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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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redsarah Really over the top mood swings and impulsiveness... what is it?
  • replies: 5

Hey guys, just wanted to introduce myself here and hopefully find some interesting people to talk to who might actually understand me!My name's Sarah and I have always lived under the shadow of mental illness. My father was clinically depressed which... View more

Hey guys, just wanted to introduce myself here and hopefully find some interesting people to talk to who might actually understand me!My name's Sarah and I have always lived under the shadow of mental illness. My father was clinically depressed which developed into some kind of psychosis by the time I was a teenager. It was incredibly challenging to live with him and I left home at an early age. He committed suicide when I was 19 and since then I have been involved in fundraisers for BB and raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention. Anyway I have always been worried about developing these kinds of problems myself. I am pretty sure I don't have depression or bipolar, but I do have really intense moods that affect my daily life. I find that I will get really upset or really happy over the smallest thing. People always tell me I'm hugely overreacting, and I know I am, but I can't stop it. I only get short moods, like they will last for a day or two and then I will be myself again. I'm also really impulsive and make huge snap decisions, for example I will quit my job or end a friendship just out of nowhere, because I felt like it at the time. I even moved to another country once, just on an impulse because I was bored. Just got a suitcase and flew off and didn't come back for three years. I'm always scared that one day I'll get the impulse to commit suicide. Other people don't do this stuff, but I find it really hard to explain to medical professionals. They always tell me it's nothing and make me feel stupid for going to see them in the first place. My friends don't think there's anything wrong with me either. When I'm in one of my moods they get mad at me and tell me to stop it. I'm interested in hearing what you guys think??

Sun Too Intense, he said. Friends Forever is never true.
  • replies: 3

My first post here. Not really looking for any help / support in particular. I just need to say my thoughts.. Get it out of my head... So it stops swirling around and engulfs me. I lost another friend today, someone that i cared for very much, someon... View more

My first post here. Not really looking for any help / support in particular. I just need to say my thoughts.. Get it out of my head... So it stops swirling around and engulfs me. I lost another friend today, someone that i cared for very much, someone that i loved more than anyone else, someone i thought understood me and would always be there for me. This is not a lost love story, this is real life! I predicted the outcome over a year ago, when we became friends.. Its always the same. I push them away.. Too intense was the final response and that i need to back off from them. I have always spoken the truth openly, i think it saves time, misunderstandings and misinterpretation in my relationships. I ask if im unsure of my effect on friends, i clarify responses and actions to save anxiety and tension. But as always this is the reason people are attracted to me as a friends, the qualities they first admire, a straight talker, not mincing words, always truthful... These become my downfall in the end. My constant need to make sure things are ok, that i havent offended, been too truthful, or tactful.. This is what they end up dispising in our relationship. And they walk away

Double_Trouble Tired of my self destructive nature...
  • replies: 3

I never thought I would join a forum to share my deepest thoughts and darkest truths but this really is my last hope at trying to save myself. I don't want to make this all about my history, like many my childhood was far from wonderful and I have no... View more

