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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: 0

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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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.

Bella051105 3 Months Post-Partum
  • replies: 2

Hi All, I'm 3 months post partum with my second child and I feel like im okay handling the kids but I lack support from my partner at times. I feel like i have such a mental list like ironing his clothes cooking and washing up on top of the kids work... View more

Hi All, I'm 3 months post partum with my second child and I feel like im okay handling the kids but I lack support from my partner at times. I feel like i have such a mental list like ironing his clothes cooking and washing up on top of the kids work. I dont work at the moment but because of that I also feel guilty for not doing anything so i compensate with housework. My partner says that hes tired and dismisses anything i do at home so I honestly feel like a maid if I stop doing it, the mess overstimulates me and makes me more irritated. When im sick im still expected to do all of this but its not the same for my partner i need to tend to him. But no one looks after me and my pregnancy was the same, he basically said he was working and didnt have time for foot massages or to tend to my requests. I just feel like im being stretched out so thin. When i explain this to him he just dismisses it says sorry and does it all over agin the next day and says he forgot like at this point i dont think it will ever change. Ive got two beautiful kids relying on me but i feel like im maeried to a narcissist. I havent gone to a single event for myself for 4 years while he has opportunities to go out with his cousins but when i get invited to something the anxiety kills ms and I dont end up going or I worry about the kids. The moment i get excited about something i convince myself not to go. Sometime i just want to pack my things and leave.the kids are the only thing thats stopping me.

Korvyn Is there a good life for someone so fundamentally broken?
  • replies: 6

Cause I struggle to believe there is, I am a 24 year old assigned at birth male that identifies as non-binary and believes to be trans but is unable to outwardly express it or even transition due to the dangers that presents in my current living situ... View more

Cause I struggle to believe there is, I am a 24 year old assigned at birth male that identifies as non-binary and believes to be trans but is unable to outwardly express it or even transition due to the dangers that presents in my current living situation, I live at my parents home and it's a real toxic environment as the both of them resent me and are abusive to me, each other and my other siblings cause they feel so entitled to do so. My siblings don't care for me much either almost all having already left the house and to leave estranged to them and their families, I remain with the youngest sibling whom of which wants nothing to do with me due to my numerous conditions making me very unapproachable, I suffer from numerous disorders most of which I only suspect and resonate with as I cannot get them diagnosed due to again, said risks that may occur if my parents were to find out as they're anti-medical science due to it conflicting with their fanatical conservative beliefs that getting help is a sign of failure and weakness. Predominately I suffer from a severe eczema condition that leaves my skin incredibly agitated every waking moment, rapidly developing chronic pains all over my body (focused mainly on my arms but the pain can surge anywhere badly too at times), a very compromised immune system, some form of ADHD or similar neurodivergent condition and so on that I can thank my parents for due to real poor genes, I have seemed to have lucked out as my siblings don't have as many conditions as I have as it appears I have copped the brunt of it. I've drawn a really short straw on life it seems and on-top of all of that I am just not a very capable human being and I can't stand it, I am a real sight for sore eyes that leads to a lot of looks when my grotesque body passes by in public spaces, I am very uncoordinated, unable to focus on tasks, I struggled at school due to homelife and being unable to discipline myself leaving me a incredibly stupid waste of space with my grades were staggering low and failing to get my ATAR and only just barely scrapping by my HSC which led to being unable to find work so I lack experience and unable to support myself. I hate the skin I'm in I've tried accepting it but it's just not going to happen but I simply don't have the means or strength to do anything about it and even if I did, everyone around me would make life even more miserable so that just feels wonderful in it's self, I have no support or friends.

yellowdaffodil Friends feel so far away
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone. I feel trapped, backed into a corner. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to communicate with my friends. My anxiety and depression have left me feeling so isolated and I’m unable to make my way back. I’m so scared that they hate me. ... View more

Hi everyone. I feel trapped, backed into a corner. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to communicate with my friends. My anxiety and depression have left me feeling so isolated and I’m unable to make my way back. I’m so scared that they hate me. I’ve disclosed some information to them, but it was awhile ago. I don’t want to be the friend that is always ‘negative’. I don’t want to be the friend constantly apologising. But I miss them so much. It’s been so long, so much has happened, I hardly know where to begin or if things will ever be the same. I am different, I am dark and haunted. I’m not okay.

perth20 Finding life hard
  • replies: 1

Hi, I have had depression from 26 years old I've married and divorced. My ex-husband was abusive to both me and my two children. I didn't find out that my children had been abused until after my son at 26 years old took his life, I have a lot of guil... View more

Hi, I have had depression from 26 years old I've married and divorced. My ex-husband was abusive to both me and my two children. I didn't find out that my children had been abused until after my son at 26 years old took his life, I have a lot of guilt over not knowing about the abuse and my son's death and my daughters' medical issues and mental health issues. I have cared for my elderly parents until my mum died and my father went into a nursing home. My partner was diagnosed with cancer about 2 years ago and my depression got really bad; and have since been in therapy. The therapy has helped but I find that I start to feel like I have everything under control and then some other problem will come along, and it doesn't have to be anything big, but I feel like I just can't cope with another problem to deal with life feels so hard, especially with my partner being so sick. I have been trying to keep my mind off thing's with my gardening and reading and other things. I just keep telling myself to keep going.

