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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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Kuchel Is sadness Permanant?
  • replies: 5

I have joined this place to get some answers about my situation. I am a family man of the early 40s. I have a 9 to 5 job. I have been dealing with depression for quite some time. I have been to a number of psychologists. All those sessions were like ... View more

I have joined this place to get some answers about my situation. I am a family man of the early 40s. I have a 9 to 5 job. I have been dealing with depression for quite some time. I have been to a number of psychologists. All those sessions were like a band aid solution. I ended by spending up to a couple of hundreds of dollars. My question is, is it possible that someone can be in the comfort zone of sadness. For example, when I am driving back home, I have opted to listen to happy music, but I mostly choose sad music. I have become pessimistic and very cynical. I have severed ties with my relatives and with some friends. The reason being, they just cannot understand what I am going through. Most of them thinks I have the power to change myself and since I am not changing, perhaps I am making a scene out of it to grab sympathy. Is this possible that I may like the “sad” part because I have dwelt in this for long? Lastly – why can’t I be happy like others?

Trish_M Depression Symptom - Lethargy
  • replies: 2

I have suffered from anxiety and depression for most of my adult life, certainly since my late teens and I am now nearly 60 years old. In this time I have been on and off medication 5 times, never for long periods but most recently I've been taking a... View more

I have suffered from anxiety and depression for most of my adult life, certainly since my late teens and I am now nearly 60 years old. In this time I have been on and off medication 5 times, never for long periods but most recently I've been taking an antidepressant for the last 6 years. Despite what I thought were "good" Drs and psychologists over the years who treated my depression, it has only been in the last couple of months that I have grasped the full implication of the complexity of my condition. I somehow was always expecting a "cure" for what ailed me and often berated myself for falling back into old patterns, back sliding into depression and somehow never made the connection that my symptoms are my depression, not neccessarily as a result of my depression. My most difficult symptom is lethargy and finding that spark to get going. Once I'm functioning for the day, I am generally ok to keep going. Everything is such an effort, I often think "What is the point?" When I have been tired beyond belief and unable to get moving, staying in bed or on the couch or in the house certainly doesn't make me feel any better. Does anyone else else suffer in this way and are there strategies you have found helpful? I think finally I have accepted that I have depression, it can't be cured but I can manage it so that it's impact is lessened whereby I can enjoy some level of positive functioning. Looking forward to some useful tips and insights. Trish M.

Perthgirl2015 I'm not sad, and I don't feel worthless, but I'm numb...
  • replies: 3

I came to BB because reading an article about a woman with depression made me realise she was describing me to a T, but I never even considered depression. Even writing this I'm not sure, that's why I'm here, I need someone else to tell me "You're cr... View more

I came to BB because reading an article about a woman with depression made me realise she was describing me to a T, but I never even considered depression. Even writing this I'm not sure, that's why I'm here, I need someone else to tell me "You're crazy, what you're feeling is normal" or to tell me "You're crazy, what you're feeling is not normal." So, the things that lead me here: - For about this whole year (maybe longer?), I've felt numb. I don't feel happy, I don't feel sad, I don't feel anything most of the time. Reason I know this: I got engaged this year, felt almost nothing over it (even though i love my fiance). I got an amazing opportunity that allowed me to do volunteer work through my job, and I felt nothing, and came back and told the experience as if it happened to someone else. I went to America for 5 weeks and had (in a rational mind) some of the best experiences possible while there, but I feel no joy looking back and felt no excitement while I was there. My grandmother died 2 months ago, and I didn't feel anything even though we were close when I was growing up. - I have no motivation to do anything. My work suffers because I don't care if I meet KPIs. I find out about things to do, but don't have the energy to do it. This weekend was a struggle just to get myself to go to the movies. I have things around the house that need doing, but I just can't get up and do them. I dropped out of uni this year for the same reason. I don't do anything with my fiance because my head just isn't there. There are days when I don't even have the motivation to shower, and then 2-3 days have pass before I realise. - Lack of focus. I dropped out of uni as I couldn't even do the readings. At work, I lose focus in the middle of a conversation or task and struggle to concentrate. - As a result, I often spend a lot of my weekends in bed. Lately I don't get up till lunch time and even if I'm up at a decent hour, I'm back in bed for a 3 hour nap by 1pm. Nights are spent on the couch mindlessly scrolling through social media. -I have no desire for sex And it rarely happens. When there is physical intimacy, my arousal only lasts about 10minutes before it dies. - I often have a short fuse over the smallest things. About 6 weeks ago there was a point where I got so angry, my fiance told me that I actually scared him. If someone else told me they were like this, I wouldn't second guess the fact that they should see a doctor, so why am I second guessing myself?

