dragging myself over the coals and punishing myself for not being a better person. I am not proud of the person I have been at times in the past and although I have made many positive changes I am not allowing myself to forgive and move on. I even know that its not right and I should forgive myself but on the inside I don't feel worthy, It's like I keep punishing myself even though I would and have forgiven others for much worse. I look at myself as a person who lacks integrity a as a result of my past and I am struggling to reconcile that my future is all that matters. I just feel like I am in a really dark place and I am already dreading the fact that I have to go to work on Monday and put on a brave face when all I want to do is cry. I am sorry to share such a negative story but I didn't know where else to go. thank you everyone

Missberri why am i always miserable no matter what?
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I just wanted to post because I'm not having the best time lately.. I recently graduated with a uni degree, have moved to a new city and got a new proper career job and for some reason I'm just so unhappy. When I was living in my old cit... View more

Hi everyone, I just wanted to post because I'm not having the best time lately.. I recently graduated with a uni degree, have moved to a new city and got a new proper career job and for some reason I'm just so unhappy. When I was living in my old city with my parents I was unhappy too and I couldn't wait to move away and start a new job and a new life somewhere else and just be done with uni and studying all together. But, now that I'm here I feel horrible. My job was so draining even for the first week and I'm missing so many things about my old home. I just don't feel right and it feels awful. I just wonder if I'm ever going to feel okay, it's like no matter what I do I find something negative about it and I try to look at the positives but the negatives are so strong that it just does nothing.. I just wish I knew what to do.. I don't know if I'm following the right career path anymore and I don't know if this is why.. I hate the idea of sitting at a computer screen all day but this is what I'm doing and it feels so unfulfilling and like such a waste of time. I wish I could be helping people in some way but unfortunately that is not what I studied I don't know if i want to be in a big city or if I want to be somewhere quiet and peaceful like my old home.. I just feel so lost and confused and just wish I could feel happy for once and I'm not..

TrashLord I need help, but I'm really scared
  • replies: 5

So, I feel like I might be depressed and I have been feeling this way for a while and I've tried talking to my mum about it (No well on my behalf), and I've tried talking to my friends about it (But we are basically screwed up and it leads to nowhere... View more

So, I feel like I might be depressed and I have been feeling this way for a while and I've tried talking to my mum about it (No well on my behalf), and I've tried talking to my friends about it (But we are basically screwed up and it leads to nowhere). I really just need someone to talk to. I want to talk to someone to tell them how I feel without feeling guilty about talking about how I feel instead of talking to someone else, but I don't even know what I would say. I know I need to speak to someone, but I don't know what to say and every time I try and write something down, all the thoughts in my head just leave. I don't know what to do, I don't know what to say, and I feel so guilty about this. I don't want to be a burden to the people around me, I just want to feel normal again. I don't know what to do.

Dhkm3939 Fallen into a back hole
  • replies: 2

I was doing well until I wasn't. Our Mum died suddenly 2 years ago in October and our Pop passed away a year ago. I terminated a pregnancy in my early 20's which haunts me everyday. I'm normally a very bubbly, happy person.. So to be feeling numb at ... View more

I was doing well until I wasn't. Our Mum died suddenly 2 years ago in October and our Pop passed away a year ago. I terminated a pregnancy in my early 20's which haunts me everyday. I'm normally a very bubbly, happy person.. So to be feeling numb at the moment, like I'm crazy, like I should just be able to get over it all. But this time, I can't. I've seen a doctor and he's increased my medication but I still don't feel any better and I just want to sleep. What is wrong with me

Fernz Past few months have been difficult
  • replies: 3

Hi So in June of this year I stopped taking my anti depressants. I was on and off for 3 years and I just wanted to get it out of my life. Ever since I stopped I've been gradually spiralling down. And I know that's what happens but I don't even catch ... View more

Hi So in June of this year I stopped taking my anti depressants. I was on and off for 3 years and I just wanted to get it out of my life. Ever since I stopped I've been gradually spiralling down. And I know that's what happens but I don't even catch myself most days. My approach for my anxiety, panic attacks, and depression was to meditate and breathe and that kinda stuff. This week I've been extra depressed. I just don't care about anything, I can't be bothered, I don't have energy to do anything. And it's definitely bringing me back to years ago when I was at my lowest point in my depression. And I haven't gotten better since. Like things have improved and whatever but I haven't changed overall. Anyway so the issue is I went on a bender (alcohol, drugs that I have never done before). And I cheated on my boyfriend. He and I have had issues with this in the past. But it came out of nowhere. I just wasnt thinking. I don't feel like myself. I don't have any enjoyment for anything. Its like the past few days I've transformed into someone else. Like someone has taken over my thoughts and actions and I've just been watching the entire time. I don't know why this started. I have been in a bit of a limbo stage because I recently graduated and now I'm just floating aimlessly until the next thing. But I don't know what I want. I'm just racked with guilt and shame and frustration. And now my boyfriend broke up with me, or taking a break, or whatever is happening. Which makes sense. I just want to be at peace. I don't know why I've been acting like this lately. It's out of character. It isn't me. I don't know what to say or think. I'm really upset that I ruined my relationship by doing stupid things. But it's like I just don't care. Deep down i do but it's easy to ignore it. I don't want to take medication again. I don't think it would help with this. Especially since I've come this far.

