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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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RessurectMe six months of non-stop emotional pain
  • replies: 2

I have been in severe emotional pain for over six months with no breaks. Because of this my marriage, family, friendships, career - everything is threatened. I am seeing a therapist, but it is like holding an umbrella up to a tidal wave. Before this ... View more

I have been in severe emotional pain for over six months with no breaks. Because of this my marriage, family, friendships, career - everything is threatened. I am seeing a therapist, but it is like holding an umbrella up to a tidal wave. Before this started, I was happier than ever. I know the reason for my situation, but it is something I must accept - it cannot be changed. Looking for support here. Thanks, - Rez

Double D FIRST POST - I'm struggling, what next?
  • replies: 3

Hey all so this is my first post so please be patient with me.Just abit about me, I'm 24 , male , when I was 18 I was on AD's SSRI after about 8 months was okay and was wheened off of them. I've struggled massively my whole life with anxiety, depress... View more

Hey all so this is my first post so please be patient with me.Just abit about me, I'm 24 , male , when I was 18 I was on AD's SSRI after about 8 months was okay and was wheened off of them. I've struggled massively my whole life with anxiety, depression, fear of dying, fear that I am dying, panic attacks, self esteem and all the rest of it. My grandpa suffered with severe depression as does my dad who has been on ADs for about a year.I thought I had it down and managed after about 4 years off the meds but over the past 9 months it has crept back in and just festered and festered . I was seeing a counsellor infrequently when needed. but now I'm seeing him 2 times a week, i honestly would not wish this on my worst enemy, i have never felt so detached, spacey, low, sensetive , emotional or anxious in my life . I woke up and I was angry that I woke up. After fighting this so vigorously for so long I feel like it's beaten me and I don't know how to be apart of this world or if I'll ever feel okay again, or happy. I eat really healthy, excersise everyday ( which now I've lost the drive to do and it's become a chore), I try be social as much as I can but have withdrawn a lot, I get 30 minutes of sun every day, I dance part time as an outlet, see a counsellor, told my family, see a doctor , moving out with a friend so I'm not alone, hang out with pets and animals , relaxing music and yoga when I can .. I'm really proactive about beating this but am losing hope fast. It got so bad that now I've lost my jobs . 9 days ago I started taking a relatively low does of AD that works on melatonin . But since taking it feel foggy and spacey like in a dream state, it makes me a little disorientated , I've got terrible sleep and feel like my anxiety is a lot worse which is making me more depressed. I know I'm ment to give it 2+ weeks to feel better but I can't help but doubt this pill as it seems to be making me feel worse. In all fairness the thoughts of lack of purpose and meaning have decreased slightly ? My point is I feel like I'm doing everything someone who hopes to be happy should be doing and I'm not happy. Which leaves me asking will I ever be? What next ? I feel like I'm watching a video game of my life and not actually apart of it. I feel like I am dying . Any techniques, groups, advice , similar experience would be greatly appreiciated as I'm just at a loss now. Thanks a million beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

MegJane89 Should i really be depressed?
  • replies: 2

Hello.Im 25yrs old and seemed to have my life together about a year ago. However things crumbled slowly. My mum took a bad turn and attempted suicide. She has been suffering from depression and anxiety for years and lately its been at its worse. Some... View more

Hello.Im 25yrs old and seemed to have my life together about a year ago. However things crumbled slowly. My mum took a bad turn and attempted suicide. She has been suffering from depression and anxiety for years and lately its been at its worse. Sometimes She wont leave the house and lays around being depressed. It affects because i have to live with it. Last year i left my job of five years and since then i still havnt found a suitable job or even know what i want to do. I feel like i am now becoming depressed because i cant find a job. I keep putting guilt on myself for not having a new job. Should i really be like this? beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Lookingforpeace Regret and winter blues
  • replies: 6

Hi all Finding myself feeling really low today. It's been cold and wet today and getting dark earlier and I just seem to get depressed as a result. Then when I'm in this "funk" I start to obsess over things I've done in the past and things that have ... View more

Hi all Finding myself feeling really low today. It's been cold and wet today and getting dark earlier and I just seem to get depressed as a result. Then when I'm in this "funk" I start to obsess over things I've done in the past and things that have happened and feel intense guilt and regret. I'm also not very well physically and struggling to see a light at the end of the tunnel or imagine a day when I'll feel better. Anyone else experience the same feelings, particularly in winter? What do you do to cope?

roogirl Big Black Hole
  • replies: 24

Hi there, I'm new to the forums. I have been battling depression for the past few months after a health scare. Now I'm finding that a lot of issues from my past have cropped up and I'm having to deal with my grief from a broken marriage 10 years ago.... View more

Hi there, I'm new to the forums. I have been battling depression for the past few months after a health scare. Now I'm finding that a lot of issues from my past have cropped up and I'm having to deal with my grief from a broken marriage 10 years ago. This is really hard for my as I've lived alone quite successfully for the past 10 years. I am getting professional help etc, but some days it's really hard going. I have a good family and good friends who support me, but at times I feel totally alone in this. My greatest thing is battling my stomach depression which wakes me up in the morning, it's like a gigantic knot in my stomach. I do breathing exercises and try to relax, but the only real way of releasing the knot is to cry, and then that can last for quite a while. Now to top it off, I,m having songs and music stuck in my head. Am I going crazy????? Any suggestions would be great. I'm 65 years old and didn't think I'd have to walk this road again.

lookingforme Not doing so well...
  • replies: 3

I've been...feeling quite low these past couple of weeks. Upon the suggestion of my psych I've tried to isolate what I feel and what I've come up with is what I'm writing here. Problem is that often I can't understand why I feel this way. Anyway... I... View more

I've been...feeling quite low these past couple of weeks. Upon the suggestion of my psych I've tried to isolate what I feel and what I've come up with is what I'm writing here. Problem is that often I can't understand why I feel this way. Anyway... I realised that I feel like I'm being phased out of my own life; that I'm becoming irrelevant. Between not feeling comfortable at all around my family and feeling like a low priority to my friends, I feel like with everything that I've built up for myself in this life can get along without me now. And life seems to just be erasing me. And on some level, I think I'm letting it. i had to get that thought out across to someone.

