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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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janojas Its All Happening Again
  • replies: 4

I have suffered from depression for most of my adult life, and it all hit its peak about 3 years ago when I become non functioning. Really handy when I was in the last year of a Uni course, but looking at a computer screen for 3 hours and writing one... View more

I have suffered from depression for most of my adult life, and it all hit its peak about 3 years ago when I become non functioning. Really handy when I was in the last year of a Uni course, but looking at a computer screen for 3 hours and writing one sentence(which didn't make sense) told me I was cooked. Everything in my life went to garbage, and as usual it was all my fault. I refused to talk to anyone, my daughter was terrified about what I was doing(I wouldn't eat), and my wife eventually gave up on me, and I couldn't blame her, as it was all me. I went to psychologist's(waste of my time, I have done plenty of psych interviews in my time as a nurse), and then a psychiatrist, who like my GP actually gave up on me. I actually feel no ill will towards then as I was unreachable, and although I tried all the meds they put me on(anti depressives, anti anxiety and eventually anti psychotics to control my anxiety) nothing really worked. The only thing that worked for me was to shut myself off and embrace the very small support network I actually could deal with(my wife, my daughter and my Grandfather). My wife had drifted away from me as she could not understand my weakness, as I had always been the strong one, but in my quiet emotionless way she stayed with me. Then my Grandfather died. I had been raised by my Grandparents from 2 months old, and when my Grandmother died when I was 20 it damn near killed me. But when my Grandfather died when I was 45 it was even worse, because he had become my main support structure, literally the only person I went to when things became difficult. I now feel lost and lonely, and staring into the abyss, and all I see is black and empty. If not for my daughter I would dive into that abyss, she is my best excuse, but excuses are running out.

neens Just can't get motivated or enthusiastic about things at the moment.
  • replies: 5

I am a long term sufferer of depression and generalised anxiety disorder since my late teens and I am now in my early 50s. My problem at the moment is I just can't get motivated or feel enthusiastic about anything. I am also having issues adjusting t... View more

I am a long term sufferer of depression and generalised anxiety disorder since my late teens and I am now in my early 50s. My problem at the moment is I just can't get motivated or feel enthusiastic about anything. I am also having issues adjusting to one of my medications. It is making me feel nauseous and at times I even vomit and this has been going on for months. I generally enjoy my food, but not at the moment. My psychiatrist wants me to have one final try at this medication, by taking a 1/2 tablet at breakfast and the other half at dinnertime, hoping to minimise the side effects. We are reviewing this in mid December. I'm going to make an appointment to see my GP tomorrow and discuss things with him. He is also very supportive. I've been caring for my husband at home for the past five weeks as he has had a major back operation. This week he has gone back to work and I'm feeling lonely and unmotivated again. My husband thinks I should set goals for each day and write them down to motivate me. But I'm finding even this is too much at the moment. Does anyone have any ideas that may be able to help me? Thanks for reading my post. regards, Neens.

Jaynie_07 Stressed out with a clingy baby
  • replies: 3

I have a two month old baby, absolutely adore her. however I am going insane and find myself exhausted and in tears more often than not. she will only sleep when I hold her, the second I put her down she cries so I'm too scared to even try. I spend e... View more

I have a two month old baby, absolutely adore her. however I am going insane and find myself exhausted and in tears more often than not. she will only sleep when I hold her, the second I put her down she cries so I'm too scared to even try. I spend every day on the couch holding her, I don't get to eat properly, I don't get to shower and I'm the only one in the house that cleans anything so it's a pigsty. I have everyone in my ear saying I need to put her in the cot to sleep but they're not the ones who have to deal with her screaming, sometimes to the point of throwing up. I also have people telling me that I need to keep holding her if that's what she wants, that her crying will traumatise her. I try to teach her to sleep in different places without letting her cry but every time I think I'm getting somewhere she goes downhill again by the next day. I can't handle it anymore

Melfunction81 Is major depression responsible for feeling so lethargic?
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I was diagnosed with major depression at 14. For most of my life I was able to deal with this and live a relatively normal life. I have always considered myself to be a strong, independent and driven person. Every job Ive had I have ended up ... View more

Hi all, I was diagnosed with major depression at 14. For most of my life I was able to deal with this and live a relatively normal life. I have always considered myself to be a strong, independent and driven person. Every job Ive had I have ended up in a team leader/management role because I worked my butt off. Now at 35 I am on a disability pension due to PTSD and major depression and anxiety and I hate it. It's a miracle if I can get out of bed in the morning and the smallest task like taking a shower or doing the laundry leaves me so tired I feel like I could sleep for days. All I want to do is get well and go back to work but I don't know how when I can't even manage to look after myself. What Id like to know from everyone else is how tired can depression make you? Is this normal? I eat pretty healthy, I try to exercise, I take multi vitamins and B vitamins on top of my antidepressants but nothing seems to help. Im so tired of being tired all of the time. Can anyone offer any suggestions? TIA

james1 Calm before the storm
  • replies: 7

The past couple of weeks have really felt like the calm before the storm. Unfeeling. Unmoving. But on edge. I have been keeping myself busy. In the last week, I've attended different meet up groups, set goals to write more, compose more, and exercise... View more

