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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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Earth Girl Getting stereotyped
  • replies: 2

So this is a bit complicated because sometimes I am straight and other times I am a bit on the bisexual side? It took me a long time to figure out if I was straight or bisexual because... it changes? Well, when I say bisexual, curious might be a bett... View more

So this is a bit complicated because sometimes I am straight and other times I am a bit on the bisexual side? It took me a long time to figure out if I was straight or bisexual because... it changes? Well, when I say bisexual, curious might be a better word because I think about women when I have "particular alone time", but I don't actually want to have sex with them? And when I feel attraction to other women when in person, it's only romantic attraction where as when I have attraction to men, it's sexual attraction as well. I don't even want to touch other women when I have attraction to them, I just... I don't know? So it's really confusing. My sister told me that it's very common for girls to get girl crushes which I think might be what's going on with me. I asked her if she gets girl crushes and she said "Yeah! I"m like 'Ohhh, she's pretty." I still don't know what exactly a girl crush is though. Is that when you have some attraction to another girl, but don't actually want to touch them irl? Because that's what happens to me. Anyway, I was wondering what I should do about getting stereotyped for being curious and if there's a way I can even stop being curious because I find it easier when I'm straight and not a bit on the bi side. (I don't have a problem with other people being bi, I just want to go back to being completely straight and not having moments of curiosity because it's awkward and it makes other people feel awkward as well). Being straight is just easier for me personally. People say that since I am bi that it makes me masculine which I don't identify with. Bi girls and lesbians can be feminine and straight girls can be tomboys. I identify as feminine even if I have moments of curiosity.

vulnerable Seeking Friends, support, company and encouragement in SE QLD.
  • replies: 2

I've been through the ringer as have many of the people here writing and reading these posts. I'm a single Dad with 50/50 care of two kids I'm aged 50 and in spite of living in Brisbane for almost 15 years I've never developed a social life especiall... View more

I've been through the ringer as have many of the people here writing and reading these posts. I'm a single Dad with 50/50 care of two kids I'm aged 50 and in spite of living in Brisbane for almost 15 years I've never developed a social life especially one with mates to hang out with and talk to when life gets hard. I feel like many of my attempts to break free of self sacrificing behaviours fail simply because I lack support and the small victories create a false sense of security that ultimately means i slip back to old habits/patterns etc. I really hope someone reading this has some insight into how I can form new friendships and break free of the isolation I feel. K

Guest_10024 Tension / Cervagenic Headaches
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone , I’m hear to talk about my Chronic tension headaches / Cervagenic headaches 28 yr old male . Not really sure on which one it is . I’ll try make the story as short as possible , pretty much mid Covid 4-5 years ago I randomly woke up with ... View more

Hi everyone , I’m hear to talk about my Chronic tension headaches / Cervagenic headaches 28 yr old male . Not really sure on which one it is . I’ll try make the story as short as possible , pretty much mid Covid 4-5 years ago I randomly woke up with a headache and my thought was I had Covid and turns out I didn’t , so time went on and they continued to stay - 4-5 years later I still have them . These headaches have put me in such a bad place in my life , I’ve been in a psychiatric hospital twice due to them and I’ve been on several medications and plenty of different pain relievers . I’ve also had mris and ct scans and it all shows normal . I’ve seen naturopaths , neurologists , headache clinics . Chiropractor . Psychiatrist doctors and I’ve also had Botox , I currently take medication at night and I’m suffering with bad insomnia and still chronic tension headaches , I also recently saw a new neurologist and in the two appointments I had with him he’s come to the conclusion that it’s just stress ! I understand that stress can contribute to chronic headaches but I’m still yet to believe that’s why I have them this bad , can any recommend what I do next . I have a feeling they are steaming from my spine/ neck .. I really can’t go on living like this. I have a 5 year old daughter and partner and I just want to a normal person . The tension headaches leave me with very tense traps and sore neck to pain stemming around my head like a vice , I also am unable to work due to the pain as they are pretty much here every single day . I have a bony change to my c5 in my neck and decreased disc spaces to my lower back , Any help or peoples story’s would help a lot. I just don’t know what to do Tia

Allosaurus Depressed partner says they don’t love me
  • replies: 2

My partner was diagnosed with severe depression 6 years ago. 2 years ago they started antidepressants, they’re taking the highest dose possible.We have been married 10+ years. A week ago told me they didn’t love me anymore, and hadn’t had feelings fo... View more

