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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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Jmp33 Feeling hopeless
  • replies: 4

Hi all, This is my first post do here goes. I broke up with my partner of 8 years 3 weeks ago. Ever since my life feels like it's falling apart. I think I've always suffered mild depression but the past couple of months and then the breakup have got ... View more

Hi all, This is my first post do here goes. I broke up with my partner of 8 years 3 weeks ago. Ever since my life feels like it's falling apart. I think I've always suffered mild depression but the past couple of months and then the breakup have got me to the point that I don't even know who I am anymore. I cry all the time, I don't have family support as they hated my partner. I feel like he has left and is off travelling the country courtesy of his dad who basically bribed him out of our relationship with money and travels, while I'm left here to pick up the pieces of my life. He has disconnected his phone yet had called several times from a private number which only leaves me feeling more upset and confused. I can't eat, have no motivation to get off the couch and I'm sooooo tired from not being able to sleep. Ive just started antidepressants but they take time to work I know. I'm alone, scared and feeling so overwhelmed with how to move on. It's like I'm in a daze.

Cowboy_Artist Just stuck
  • replies: 1

It's so hard to take the step to ask for help and sometimes it feels extremely embarrassing but I just feel very stuck and like its ground hog day again and again. I have anxiety and depression and can remember it for a young kid the anxiety. a lot o... View more

It's so hard to take the step to ask for help and sometimes it feels extremely embarrassing but I just feel very stuck and like its ground hog day again and again. I have anxiety and depression and can remember it for a young kid the anxiety. a lot of time I live alone as I have my children 12 and 14 every second week and my partner of 18 months is a corporate in Sydney 3 1/2 hrs away and we normally only get to catch up weeks ends and sometimes it can be weeks to we do. I really enjoy when the kids are with as there is a conditional love. We enjoy each others company's as much as you can with teenagers. The hardest thing is I work mostly alone with my business and also at night I make sculptures when inspired and this is my real happy place. The biggest struggle is my over active mind and the roller coaster of emotions I can go on in just one day would make others very surprised I'm sure, I have tried and worked my guts out all my life and been quite successful the last 3 yrs has been tough and I lost the lot with a invention and I took my eye of the ball with my business. No one to blame and at least I tried my guts out having a good go. Since then it's been the depression and anxiety and the stigma of been a failure and was very tough to lose everything and been a small town most knew and after 2 marriage break ups as well one of 20 yrs ( the love died ) and the second of only 2 yrs it's been tough. I've always manage to be there for everyone and been the peace maker for a dysfunctional family , as my dads a alcoholic who tried to take his live 3 yrs ago at the age of 72 and my mum still lives with the man who sexually abused me and my brother as a child which is pretty hard to cop. I have made my peace with my mum and it will never be great but I have put it behind me, it's hard with my dad as we get on great but when my phone rings after 6pm I'm always dreading what's happened again. Besides all that it doesn't play on my mind that much as I've done my share of time with the shrinks and it's help a heap. My big thing is I'm slowly isolated myself as I get so disappointed in many peolpe with there actions towards others as it's such a dog eat dog world, but then I wonder is it just me and I do think I'm maybe I'm the one who doesn't fit in, when I do go out everyone loves seeing me,I'm well respected and honest as the day is long but I feel like robin williams as they see the different person to what's on the inside, I don't know I just feel real stuck

Simply_Lost No identity, totally lost..
  • replies: 1

It all started when my fiancé said, you should enter this competition! - Tell us about yourself.. - 3 words that describe you.. - What makes you fun to be with? - Why would we chose you, how would you make our audience keep watching and say "wow" and... View more

It all started when my fiancé said, you should enter this competition! - Tell us about yourself.. - 3 words that describe you.. - What makes you fun to be with? - Why would we chose you, how would you make our audience keep watching and say "wow" and "cool" Safe to say, I couldn't answer any. I can't beleive a stupid competition entry made me realize how pointless and worthless both me and my life are. I have no purpose in life. I wake up, go to work, come home, yell at my kids, clean obsessively, then go to bed. Most days I just sit at work and stare blankly at my screen for 8hrs. As a mother, I have no idea what I'm doing. I literally ignore them because I have no idea what to do with them. My relationship is failing because I don't know what I want, I don't know who to be and I don't have any dreams or goals to contribute - in fact I don't really contribute anything in any respect. I've found I no longer have emotions. Like say if something bad happened, I can't feel sadness or hurt. The same goes when something good happens, I can't feel joy or even smile. We set a wedding date. I don't really care. I'll show up on the day and pick up a white dress from Kmart on my way. I don't care for hair or make up because I have no idea what I like and doubt I'll look ok anyway. I make people in a room uncomfortable. I don't even have to say anything. If I do speak, while reasonably intelligent, I can see people trying to wish me out of the room, or wish themselves out.. I have no friends. Like none at all. Not one. I have a Facebook account with 12 people. All family. I had a friend for almost 30 years. Now I don't exist. My only friend, couldn't even call or text to let me know she and her husband had split up. I don't know how to make friends, she and I were together since before we could crawl. I can't even remember people's names let alone know how to create a lasting friendship. I struggle with perfectionism. But nothing is ever perfect and I beat myself up about it every minute of everyday. I'm exhausted, I never have time to do anything normal. I'm always checking that everything is perfect - the couch is straight, the wine glasses are exactly the same width apart, the lines on the tablecloth match to exactly the edge of the table, I yell at my toddler when he pulls something out of the cupboard to play with..I can't leave the house anymore. I'm really lost and I need help

