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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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2L85iblSXm Is there any point seeking professional help?
  • replies: 24

There is no depression amongst remote uncontacted peoples, nor is there amongst wild animals. Put a lion in a cage at the zoo, though, and he'll exhibit signs of anxiety. Put a sow (pig) in a farrowing crate and she'll experience a level of depressio... View more

There is no depression amongst remote uncontacted peoples, nor is there amongst wild animals. Put a lion in a cage at the zoo, though, and he'll exhibit signs of anxiety. Put a sow (pig) in a farrowing crate and she'll experience a level of depression few here can imagine. That's what happens when you put an animal in an unnatural environment. We're animals too and civilization is not our natural environment. Our cage is bigger, but it's there for anyone who knows what to look for. I'm sick of it. No matter what I do, that cage will always be there. The masses will pretend it's not. I will remain miserable because freedom is dead. Forever. It's a morbid system that demands we toil our lives away just for the scraps it takes to maintain existence. It's not worth the effort. Never will be. I am unemployed. My unpopular perception of reality is causing tension between myself and my JobActive provider. The pressure is on now that I'm on stream C. I just know they're going to coerce me into using unethical means to apply for unethical jobs. That corrupt work for the dole scam is just around the corner too. I cannot, in good conscience, play into this system. It's an evil monster that needs to be starved to death. Things are so bad with my JA provider that I, on their advice, had to obtain a medical exemption to get away from them. It expires in a couple of weeks and I have no idea if I can bring myself to go back there. The doctor, unsurprisingly, was reluctant to give me a certificate over something so stupid. I'd feel uncomfortable returning so soon to tell him the details I left out of my story. Given that my goals are incompatible with the goals society has imposed on me, I don't see the point anyway. That there is the problem - society has imposed its own goals on me. Those goals are wrong for me. All the "treatment" options have those same goals. I'm done playing their game. It's all stick and no carrot. I don't want to be "normal". Most normal people are idiots, drones, pursuing a pointless cause. I want to be me, without the pressure to do society's bidding. What am I to do? Even if the problem was solvable, I simply don't have the time left. I don't even have it that bad. It's just that we all deserve better and I'm sick of pretending otherwise. PS. This forum has some serious accessibility issues.

Ellu A-MAZE-ING
  • replies: 2

A couple of days ago someone gave me a postcard of an English hedge maze taken from above. It occurred to me that this was a symbolic start to my new year. When you are in a maze all you can do is wander around looking for landmarks to find your way ... View more

A couple of days ago someone gave me a postcard of an English hedge maze taken from above. It occurred to me that this was a symbolic start to my new year. When you are in a maze all you can do is wander around looking for landmarks to find your way out. No doubt my year will see plenty of false starts, and no doubt I will spend plenty of time agonising over my loss of way, but I am hoping that there will be a bit of progress too, and that sometimes I can sit on the seats provided and reflect on life. I wonder whether anyone else thinks of their mental health journey in terms of a maze. It is alive, it is a constant puzzle, and there are any number of directions to try. Maybe you don't identify with me at all - but I can still identify with you. Best wishes for your new year however you see it. Ellu

A_A Depression and anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi, i feel so depressed. I feel like im unworthy person. Im lost. I been through so much in 5 years and iv been fighting depression, i cant tell anyone the way i feel. I ripped pf by people, i married a girl i loved her alot but she deceived me. Had ... View more

Hi, i feel so depressed. I feel like im unworthy person. Im lost. I been through so much in 5 years and iv been fighting depression, i cant tell anyone the way i feel. I ripped pf by people, i married a girl i loved her alot but she deceived me. Had boy friend. Its been two years. I cried alot i felt like ill die, i feel like im hopeless, there is no joy and happiness for me, i cant get out of my bed. And im trying very hard to get back on my life and atart working and find ways to be happy, i dont know how long its gonna take for me to feel better.

Laurenk7 Moving Interstate
  • replies: 5

Hello, I am new to this forum so I'm not 100% sure what I'm seeking. I am supposed to be moving from Victoria to NSW in the start of February, -and while I've already moved from Western Australia to Victoria I'm finding the whole process impossible. ... View more

Hello, I am new to this forum so I'm not 100% sure what I'm seeking. I am supposed to be moving from Victoria to NSW in the start of February, -and while I've already moved from Western Australia to Victoria I'm finding the whole process impossible. I can't get motivated to pack, clean, organise, make calls, instead I just end up feeling really down and anxious about not doing these things. I usually have a 'just do it' attitude about most things, but I'm finding this really hard, it's making me isolate myself from everyone. Does anyone have any tips on how to start with this sort of huge project? Or how to push through this barrier of depression/anxiety? Thank you.

