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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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dee_1 Made redundant at work - not coping at all
  • replies: 2

Good afternoon This week, I've had one of the worst weeks in a while. To go back what has happened this week, there is a lady that works for us, she is a training co-ordinator and I'm a receptionist. I'm not sure why, but this lady feels the need to ... View more

Good afternoon This week, I've had one of the worst weeks in a while. To go back what has happened this week, there is a lady that works for us, she is a training co-ordinator and I'm a receptionist. I'm not sure why, but this lady feels the need to talk to me like I'm beneath her. I've not done anything wrong to this lady, I've respected her and do as she says, fair enough I make my mistakes which probably annoy her but I don't feel like it's necessary to talk to me like a child. This behaviour of hers, has been happening for a few months now. She's nice to me but when some thing bugs her or "I'm not doing my job right" she will ensure to let me know how disappointed she is with me. After she spoke to me in quite a bitchy tone, I went down stairs to my office but I had a massive panic attack. I was crying and upset, I was just trying to do my job and this women shuts me down. I mustered up every courage I could, to go to my bosses office and inform him of the way she speaks to me and treats me. Then the worst topic, of all...came up. The industry that I work in, a training company that delivers qualifications, gets a portion of government funding to deliver subsidised training to those in NSW. Apparently, the company won't be getting as much money to deliver courses to our regional area and there fore my boss has had to make a "regrettable" decision to retrench me. I'm in a state of shock and anger because - even though my boss said it had affected 2 others apart from me, in the workplace - the other two "retrenched" workers, will do odd jobs around the place for him. Now, on top of everything else, I feel like my boss is lying to me - because even though he says his decision was incredibly hard, I feel like it wasn't. Over the course of 4 months of what's happened to me at work: - My boss hired a new woman to work with us to take some load of my shoulders as I was taking a lot of tasks and responsibilities on my own and doing things that I wasn't qualified for -Slowly, but surely some of those responsibilities were taken off me, however more and more skills and responsibilities were fading from me...the training coordinator was taking everything on; leaving me with not much to do. - My boss during this time was a little stand off-ish towards me and not talking to me much...avoiding me...not introducing me to clients that walked into our business. I'm feeling lost and upset because I need this job. I don't know how to accept what's happened

mariah4 Antenatal Depression
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm 23, 27 weeks pregnant and am suffering from prenatal depression. I have a loving family and partner but I have never felt so alone in my life. I don't resent my child, I just feel numb and severely sad. I am aware that hormones play a particu... View more

Hi, I'm 23, 27 weeks pregnant and am suffering from prenatal depression. I have a loving family and partner but I have never felt so alone in my life. I don't resent my child, I just feel numb and severely sad. I am aware that hormones play a particular role, I have been depressed before and I know that how I am feeling is beyond hormonal changes. I just don't want to feel so isolated and want this pain to go away.

spunkyturtle BPD - childlike
  • replies: 43

I turn 35 this week and am so frustrated lately, I feel like a 12 year old. I live with my parents, Mum bosses me around and tells me what to do like a 12 year old then Dad takes over and does things for me like I'm a child. If I don't do the dishes ... View more

I turn 35 this week and am so frustrated lately, I feel like a 12 year old. I live with my parents, Mum bosses me around and tells me what to do like a 12 year old then Dad takes over and does things for me like I'm a child. If I don't do the dishes pronto by a certain time, he takes over amongst other things. They went away for 12 days in August and I looked after my disabled brother, it was nice to have responsibility and if I didn't do something it just sat there until I did. the house is being sold and dad mentioned paying out my debt, I'm just waiting to see what happens so I can decide my next move. Anyone else feel like a big child? Any advice?!?!

Gaz84 In a rut and can't get out
  • replies: 4

I'm new to this, I've spent this last 12-24months in a downward turn, I have everything in life that I should need to be happy, a beautiful supportive wife, 2 kids that are my world,I got married this year and I'm about to move to a new house, I shou... View more

I'm new to this, I've spent this last 12-24months in a downward turn, I have everything in life that I should need to be happy, a beautiful supportive wife, 2 kids that are my world,I got married this year and I'm about to move to a new house, I should be feeling great, but I'm not, I feel like I've nothing to look forward to, my wife finds me difficult to deal with and distant, and when needed to do something can become quite snappy Over the past couple years my sleeping habits have decreased to approx 5 hours sleep a night, i eat quite allot as well I would say this year alone I have gained 20kgs and close to 30 kgs in the last 2 years I have also lost all motivation and drive in all aspects of my life, I don't do any physical activity at all, at my job I used to be quite motivated I find myself taking 2-3 times longer to do things that used to take me half a day, most days I don't even want to go in to work,

Dylan121121 How i feel
  • replies: 4

Right now i feel good I've had a few beers and my medication is probably working i hope i feel like this for a while. But from experience this good feeling i get even without alcohol only seems to last one hour around twice a day. I'm always thinking... View more

Right now i feel good I've had a few beers and my medication is probably working i hope i feel like this for a while. But from experience this good feeling i get even without alcohol only seems to last one hour around twice a day. I'm always thinking could be about what medication to take, whether to use drugs, work, girlfriend, living conditions etc my life is fine i just tend to think alot.