Anna_Banana It feels easier to push people away and hide, than try and explain how bad I feel.
  • replies: 10

I find I'm becoming increasingly reclusive as | get older. Whilst I know that people with depression are discouraged from isolating themselves socially, I just find life is easier for me this way. I mainly only associate with fellow sufferers because... View more

I find I'm becoming increasingly reclusive as | get older. Whilst I know that people with depression are discouraged from isolating themselves socially, I just find life is easier for me this way. I mainly only associate with fellow sufferers because nobody else understands and they say stupid stuff like, "just think positive" or "but you have a lovely house/son/husband/life etc", and all the usual stuff we all hear. And as I approach the outskirts of 50, I just can't be bothered trying to explain myself to people who don't understand and never will. Is it really that bad to protect myself from these well meaning but totally clueless people? I mean, even people in my own family haven't got a clue what my life is like! I recently told my brother about my life long battle and he has stopped talking to me!!!! Luckily I have a very supportive husband, as he has PTSD and totally understands what this disease is really like. Does anyone else push people away? And, is it really that bad to be semi-reclusive, if that's where I feel safest? I don't mind my own company to be honest and I have 5 lovely pets who love me regardless of my mood. So what if I live like a hermit!!! Shouldn't we all do what makes us feel most comfortable?

Paul I'll call it Anxietession because I've got no idea what's going on
  • replies: 2

I've been training at work as if I am joining their department so I can do time-in-motion studies and process efficiency studies. Tuesday night I didn't sleep well I was going on the phones Wednesday. Wednesday morning arrives and I feel like I'm com... View more

I've been training at work as if I am joining their department so I can do time-in-motion studies and process efficiency studies. Tuesday night I didn't sleep well I was going on the phones Wednesday. Wednesday morning arrives and I feel like I'm coming down with the flu. No energy and a bit anxious. I got half way to work on the train and messaged my boss (who is really really supportive) that I couldn't make it. I got home drank 3 glasses of sports drink as I thought I might be dehydrated (one of the meds I take makes it easy to dehydrate). For the last 3 days I've felt hopeless, uninspired, still bored with life and generally horrible. I've had depression for 20 years, probably longer. The root cause has been my father leaving when I was 4. There are some other family traits that contribute and also genetic predisposition. I see a psychiatrist every week and have done for the past 4 years I feel like progress has slowed and I spend the time staring out the window in his office. Expensive view. I was dating a guy for about 2 months, he seemed to be just perfect! Even said he loves me. Then I got anxiety about the relationship and that had me in bed for a week. Then I got depression and that had me in bed for another week. The guy was good about it and understood - he said- as he had suffered depression as well - he even wrote and published a book about it. Anyway, he decides that he doesn't want to continue pursuing a relationship because it's not fun. He just wants it to be fun. Ride our motorbikes, and watch telly and go out and all the fun things. I guess that I have an illness isn't fun for him. That was 9 weeks ago and it's still affecting me - I guess that it reminds me unconsciously that I musn't be good enough because my father left as well. I don't understand what I think was an Anxiety attack over going on the phones at work as I have had multiple roles from phone support to CEO in my career. So I'm in bed typing at the world because I have very few friends I can emotionally blurt at. I should be out motorbike riding, or in Sydney visiting my family who have gathered or at the beach. I can't even bring myself to go to Spotlight to get some fabric as I like sewing as well. I'm bored with life and what I have to hold on to is becoming less and less. P

Circles Feeling empty and lost
  • replies: 1

Hi guys, I've never posted on here before but I have found myself feeling absolutely miserable lately and empty inside. I'm at a loss as to how to overcome these feelings of emptiness and feeling lost in life. I don't know if I have depresssion my Dr... View more

Hi guys, I've never posted on here before but I have found myself feeling absolutely miserable lately and empty inside. I'm at a loss as to how to overcome these feelings of emptiness and feeling lost in life. I don't know if I have depresssion my Dr has suggested anti depressants. I have had a lot of stuff happen over the last few months- I injured my knee and can't work and am awaiting surgery. I can't play sport because of it and am usually very active. I've had to move house and I find myself hating my new place. And I've also had issues with a guy who is constantly hot and cold towards me. Whenever I go to him for help he is cold yet if he comes to me on his terms it's a different story. He has helped me out financially and stuff but says he doesnt want a relationship with me. So I guess the past month or so I have found myself so miserable and feeling down. Even when around friends I feel teary and crap. I feel so alone and do lost and empty. Sorry for the long post. Just wondering if anyone has any tips as to how to het through feeling this way

janazantar People without it don't understand depression but I really wish that wasn't true
  • replies: 21

