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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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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.

My_New_Reality Christmas is hard
  • replies: 9

I find these days hard because I have to interact with people and spend several hours at Christmas lunch and dinner and appear to be fine. I'm very low, and I want to curl up quietly for a few days. Instead I have a house full of people and scheduled... View more

I find these days hard because I have to interact with people and spend several hours at Christmas lunch and dinner and appear to be fine. I'm very low, and I want to curl up quietly for a few days. Instead I have a house full of people and scheduled events and demands. I just wanted to tell someone. My psychiatrist is of course on holidays.

Annabel Over sensitive to criticism from people I know
  • replies: 15

I decided to post how I feel because I know that my Anxiety is much worse then ever at the moment and I know it's been triggered by my work place. I work in a Government department and I've noticed the gradual decline of Staff levels over the last 10... View more

I decided to post how I feel because I know that my Anxiety is much worse then ever at the moment and I know it's been triggered by my work place. I work in a Government department and I've noticed the gradual decline of Staff levels over the last 10 years and we are working much harder now then ever. I have always been a reliable worker and never complain about my busy days and I work part time, 3 days a week. At work, I just kept on doing the harder Client service jobs but over the last month, I've noticed that I have not as much energy at work and when I get home I haven't got any energy left at all and my husband then just gets the dinner ready and thinks that I'm being lazy. Last Wednesday, I burst into tears to my Manager and said "I've had enough of this place, I can't stand that there are slackers here and I do their work for them when they ignore the counter and they don't give much support back." I told her this place is making me depressed and sad and then I realised that explains why I'm so tired all the time too! I already suffer from Anxiety and not only do I get the buttleflies in my stomach but also now for work related depression! I feel more sensitive then ever to other people's comments or criticism. I especially feel hurt from someone I know, eg. A Teacher shrugged me off with a comment about how she is busy and can't think right now while I was telling her something quickly about my boy. Another eg. Last night my brother in law made a comment"Just go to the car!" as I was telling him something while walking out. I always feel when people I know do this to me, that it's unjust and unfair as I would never talk to them like that and I'm not rude. I see a Pyschologist and I have meditation breaks. I do Yoga 3-4 times a week which has helped my breathing. I know that it takes practice and consistency but I hope that when I do get off guard by People, I won't feel the butterflies and hurt and I'll stop dwelling on those conversations! Fortunately, my Manager understands that I have anxiety and mild depression now and will put me less at the client service counter. I know that as I'm doing it all naturally without medication it's tough navigating through life with other people and their criticism and shrugging off rude attitudes but I will have times to myself where I will do my yoga or see a movie which is a great diversion from these people that are in my life! Thankyou. I hope there's other similar stories out there maybe? Annabel

nowhereman switching off- sleeping all the time.
  • replies: 1

Hi. Lately ive been sleeping most of the night and day. Its very risky and dangeruos for me because i have had blood clots before.in the leg and lung. Too much sleeping can cause blood pooling which causes a blood clot. But its the only way i can swi... View more

Hi. Lately ive been sleeping most of the night and day. Its very risky and dangeruos for me because i have had blood clots before.in the leg and lung. Too much sleeping can cause blood pooling which causes a blood clot. But its the only way i can switch off . From physical pains.depression. a racing mind. Too many bad memories. I dont even answer my phone most of the time. I refuse to talk to anyone. This probably wont even get posted .cheers. Max​

Mystique86 The struggle is real...
  • replies: 4

Why? Why do I feel this way? I am blessed with 4 healthy beautiful children but yet I'm struggling with the never ending battle in my head. I should be a happy 30 year old woman but yet I am struggling. My depression has been a curse I can't enjoy li... View more

Why? Why do I feel this way? I am blessed with 4 healthy beautiful children but yet I'm struggling with the never ending battle in my head. I should be a happy 30 year old woman but yet I am struggling. My depression has been a curse I can't enjoy life anymore. My depression has taken over it's been a constant battle for the last 6 years of my life. Even trying to type this the tears roll down my face my kids are asleep and excited for Santa to come soon and all I can think of is I think I am ready to go home. I can not deal with this anymore why has this consumed me for the last 6 years? I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy. I can no longer be medicated for my depression/anxiety/ptsd because I abused the medications on two occasions. I am finding it really difficult to survive each day with any help on top all my health issues. DEPRESSION I HATE YOU SO MUCH! You have and still control my life. Let me be HAPPY!

A2D2 Does your depression affect your ability to learn?
  • replies: 8

Is anyone studying at TAFE or Uni and finding it overwhelming? I seem to be only retaining 10% of what I hear and don't trust anything I am doing to be right. I have always considered myself to be extremely intelligent but combining the effects of be... View more

Is anyone studying at TAFE or Uni and finding it overwhelming? I seem to be only retaining 10% of what I hear and don't trust anything I am doing to be right. I have always considered myself to be extremely intelligent but combining the effects of being an older person in a dismal job market with going back to study (something I have wanted to study all of my life) and 25 years in a relationship where I came to doubt my intelligence, I am beginning to think I am too stupid to learn or get work. Study was supposed to be my big positive so I could move forward, but it is turning out to be a huge stressor instead because I don't trust my mind and second guess everything I am doing. It is taking a ridiculous amount of time for me to get the assignments done and I feel like I have learned nothing, but then I get good results every time. When I have studied previously, I never had these issues, even thought I had already been diagnosed with depression by then. Anyone else have this experience?