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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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Grxmloid Paralyzing anhedonia
  • replies: 1

For the last 2 years I have had anhedonia which started at the time my chronic health issues began. I've determined it's origin is in my gut problems (at least mostly) and I am working with a naturopath & still waiting to get an endoscopy/colonoscopy... View more

For the last 2 years I have had anhedonia which started at the time my chronic health issues began. I've determined it's origin is in my gut problems (at least mostly) and I am working with a naturopath & still waiting to get an endoscopy/colonoscopy with the hospital gasteoentorologist which is the only thing I can afford right now. I tried to manage it myself because I thought i knew what it was (the initial chronic fatigue and sickness was caused by a catalyst) I was also struggling to work, but now I've had to borrow money, because it became a matter of life and death (I became so suicidal). I feel so upset I let it go this long and get so bad before I caved in and realized I couldn't do it on my own. What I was doing was making it worse or not helping. I've been getting treatment for only 2 months now which I can't believe. I've become more impatient than ever. 2 years of my life gone to this.I've done so many tests, and now awaiting on results from yet another, being heavy metal toxicity (could be highly likely considering some of the causes leading up to everything). I now need to move house as the property owner who inherited the house doesn't want to pay capital gains tax. I am only just starting to feel some improvements from the gruelling process of trying to get the right measurements of probiotics etc (which were giving me extreme side effects in the beginning) and now I'm facing the loss of a familiar, safe house and suburb plus one of my housemates is leaving for new Zealand instead of coming with me and my other housemate to the next house. Meanwhile I've been so isolated because how this has all been impacting my brain function, and my mood, has made it virtually I m possible to socialize. But I'm trying to so hard, nonetheless, however I'm able to. But I have drifted significantly from the people in my life. When I am with others most of the time I feel boring because the anhedonia means to creative thought, no excitement, no natural vibrancy. It's destroyed my self esteem which now thst my brain is working better I am trying to do mindful practise on. The housemates rightfully so organized a house cooling party which at this stage I am dreading. 4 of my friends are away travelling and I don't know how who will come of my invites, nor how I will cope being at a party (I've tried a few this year, normally I'm a party person, but they were so difficult) because it feels like I'm just acting. Because I don't feel any joy and my mind isn't working lile normal, every thing I do is in memory of who I was. I am doing things because "that is how that's done for this reason" not out of a natural momentum. It's bad to not try but its also bad to just be faced with the fact that I still just feel so numb and dissociated from myself and the world. I'm glad it's improved to the point of crying some days but I just dont feel human and I am so sick and tired of being in survival mode for 2 years. I am an optimist but this will push anyone the the edge. I don't want to die I just want to be better and this has got to be the hardest thing I've ever done

Assist Being well
  • replies: 5

Hi all,I write to ask how to over come and beat these feelings of hell. I have a beautiful wife and 2 young boys. I’m 43 and feel helpless. Self employed with 5 staff. Depressed and crying everyday with no motivation or happiness. Yet, I know it’s al... View more

Hi all,I write to ask how to over come and beat these feelings of hell. I have a beautiful wife and 2 young boys. I’m 43 and feel helpless. Self employed with 5 staff. Depressed and crying everyday with no motivation or happiness. Yet, I know it’s all around me. Can we get well. What’s happened?

wendykasz007 Feeling low all the time
  • replies: 3

Hi I have been feeling low for a long time. My son's were taken by their father and I haven't seen them in 7 years then my dad passed away. I'm feeling alone. I have spoken to Drs phyciatrists and they were rude to me at my time if need. I'm looking ... View more

Hi I have been feeling low for a long time. My son's were taken by their father and I haven't seen them in 7 years then my dad passed away. I'm feeling alone. I have spoken to Drs phyciatrists and they were rude to me at my time if need. I'm looking for people to talk to that know how I feel. I've had depression all my life I am 51.I don't enjoy anything anymore not even music. I need friends

randomxx l dunno wth is wrong with me
  • replies: 10

Hi dear bb people, a few might know me, formally randomx. l've had to take a break for awhile gather thoughts but just of late in need of just talking things through once again.l'm 59 now and feeling very strange although in RL people usually guess m... View more

Hi dear bb people, a few might know me, formally randomx. l've had to take a break for awhile gather thoughts but just of late in need of just talking things through once again.l'm 59 now and feeling very strange although in RL people usually guess me at mid 40s and that's about what l've felt too so l'm very lucky in that way but unfortunately on the inside just of late usual zests seems to have left me and l can't be bothered with anything.l've always been moody and also in and out of depressed stages too but of late that's more so than not these days and it seems ridiculous to me but ldk wth is wrong and why the change- it's different now.l've also lost interest in work but worse lately feel like l can't even cope with it any more.l only work pt for myself at home so no pressures l've also always quite enjoyed it to but lately ???Been living alone mostly last 12 mths as my d moved out and gf has been interstate so we just visit a mth a time usually but l also might've blown it.last she was down at mine was gonna be for 3mths and she was so gorgeous, l really couldn't ask for more but yet, l was in the dumps so much that l eventually cut the 3mths short- hence probably blowing it with her now too bc that did not go down well at all and also really really hurt her.l should've been so happy to have her here again but yet l could hardly hold a smile. l feel like that with everything atm and of late been wondering if the other me the mostly old me is coming back this time or not. l don't want meds bc really compared to most depression, l'm actually quite light, but it is still enough to ruin things.ldk. Any thoughts appreciated.