catej there is hope never give up
  • replies: 2

Depression – rearing its ugly head I think I have had depression since my mid twenties but seemed to manage having youth on my side, a good job, travelling overseas and a lovely family and friends. In my late twenties I had a long period where I suff... View more

Depression – rearing its ugly head I think I have had depression since my mid twenties but seemed to manage having youth on my side, a good job, travelling overseas and a lovely family and friends. In my late twenties I had a long period where I suffered, anxiety and not being able to cope with every day life, driving recklessly in the car and not really caring one way or another. I was on anti-depressants and whilst this helped me get better, I did have some under-lying issues and a quick temper. I ended up quitting and after a holiday to Hawaii I went home and went about setting up my own business. It was very costly and trying but on the first day of trading I ended up with a good business and loved the independence and freedom it gave me. My former boss felt very threatened so he complained to the council and I had to apply for a permit, in the end it was granted minus not being to have clients around. I still had them around but was The worst period of my depression was in Dec 2016 when I did a contract 2 week role in Cairns looking after a permanent letting building, it was an absolute disaster and I ended up walking out after week one as it was untenable. I avoided everyone. Did not want to go out, down the street nothing. I tried to work again at 2 more resorts and they fell through as I was still not myself. I was so anxious everything was an effort. My mum suffered dearly because of my depression. I couldn’t cook, clean or even read a magazine. I kept on watching movies over and over, staying still in bed, not washing or cleaning my teeth for 2-3 days. It was horrendous nothing like this had ever happened so severely like this before. It went on until the end of April, finally I was up to working again and within 2 days had a job 2 days a week and then 3 days a week. I never thought I would get out of this black hole. Eventually I did and realised I will be ok. I started being kind to myself, buying some new clothes, booking a holiday, getting in touch with friends again. I know how you feel, never never give up. There is always hope.

EchoingVoice Zombie mornings and clouded consciousness?
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I'll be brief: Primary issue: I often wake up zombified in the mornings. I experience a lack of energy and motivation & often find my self vegging out until the early afternoon. Sometimes I feel like I have a cloud in my head. Struggle to be ... View more

Hi all, I'll be brief: Primary issue: I often wake up zombified in the mornings. I experience a lack of energy and motivation & often find my self vegging out until the early afternoon. Sometimes I feel like I have a cloud in my head. Struggle to be fully engaged in the activities I take part in - consequently simple and dull tasks can often be difficult/irritating to get through. When I'm put under stress for an extended period of time (especially at work), I've found I often get scatter brained - and there has been instances where my mind has been so fatigued I've experienced a kind of 'concentration shut down' - were tasks that would take me a few seconds begin to take over 5 minutes (i.e like sending a short email). Attempted solutions: -Seen GP. Sleep study done with sleep specialist- no serious diagnosis. -MRI done and is clean. -Have attempted morning excercise, which has sometimes proved effective, but other times has had little effect (often getting out of bed and doing sport feels impossible) -Meditation & Diary - few times a week - helps but not so much with fatigue/consciousness issue. -Coffee - works for 1hr but then I tend to crash - typically try to stay away from it but the caffeine is often necessary to maintain the standard required at work. -Goal setting/task management - I've made attempts to write out tasks and set goals, which helps with the 'must-do' weekly activities - but I simply don't have the level of interest or engagement required to commit to a self-set long term Goal on a daily basis. The issue largely began last year when: -Father passed away -Had to manage an estate which I was largely unprepared for -promoted at work which meant an large increase in responsiblity (and stress) -Had to move homes (went from managing a share home to living with my mother) -falling out with long term friend/partner While it's been a trying time and I've undoubtedly experienced bouts of depression along with grief - I've refused to engage in suicidal ideation and feel a strong sense of wanting to improve myself and my situation to the best of my ability. Once again my primary concern is my capacity for conscious attention and my ability to be motivated enough to follow through on achieving longer term goals. While I'm certain that last year's events are strongly related to this issue and that depression may be one of the underlying causes for it, I also can't help but shake off the feeling that it may be physiological in nature.