The past couple of weeks have really felt like the calm before the storm. Unfeeling. Unmoving. But on edge. I have been keeping myself busy. In the last week, I've attended different meet up groups, set goals to write more, compose more, and exercise more. I've also toned right down on the dating side as well to give myself less to worry about. And yet, with all these seemingly positive things, they all seem to just be delaying the inevitable and setting me up for a bigger and bigger crash. I guess I'm just ranting about the fact that, frankly, I'm tired of this cycle. And sitting still to give myself space is just a foreign concept. I'm not used to waiting. I hate waiting. But I'm so tired of being worried about the inevitable

Pinkmum Sleepless night with tears
  • replies: 31

I'm 35 weeks pregnant with an older boy of two. He is sick at home with dad and I'm at my parents crying behind the closed door. I suffered major depression m from the very beginning of this pregnancy and is still everywhere by this day. I could bear... View more

I'm 35 weeks pregnant with an older boy of two. He is sick at home with dad and I'm at my parents crying behind the closed door. I suffered major depression m from the very beginning of this pregnancy and is still everywhere by this day. I could bearly have private time, even half an hour each day with hubby to share how I feel. Only tears can express my drowning sadness. Only people who have been through this understand how I feel. I hope.

themadchatter How to not feel isolated and lonely??
  • replies: 10

Anyone got any tips on how someone can not feel so down anymore? I recently thought I had met the woman for me, but while I was staying at hers in order to get to know her she fell in love with another man and I had no where else to go so was forced ... View more

Anyone got any tips on how someone can not feel so down anymore? I recently thought I had met the woman for me, but while I was staying at hers in order to get to know her she fell in love with another man and I had no where else to go so was forced to endure everything she did, how it made me feel while I was there. Now that I am back at home I am feeling very broken. I am wanting to feel better but I just don't understand how someone can put others through mental torture and she is the one who has found happiness in him and I'm the one feeling shattered. I try going for walks but my mind tells me what good is a walk going to do, when my thoughts are still going to be dealing with all this hurt and loneliness but just not at home. I just don't understand how it's fair she can put me through so many emotions, so many tears in a short space of time and she has someone now and I have no one to tell me I'll get through this...or tell me they love me. And now that she has him, I'm getting nothing but being ignored. No genuine concern for my wellbeing. Whereas I would never be able to inflict this type of pain on anyone

Sujema Unable to take medication, looking to alcohol for relief.
  • replies: 4

For many years, pre medication, I turned to alcohol to 'numb' the pain of depression and PTSD. After a period in a treatment centre, in 2013 I was alcohol free for two years and prescribed antidepressants. The medication exacerbated my symptoms, and ... View more

For many years, pre medication, I turned to alcohol to 'numb' the pain of depression and PTSD. After a period in a treatment centre, in 2013 I was alcohol free for two years and prescribed antidepressants. The medication exacerbated my symptoms, and caused other serious, adverse side affects. I decided to come off the medication, finding the withdrawal a painful experience physically and emotionally. 1 year ago feeling very raw, with suicidal ideation, I picked up a drink again to find some relief from the pain and fear. I have had the usual regular Psych counselling, and endeavour to do some regular walking, but I'm am finding it hard to resist having a drink to find some relief. I would like to know if their are others of you who are unable to take medication, and how you cope.

Mc62 Run out of meds
  • replies: 9

Not the actual tablets etc , run out of medications to try ,and likley fairly close to running out of combinations 40 yrs of it , diagnosis originally clinical depression , ptsd and recently severe angziety attacks, now at fifty four I've totally run... View more

Not the actual tablets etc , run out of medications to try ,and likley fairly close to running out of combinations 40 yrs of it , diagnosis originally clinical depression , ptsd and recently severe angziety attacks, now at fifty four I've totally run out of the anger I need to fight it. Every fourtnight the same , the cost cutting , robbing peter to pay Paul dosent work so I'm basically robbing peter to pay peter....( the snake swallowing his own tail ) ..I'm going days withought sleep and within this hole of hell my life just revolves around pension day bill paying and waiting till next pay to pay more bills..... the only two medications that help in the least don't appear to be long term options ( ie sedatives in the short term for the panic atacks and another for sleep, trouble with other is the side effects just get to grate to bear) no idea what to do ...got the psyc n gp next week but I've got nothing left to say or to feel

AJ91 25 work nights severely depressed
  • replies: 3

Hi im 25year old male who has struggled with depression since i was about 7. I also have anxiety issues and what not, but real problem im having is that i started my new job and working 6 nights a week with only Saturday night off, im starting to fee... View more

Hi im 25year old male who has struggled with depression since i was about 7. I also have anxiety issues and what not, but real problem im having is that i started my new job and working 6 nights a week with only Saturday night off, im starting to feel alienated and alot more alone then i ever have in my life. I feel im getting to attached to girls quickly in hope of a quick fix and then its putting a strain on me. i literally feel like i am alone.. that i have no friends.. feeling worthless.. like im a faliure in life because of past issues with gambling that have crept back into my life. I cant even do the things i enjoy anymore like running, gym, sports, even watching tv feels like a hastle If anyones got any suggestions on how i can try and over come this or any tips in general. Would be greatly appreciated.