So I've had a tough week with my black dog nipping at my heels or lying on my chest weighing it down so I can't breath. At work I lead a close team and knowing I'm struggling right now thought I'd explained as best you can to people with happy lives ... View more

So I've had a tough week with my black dog nipping at my heels or lying on my chest weighing it down so I can't breath. At work I lead a close team and knowing I'm struggling right now thought I'd explained as best you can to people with happy lives why I may seem withdrawn, quick to tears and not my 'usual' bubbly self - you know to let them feel at ease so they don't think its them or they've done something wrong. Had a really bad morning and there I am in a car with a work mate trying to hold back tears, put some kind of expression on my face and find the energy to speak at all. After getting back to the office this same work mate who is moving to another department seems to be thinking its their leaving that is causing me to be withdrawn, asking whats happened in the last couple of days is seeking answers from other people and telling them that I'm giving them the cold shoulder. Funny since here I was totally embarrassed, humiliated for crying and feeling like a needy, high maintenance drama queen and thought I'd let them know its not them its just a tough time for me right now and I'm struggling but hope this isn't defining me. I'm trying to remember that people without depression have no idea what its like and I can't expect them to understand that once in the grip of depression it doesn't just go away overnight. I've spent the trip home this afternoon in the car both angry and crying wishing there was some way for non-depressed people to get the smallest insight into what's going on inside me right now - without judgement or criticism. The quick and repeated thoughts of self loathing with evidence my sick brain finds everywhere, the despair and panic that it isn't going to end, the lump in my throat, the ache in my chest, the feeling like something is squeezing my lungs from the inside and above all that all my decreased energy is being spent on trying to put one foot in front of the other, put some kind of expression on my face while desperately trying not to cry in public and stopping myself from running away from work as fast as possible and never ever going back there. I'm seeing my psychologist every couple of days but even there were I have felt such relief I don't want to talk, I don't want to try. I'm tired of trying to hide my depression so everyone else feels ok when all I want is someone to be strong for me and say its ok - i know this isn't the real you and I won't hold this against you.

Nickname_7CEF15EC-F10D-4A This can't be real
  • replies: 11

I've spent this whole year getting back on my feet and enjoying a slow paced romance. In the last few months I've gotten a new job, a car and grown even closer to my friend/lover. I suffer from depression and anxiety, I do not receive medical attenti... View more

I've spent this whole year getting back on my feet and enjoying a slow paced romance. In the last few months I've gotten a new job, a car and grown even closer to my friend/lover. I suffer from depression and anxiety, I do not receive medical attention and I'm not currently getting any therapy... I've said to myself many times to do so, but like most tasks it seems so hard to do. Mostly things have been getting better and it has been great to connect with someone I feel really understand and respects me... My friend/lover started with one bad day that seemed like a week. After a couple days of no contact which isn't normal, I reached out and asked how I could help... He asked me to forget about him. That he was depressed and hated himself. That he was gonna get help, but that asking me to forget him was harder than he could ever explain... I offered to give him space but revised to simply forget about him. I know that I have no control in this situation, but it has triggered every negative feeling in my while body. I'm a mother, a usually strong person, but I just feel so repeatedly rejected. This hurts even more because I've been so guarded and careful in this relationship and it was beautiful and felt very equally reciprocated... I don't know where to organize anything. I feel a little better than crash, right back destroyed... I pray and pray... This can't be happening

tulpa Apathy
  • replies: 7

I have no will or desire to get things done, sometimes I want things or want to get something done but then I just think why bother my psychiatrist tells me to develop an interest or a passion but I already have so many neglected interests and unfini... View more

I have no will or desire to get things done, sometimes I want things or want to get something done but then I just think why bother my psychiatrist tells me to develop an interest or a passion but I already have so many neglected interests and unfinished projects.

MisterM Is it true depression?
  • replies: 7

I have been diagnosed and am on medication but having read other peoples experiences of depression I feel like I am just being a sook. I don't have the depression where I am unable to get out of bed or eat or shower or dress. I am able to do all thes... View more

I have been diagnosed and am on medication but having read other peoples experiences of depression I feel like I am just being a sook. I don't have the depression where I am unable to get out of bed or eat or shower or dress. I am able to do all these things yet my mood is low, I feel bad about myself and the future.