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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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chelseajones I don't know how to help myself anymore.....
  • replies: 2

I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression 4 years ago. Recently I had a serious loss of a very close family member and a break up of a long term relationship which has pushed me over the edge. I started self harming. After this I was sent to the in... View more

I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression 4 years ago. Recently I had a serious loss of a very close family member and a break up of a long term relationship which has pushed me over the edge. I started self harming. After this I was sent to the inpatient facility at melbourne clinic the 'general' ward but was told that I really shouldn't be there so came out after 4 days. I see a psychologist every 2 weeks, I am on all sorts of medications and health products, I exercise and eat fairly sensible. (Yes, I sometimes overdo it on the alcohol but it makes me feel more me with all the medication.) I have tried meditation and still can't seem to calm myself down when I am depressed or having a panic attack My parents keep on saying they want to see me try to get better - what more can I do, other options?

sydneyharbour17 Do I have bi-polar?
  • replies: 16

Hi there, I have recently started seeing a psychologist to help deal with the emotions I have experienced after a particularly painful break-up. It has been very helpful but in becoming more in tune with my emotions through these sessions, I have not... View more

Hi there, I have recently started seeing a psychologist to help deal with the emotions I have experienced after a particularly painful break-up. It has been very helpful but in becoming more in tune with my emotions through these sessions, I have noticed a few things. Firstly I have noticed that I experience what I could only describe as 'highs' where I am completely satisfied with life, become extremely impulsive, spend a lot of money, have racing thoughts, am very productive and social, become even more loud and talkative than usual (I am an extravert) and sleep very little. Following these episodes, which last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, I usually become extremely down, have negative thoughts, sleep poorly, and yeah just become all round depressed. Again this lasts for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. My first depressive episode occurred when I was 15 (I am now nearly 20) and I have had these 'cycles' ever since although sometimes they are not as obvious and they are definitely much worse when I am experiencing severe emotional stress like I am now. In the past month a have experienced 2 highs and am now entering my 3rd low. My psychologist has been focussing very heavily on the break up but I would like to move away from that in my next session and explore these feelings further. Does this sound like bi polar? How do I talk about this with my health professional without him thinking that I am just matching symptoms in my head like a lot of people do when they Google their illnesses? Also if it is bi polar what can be done to treat it? Regards, Concerned

Loula Laughed At
  • replies: 4

Does anyone else get really upset about the stigma with mental illness? Ive got Bipolar which the world calls the crazy gene. People use it left right and centre as an insult to payout on people. Like if a girls upset oh that chick is crazy she's bip... View more

Does anyone else get really upset about the stigma with mental illness? Ive got Bipolar which the world calls the crazy gene. People use it left right and centre as an insult to payout on people. Like if a girls upset oh that chick is crazy she's bipolar. All the Facebook memes joking about it. "I hate having bipolar it's fun!" Even the movies. I was watching the Intern and the little girl dad is like your friend has so many moods she's bipolar and they all laugh like a happy family about it! Like it's a nightmare. I'm trying hard to accept it and let people know but once they hear Bipolar your crazy. The Stigma is set in. Today one of my close friends who knows I have bipolar started liking jokes about it so goodbye loser!

Allen_p82 FEELING EMPTY, LIVING WITHOUT MEANING
  • replies: 7

Hi this is quite difficult for me to post on here. Never really spoken about my issues but i guess this is the first step. I wake up everyday with nothing to look forward to. I have no interests or hobbies anymore. Everything seems to be such an effo... View more

Hi this is quite difficult for me to post on here. Never really spoken about my issues but i guess this is the first step. I wake up everyday with nothing to look forward to. I have no interests or hobbies anymore. Everything seems to be such an effort to do. I have this feeling of complete emptiness. I find it very difficult to make decisions and when I do finally make one is always the wrong one. I no longer see my friends and barely talk to me family. I rather be alone. I feel likeI have to be a different person around different people and situations. I get quite nervous just talking to people. I feel like I just wake up each day and go through the motions without any meaning. I no longer have the capacity to have feelings. I say and do things which are mean to those I supposedly love but I feel no remorse. I hate being like this. I spend most of my days in bed sleeping and staring blankly at the tv. Sometimes I watch for an hour or so then in an ad break cant even remember what i am watching. Yes I am quite messed up, I know. Im just wondering if anyone has had similar things happen to them and could share with me.

BALM Living with Depression
  • replies: 12

Hi There, I was diagnosed with depression and acute anxiety around 8 years ago and went on a course of medication for around 2-3 years after that. I also had counselling at that time and also a prolonged period of counselling when I again felt I had ... View more

Hi There, I was diagnosed with depression and acute anxiety around 8 years ago and went on a course of medication for around 2-3 years after that. I also had counselling at that time and also a prolonged period of counselling when I again felt I had relapsed around 3 years ago. The desire was that I would be "cured" but as I am learning this is a life long challenge to be managed and even celebrated at what I am able to achieve. I'm currently under no direct treatment. Its a stressful period in life as I have also in the past few months moved into an Executive position (at a good/supportive workplace) and as well my wife and I have three children (5, 2.5 and 1). All the same lately I have found my motivation and general satisfaction with life to be up and down and in fact become more down - I have days like today where for someone who can be super productive and motivated I just cant be bothered being at work, and I know that if I have a day where I am slow it'll be fine, but I feel guilty. I also feel guilty because, you know I am lucky enough to be educated, have skills that are employable, a beautiful family, but I feel this way and doubt that others understand fully. I've never posted here before but have used BB resources before. Thanks, Ben