LostandScared Please help
  • replies: 3

I'm freaking out . I'm having trouble breathing, I don't know what to do. I don't want to talk to anybody on the phone. But I don't know where to turn. I've been drinking and doing drugs for days, it's become a bad cycle, and I feel unsafe and scared... View more

I'm freaking out . I'm having trouble breathing, I don't know what to do. I don't want to talk to anybody on the phone. But I don't know where to turn. I've been drinking and doing drugs for days, it's become a bad cycle, and I feel unsafe and scared. I'm trying to tell myself to breathe and things will change in the future, but I've done so many awful or dangerous things when drinking, a lot I don't even remember, but it feels like too much, and I'm scared the little bit of sanity I have left is going to disappear and I'm really going to hurt myself, and I don't want to, but I don't think I will be able to control it. I'm sorry this is rambling and incoherent. I don't know what to do. I know a big part is not taking my meds all the time, and the alcohol and drugs. I've been seeing a doctor and a psychologist for depression, anxiety, BPD and grief counseling. But it's all become too much. I'm scared. I've lost everything over the past 6 months, and been using alcohol and drugs to cope, though I know it's bad. But even sober all I feel is either nothing or everything. I can't cope anymore.

girl_interrupted Uncontrollable anger
  • replies: 17

It's funny the things that trigger our emotions. This morning I was waiting for an FBT and had been waiting nearly an hour when in walked 2 people who were bumped up the queue and I was told I had to go to another clinic because they were priority. I... View more

It's funny the things that trigger our emotions. This morning I was waiting for an FBT and had been waiting nearly an hour when in walked 2 people who were bumped up the queue and I was told I had to go to another clinic because they were priority. I had already been fasting since early last night and had a terrible headache and also had another appointment I needed to be at. I was so full of rage at this point that I nearly knocked over the apologetic phlebotomist and stormed out of the clinic, stomped over to my car and drove off like a maniac. Don't know how I didn't crash my car but I was thrashing my fists against the steering wheel screaming and generally acting like a crazy person. I even starting pulling my hair out which I've never done before. I am so ashamed of myself for reacting like this. Just made me realize how bad my anger issues are and that I really need to do something about it. It's been brought up with different therapists but never really got to the core or worked out strategies that are helpful. Or perhaps I just wasn't willing to take on all the advice. I tend to forget things a lot and I'm often spaced out and too exhausted to think. I also find it difficult to talk about stuff in person and seem to be better writing stuff down. I even tried online counseling in the hope this would resolve my face to face shyness but he kept asking me the same questions and it felt like a waste of time and money. I've tried mindfulness but I don't seem to be able to channel my anger in the split moment it grips me. I know I need help. I'm so upset right now I'm a total mess. Having no friends or social support doesn't help either. I hate who I am right now.

nlboujos Up and Down!
  • replies: 2

Hi! A bit about me and what brought me here. So I have had depression/anxiety/panic disorder most likely since I was young. There was a time when I was a little girl when my whole world changed (mum went back to work more, my brother changed schools,... View more

Hi! A bit about me and what brought me here. So I have had depression/anxiety/panic disorder most likely since I was young. There was a time when I was a little girl when my whole world changed (mum went back to work more, my brother changed schools, my best friend moved schools, I wasn't in the same class as my friends) and I ended up suffering from severe separation anxiety (I remember one time sleeping over at my friends house, and bursting into tears when mum pulled out of the driveway). I was taken to a child psych and eventually it sorted itself out. Next 15 years are reasonably stable (apart from the odd bout when being dumped by whomever I was with at the time). Fast forward to 2011 when I started a new job where unfortunately the Manager had issues of her own, and relentlessly bullied me everyday for about 6 months until she left. Got so low that I one day rang Lifeline, where my guardian angel said 'I used to be a mental health nurse, you have the symptoms of Depression/Anxiety/Panic Disorder, go to your GP'. Off to the GP I went, and away I walked with a script for AD's that I have been on ever since. Fast forward 12 months, and after making some life changes I am hit again. This time due to the stress of moving into my in-laws house. Once again I am back to the psych (EAP is amazing), and am asking my GP for increase in my dose of AD's (which I got). 2 years go by without an episode. My Husband and I get engaged and wham here it comes again! This time due to the pressure of planning a wedding. Once again back the psych and it all gets sorted. 18 months goes by, we move into our house, we get married all is well. Then my husband insists that I do a sleep study due to my snoring and constant tiredness. Turns out I have severe obstructive sleep apnea that means that I either have to have a CPAP machine for the rest of my life (I'm 30), or have massive jaw surgery to open my airways. I deal with it fine until I see the surgeon about 6 weeks ago and BAM! it's back again, and this time with a vengeance! I have being doing CBT with a psych, while waiting for the surgery (which will be in about 12 months time, as there is prep work that needs to be done) I have purchased a CPAP so I can sleep, and have had a med review with my GP who has changed me to a different SSRI. I have my up days (mum said I sounded quite chirpy last night) and my down (I woke up feeling awful this morning).