My partner was diagnosed with severe depression 6 years ago. 2 years ago they started antidepressants, they’re taking the highest dose possible.We have been married 10+ years. A week ago told me they didn’t love me anymore, and hadn’t had feelings for me for over a year. They don’t know if it’s the drugs affecting them or if they’ve had a genuine change of heart but they’ve done a good job of faking it - I was blindsided.Folks with depression or partners of people with depression, has this happened to you? If it’s just the drugs messing with my partner’s head, is there any hope for us?I know weaning or changing meds is a long road. I want to fight for my marriage and the person I married but I am also angry and upset at the way my life has been turned inside out.

reading456 Sad
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm feeling sad my hair is falling out each time I comb it and in the shower. I've got an appointment with my doctor on Monday and ask her why and what can I do. And also thinking to reach out to my support worker. It makes me depressed.

Hi, I'm feeling sad my hair is falling out each time I comb it and in the shower. I've got an appointment with my doctor on Monday and ask her why and what can I do. And also thinking to reach out to my support worker. It makes me depressed.

Guest_18111436 I just want to get the help I need
  • replies: 1

Hi. I'm not sure how to do this but this is an effort and I'm running low on motivation lately so please be kind. I'm 17, I live with my boyfriend. I haven't been home for over a year my mother was neglectful and violent. I haven't been to school, wo... View more

Hi. I'm not sure how to do this but this is an effort and I'm running low on motivation lately so please be kind. I'm 17, I live with my boyfriend. I haven't been home for over a year my mother was neglectful and violent. I haven't been to school, worked and rarely visited family in this time my life this past year has consisted of drugs, alcohol and the wrong crowd.. I don't talk to anyone anymore, I wake up in the middle of the day and lay in bed till 4 then I eat and then I lay in bed till late at night when I sit in the shower and just feel so useless. I don't talk to my boyfriends family, I don't do anything I just feel so drained. I've felt this way for weeks I just want to get better and do something before I waste my life away. My boyfriends father is getting tired of supporting me and my boyfriend hasn't been working bc he wants to stay home and make sure I'm ok so soon I might have to go back home to my mother, where she drinks and breaks things and my younger sister who just runs away everyday. I sit on the bathroom floor and just feel like I have nothing going for me. I have nothing stable I've never had stable. My mother wouldn't get me diagnosed she thinks depression is a lie. I've never known someone who's actually depressed and I don't know if this is what I am but it feels like it is. I've had a history of self harm. I hate mentioning it because everyone thinks it's for attention. Maybe it is maybe I just want someone to notice I'm in pain. I hate when people are over. I used to love company bit I just want to be alone recently, i find a way to hate everyone around me even if I love them. I can't stand anything I'm tired all the time and dizzy, I lose my vision multiple times a day and I just want help I'm crying out for help. I've never been this bad. I just want to know how to get help without my mother. I have no car and no money I have nothing I feel so lost and so unmotivated this is all I know how to do, please help me. I'm losing everything good I used to have. I don't feel like myself anymore

Jessksch keep making mistakes in every work place ...
  • replies: 1

I don't know what's wrong with me, I try to do the best I can do, go slow, go over everything and still make so many mistakes... My mind is running so much right now from stress after work, and I only work part-time! This is my second job where mista... View more

I don't know what's wrong with me, I try to do the best I can do, go slow, go over everything and still make so many mistakes... My mind is running so much right now from stress after work, and I only work part-time! This is my second job where mistakes are ruining my life even though I try my best but I still get talks from my bosses that my jobs is on the line because of my mistakes...I am so stressed out and my anxieties are going through the roof, how can I cope!

Eagle Ray Keeping up spirits?
  • replies: 14

The past decade has been extremely stressful and I’ve had new lows in my mental and physical health I never imagined would happen. I’ve really had to struggle to survive. And then today I had news which may not necessarily be that serious, but I just... View more