Rodeo_clown Bullied for having a mental illness,fired from my job, now struggling
  • replies: 2

Hi Im 36 years old and was recently fired from my workplace due to failure of health for depression and anxiety.I was constantly being laughed and mocked by over 100 employees including 4 supervisors.I raised it several times but they wanted it in wr... View more

Hi Im 36 years old and was recently fired from my workplace due to failure of health for depression and anxiety.I was constantly being laughed and mocked by over 100 employees including 4 supervisors.I raised it several times but they wanted it in writing and i didnt want to get people fired.Subsequently i wanted to be moved to a different area of the company,in which HR advised there were no positions available.I ended up loosing my job,and have spent the last 2 years unemployed and sitting at home everyday looking after my 2 year old daughter,while my wife goes to work.I feel like a failure to my family.I dont have the confidence to return to work,and spend most days depressed or anxious about the future.I dont know what to do,i feel alone and just floating through life waiting to get old.I am worried i will bring up my daughter badly due to always being upset and frustrated.It was made even worse by finding out my colleagues were calling me a liar,and telling management i was a liar.I ended up recording 40 mins of hidden conversations about me on my phone in a office,and finding out management wanted me gone due to being a liability and possible cause for suicide in which they wanted no part of.My physologist has said to try other employment but i feel sick thinking about it.I thought of starting my own business as i enjoy selling secondhand stuff on ebay,in which im quiet succesfull,and feel i have a gift for selling.I feel its the only thing im good at,but dont know what to do.I would not wish the past 2 years on my worst enemy,and i sometimes wish it was all just a bad dream.

white knight Depression, how to fight it
  • replies: 10

So you're fed up?. You might have had depression for years. Sometimes you want to give up right?. We all know the feeling. But other times we are functioning OK, good even and we don't know why. That means it has an underlying lack of predictability ... View more

So you're fed up?. You might have had depression for years. Sometimes you want to give up right?. We all know the feeling. But other times we are functioning OK, good even and we don't know why. That means it has an underlying lack of predictability to it. The mental health professionals know a lot but there are huge gaps in overall knowledge about depression. There is lack of commonality or we'd all read the same book to read up about ourselves. So, that moment you are fed up...you decide to "fight it". Whatever it takes. You push yourself really hard. But I suggest, based on what I've read and subsequently my own practicing of such readings, it isn't the way to go. Ever shadow boxed? You'll never win against an invisable opponent! But you might be able to corral it, corner it so you can live life better, not ideal perhaps but limiting the effects on depression should be your aim. The moment I read an article about 3 years ago that said " one should allow depressive cycles to run their course not try to hurry up the process" I knew I'd been on the wrong track. Over many years I'd had many mental challenges, family, workplace discrimination etc and I fought the maximum within my power so I thought "I can lick this"... No I couldn't and such daily determination might be commendable but that doesn't mean its effective. It takes more wisdom. Unfortunately some mental illnesses have symptoms that result in fast thoughts and actions that hide our wisdom. With effective medication and the right dosage our thought processes often slow down and that, in my case resulted in making wiser decisions. The intelligence was always there albeit with a manic blanket covering. Be real. If you are bed ridden then unless you wet the bed you must attend the toilet right? Logical. So you can also rise from bed to greet your carer after a hard days work. At times prepare a brew. Never extend your symptoms. It won't help you and your carer doesn't deserve it. Spiritual peace. For me it was a crutial element in my recovery. I found Maharaji- and his videos " sunset" and "the perfect instrument" google them. It isn't religion, its a place you can go that provides peace. In time you'll listen daily because of his logic. Measured determination works. But nothing works better in my opinion as does Proper diagnosis Appropriate medication Best dosage Letting cycles run their course Being realistic Relaxation And not wasting effort striking the shadow boxer. Tony WK

Mimzie42 Struggling with being on holiday but feeling depressed (Bipolar related)
  • replies: 3