I never thought I would join a forum to share my deepest thoughts and darkest truths but this really is my last hope at trying to save myself. I don't want to make this all about my history, like many my childhood was far from wonderful and I have no doubt that it was the early years of my life that set me up to be what I am today. I am now middle aged and lead a completely double life. I do all the standard acting, smile when you should, say the right thing, be supportive and caring, be the go to person for everyone else, the strong, reliable, responsible one who helps anyone with what ever is needed. I am constantly aware of my behaviour, body language, speech and reactions so that I always come across as how I want and NEED to be perceived. The reality is though that I am falling apart inside, everything in my world is a struggle but never will I talk of this, not to my husband, adult children, family or friends (I don't really have friends, never let anyone get that close to me). I spend my life supporting everyone around me and making sure they are all happy and well taken care of so for me it would feel like an incredible weakness to share my problems with them. Honestly, they wouldn't understand, they would be totally judgemental and no doubt quite angry about some things. Which also wouldn't work for me given I hate confrontation. During the last 40 yrs I have done therapy, spent time in a psychiatric hospital and taken the medications. The therapy and meds still continue but are no longer enough to get me through. I have completely ruined my life and those closest to me, my life is one big lie, my husband has no idea of the person he is married to, my children have no idea of what I am, knowing will serve no purpose so that part of me I have been successful in changing but it's the other things I need help with. Behind closed doors i am always in a state of depression and quite suicidal, I feel like my world is closing in on me but I can't share this with anyone not even my therapist. I feel like a total failure and am so so tired. The other thing is that I have financially ruined us over all these years. We have lost our home, have debt galore and are now heading into crisis mode but still no one knows as I can't stop the need to protect them from sadness at all cost. So what do I do from here, my own thoughts are just too irrational so I have turned to you all for some advice 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.

ClassicExample Too Many Thoughts and Feelings - Feeling Paralysed
  • replies: 4

I was discharged from a psychiatric hospital a few weeks ago for major depressive disorder. When I was in the clean, structured and encouraging environment of the clinic I was able to track and monitor my thoughts and feelings. Now I'm back in 'the r... View more

I was discharged from a psychiatric hospital a few weeks ago for major depressive disorder. When I was in the clean, structured and encouraging environment of the clinic I was able to track and monitor my thoughts and feelings. Now I'm back in 'the real world' I feel like the physical clutter, the number of people I engage with in a day, and the lack of structure, is pushing me back to a place where I struggled to function. I can think of all the things that I could do to get me out of bed, but I have thousands of ideas and millions of thoughts related to them. They race through my head so quickly and I can't seem to slow down and hold on to one. If I had someone to come in and patiently give me direction i.e. "Do some breathing...now pull your feet over the side of the bed" etc. - I would slowly be able to do it. But when left to myself, I can't. Does anyone else experience these racing thoughts? Has others had difficulty transition from hospital to living at home?

Mr nobody Lost
  • replies: 3

I am a lost soul. My relationship has been on the rocks for a number of years and I've just been clinging on with my finger tips which in turn reflects my life. I have no family, no friends. Yesterday I told my partner who is working overseas that I ... View more

I am a lost soul. My relationship has been on the rocks for a number of years and I've just been clinging on with my finger tips which in turn reflects my life. I have no family, no friends. Yesterday I told my partner who is working overseas that I just can not do this relationship as it stands anymore. That was with the help of alcohol which seems to be my best friend. I work in a Government department which is secure but with rents like they are I would be homeless and i dislike the job anyway. The only comfort I have is my little furry dog which I will lose shortly. I have taken the day off work today as I just can not face anyone. No one. I'm so depressed. This has been the situation since my partner went overseas to work and now after last night has consumed me like a favorite blanket or a hug just when you need it from a dear friend. I'm not sure where I am going here. I don't know how to explain how my heart just feels so bloody empty. How do you feel when you know that you will be literally on the streets, depressed, angry and so damn frustrated. Nobody cares, nobody will even notice. My heart feels like it has bled out any semblance of care and is left with nothing. I'm very sorry to burden anyone reading this. I suppose I just needed to get my feelings out before I can't anymore. Thank you for bothering to read and listen.

Jersey_Girl How do I break the chain 2
  • replies: 1

Hi John, Thankyou for your reply on my other thread. Not sure what happened but the page is gone. I will take your advice and just take each day at a time. Baby steps. Lately I have been struggling but tomorrow is another day. Take care

Hi John, Thankyou for your reply on my other thread. Not sure what happened but the page is gone. I will take your advice and just take each day at a time. Baby steps. Lately I have been struggling but tomorrow is another day. Take care

Montanna 22 year old female student (me) - depressed, anxious & never happy
  • replies: 4

