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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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happyannie Depressed and Alone
  • replies: 13

Hi Having a hard day today, feeling very depressed and low really low. Nothing I can think of has triggered my mood, I just woke up thismorning in a state of depression and haven't been able to pull myself up. Its alot easier said than done. Im also ... View more

Hi Having a hard day today, feeling very depressed and low really low. Nothing I can think of has triggered my mood, I just woke up thismorning in a state of depression and haven't been able to pull myself up. Its alot easier said than done. Im also feeling anxious. My mind is at war with itself, everything seems muffled. I also feel very confused, my thoughts are all over the place. Its as if everythings moving along and Im just watching. Ive been doing my mindfullness and my controlled breathing, its better than nothing. My Doctors seem happy with me at the moment, shame Im not happy with myself. I also keep a daily journal which I find very helpful. Anyway I just needed to vent, thanx BB Annie

Millie04 How do I explain all this to my boss
  • replies: 6

How, how do I do that... a boss who says he's trying to be understanding, then sends me an email while I'm on a approved leave day telling me he wants a meeting with me tomorrow because he must take disciplinary action. I have always tried to keep hi... View more

How, how do I do that... a boss who says he's trying to be understanding, then sends me an email while I'm on a approved leave day telling me he wants a meeting with me tomorrow because he must take disciplinary action. I have always tried to keep him in the loop, maybe it's easier just to get a doctors certificate and tell them nothing... I try and do the right thing then get crucified... I'm getting closer to the edge

Redwings Galactosemia
  • replies: 6

Hello, I suffer from galactosemia and it does come with mental illness too. my crappy disability. I got diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2011 when I was very sick and I lost my paying part time job then. I feel socially isolated from people and I spen... View more

Hello, I suffer from galactosemia and it does come with mental illness too. my crappy disability. I got diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2011 when I was very sick and I lost my paying part time job then. I feel socially isolated from people and I spend most of my time smoking cigarettes out of depression and boredom. I feel depressed and lost with other people. I am suffering mental pain from my crappy medical issues I feel like I have no friends. I am taking monthly medication for schizo from my doctor. injections there is no fun in my life anymore for me. everything is a chore and it is really hard for me. I am getting more introverted the older that I get, spending time alone

Teewaa Stuck in a rut
  • replies: 1

So I have been stuck in this awful rut lately of being constantly down. I have to force myself to smile at work and around other people so no one thinks anything is wrong, but its so exhausting. Last night was the worst I've been in a very long time,... View more

So I have been stuck in this awful rut lately of being constantly down. I have to force myself to smile at work and around other people so no one thinks anything is wrong, but its so exhausting. Last night was the worst I've been in a very long time, I'm having troubles with my relationship because of my constant mood swings and I feel like no matter how much I try to explain how I feel, no one understands. I've been called crazy before and that sentence is stuck in my head. I feel like a constant dispointment and a burden on everyone. Is this normal? I try and question my thoughts but when I do I hear the words you're stupid and why bother. I don't know how to stop feeling this way. Can anyone offer a suggestion?

Black_n_White Do I have Bipolar or ADHD or BPD?
  • replies: 5

Hi there I'm new here. First of all, thanks a lot if you're reading this. I just need some advice cause I feel like no one around me really understands me. I have been really confused and lost with my mental health. I was diagnosed with depression an... View more

Hi there I'm new here. First of all, thanks a lot if you're reading this. I just need some advice cause I feel like no one around me really understands me. I have been really confused and lost with my mental health. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety 3 years ago and taking antidepressants. My depression got better but my mood is always changing. I would be really interested in certain things and get really into it. And all of a sudden, I got bored. My favourite food/colour etc also changes frequently. I think these have been going on since I was a kid but recently it gets more intense. I would become very close to someone and suddenly I could get angry to them for no reasons. I do impulsive things like spending a lot, gambling, drinking etc. Never had a stable relationship until the current one who really cares me and fixes my stupid mistakes for over a year. Before the longest one was 3 months, always broke up because of small things. I am 25, male, homosexual. My mind is always full of thoughts and sometimes I feel really tired and just want to sleep. I thought I might be bipolar and saw a psychiatrist 2 months ago. Despite having to make a booking for months in advance, he finished the session after 15 minutes. He said I am bipolar, increased the does of my antidepressant and prescribed me a mood stablizer. It made me feel so slow and my mind became very heavy and uncomfortable. I could not think properly and I got more confused in my thoughts. So I stopped taking them. I saw him again 2 weeks ago and he prescribed me with another one, ended my session in less than 5 minutes. I do not want to spend another $400 on a session as I don't have medicare. I did researches online about my symptoms and I can be having borderline personality disorder or ADHD. But I don't know. Can a GP or a psychologist diagnose these disorders? Where else can I get help as I can't afford a psychiatrist? And any advice what to tell the doctor when I meet them? I usually feel so anxious and talk a lot without thinking what I am talking about. Only after leaving the doctor, I will remember what I should have said. Thanks again if you're still reading. I really need some advice cause I have been confused for so long.