macadamianut Coping with life
  • replies: 8

Hi peeps, I need advice and I don't really feel comfortable opening my soul up to my family or friends. I'm a 26 year old year old female with a full time job, healthy/fit, financially independent and not someone you'd expect to be having a tough tim... View more

Hi peeps, I need advice and I don't really feel comfortable opening my soul up to my family or friends. I'm a 26 year old year old female with a full time job, healthy/fit, financially independent and not someone you'd expect to be having a tough time. I am an upbeat, bubbly person who runs a health and wellbeing blog and loves anything creative. I dig self improvement and motivation and all that good vibe shiz. I lack confidence (but hide it well) and have struggled with anxiety (general and social) throughout my life as I am quite a perfectionist/control freak/ocd/bubbly introvert. But my world has been turned upside down lately and I'm struggling to cope. In 6 weeks I: - Found out my mum has lung cancer. - Thought she was going to die. - Found out it was operable through surgery. - Went to Thailand with my now ex and got a nose job (lol - this had been booked for 6 months). - Recovered from said nose job (ups and downs due to meds etc). - Happy about nose job but too stressed to be overly phased. - Overall had 5 weeks annual leave. - Went through break up with ex upon arriving home. Not too sad about it because I wasn't that into it anyway (nor was he) and more concerned about Mum. - Moved into my own studio apartment. Very expensive process. - Mum started chemo and she isn't coping well at all. Very stressful. - Went back to an absolutely chaotic, horrendously managed workplace and slammed with an unmanageable workload. Every day this week has been horrible and my managers are incompetent. It's a massive, dire mess. - Applying for jobs at my ideal employer (a uni) and getting continually rejected (3 times). - Ex is refusing to give back bond until he gets a housemate despite him being the full bond owner (he kept my bond in his accounts) I know my problems are first world issues and could be worse, but it doesn't change the fact I am struggling to cope with life. I have been through a lot of change and am struggling personally, professionally and financially. I feel a drastic change to the positive, motivated, happy person I was a year ago, and as a control freak/perfectionist I am finding it hard to cope with the emotional and situational chaos. Does anyone have any tips on getting out of this darkness? With work spiralling, Mum sick, my ex saying horrible things to me, my finances looking worse than they have in a long time and an all round feeling of despair, I am failing at "staying positive" and "being strong". Thanks

Kimbo_72 Severe depression and fuzzy head
  • replies: 6

Hi there. I've suffered from depression for many years now. But iv'e just gone through a major low. 3 weeks and counting. I am a worrier and have always challenged myself whether it be work, kids or home life.I went home from work early one day as i ... View more

Hi there. I've suffered from depression for many years now. But iv'e just gone through a major low. 3 weeks and counting. I am a worrier and have always challenged myself whether it be work, kids or home life.I went home from work early one day as i wasn't quite able to concentrate......it then spiraled down hill from there. I went to Doc straight away and said something doesn't feel right in my head? I was on medication and he decided to increase the dose. OMG! The next 2 weeks i was literally a vegetable. I couldn't talk to anyone, i couldn't go to work, (but forced myself to on a few occasions but cant remember.I couldn't function..... The worst feeling in the world!I gave the tablets 2 weeks and had to stop taking them. I'm slowly weening myself off medication all together, but i am still not functioning normally.My head is still fuzzy. Its so hard to explain.Its not thoughts its an actual feeling in my head.My frustration is i am a single Mum with 2 teenage kids who have no idea whats going on, and work full time as a Team leader, factory and production manager. I also run a digital press and over see 2 other staff! I have 2 dogs a cat and a household to run!I feel like an absolute idiot...... People are talking to me but i can't process what it's about.I'm booked in to see a Phycologist, but feel its way too late already. I'm lost and don't know what to do anymore.What do other people feel? I feel i don't have anyone to turn to for instant help.Kim

Shannon611 Depression and Anxiety for a new immigrant
  • replies: 1

Hello everyone, I have been working and living in Australia for more than 7 years. Recently I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Before coming to Australia, I had a great job with stable income. However, I lost that security once I reached Au... View more

Hello everyone, I have been working and living in Australia for more than 7 years. Recently I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Before coming to Australia, I had a great job with stable income. However, I lost that security once I reached Australia. I am working in the university as a tutor with very low income. I also have a young school kid. Being here with no relative and closed friends, we feel extremely lonely. My son's father also lost his good job and become a driver in Australia. My son was an accident and because of the accident I married his father. Our marriage doesn't go well either. I never feel happy for the past 7 years, and I lost all my interest and motivation to work and eat. I cannot sleep at night. At the moment, my GP refers me for psychotherapy with a mental health care plan. The symptoms of depression make me feel very scary.