Pasha1234 Can I just get it together?
  • replies: 12

Hi, i am new here and I am struggling. I have a great life but 2 years ago I got to a breaking point and saw a doctor and then a psychologist. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and I felt isolated. Ever time I went he would give me titles o... View more

Hi, i am new here and I am struggling. I have a great life but 2 years ago I got to a breaking point and saw a doctor and then a psychologist. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and I felt isolated. Ever time I went he would give me titles of books to read which I couldn't find the motivation to read and in the end I stopped going. flash forward 2 years and I am struggling, I feel numb. I lost it at work and embarrassed myself and said some horrible things about people I like and about a job I used to like. i feel constantly stressed and part of that comes down to keeping my mask on laughing at the right times and trying to keep calm and carry on. i opened up to my partner and told him how I felt and he was great. i made an appointment to see a gp and cancelled it in the morning and I don't know why? i know I need help, I know I want to feel better but I have no motivation to do so. i just feel so lost and unmotivated and flat.

Flower1 Sorry not sure if this is classes as "major". I just need to vent.
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone. So. New to this! So i'm a 25yo mum to a beautiful 2.5yo and am engaged to a great man who I will marry in 5 weeks time. And I feel sad. Majority of the time and I hate it I feel like I should be happy. I can't talk to my fiance about it ... View more

Hi everyone. So. New to this! So i'm a 25yo mum to a beautiful 2.5yo and am engaged to a great man who I will marry in 5 weeks time. And I feel sad. Majority of the time and I hate it I feel like I should be happy. I can't talk to my fiance about it because he doesn't understand it all, my brother has diagnosed depression and he's said he doesn't understand why he has it when he's got a great family etc. I feel so guilty admitting i'm sad just been slowing going south for a while now slowly. I get into sad periods then all of sudden I seem to "snap" back to happy and I feel all emotional and grateful for everything, but it goes away. Things i used to like doing I can't do anymore. Even tasks like cooking i used to enjoy i absolutely loathe doing it now. I feel drained all the time and just cannot be bothered cleaning so the house is always messy used to be so clean my fiance does not clean at all, and little one likes to throw things in all directions. I was trying to lose weight. I lost 10kgs and then stopped and i keep trying to start again but I self sabotage and go on a binge and then go eh well you ate something bad may as well stop and its just been thing cycle of this this whole year -.- i don't have support around me, my fiance says "do whatever makes you happy" but that's all, he wants different meals to me (but he doesnt cook) and my 2.5yo doesn't like majority of food so i have to cook 3 meals so i give up and just cook something unhealthy i constantly feel like people don't really care about me. Example, I asked my mum out for coffee this weekend but she said she needed to go buy shoes at local kmart (2 mins down road) so she can't this weekend my fiance used to tell me i'm pretty/beautiful, and used to say thankyou for doing things and genuinely mean it but does not anymore. I have 1 good friend. She's great but I know she talks about me behind my back. I thought i had friends at the gym. But i got a job at my gym, looking at kids (childcare worker in training) and now no one talks to me, they drop kids off, go to the class I used to go to with them, and then pick their kids up and go have a catch up together while I work so guess they totally forgot about me and I feel like that's fair enough because i'm not that interesting there is a group on facebook and they create events for catch ups and 'invite' all members who do the classes, and leave me out. sorry long post. I don't know if I should see someone or what

Esmeralda Anhedonia
  • replies: 3

I am new to this site and forum. I have been reading some of the contributions to the depression threads. One in particular talked about the difficulties of living with 'anhedonia', after trying a full range of different therapeutic approaches. Unfor... View more

I am new to this site and forum. I have been reading some of the contributions to the depression threads. One in particular talked about the difficulties of living with 'anhedonia', after trying a full range of different therapeutic approaches. Unfortunately I can't find the post again! I just wanted to say that I am very familiar with the concept of anhedonia - the inability to enjoy anything that once brought joy to you. I have major depression and have been living with it for most of my life. I have found it difficult to be really free of depression, despite medication, cognitive therapy, support groups, hospitalisation, ect, psychologist, psychiatrists and so forth. I also noticed a thread asking about the phenomenon of mood swings from the morning depression, to feeling better later in the day. I understand this to be the diurnal nature of some depressions - the daily rhythm of major depression, which tends to get better as the day progresses, being worse in the mornings. I know this rhythm very well too. At this stage I am not going to comment on how I manage these two s symptoms, but I just wanted to say that there is at least one other person in the forum that knows how this feels!