flossie62 How do I tell family and friends
  • replies: 19

I have suffered from depression for most of my life, however most of my family and friends do not know. I grew up in an era where you didn't talk about mental illness, hence most of my problems were not diagnosed nor addressed for over 50 years (I am... View more

I have suffered from depression for most of my life, however most of my family and friends do not know. I grew up in an era where you didn't talk about mental illness, hence most of my problems were not diagnosed nor addressed for over 50 years (I am 62). It wasn't until I had a breakdown about 6 years ago and was finally diagnosed when I cried through a doctor's appointment. I was put on a low dosage medication, which definitely helped and since that time the dosage has been increased once. Obviously there is a lot more to my life story, but I'll save that for other threads. My concern is that I don't know how to talk to people. The only people who know I suffer from depression are my husband, my sister-in-law and two friends (who do not live close to me, nor do I have much contact with). I have three grown-up children, all married with their own children. They do not know. None of my other small circle of friends know either. I have recently decided that I need to actively help myself, but it is very difficult to get motivated. I have started doing some meditation, and also tell myself that I need to get out and walk, but this is difficult to achieve when it's pretty bad weather out there! Do I need to tell my children? Should they be aware of the struggles I've had, or should I just carry on without them being aware? And if I tell them, how do I do so?

Gaymer Today I started crying and I don't know why
  • replies: 3

Today, I got home from shopping with my Mum and I sat down on my couch and started crying. I don't know why I was crying. But I felt really sad. And for the past few weeks, I have had this overwhelming feeling of sadness following me around, even tho... View more

Today, I got home from shopping with my Mum and I sat down on my couch and started crying. I don't know why I was crying. But I felt really sad. And for the past few weeks, I have had this overwhelming feeling of sadness following me around, even though I know deep down I have nothing to be sad about. I was walking around the shopping centre and I felt exhausted. My eyes felt heavy, like I had either over slept or under slept. I guess you could call it groggy. I just didn't feel myself. And I don't feel like myself writing this. I am normally a pretty upbeat, funny, social kind of guy, but lately I feel like it's been all an act - like I am keeping up a persona in front of other people in order not to show my true self. Like everyone, I have a long history - mostly things I don't want to write on an online forum, but needless to say, some of it was pretty heavy and hard to deal with too the point I feel like I haven't actually dealt with or processed some of it at all. Or maybe I am just making excuses for myself again. I am really good at that, apparently. I know there are far worse things happening to people across the planet, my problems pale in comparison. And to be honest, I don't even know if they are problems or not. I guess I am just really confused. Why would I just start crying? Why do I feel so tired all the time? Why do I feel so anxious when I go to a nightclub with my friends? Are they my friends? Do they even like me? Sometimes I feel like they do, and other times I feel like a third, fourth, fifth wheel. Like I am physically there, but I am not really present in their eyes. I guess I just needed to put how I am feeling into words, and thought the best place to do that would be a website like this one. I don't really know what I am expecting to get out of this post, but it is about time I started vocalising how I've been feeling because I feel like I've been bottling some things up for a while now and I don't know what I am supposed to do about it.

