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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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giggles Well I got tripped up but took notice.
  • replies: 2

I had depression in 2000 so 16 years later at a time I was doing all those positive things everyone suggests and actually felt safe and happy to do them. I meet alot of people who welcomed me with open arms to now the complete opposite. It all starte... View more

I had depression in 2000 so 16 years later at a time I was doing all those positive things everyone suggests and actually felt safe and happy to do them. I meet alot of people who welcomed me with open arms to now the complete opposite. It all started getting my attention through my thoughts and me basically fighting myself but to the point it was just way to uncontrollable. I sort help bringing my partner with me because I was so desperate to get help which I have now received. On that note its so interesting when I mention whats been going on with me to selected people they mention me having courage which off course I laugh at because I certainly had more to be scared from just from myself at night and in my dreams. I think I am getting what they mean now bit like the Lion in Wizard of Oz. I went onto medication which helped me sleep but too much still. I have some medical conditions as well which are chronic Type 1 Diabetes since 2 and heart disease By pass in 20005.They do not cause this though to me. Its all about thoughts on the negative for me and then I go into an instant feeling for the thoughts. I reckon its crazy stuff because I do not understand why now and I am a person who is about solutions. I enjoy arts and crafts and am quite capable of creating things. But for this to happen now just took me away. Interesting enough I am happier in a supportive role for others but that just might be the problem.I purposely took myself out of society because of how I was feeling. I get annoyed when I am told its chemical stuff cause I wanna know what chemical is doing that then? I have always seen my Diabetes as saving me because no matter what is going on I always look after it by doing the injections everyday and looking after it the best I can. Its my personal sign that I will be ok and I have broken down what I can do everyday. It is not how I use to be though I guess I miss the old me. Who knows a new one might come along or at least an answer be nice. Its tough out there when this happens society do not know how to respond I get it so I have selected who to talk too because I am not here to change society. I know they too are getting on with life in their way, i might need to find mine. Well I hope this helps someone it helped me to write a tiny little bit today so cheers for starting this forum. Hope to be giggling more soon. Meds are helping me so thats a positive so far. Giggles

nowhereman starting to feel calmer
  • replies: 7

Hi everybody? I like my middle name.Max.so i call myself max. After my grandad. Im amazed how the slight increase in my anti depression tablet has improved my moods. Over a few days.my doctor asked should we increase it...i straight away agreed becua... View more

Hi everybody? I like my middle name.Max.so i call myself max. After my grandad. Im amazed how the slight increase in my anti depression tablet has improved my moods. Over a few days.my doctor asked should we increase it...i straight away agreed becuase it worked last year by increasing it.i think my body got used to the low dose and it wasnt working.feeling like cracking jokes and playing my guitar again. So please if you guys ever feel sudden changes in your mood levels.go straight to your doctor and ask if your meds are doing the job or not.sometimes they need to adjust them. Take care all. Max

5022 My self destruction
  • replies: 6

Hi all. Im a 42 yo mother and dont know what came first, my depression or alcohol dependence. Either way, i am struggling at the moment with self destructive choices past and present snd know alcohol is usually involved. My ex who has main custody of... View more

Hi all. Im a 42 yo mother and dont know what came first, my depression or alcohol dependence. Either way, i am struggling at the moment with self destructive choices past and present snd know alcohol is usually involved. My ex who has main custody of our kids has just this week changes their schools without telling me and my joungest cant remember the school name and my eldest who is 14 sides with her dad and is evading the answer. I have always been involved with kids sport school life thrown all birthdays buy Xmas presents and paid guitar and karate. Now my involvement has been limited due to geographical reasons, I don't drive( lost my licence 5 years ago DUI) and cant afford a car now due to high maintence I pay and living costs and am considering bankrupsy. I am a nurse have a successful career but my personal issues are causing me extreme anxiety, i was in bed for 3 days since Monday and still unable too eat. Having my kids this weekend has helped.I only see them every second weekend. I have limited social life as all my family are interstate and I lost friends when I left my ex 6 years ago, I have only 2 friends.I have had lots of psychological therapy until since a year and half ago and am on medication for 14 years. My ex triggers my meltdowns so i think i need help again. I am hoping not to drink as it just gets me into trouble, i text my ex things I usually wouldn't and its only making my situation too see my kids worse thus again increases anxiety. Is anyone else in or been through a similar situation. I would love to hear how you cope . cheers

5022 Facebook feeds my depression sometimes
  • replies: 12

Sometimes i find social sites feed my depression. Seeing people with family and friends having a good time and especially with their children makes me feel so sad and that i am a misfit in society. I wish i had the means to take my kids on holidays b... View more

Sometimes i find social sites feed my depression. Seeing people with family and friends having a good time and especially with their children makes me feel so sad and that i am a misfit in society. I wish i had the means to take my kids on holidays but i dont and i feel like such a failure.

