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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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OhmeOhmy Here we go again
  • replies: 5

I have dealt with depression and anxiety all my life on and off. I understand if so much more now and have so many more tools in my tool box which means that life is generally much better than ever before. However right now I am really struggling and... View more

I have dealt with depression and anxiety all my life on and off. I understand if so much more now and have so many more tools in my tool box which means that life is generally much better than ever before. However right now I am really struggling and I feel so alone. "The sadness" (what I call is because it is just a deep overwhelming sadness) and the constant gut churning anxiety is back. It just shows up whenever it feels like it out of the blue. It snatches away my resolve and my confidence and leaves me feeling like a vulnerable, frightened child who is alone. When it gets me like this I feel helpless. I know however that I'm not helpless and that there are things I can do to help myself feel better. maybe as human beings we are meant to experience polarities, like hot and cold, happy and sad, so that we can appreciate the difference between the two....

star76 memories of when it all began/gratitude
  • replies: 9

I have recently been reminded of when depression started for me . I was 14 angry , confused empty and full of self hatred. I just didn't operate how others did. I felt to deeply. I remember thinking at the time were was this youth of carefree times i... View more

I have recently been reminded of when depression started for me . I was 14 angry , confused empty and full of self hatred. I just didn't operate how others did. I felt to deeply. I remember thinking at the time were was this youth of carefree times in the sun everyone seemed to talk about. If this was the best years I din't want to be around for long. I made no plans for the future and by 16 had decided I had nothing to offer and the world had nothing to offer me. I was different and felt for sure that wasn't ok Thankfully I got though those years in high school but it was not till in my early twenties that i was properly diagnosed,medication took a bit longer to sort out. When i finally got the right support my life changed and i felt like i came alive for the first time since early childhood. I am so grateful for sticking around in life,for having people who believed in me and encouraged me toward the right support. Today I am struggling again ,the difference is I have hope that I will pull though and it won't last forever . One moment at a time if its all that one can bare and a little bit of hope and a dash of gratitude . Some times I lived that one and that's ok .

CandieX Alone and confused
  • replies: 8

Hi there. I just need someone to talk to. I have no friends and I can't open up to my boyfriend. I'm currently in a relationship with a man 25 years older than me who has a cocaine addiction. I do love him but it is really hard. He is very selfish an... View more

Hi there. I just need someone to talk to. I have no friends and I can't open up to my boyfriend. I'm currently in a relationship with a man 25 years older than me who has a cocaine addiction. I do love him but it is really hard. He is very selfish and does not show me any love and affection but I rely on him financially as I have no where else to stay at the moment. I recently found out I was pregnant to his baby and he does not want it and I am getting a termination tomorrow. I am a very emotional person so it is hard for me to hold in all of this and when I have outbursts and cry he tells me he can't deal with me anymore. I just want to be loved and cared for like I care for him. He can be verbally abusive sometimes and he said I'm annoying and I whine a lot and I have no self confidence. I don't want to leave him I just need help on how to deal with a man like him.

Infinity1199 Opening up
  • replies: 11

I'm sorry if my post is a little muddled but, not really use to writing like this... I was diagnosed with depression last year after enduring over 5 years of bullying from my classmates. I remember just sitting in class and having my first nervous br... View more

I'm sorry if my post is a little muddled but, not really use to writing like this... I was diagnosed with depression last year after enduring over 5 years of bullying from my classmates. I remember just sitting in class and having my first nervous breakdown. I just started hyperventilating and crying because one of my bullies called me a fag. it was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. my school wasn't helpful, they didn't get that I was getting bullied because of my sexuality but always talked me into not pressing criminal charges against them. I felt like such a coward but I was scared. Since I was diagnosed, my school forced me to move into distance education because they were concerned about the ramifications of my behaviour. they told me it was in ''my best interest'' but I think they just wanted to get rid of me before I killed myself or something. I've lost all of my friends and I basically have no social life. at the moment: -I've got NO FRIENDS -I've screwed up my VCE courses again -I'm having problems with my appearance -I'm having difficulty with anger issues I didn't know who else to turn to, I just wanted to talk to someone who isn't going to judge me. I just want a friend....

Julz01 Frustrated at the ignorance of my boss
  • replies: 5

After discussing with my new senior manager and another manager how we could support an employee going through a mentally challenging time, my boss made the most alarming statements. She said she understood anxiety but she did not get depression & sa... View more

After discussing with my new senior manager and another manager how we could support an employee going through a mentally challenging time, my boss made the most alarming statements. She said she understood anxiety but she did not get depression & said people need to choose to be happy & it's all about choices. She went on to say suicide is cowards way out & people have choices. She said fat people choose to be fat because they choose not to exercise & eat properly. I have battled depression & anxiety for 14 years & this time last year I was hospitalised. I am in a good place now but it wasn't a simple choice & if I had a setback she would refer to me as a fruit loop as she does other staff suffering mental health conditions. I was 30 kg overweight till this year but I didn't choose to be that way & if I could have fixed it overnight with a choice I would have. I have been in a good place but this has really bothered me. My colleague tried to explain ill mental health is not a choice but to no avail. I get there are ignorant people out there but was not expecting it was something from someone in her position. Mind you this is the same day we had an R U OK function with our staff today & had a BB Ambassador speak. My friend thinks I should report her but I have to report to this person. Truly gobsmacked!!