Hi all,Everyday I wake up feeling useless, negative and pointless. I struggle to see the light in my own situations but can so easily help those around me. Not many people know I am depressed because I pretend to be happy around all of those that kno... View more

Hi all,Everyday I wake up feeling useless, negative and pointless. I struggle to see the light in my own situations but can so easily help those around me. Not many people know I am depressed because I pretend to be happy around all of those that know me. I am currently on anti-depressants and try to meditate a few times a week. Every time I feel like I am moving forward, something will happen which will bring me down. From the outside, it seems like my life is great. I do have perfect friends, loving parents and a great job. But why am i still depressed? I just need help, well lots of help because I do not want to live my life feeling lonely and rarely happy. My friend committed suicide a few days ago because he was suffering from depression. I know I won't get to this point, but I just want all these bad feelings to stop. It is wasting my time and my life. 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.

Jaybird27 How do I fake being happy?
  • replies: 7

I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this, but here goes. I'm not a naturally happy person, I'm not bouncy and I don't get excited about many things but a lot of people around me do. There's recently been a birth in the family and everyone ... View more

I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this, but here goes. I'm not a naturally happy person, I'm not bouncy and I don't get excited about many things but a lot of people around me do. There's recently been a birth in the family and everyone is giddy and cooing and while I am happy for the parents and the new sprog, I'm not as happy as everyone else. I do love them but I don't feel the urge to be around them 24/7 and tell everyone I see about the new baby. This makes things very difficult because while everyone is running around happy as Larry, they see me and think I'm angry or depressed because I'm not acting like them. This does make me depressed because then they start trying to suppress their own emotions for fear of offending me or they start getting angry at me because they feel like they're bothering me, so I try and reach their level of enthusiasm but its exhausting and things can quickly become a fight because I can't keep up. I try to limit how often I'm around people but that just makes me feel lonely and I miss a great deal of what goes on in my family. I hope this all makes sense. Basically, I don't know what to do, It's a constant cycle and I need to break it somehow. SO how do I fake being bubbly and enthusiastic like everyone else around me?

Smurf80 Support groups
  • replies: 1

Hi, I'm new to this but I have also been looking for face to face support groups for those with depression in my area. I'm in Newcastle nsw but have had no luck finding any where close by. Does anyone know of such groups in the Newcastle area? View more

Hi, I'm new to this but I have also been looking for face to face support groups for those with depression in my area. I'm in Newcastle nsw but have had no luck finding any where close by. Does anyone know of such groups in the Newcastle area?

Jo3 Not feeling too good
  • replies: 7

I don't know why but I have woken up and started crying (story of my life That's all I seem to do lately is cry, think of something and cry. think of my childhood and cry. I have so many unfinished things that need to be completed but have no motivat... View more

I don't know why but I have woken up and started crying (story of my life That's all I seem to do lately is cry, think of something and cry. think of my childhood and cry. I have so many unfinished things that need to be completed but have no motivation to do any of them. And then I feel guilty for not completing them and feel horrible, lazy and feel that I just can never finish something, to actually complete something. For eg. my eye pillows, I bought the material and the lavender oil, i sewed up the pillows but haven't bought the dried lavender. So now this project is in a bag and it will stay there forever. That's how hopeless I am, never can I do anything that I can finish. I have all these grand plans but never once do I go ahead with any of them. I don't have the strength or confidence to tell myself to just do it. Get up and do it. If pnly it was that easy. i haven't walked for a while and i need to. i know i do but just can't face the idea of going for a walk. i just stay inside and hibernate. i now have three days off and i don't know what to do, i am crying. i actually have a bbq lunch to go to today but not sure now if I'll go. I have so much pent up anger, hurt and emotions running everywhere. So much happening in my life right now i feel like i;m going crazy. i wish there was someone right now that could just sit with me and give me a hug. but that feels like a child. damn the tears are flowing ad i can't stop. need to go, this is too hard, everything at the moment is too hard jo