GemAndLogan I want to run away
  • replies: 2

I suffer from severe depression and take medication. It has been controlled but over the last two years my life has been in turmoil and I feel powerless to do anything about it. I lost my mum (who was also my best friend) to cancer, then my gran to o... View more

I suffer from severe depression and take medication. It has been controlled but over the last two years my life has been in turmoil and I feel powerless to do anything about it. I lost my mum (who was also my best friend) to cancer, then my gran to old age, then my partner to an ice addiction which also resulted in him making bad choices and our home being raided and turned upside down twice by the police and then me having to go to court. I've never committed a crime or had any negative dealings with the police so this was very frightening for me on top of my partner acting like a crazy person. Although things have settled down a bit, I never feel okay anymore. I'm constantly effected by my depression and always have this strong urge to just get in my car and drive away and detach myself from everyone and everything and just start over. I feel like I'm losing my mind. I feel like I've watched my life go downhill and couldn't do anything about it. Any suggestions for bouncing back? I know a lot of people put there have been through a lot so how did you get back to feeling normal? Thanks so much!

girl_interrupted Learning to forgive myself
  • replies: 6

I've never shared this with any of my friends. When I was a young, naive teenager I feel pregnant to the type of guy you wouldn't bring home to meet the parents. Being so young, I struggled greatly with coming to terms with the gravity of being respo... View more

I've never shared this with any of my friends. When I was a young, naive teenager I feel pregnant to the type of guy you wouldn't bring home to meet the parents. Being so young, I struggled greatly with coming to terms with the gravity of being responsible for another human being, but also felt the overwhelming excitement of creating a little person and being a mum. All those maternal instincts kicking in and so many hormones and emotions going on for me all at once. After much counseling and consideration I decided to terminate the pregnancy. The pain of carrying to full term and then giving up the child for adoption was too great for me, and I was not fit to raise a child on my own. Looking back, I felt a lot of pressure from my family and the counselor in my decision but I knew it was the right thing to do at the time, for many reasons. It kind of felt like the easy way out. But I agonized over my decision, and I've spent most of my life hating myself and regretting it. I never forgave myself. I had nightmares for years and still now I get a deep pang of guilt and shame when I think about it. I do wonder how different my life would be if I had chosen a different path. I feel like such a selfish, horrible human being. I had a choice and maybe it was the wrong choice, but at the time I was not able to make those decisions for myself. I guess we all make poor choices in life and have to learn from them. Trying hard to let go. I'm learning to forgive myself. It's hard tho.

Switchoff My own stigma and judgement
  • replies: 1

So I finally went to my GP and have been prescribed antidepressants for my depression. I work in a job where I'm "the brave hero" I often attend jobs to assist people who aren't coping and even jobs where help was to late. The thought of "us" not cop... View more

So I finally went to my GP and have been prescribed antidepressants for my depression. I work in a job where I'm "the brave hero" I often attend jobs to assist people who aren't coping and even jobs where help was to late. The thought of "us" not coping is a subject my colleague don't discuss as we are supposed to be the strong brave ones. When I am the brave one I know I don't judge the people who ask for my help. But now I'm the one needing help and judging myself. I feel like I'm only half a person, not normal and compleatly different and detached especially from my work colleagues and don't really want to admit what's going on in my head. I feel like if my colleagues knew what was going on none of them would want to work along side me. However if the shoe was on the other foot I wouldn't have an issue. Any one else had this type of struggle, any ideas on how to change my mind set?

AlysiumDream Quit My Job Due To Bipolar And Anxiety But...
  • replies: 3

I recently left my job because of bipolar disorder and anxiety but I feel as though I made a mistake. It's an excuse and I allowed it to rule me. Let me preface this by saying I have been working in CS (customer service) for 20+ years and HATE it but... View more

I recently left my job because of bipolar disorder and anxiety but I feel as though I made a mistake. It's an excuse and I allowed it to rule me. Let me preface this by saying I have been working in CS (customer service) for 20+ years and HATE it but now I am sitting around doing nothing, and I had a job! I stayed in it longer than most jobs and now I ruined it again. Now I'm broke and unhappy and this stupid vicious cycle keeps turning - I'm putting weight on thanks to the medication and half the time I just wish I could disappear and stop being such a loser... Sorry, just venting

Aziah Depression is a catch 22
  • replies: 2

I thought coming to terms with my depression would be a big step forward in recovery rather than ignoring it and spiralling further into an episode. What I've found is the opposite, I have 3 months off and I was wondering if anyone else experiences t... View more

I thought coming to terms with my depression would be a big step forward in recovery rather than ignoring it and spiralling further into an episode. What I've found is the opposite, I have 3 months off and I was wondering if anyone else experiences the same feelings as me. I have so much time on my hands to think, the longer I isolate myself the more unrealistic and unenthusiastic to leave the house I become and thus the more isolated I become. Despite knowing exactly what I can do to alleviate some of the body image stress that contributes to my episode, I can't do it because my depression gives me know energy and fearful of failure. Everyone is all or nothing with my depression- I can't eat balanced it's either trash or starvation, 100% work ethic or nothing because everything that isn't black or white requires too much effort or thinking- depression is making me one dimensional and it is making me resent everybody in my life because everywhere I look everyone is happy and I am struggling

Oceanlover Help! I don't know where to turn
  • replies: 7

I live in a very remote town in WA. I've never reached out for help with my mental health but this time I just can't seem to get out of the black hole on my own. I have a beautiful life with a loving husband but inside me is a black hole that sucks a... View more

I live in a very remote town in WA. I've never reached out for help with my mental health but this time I just can't seem to get out of the black hole on my own. I have a beautiful life with a loving husband but inside me is a black hole that sucks all the positivity out of me. I can usually bring myself through but it's bern getting worse this year. I can't find happiness, contentment, I'm worrying about small things, my confidence is slipping away, I'm becoming anti social, my motivation in work is zero, my brain feels all fuzzy and all i want to do is sleep or watch mind numbing tv shows. I must be a complete misery to live with for my poor husband and I just want to feel normal again. I just don't know where to start with getting help in Australia and my remote town. I've worked in mental health services in the uk so I know where to look online but i feel I'm past self help. Can anyone recommend a service that provides video chat or something?