Hello, This is my first post. I am away from home for two weeks and staying with my husband who is working in Melbourne. I usually really enjoy these trips away as it gives me fresh places to get inspired by to write. I've been here since Thursday an... View more

Hello, This is my first post. I am away from home for two weeks and staying with my husband who is working in Melbourne. I usually really enjoy these trips away as it gives me fresh places to get inspired by to write. I've been here since Thursday and am feeling increasingly depressed. Actually, I think I've been low for a couple of weeks with a small hypomanic episode just before Christmas. To compound things our son and his fiancé had a baby girl a month ago and though we live just ten minutes apart from each other my hubby and I have only been able to see our granddaughter a few times. Both sets of families have been in different states, so it's logistical but it's been hard. I feel like life has taken such a dramatic turn in the past year, with being confirmed with Bipolar 2, generalised anxiety and panic disorder, the new family dynamics and also our 18 year old son diagnosed with Inattentive ADD and social anxiety. It's been a rough ride to be truthful and I just feel tired and lonely. I did the online depression test just before and it came up with 31, apparently quite high. I have been walking at least 10,000 steps a day, eating healthy food, drinking water, trying to stay optimistic. I'm just flat and hope that it will pass. I'm also supposed to be organising to see my father's family for the first time in 27 years, and it's feeling very overwhelming. In fact, I think when I realised that it had been that long I noticed a shift in my mood levels. I'm still taking my medication and trying to maintain some form of structure but just feeling unsure how to get through the current shift. Thanks for listening.

leelee1994 my heart hurts no where to turn
  • replies: 2

Im finding life so hard im not sure where to turn to my partner and i are so distant my kids are uncontrolable no one seams to be listening Falling apart on how much my partner and i have become so distant lately it bothers me to the poing i say/do r... View more

Im finding life so hard im not sure where to turn to my partner and i are so distant my kids are uncontrolable no one seams to be listening Falling apart on how much my partner and i have become so distant lately it bothers me to the poing i say/do really dumb stuff leafinbto arguments My kids are young both diffrent fathers but class my oartner as dad my ex wont give up the last few day advisester 4 years he finally has decided he wants something to do with his child my partner hates the idea and really so do i but i know i cant do that to my son but i cant seam to win On another note my daily struggles of even getting out of bed is getting so much harder i just dont seam to find the energy to even tell the dog to sit down anymore I have no friends no social life of any kind im around the kids 24/7 with no excape Looking fo insite to look at the brighter side of life

KaraArtist Reaching out, do you feel like you can't?
  • replies: 10

Do you ever feel like you can't reach out to friends and family because you're having another episode and it's the same as the last one you had and the one before that? I am sitting here trying to make my brain focus on work but I am screaming inside... View more

Do you ever feel like you can't reach out to friends and family because you're having another episode and it's the same as the last one you had and the one before that? I am sitting here trying to make my brain focus on work but I am screaming inside,I am desperate to talk to somebody but I feel like I will just be saying the same things I always say. I know it will pass but I feel so alone in this. I have Schizoaffective disorder and that means I have mild hallucinations, mild delusions and Depression. Today there is a nagging beeping I can't find, points of light (I think I am also getting a migraine) depression and a sense of detachment from reality. How can I tell my loved ones these things without them shutting down? I am rambling, I guess I just want to see if anyone is around to listen to my madness or share in it.

Littleone88 Depression or just normal ups & downs??
  • replies: 3

Hi The last 2 weeks i have been feeling off. just like i can't be bothered doing anything. i would normally get up and do things on my days off work, but lately i can't seem to get up off the couch. I even hate the thought of going to work where norm... View more

Hi The last 2 weeks i have been feeling off. just like i can't be bothered doing anything. i would normally get up and do things on my days off work, but lately i can't seem to get up off the couch. I even hate the thought of going to work where normally work would be fine. Don't feel like talking to anyone and it's an effort to have a shower, do dishes, etc I have been on an antideppressant for 2 years (was put on for anxiety) and just wondering if meds sometimes just stop working? So all these thoughts racing through my head at the moment and not sure if this is just a normal lull in life. Thinking that i should be able to shake it off and force myself to do things then i'll start feeling ok again. Or if it is depression...... ps. am going to doctor to get advice on the meds but would love to hear other peoples experiences. thanks.