The past decade has been extremely stressful and I’ve had new lows in my mental and physical health I never imagined would happen. I’ve really had to struggle to survive. And then today I had news which may not necessarily be that serious, but I just felt so alone with it. Following scans I have to have a biopsy for possible breast cancer. I know it is common. I think it’s one in seven women get it now. With me I highly suspect severe stress, especially being a carer over the past decade, has really taken its toll on me. I was diagnosed with a progressive liver disease in 2020 and have had so many other debilitating health conditions over decades now, many since a child. I have Complex PTSD as well. I have no doubt my health conditions are all tied in with that which really has been with me from birth. Today I just felt so alone. I have no family as such now. My brother does care about me to an extent but cannot express emotions or provide emotional support, even though I have cared for him when he’s been in crisis. Trying to connect with him emotionally often leads to him becoming distant or hostile. My kindest friend is a busy mother of a very young daughter and has just returned to work. The couple of extended family members I have some contact with have major care commitments of their own. I don’t tend to ask for help anyway, but even if I did I don’t feel anyone has the capacity to help much and I don’t want to burden them. I have gone through all my health challenges alone, including investigative operations and difficult diagnoses. I’ve never had anyone there for me. I’m used to surviving everything in isolation, but it’s like I’ve hit a new wall of exhaustion. I’m on hormone medication for perimenopausal depression and anxiety and it’s been very helpful, but it’s causing severe histamine intolerance where it’s extremely hard to keep food down. I’ve had this for 7 months now and it makes eating so stressful and it’s exhausting on a daily basis. I have reduced the meds leading to breakthrough depression. But I may have to stop them all together if it turns out I have breast cancer. Prior to starting the hormone meds I was in a state of extreme suicidality relentlessly over a long period of time and I had to fight just to keep myself alive. I’m just overwhelmed, exhausted and don’t know how much more I can keep going. Sorry for long post. How do others keep up their spirits when it’s overwhelming?

Guest_15233924 Can't get out of my head
  • replies: 1

About a year ago I moved to Australia as it had always been a dream of mine to come. I've struggled very much with my mental health here and wish I never came. I have wanted to go home, but feel like a failure because I have not have a successful liv... View more

About a year ago I moved to Australia as it had always been a dream of mine to come. I've struggled very much with my mental health here and wish I never came. I have wanted to go home, but feel like a failure because I have not have a successful living abroad experience. I also feel like I will hate my life and regret leaving if I were to return home. I recently moved apartments as I had a bad roommate situation where they just stopped talking to me one day and we never spoke again (over 10 months of living in silence). That really affected my mental health. Then recently I saw a picture of an ex with their new person. That absolutely broke me (even though we have been broken up for over 2 years, we would still talk up until a couple months ago). I regret breaking up with him and want a future so bad. I can't control my thoughts right now and they're spiralling out of control. I haven't slept the past 2 weeks and I'm just so drained.

Lightning22 I am worried that I am the issue and that I have no mental illness
  • replies: 2

So for years during highschoolI wasn't motivated and didn't have the energy to do anything so all I did was read books and watch videos but even then I dont remember what I read or watched I think because im not letting it settle in my mind and am im... View more

So for years during highschoolI wasn't motivated and didn't have the energy to do anything so all I did was read books and watch videos but even then I dont remember what I read or watched I think because im not letting it settle in my mind and am immediatly moving onto another book or video. It felt like i was half zoned out 24/7 and that I just king of woke up as an adult when I was told my family were having money problems I was a lot less relaxed/zoned out for around a weekand got to talking to my GP from the advice from my sister. My GP believes that I have ADHD, Deppression, Anxiety and some form of Autism, I was diagnosed with ADD when I was 5 but my Mum just gave me fishoil and said it would fix my attention issues, this seemed to help for a bit but I dont know if it was the fishoil or not. I am having a consultation(Not a diagnosis) with a Psychiatrist in a month but I am just getting more worried because I think I am the problem and that I dont have mental issues, but I think I am also slightly hoping that I do have mental issues because then it means im not a failure and I wont be a waste for the rest of my life. I find it hard to focus and to learn but I dont know if that is becaus I have issues or if im just not used to It because of years of doing nothing, memorization for example is hard for me or I think it is I have no real was to compare it to someone else. Most of the time I just feel unmotivated, low on energy and am trying to stop myself from getting back into the constant videos and books but it feels easier which it is but its not right, deprression confused me because I have never been one to think retrostpectivly and try to make connection about my mood and how I think and it is hard cause my go to answer about thinkgs are "Im fine" or "I'm Alright." also not sure if it has any merit in this but my parents always just called me lazy and that my ADD was borderline pretty much not even there even though I had visible issues apparently according to others. When I try to compare my thinking and how I act with my friends they are always thinking whilst I feel like im only doing things based of instinct and not much thought or how they are very creative and doing good in jobs and study even though they have mental issues themselves. Job hunting is not going well I'm worried about my mental consultation and diagnosis and I feel asthough to be a functioning human that can live comfortably I need to get a high level education but am trying to do self study first and it's not going great whilst also having to deal with the fact that we need to get some income.