Precis60 Is is wrong to be happy one minute angry the next.
  • replies: 5

My sister tell me I have mania because I am so up and down, people tell you to get help but I feel sometimes thing just get on top of you. Everyone these days seems to busy to really want to do more than token help. I don't know if this is just me no... View more

My sister tell me I have mania because I am so up and down, people tell you to get help but I feel sometimes thing just get on top of you. Everyone these days seems to busy to really want to do more than token help. I don't know if this is just me not being able to deal with situations. Is there somewhere you can just chat online and not have people judge or pretend to care.

Possum_Magic1 So over it!
  • replies: 10

Hi All Decided to rant because I am so over this depression! My first depression was over 23 years ago. I have been on an antidepressant ever since and never had another episode until May this year. I was quick to pick up the signs and finally got in... View more

Hi All Decided to rant because I am so over this depression! My first depression was over 23 years ago. I have been on an antidepressant ever since and never had another episode until May this year. I was quick to pick up the signs and finally got into see a psychiatrist at the end of June. I was put back into the same combination of medication that got me well the first time. Wow some of the side effects I never had all those years ago, I definitely have this time! I have an amazing partner who is both supportive and loving. He is my Tower of strength both episodes. This time around it's a bit harder having though having 2 teenage children. I haven't told the kids as they would take it very hard. It has been 10 weeks or so since beginning medication. I am no longer low but still haven't returned to myself. I find this so hard to deal with. I find the everyday tasks a challenge, just thinking of what to have for dinner every night does my head in. I feel I am constantly counting the days, weeks,months that this has been going on. I get so upset that I'm not 100%. I feel like I am letting down my husband and kids. School holidays are coming up and I was unable to take the kids anywhere in the last holidays. My husband says I'm too hard on myself but I am just so over it. How much longer does this suffering have to go on for before it's done? Possum Magic

Revenuer Depression: The beast won't let me speak everything
  • replies: 8

Hi I recently joined the Army 7 months ago but for the past 5 years I've been suffering from depression however during those years I didn't know much about depression and thought that my internal struggles were normal. But things started to get worse... View more

Hi I recently joined the Army 7 months ago but for the past 5 years I've been suffering from depression however during those years I didn't know much about depression and thought that my internal struggles were normal. But things started to get worse and I did some researching and from the info I gathered from mental health websites such as Beyond Blue I was indeed suffering from depression. I sought help through the Army and went to see a Psychologist but the worst thing was I couldn't tell her everything. I only told her about 10 percent of what's really going on. It's like there was an invisible force preventing me from saying everything I just couldn't do it . I hate that at the most crucial moment to actually get help I was weak. How can I overcome this beast and actually tell my Psychologist the whole story.

Greyscale There must be a better way
  • replies: 7

Hi Everyone, I've been battling with depression/anxiety on and off for 12 years. Luckily in the last 3 years, with the help of meds and occasional counselling I've been feeling a lot better and have been mostly on the up. However in the last month I'... View more

Hi Everyone, I've been battling with depression/anxiety on and off for 12 years. Luckily in the last 3 years, with the help of meds and occasional counselling I've been feeling a lot better and have been mostly on the up. However in the last month I've completely spiralled into darkness and self loathing. I am lucky enough to have everything 'sorted'. Full time work loving boyfriend cute (if bitey) kitten home (mortgage) owner travel plans on the horizon I thought that not having to worry about these things anymore would help me feel at peace. But instead I'm finding myself feeling the worst I've felt in two years. Just not being able to shake this feeling of complete sadness and failure. Previously I could pin it to something, though now, there's nothing In my recent appointment with my psych we spoke about acceptance and trying not to fight my depression. But I can't help but feel like it's not fair. That just because something in my body is broken, I have to go through this wave of overwhelming sadness. Just to accept this is my lot in life. Get up, got to work and push through How is that ok? What is the point in trying if this wave will just come and crush me again in a few years, months or weeks? This really is making me question the point of living if this is to be the cycle. I guess I'm just putting these thoughts out there to see if anyone else has had the same advice, or how you got to a point of acceptance. Because I'm really struggling here to see the positives. Thank you for listening/reading.

Tanya__ Feeling worthless
  • replies: 17

I lost my mother unexpectedly when I was 21. Since then I got married and have 3 children of my own. I am super busy with working, looking after the kids, I run a small business from home, secretary on 2 different committees and own a stud with horse... View more

I lost my mother unexpectedly when I was 21. Since then I got married and have 3 children of my own. I am super busy with working, looking after the kids, I run a small business from home, secretary on 2 different committees and own a stud with horses, I think I try and keep myself busy to try and distract myself. I am feeling like my husband and kids would be better off without me, I get really irritated easily and don't really want to socialise at all, not sure where to go from here, I just know that something needs to change