tapeace I think I've been depressed since a very young age.
  • replies: 3

hi everyone, it's my first post so please forgive any mistakes I might make in where I am posting or what I am asking. I think I have had depression for so long that it feels normal. I don't feel overly sad, in fact I would rate myself pretty happy g... View more

hi everyone, it's my first post so please forgive any mistakes I might make in where I am posting or what I am asking. I think I have had depression for so long that it feels normal. I don't feel overly sad, in fact I would rate myself pretty happy go lucky. growing up I was always at every party, never part of the drama, always felt I had a very grounded view on things. if a friend hurt me I would understand and get over it very quickly. I know I have no self-esteem. I've never thought my issues were important. I was abused as a child and have never told a single soul, I've never really felt pain from that just blocked it out. I still see the person who did it and have a very normal relationship with him. I had absolutely no motivation or care about the future for as long as I can remember, but no anxiety about it either. As I've gotten older in life (now near 40) I've spent the last 2 years in bed watching TV. getting up to do what I had to do (feed my son or get him ready for school), completely secluded myself from everyone of my friends and I don't even miss them. it's been months since I've done basic things like showering and brushing my teeth. but I still don't feel sad or anxiety or worried or cry. has anyone else dealt with anything similar?

Ponder Navigating Deep Depression, Agoraphobia & Deteriorating Health
  • replies: 21

My purpose in creating this thread is to discover a safe space where I can freely express my inner struggles, while also seeking ways to alleviate the ongoing psychological and physical distress I experience. This perspective may resonate more with i... View more

My purpose in creating this thread is to discover a safe space where I can freely express my inner struggles, while also seeking ways to alleviate the ongoing psychological and physical distress I experience. This perspective may resonate more with individuals who tend to retreat in response to extroverted expressions. However, I wholeheartedly welcome those who can relate to such profound emotions.My primary intention is not merely seeking sympathy or commiseration; instead, my goal is to uplift myself from the deep hole I currently find myself in. My struggles with morbid obesity and experiencing signs of a looming heart attack have been daunting. I even had a mild one before, but I resisted seeking medical help due to feeling misunderstood. Being reduced to just a panic disorder in the community's eyes, with multiple diagnoses, hasn't been beneficial for me, and it only adds to my depression.Today's industry and its clinical approaches haven't resonated with me, as I've operated differently for many decades. I prefer not to adhere to any particular narrative or advocate specific ways of survival in this confining world. My aim isn't to tell others what to do, but rather to explore and influence my own path. Perhaps, this thread will serve as an outlet for this purpose if it endures, or if I choose to continue sharing.Lately, the cycles of despair have been getting longer, and I find myself wrestling with a tight chest every night, both psychologically and physically deteriorating. Despite having plenty of support, I struggle to find conventional methods that truly resonate with me.I hope to write about the various strategies I plan to adopt, as I embark on the journey to overcome this latest extreme cycle. At times, even simple tasks like mowing my own front lawn feel challenging, and I no longer concern myself with the notions of right or wrong. Perhaps, the government could provide assistance, but I fear it might only lead to further disempowerment or unwanted confrontations.Admittedly, I write better in the mornings, and I am uncertain if this format suits me well. Nevertheless, this seems to be my only outlet to reach out and express myself.

Rose2021 I wish I was happy
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I wish I wasn’t depressed and sad. I won’t do anything to harm myself which is good. I am safe. I am just super sad and depressed.

Hi everyone, I wish I wasn’t depressed and sad. I won’t do anything to harm myself which is good. I am safe. I am just super sad and depressed.

stell_a178 Moving Out at 20 (Family Issues)
  • replies: 6

I don’t have the best relationship with either of my parents. My dad is abusive and I no longer talk to him and my mum tends to shut down any of my issues relating to mental health. More recently the fights between my mum and I have become unbearable... View more