Holly_Girl Lost my direction....
  • replies: 2

I've been seeing my psychologist now for 8 weeks. I was referred to him after walking into my GP's office and finally asking for help. I was diagnosed with depression. All I know is that I was in the darkest rut of my life. My weekly sessions with my... View more

I've been seeing my psychologist now for 8 weeks. I was referred to him after walking into my GP's office and finally asking for help. I was diagnosed with depression. All I know is that I was in the darkest rut of my life. My weekly sessions with my psychologist have been pivotal for me in navigating my way out of the rut. Trying to find my direction. I understand finding our own way is a process. The biggest issue for me is that I totally burnt myself out in my career. My job occupied my days & nights, and pretty soon I didn't have much of a life outside of work. I allowed my role to define me. Once the company closed I was completely burnt, lost & unemployed. I had no idea what direction to head in or what I even wanted to do with myself. Returning to a similar role now fills me with a sense of claustrophobia & dread. So here I am for the first time in 20 years in the midst of a career break. Through working with my psychologist, I've finally reached a point where I've given myself permission to take this time to restore & re-evaluate (it wasn't easy, let me tell you). He assures me that I will regain my mojo and find my direction. My vision. That once I do I'll be off & running again. But for now focus on restoring as I run the risk of reentering the workforce to early. I've also now found I'm a bit of a misfit to those around me. Taking a career break is frowned upon in my circle. It makes others uncomfortable. People don't seem to understand the concept of restoring. Not when everyone is so busy. It's hard to explain that I'm restoring. That I'm learning how to take care of myself. That I'm trying to put in place healthier long term habits. That I'm walking my dog each day, attending fitness classes a couple of times a week, cooking, gardening, reading, watching movies & catching up with friends. That I'm trying to discover what I actually like doing. As all I seem to know is how to push myself in my career. But the hardest thing is trusting that I will recover. That I will once again find my direction. So I'm taking it one day at a time. Some days are better than others. On those not so good days I can't seem to make sense of how I got here. When last year I seemed to be at the prime of my career. But then I have to remind myself that I've been pushing for a long time now. Something had to give. At some point I needed to re-evaluate. I just didn't expect to feel so lost in the process. HG.

CompulsiveLiar Antisocial Personality Disorder.
  • replies: 23

I'm writing this because I dont want to be like this anymore, and I want to be as well as I can possibly be. My username is CompulsiveLiar. Thats who I have been. I spent most of my life telling lies to survive. I imagine some people reading this wil... View more

I'm writing this because I dont want to be like this anymore, and I want to be as well as I can possibly be. My username is CompulsiveLiar. Thats who I have been. I spent most of my life telling lies to survive. I imagine some people reading this will question whether or not I am actually telling the truth. Thats what sucks about telling people that I am recovering compulsive liar, people dont believe liars. And rightfully so. But I believe that a liar can learn to not tell lies. Its a tough habit to break, but it is possible. Like many I had a brutal childhood, as a young boy. I had a very cruel mother. But I do forgive her. She was sick too. Shes a lot better now. I will never ever live with her again. But, shes happy in her pocket of the universe, and me in mine. I love her dearly. She did her best. Took me a long time to admit that, mum was in a lot of emotional pain. I didnt get that then. Still dont fully understand emotions. This disorders inhibits me from feeling like most people feel. And, like most people with ASPD, I also suffered with a Conduct Disorder, as a child. Ive never been to prison. Though I do have criminal convictions. Im writing because this is all part of a therapeutic process for me. Its important for me to start telling the truth as much as I can to generate new habits, to tell the truth. Im using this forum because its a safe way for me to be honest, without the anxiety of being judged or criticised for having this disorder. Ive had a look around and I dont see many posts about this disorder though, and Im not surprised. Most people with ASPD dont come forward to get help, unless its due to a court order. Im not expecting much, and Im not looking for sympathy or anything like that. Ive hurt alot of people along the way, and I dont want to do that anymore. So much so, that it hurts, and the weird thing is that its good that it hurts, because Im feeling remorse!. They say people like me dont feel that but I swear thats what Im feeling. Im so sorry to everyone in this world that I have ever hurt. Im so very sorry. I wish that I wasnt born this way but I have to make the most of the hand that I have been dealt. I read a post on here, about limiting beliefs and taking responsibility, and thats where I am at. I so desperately want to step up and be the man that I know that I can be. Coming clean like this is a big deal for me. And I feel good being able to share this, without guilt, shame and fear. Thank you all very much!.