rhinoceros Struggling to cope with deteriorating mental health
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I would be very grateful for any insight or tips.I've been managing my depression (and anxiety) of varying severity since mid 2010.I'm finding it incredibly hard to function at the moment. It seems I shift between deep/dark depression an... View more

Hi everyone, I would be very grateful for any insight or tips.I've been managing my depression (and anxiety) of varying severity since mid 2010.I'm finding it incredibly hard to function at the moment. It seems I shift between deep/dark depression and anxiety that is only "just" manageable. The anxiety episodes leave me exhausted, and I suspect that triggers the depressive symptoms.... it seems I'm lucky to have 1 or 2 days a week where I feel okay, not great, but not horrible. I've noticed that I have developed some unhealthy coping strategies. When I am depressed, I retreat to the past, in my case, around 2009/10 when I was a lot less miserable. In some ways I think it's a self soothing thing, but it's also reinforced my belief that nothing good is in the future. I work a full time job, and also work extensive hours outside of my 'day job' as a jazz musician. I'm always busy. Keeping busy helps. Something else that complicated things was a 5 1/2 year long relationship that was abusive. Unfortunately my ex was highly narcissistic and I was subject to all manner of psychological torment. Like many I didn't understand what was going on, and assumed it was myself that was the problem. With the support of people on this forum as well as a counsellor I managed to extract myself from that. That was about 3 years ago now. I feel trapped by my mental health. It is holding me back at work - my confidence isn't there - even though I am a competent worker. Similarly, in my music pursuits, I have the ability to achieve so much more than I have, but my lack of confidence gets in the way. I'm also terrified of dating/intimacy etc. - even just a hug sends me into a panic, that unfortunately is a result of my ex, a lot of her abuse towards me occurred in intimate settings. Life feels like such a struggle and the outlook seems so bleak. I'm trying to help myself and be proactive. I see a counsellor every few weeks.... I run about 10k every week... I try to find enjoyment in things, I try to apply mindfulness to situations... In spite of these efforts I can't seem to pull myself out of this rut (which I've been in for years now). I'm curious to know if others can relate to this. It feels like I'm swimming against a strong current, but I'm just getting dragged away by it. I want to be well and happy again but I don't know how that can happen.

1402 Depression is making my life hard.
  • replies: 1

I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression about 7years ago. In recent my depression has gotten really bad and is affecting every part of my life. I feel very alone and don't know how to express my thoughts. I also find it difficult to talk to peopl... View more

I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression about 7years ago. In recent my depression has gotten really bad and is affecting every part of my life. I feel very alone and don't know how to express my thoughts. I also find it difficult to talk to people and have recently pushed alot of my close friends. I know I need help but am scared to reach out. I don't know what to do.

LastChance Wife's possible depression ?!
  • replies: 6

Hi guys,I have the suspicion that my wife has depressions. BUT, she is denying it, down playing it, etc. and not open at all to the idea to look for any kind of professional help. She is a bit of a perfectionist and feels easily pressured. But our ma... View more

Hi guys,I have the suspicion that my wife has depressions. BUT, she is denying it, down playing it, etc. and not open at all to the idea to look for any kind of professional help. She is a bit of a perfectionist and feels easily pressured. But our marriage is deteriorating and I am afraid that if I mention that, it will create even more pressure for her. I already programmed the hotline's phone number into my mobile. Just in case... Any additional ideas would be appreciated. Cheers

ScottakaDean Dealing with Computer and Gaming addiction
  • replies: 2

Hi, I've been struggling for a long time with depression and anxiety, it's recently escalated into using the computer, gaming, and getting lost in the scroll to avoid the negative thoughts and anxiety.I'm not sleeping, until I crash and can no longer... View more

Hi, I've been struggling for a long time with depression and anxiety, it's recently escalated into using the computer, gaming, and getting lost in the scroll to avoid the negative thoughts and anxiety.I'm not sleeping, until I crash and can no longer stay awake, then I'm out for like 12hrs, then up for 30hrs, and repeat.I guess it's not really an addiction thing, but the avoidance and finding distractions from my feelings.I'm in a pretty rough place right now, my job is in jeopardy, my partner had just broken off our relationship, though we still live together until we can find new accommodation. I've got no friends, I've got some healtg problems (apnoea and overweight) and I generally feel pretty worthless.It's a lot, I know, but I want to get better. I think the computer use needs to stop, I lose myself when I go on there, play all night without regard to even trying to get back to bed.I don't really know what I'm asking for here, I'm not sure if I've got what it takes to stop this spiral descent and I'm worried my whole life is coming crumbling down. I just need help, and I'll take anything. -Scott.

Iron where do I start
  • replies: 7

HelloI have had depression for over 7 years nowReally had enoughJust started getting helpI used to be so activeBody-buildingSalsa dancing photographyNow nothingI work in the mines and when I get home I just lay on my bed for 7 dayI really want to get... View more

HelloI have had depression for over 7 years nowReally had enoughJust started getting helpI used to be so activeBody-buildingSalsa dancing photographyNow nothingI work in the mines and when I get home I just lay on my bed for 7 dayI really want to get back to my old selfI have tried so many times doing things but have no interest.What can I do to help me get back to my old self