v-strom Feeling quite depressed but things are actually pretty good
  • replies: 4

Hi folks, need some support. Life is pretty good. Just got married in Feb to an awesome woman who has been my rock. Live in a nice house, have a great son and step children and step grandchildren. Work is mostly good, some issues but not massive. Bee... View more

Hi folks, need some support. Life is pretty good. Just got married in Feb to an awesome woman who has been my rock. Live in a nice house, have a great son and step children and step grandchildren. Work is mostly good, some issues but not massive. Been struggling a bit lately with my ADD brain a bit I guess. But I've come crashing down. It's just not logical. Since the break up of my last marriage, I haven't felt this down. It's like I've hit a wall. Not sure what to do. I'm not having ideations at all, just really struggling to focus and lift my head up.

Misty_Morning My conflict with reality
  • replies: 2

Apparently stress is not caused by life events but is a response to how we think about those events...well thats great. So Im distressed to the point of exploding with exquisite misery over how to provide for my two children as I have another baby du... View more

Apparently stress is not caused by life events but is a response to how we think about those events...well thats great. So Im distressed to the point of exploding with exquisite misery over how to provide for my two children as I have another baby due in two months. So I become cynical and sarcastic, I say to myself..."Sure! If the fridge is empty Ill lose the baby weight quickly!", Getting the power cut off could be beneficial for the environment!","The ridiculous amounts of debt I got into while drinking myself into submission for four years was worth every drop! Didn't need my gallbladder anyway!", But it doesn't make me feel better, just makes me more bitter. So I try to look at the now, stop focussing on the future..I am actually sitting infront of the ocean with a world class spectacular view right now. But I'm heavily pregnant and exhausted and have been crying all morning because I feel like an incompetent failure and I hate my partner, so I could be looking at a mass grave for what its worth. Actually the ocean kind of is a mass grave of emptiness thanks to the human races desire to poison and destroy everything beautiful about this world. I have been sober for 7 months now, thanks to this pregnancy and I've learnt two things about myself. 1. I suffer from depression and I was self medicating with alcohol whereas I thought I was a problem drinker and that was causing the depression. 2. I now have a lifetime of dumb things I've done while depressed and wasted to process and sort out otherwise I'm going to start drinking heavily again after the baby, which I really don't want to do.

Diamond2 lonely and angry
  • replies: 3

I grew up having no friends, I was very lonely and wondered what it was like to go out and have a good time. Like others do. I come from a broken home I think my father hated having me ....I found love at 16 well ... we were both friendless with litt... View more

I grew up having no friends, I was very lonely and wondered what it was like to go out and have a good time. Like others do. I come from a broken home I think my father hated having me ....I found love at 16 well ... we were both friendless with little family so we somehow ended up together for 10 years.... the relationship was extremely abusive physically and emotionally.... I was guilty of being this way to ... one-day after work I was standing at central and decided it was time I called my father which I hadn't spoke with him in ten years. After we made contact I went to see him he helped me get out of my relationship safely. When I moved states to be with my father I was only here for not even six weeks and my mother passed away.... the last time I seen her was when I was 16, we had a argument....she said she hated me, I never seen her again after that day we'll not alive anyway. Every time I think life cannot get any worse it does..... I'm 28 with no education I have a terrible job that I hate .....I get the feeling people there don't like me neither .... I ask myself how am I still here most days. I sit alone every second I never conversate with anyone sometimes I can just hear the clock ticking and I feel like I'm going to explode. My drinking is out of control I drink everyday gee sometime twice a day a little before work then I polish myself off completely in the evening....I can't concentrate anymore sometimes when someone says something to me I can see there mouth moving but all I can hear in my head is why the hell is my life like this the end result is I never heard what the person even said. I dread weekends yet I can't wait to get away from my job neither it's complicated. I'm 28 now and lonely, I feel like I watch every second just tick by. How come I can't make friends why have I been bashed most my life from child hood throughout my whole life...I thought I needed to be alone not to be hurt but I'm starting to think it was better when I was in a abusive relationship....atleast I wasn't thinking gee am I really going to be taken by loneliness.... I'm not sure what to do, what to think and when will I just snap ..... I feel sick and scared about what else is going to happen .... I can't take no more.

Helps_everyone_else Forever alone!
  • replies: 2

I suffer from manic depression, I have for over 25 years. I'm on medication but I still struggle everyday!! I do a lot of self help techniques but also struggle with them. I have a lot of issues in my life that I don't have anyone to talk with them a... View more

I suffer from manic depression, I have for over 25 years. I'm on medication but I still struggle everyday!! I do a lot of self help techniques but also struggle with them. I have a lot of issues in my life that I don't have anyone to talk with them about, which is obviously making it hard to cope. I'm fighting a losing battle at the moment and any advice would be appreciated. Thanks