Cellone Not even sure what to write
  • replies: 2

I am so tired, physically & mentally...but I have to keep going. I am the person everyone turns to, and I am the positive person, but I hardly ever open up and tell anyone how I really feel. I can't tell anyone what is wrong with me...I'm having my m... View more

I am so tired, physically & mentally...but I have to keep going. I am the person everyone turns to, and I am the positive person, but I hardly ever open up and tell anyone how I really feel. I can't tell anyone what is wrong with me...I'm having my mental health used against me in a family court matter...as far as anyone else knows now I'm fine. I get asked how are you my answer is I'm fine...but I'm not. I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety & ptsd a few years ago...but I've been working so hard for years on it that...I'm fine. They can't see the pain that is inside my head. I'm not suicidal, simply because I can't be...too many people rely on me. I feel so alone. Sometimes I write to get the feelings out, this is what I wrote half an hour ago before I thought to have a look on BB. I am lonely. There is not one person in this town that has initiated a conversation or friendship with me. I'm not ugly, I'm not scarey, I can't understand it...except that it is "this town". Depression is so ugly in this town, so ugly that even our local council members have committed suicide. I have 5 "acquaintances" in this town, but none I can turn to about how I feel right now. I was moved away from my support network by the person who is taking me to court about our child. I'm the one who initiates conversation. I'm the one who tries to make a connection. Right now I could not be bothered as it has become too hard to keep trying. I've lived in this town for 4 and a half years. I was happier in the city and I am when I visit there but I'm tied to this town at the moment because of the court case. I now have to represent myself...I hear myself saying this all the time "I am not a lawyer". I can't do this and I keep making mistakes with it but there's nothing else I can do except do it. Yes I've approached services for help with it, but they can only give advice, they can't actually help. I am tired and there is no one who can actually help right now...I just have to keep going. I feel like a windger that's why I put this here instead of my personal facebook wall.

Skyler12 On Drinking, Anxiety and Depression
  • replies: 2

Hello This is my first post. I'm in my mid-thirties and have dealt with depression and (what I now am beginning to recognise as) anxiety on and off since I started university. In retrospect it really hit when I started drinking alcohol. Or rather, di... View more

Hello This is my first post. I'm in my mid-thirties and have dealt with depression and (what I now am beginning to recognise as) anxiety on and off since I started university. In retrospect it really hit when I started drinking alcohol. Or rather, dived into a vat of it. I come from a conservative, quite religious background and I'd never had a drop of alcohol before going to a college on campus at the age of 17. Residential colleges can host a pretty dangerous alcohol culture, even to souls that are tougher than mine. Alcohol and cigarettes became inextricably allied with freedom and a world to which I'd always aspired. Ooh yes, I was all in. And I've been trapped in a Master-Servant relationship with both of them ever since. Basically the twin cessna engines of alcohol and cigarettes don't power me like (most) other people in my social circle.Our childhoods don't define us but I think we are all trying to find a riposte to them in some way. I was taught to doubt myself, to always feel guilt, to come second or even last and be gracious about it. Don't expect too much. Settle. I was shouted at and verbally abused for the smallest infringement by a father who has a lot of stuff going on mentally. It feels good to say he verbally abused me because I'm not allowed to say that in real life. Because it would hurt him too much. "Look at how much he loves you", "that generation is different." Of course he loves me. Almost too much sometimes. It is a smothering love. Telling a child how much you love them after you've just called them atrocious names, told them that they were worthless, yelled at them for nothing or kicked them out of the car and made them walk because they disagreed with you might just possibly leave that child with a poor sense of self worth as an adult. Then he'd be lovely. Very confusing, really. Anyway, there's been a lot of light and a lot of darkness. Maybe that's life. But I look around me and I see my friends buying houses and having children and I see me hanging back, afraid. Drinking too much still, trying to survive the dangerous depression that ensues. And I don't want to be afraid anymore. I don't want to just survive. I don't want to look to everyone else for approval, I don't want to be scared to speak my mind. I know what I believe, I want to find the courage to live it. I don't want to just survive, I want to thrive. I want us ALL to thrive. I'm writing this because I had to tell SOMEONE. Thanks for listening.

Dimtyrose No energy. Bi polar. Depressed.
  • replies: 4

So I am 24 years old. Medicated for anxiety depression and bi polar. Every day is a struggle with my self I feel so alone like no one understands what it's like. I have no one to talk to about it who gets what it is all about. so sick of taking my me... View more

So I am 24 years old. Medicated for anxiety depression and bi polar. Every day is a struggle with my self I feel so alone like no one understands what it's like. I have no one to talk to about it who gets what it is all about. so sick of taking my medication. I get bad thoughts all the time and I need ways to fight them off!