Muckabout Situational Trigger or Is It Just Who I Am?
  • replies: 5

Nearly 2 years ago my wife left me and she has since divorced me. I had a mental breakdown and spent 6 weeks in various forms of rehab. The last 3 weeks of this was spent at SPP and j came out of there feeling on cloud nine. My wife has completely sh... View more

Nearly 2 years ago my wife left me and she has since divorced me. I had a mental breakdown and spent 6 weeks in various forms of rehab. The last 3 weeks of this was spent at SPP and j came out of there feeling on cloud nine. My wife has completely shut down on me and at no time did she show any care for my situation. My psychiatrist thought I may have Dysthymia, but this week after a lot of soul searching, I have come to realise that I really don't have any interests or things that I am truly passionate and expert about. I also cannot remember the last time I really enjoyed something properly, which leads me to think I have become Anhedonic. It's in my nature to want to know the reason why? My first thoughts are that it might be my medication. Has anybody had any experience with their anti-depressant medication, whilst stabilizing one's mood, perhaps diminishing their ability to see enjoyment in things.Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

Maggie_Mae telling my story here first before face to face with counsellor
  • replies: 10

Hi all, I've struggles with deppression on and off most of my life. My life looks great from the outside and is pretty good amazing husband and beautiful children. I have spent so much time forgetting my past and seemed successful till resently when ... View more

Hi all, I've struggles with deppression on and off most of my life. My life looks great from the outside and is pretty good amazing husband and beautiful children. I have spent so much time forgetting my past and seemed successful till resently when it all came rushing back to my memory. After several attempts of talking to a GP, I have done it and booked counsellor appiontment. I am scaried for the first time telling my story to be face to face so venting here first. Hope that's okay. i apologies as it may not be coherent.just need to get it out of my head Great childhood, loving parents life was good till one day in high school what seemed like a normal day changed in a split second. He pushed me up against the brick wall And my life changed forever, I was to scaried to speak up, grades dropped a teacher ask why I tried to explain I could see the frustration in her face and was told to speak to the counsellor if I have issues, he was less than helpful saying boys will be boys. I never talked about it again even though it continues for 2years. I turned to self harm and it seemed to help. I am not sure how or when but somewhere along the way i was able to live life and 'forget'. faat forward 10 yrd and life was good I was pregnant with my second child I went for on appointment and was rushed to hospital as my baby was In danger he was born few hours later. I remember looking at the doctors rushing around with all types of equipment and feeling like a failure as a mother for not protecting my child. Since then I have been living the days struggling with depression on and off till a few months back j decided to see a GP. I become so scaried to say out loud I need help I lied and ended up sitting in my car wanting to self harm once again. Which throw me straight back to the days of needing self harm to survive the pain. Forgetting the past didn't work so now it's time to deal with it. Thanks so much for reading sorey it was so long.

Jec Feeling scared
  • replies: 5

My name is Jess and Iam currently going through depression. Iv had a lot happen to me in the past three years. The loss of a relationship cos he didn't want children but than got a girl pregnant after three months. I got on with it I brought a house ... View more

My name is Jess and Iam currently going through depression. Iv had a lot happen to me in the past three years. The loss of a relationship cos he didn't want children but than got a girl pregnant after three months. I got on with it I brought a house but than lost my job and had to get room mates in . Iv had nothing trouble with room mates . Than I lost my licence and had to move away for work . I than got borders in while I was away. Than they decided to move out while Iam up the bay and struggling financially so now Iam sitting in the dark so afraid to move on I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel

Isa_197 Just about had enough...
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I don't even know who to turn to anymore. I told my partner I think I'm suffering from depression and he said I've just hit a rough patch. The problem is this rough patch has been going for close to two years. I feel sad and cry all the time,... View more

Hi all, I don't even know who to turn to anymore. I told my partner I think I'm suffering from depression and he said I've just hit a rough patch. The problem is this rough patch has been going for close to two years. I feel sad and cry all the time, have isolated myself from the few friends I had, don't want to talk to my family anymore and get no pleasure from doing anything. I haven't held down a permanent job for this time because I get anxious when I go into jobs and can't handle any pressure. So I quit. I went to see a doctor and they said I was suffering 'the winter blues' I went to see a psychologist (I tried two) and neither of them were very helpful. I really am at my wits end. What is the next step from here? Has anyone faced similar hurdles when trying to get help and how did you overcome them?

Maggie_Mae everything look perfect on the outside
  • replies: 44

Hi I am new here, after months ( honestly years) of refusing to accknowlege I may be deppressed I thought I would give this a go. From the outside I am very lucky I have a wonderful husband, beautiful health children. A home and people around me that... View more

Hi I am new here, after months ( honestly years) of refusing to accknowlege I may be deppressed I thought I would give this a go. From the outside I am very lucky I have a wonderful husband, beautiful health children. A home and people around me that care about me. But for some reason I have this hole inside of me a place that makes me forget the happiness I should feel for my life. I feel guilty for feeling sad I have no right too. There are so many people who are doing it tough, they can find happiness why can't I? How easy it is to pretend everything is fine, the front/face I put on every day. While inside I am scaried sad lost. Why is it easier to continue to pretend, than try to understand what's going on inside my head. I am not sure why it is easier to write than ever utter a word.