Jess19925 Have I or haven't I?
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some clarification or explanation for my behaviour/feelings. I'm not sure whether I would be classified depressed and/or anxious. I am a uni student in my last year of study currently on placement. (Perhaps ironically) My... View more

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some clarification or explanation for my behaviour/feelings. I'm not sure whether I would be classified depressed and/or anxious. I am a uni student in my last year of study currently on placement. (Perhaps ironically) My degree is in welfare and I am really interested in exploring mental health and disability avenues for employment. My mother had depression when I was around 10 and recovered, although not without the help of antidepressants which she used for several years. My situation involves me being very stressed because of a lack of time, motivation and energy. Placement is very fast-paced, and very challenging. I am doing a job that I can sometimes feel overwhelmed by for a number of reasons. 1, the work is challenging and I am still learning. 2, all the things I do have fast deadlines, which can be stressful, especially because those deadlines are my supervisor's deadlines, not mine. That gives me a feeling of guilt when I am not working as fast as I need to be. 3, the job requires me to wake up early (5:15am, 2 days a week) and coupled with my paid job (bartending day and night shifts, 3-4 times per week) I can be very tired. This combination of factors can lead me to be anxious some mornings, with one instance leading me to call in sick one day to placement. I have also got feelings of being flat, miserable, irritable, sad, exhaustion and episodes of crying without any provocation. I have had instances where I would tear up randomly and I would have to fight off a fit of crying. I have had instances where I've just thought everything is just too hard. Please let me stress that I don't mean this in regard to life itself. I do not have suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming myself or others. I have called in sick to my paid work more than once because I just couldn't see myself turning up to work and forcing myself to smile for the patrons and other staff. I have told my partner about these feelings as we live together and I know it's not healthy to try to keep feelings like this to myself. However, I don't think he completely understands the gravity of what I'm saying, or maybe he doesn't know what to do. The bottom line is I haven't seen a professional yet as I'm not sure if I would be classed as anxious and/or depressed and I'm not too keen to speak to a stranger about something so personal. Also, I don't want to speak to my family as I don't want them to worry (yet), especially given the family history.

Shazzydazzy stuck with it
  • replies: 5

hey. So I post here now and again and read people's stories. I have a wife and I don't like sharing things. Like depression and bad stuff that used to happen to me. So I talk to people online about it and it makes me feel better. The problem is she's... View more

hey. So I post here now and again and read people's stories. I have a wife and I don't like sharing things. Like depression and bad stuff that used to happen to me. So I talk to people online about it and it makes me feel better. The problem is she's insecure. So when I talk to people about it I do it discretely. I don't want to bring it up with her and I don't want her to know about my old life. I tell people I can't remember anything from before I was 16. Anyhow she caught me taking to someone and immediately went ballistic. She doesn't like me talking to people online. up till 2 am getting blasted Because I won't share anything with her or take about it. The thing is I don't want to talk about it. I just want anon people to listen and not judge so I can keep living normally. I don't want anything in my past to get dragged up ever. And I don't want to share. I guess I'm just venting but how do you convey to someone there's a part of you they will never know and you'll never share it with them. Without them feeling rejected. Especially when shes your wife. How do you explain to them how depressed you get and it's natural. They've had a perfect life. No medical issues. No abuse. No trauma. Like someone with PTSD I get angry at her when she wants to talk and I really don't want to. How would a soldier talking about what he did in the war and the things he's seen and had done to him help... it wouldn't. I just don't know what to do. I feel like I want to be normal but I'm being forced. It doesn't help that she's insecure and thinks I cheat on her even though I tell her I don't I just talk to people. And I don't want to tell her about how I talk to people and talk on forums because I don't want her reading the things I type mainly to protect her from myself Because I'm afraid she might leave me if she found out. I feel so ashamed I can't just be normal.

Broken_stooge How I knew it was time to get serious about help.
  • replies: 2

Today after another day of being in the pit I decided to try and cheer myself up with a lollie at home. As I ate it, the wrapper asked: "What's your favourite thing about a person in this room?" As I sat there in a room on my own, I could think of no... View more

Today after another day of being in the pit I decided to try and cheer myself up with a lollie at home. As I ate it, the wrapper asked: "What's your favourite thing about a person in this room?" As I sat there in a room on my own, I could think of nothing I liked, let alone my favourite thing. Today I realised I need to get serious about help.

Daisycqt The physical struggle each day
  • replies: 4

Does anyone else struggle physically each day? I feel like to just get up and move, putting one foot in front of the other, even drawing breath a real struggle. I've worked one way or another since I was 6 years old, but now if I had to "go to work" ... View more

Does anyone else struggle physically each day? I feel like to just get up and move, putting one foot in front of the other, even drawing breath a real struggle. I've worked one way or another since I was 6 years old, but now if I had to "go to work" I doubt I coukd even make it to the car without collapsing. Every little thing, even taking a shower, seems to take so much energy I just can't do it. Does anyone else have this?