I don’t have the best relationship with either of my parents. My dad is abusive and I no longer talk to him and my mum tends to shut down any of my issues relating to mental health. More recently the fights between my mum and I have become unbearable, and I have been looking to move out. However, in one fight I said I would completely cut ties with her once I moved out. I somewhat agree with what I said and somewhat don’t. But since then, my family has been telling me that I’m just a lazy spoiled brat that should be thankful for all that my mum has done for me. I understand that her financially supporting me is incredible and I will forever be grateful of that, but she also does not support me in regard to my mental health whatsoever. She believes I am faking my mental issues, and that my psychologist is just saying yes to everything I say and not actually helping me. I disagree completely. Anyway, I am just feeling really alone and stressed because of this. I don’t know if I am using my mental issues as an excuse for behaving badly and that I should be grateful for her and just keep it at that. I thought my sister would support me when I said I would cut ties, but she said my reasons for doing so are not valid. She said that if my mum didn’t physically abuse me, I should be keeping in contact with her. But I feel as though my mum has only been detrimental to my mental health. She constantly talks about my weight, compares me to other people my age, tells me that I never work as hard as she does, that I just sleep all day and don’t do anything (I work and go to Uni), that I never cook and clean because I am lazy etc. I am so utterly tired of being judged for every single thing that I do, that I am finding it hard to find a reason to keep in contact with her. She has made me so bad about myself and everything that I do, so why would I continue to go out of my way to talk to her.any advice or notes are greatly appreciated. Thanks guys and my heart goes out to any one else in a similar situation x

lilykitten The Black cloud
  • replies: 3

I once imagined where I would be at 58. It wasn't an unreasonable dream. It was how I saw my parents life play out. I would work hard, pay off the mortgage and retire at 60 with both my kids settled in their own lives. I would travel the world with m... View more

I once imagined where I would be at 58. It wasn't an unreasonable dream. It was how I saw my parents life play out. I would work hard, pay off the mortgage and retire at 60 with both my kids settled in their own lives. I would travel the world with my wonderful husband and in between trips work on my artistic practices and my garden.Instead I find myself divorced with a mortgage even larger than the first one I had almost paid off.My eldest daughter now 20 is still finding her way after covid and the family breakup. Her confidence is shot and she can't find her direction in life.My widowed mother who moved next door to help out after my marriage broke up, aged very quickly and now needs more care than I can give her.My youngest daughter now 18 was diagnosed ASD with a PDA profile 6 years ago. She is in a constant state of anxiety. I am constantly on knife point balancing pacifying her to avoid her striking out and trying hundreds of different therapists and techniques to help her control the meltdowns. I know how it feels to be unable to remove myself from domestic violence.Then there is work. I'm an art teacher and I thought I was good at it. I have been teaching in the same country school for 27 years. I planned to keep this job for life. At the time of my divorce and my daughter's diagnosis the school leadership changed. The new principal actively started changing the dynamic within the teaching staff favouring younger staff who were cheaper to employ and I was constantly having to justify my actions leading to a drop in my confidence and a feeling of paranoia which has left me with PTSD. The principal has since left but my insecurity never did. I had to reduce my hours due to my carers role and have felt increasingly isolated from my colleagues. Last week when I felt things couldn't get any worse, a student made up a story about something I had supposedly said, to get himself out of trouble at home, and the parent complained about me to the school. This is possibly a career ending complaint and will be investigated. It will be a case of my word against the student's.So this is my life. It's the lack of control that gets to me. Every solution is out of my hands. All I can do is let things play out. My only possible action is to strengthen my own mental health and get my head above this cloud

Esc ONE BAD DECISION AFTER ANOTHER
  • replies: 5

I have been struggling with negatives thoughts. My facade appears approachable and amiable, my persona strong, and I am never without a smile in public. A people pleaser and generous to a fault. A lie I've lived with for years, because I felt that's ... View more

I have been struggling with negatives thoughts. My facade appears approachable and amiable, my persona strong, and I am never without a smile in public. A people pleaser and generous to a fault. A lie I've lived with for years, because I felt that's not who I really am underneath my skin nor in my soul. I recently sold my home. A home that afforded me security and wonderful memories. I bought a house for which I absolutely regret. I dislike it immensely and wish not to move in at all. Finances see me with no other choice but to move in and wait to sell. Packing has been a nightmare. Everything appears to be going wrong and I can't catch a break. Whatever I have been holding inside all these years, as finally reared its ugly head and hit me with both barrels. I am defeated, lost, regrets fill my waking hours and I dislike myself for being so stupid. I have tears down my cheeks and regret in my heart as I type. I feel miserable and oh so lonely. Hitting a brick wall at such a high velocity of hurt and anxiety, has, I believe, finally broken me. My patience, endurance and willing myself to be strong, are no more. I churn with emotion inside and shake on the outside. I cry at a blink of an eye. I fight to redirect my future for the better, only to receive the slap of defeat and once again feel the pain of remorse. I've tried booking professional help, but most are booked out weeks in advance. I am climbing walls, snapping at others, impatient and turning into Mr. Hyde. I feel so disjointed and even when I do mingle, I get no pleasure as I feel inadequate amongst others. I've tried walks, self-help, long drives etc., to no avail. Prayer, reading, music, everything is only a stop gap. I am a yo-yo of emotions. Tonight, I have energy to run a marathon, yet my very being is despondent. I don't like going to the Doctors and even then, they're always fully booked for a week or so. How does one turn these palpable, tangible, consuming and overwhelming feelings around?