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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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Sad_Sack Over it!
  • replies: 3

My whole life I have suffered anxiety and depression but there was never any cause for it, just an imbalance or part of my personality. However in the last two years so many awful things have happened and I have dealt with them one by one, but they j... View more

My whole life I have suffered anxiety and depression but there was never any cause for it, just an imbalance or part of my personality. However in the last two years so many awful things have happened and I have dealt with them one by one, but they just keep coming and I just can't cope anymore. I feel like that depressed 15 year old again who wants to spend their whole life under the covers hiding from life, only now I have 2 kids who depend on me. In two years my cousin died, My best friends baby died in a tragic accident, my husband left me after moving us all interstate, found out he was cheating, he screwed me over financially and continues to do so to this day, in the last 6 weeks, I had to move suddenenly, lost my job and to top it all off my sister isn't talking to me. In the first 6 months after a break up people are so supportive and now 2 years on things are just as bad as ever and no one wants to talk about (which I totally understand by the way, because it is a boring bloody story). My Mum had to move in with me and my kids after I lost my job and everything just feels like the pits of hell. I am dreading Christmas, as I won't get to see my kids for half the day. I have cried about 6 times today already. I am having awful thoughts, and just wish the whole world would explode. I used to have a great life and now everything is stuffed and while I know that probably by this time next year things will be better it doesn't help. I thought that last year and here I am still a slave to my ex, trapped in this co parenting arrangement. Thankfully my kids re with their Dad tonight so I can have a complete mental breakdown.

Teddas Complicated life
  • replies: 5

I am 47 years old and kind of married. My wife and l live in separate rooms and she says as soon as the kids have gone she is too. Youngest is 11yo so still trying to live this crazy life for a while yet. She is the major money earner as l was a stay... View more

I am 47 years old and kind of married. My wife and l live in separate rooms and she says as soon as the kids have gone she is too. Youngest is 11yo so still trying to live this crazy life for a while yet. She is the major money earner as l was a stay at home Dad for 17years raising the kids. Turns out she thinks l did nothing and she blames me for everything. The kids are all with me but try not to play them off against her. About 4 years ago l got a part time gardening job that doesn't pay much but at least l dont have to beg her for money anymore. Through this job l met a lovely lady and we became great friends. She is divorced with kids and we got along great. one thing led to another and for the past 12 months it has been an amazing relationship. The she said, as she had stated at the start, that we are just friends and she is moving on so to speak. Well suffering depression as you all know it doesn't take much to start that downward spiral. I have been stuck in it now for a cpl of months. Every time l think l am coming good l drop further. My closest person to talk to in all these matters was my Mother who pasted away 18 months ago. My doctor says keep busy and the feelings for this woman will go but there are times when that isn't an option be it late at night when l would visit her ( my "wife" travels a lot with work ). I also have to see her at work 3 days a week. I know we started as friends but presumed we had gone way past that over time, she obviously didn't or for whatever reason got scared it was getting to serious, l dont know. I have had 3 really goods days after catching up with friend on the weekend and talking about life but went to work and saw her again today and got ignored. Ripped my guts out so left early and home to bed. I understand there is no logic in it. She is not interested in a relationship although l thought we had one but it seems to be a major tipping point for me to head to those dark places we all know. Snowballs on me, everything jumps on board, bad marriage, low paying job, nearly 50 and no money or future, hate being alone, Mum gone etc etc. then l am here, in bed not wanting to ever get up. I have been to the edge and back too many times now so am asking for your help. How can l get past this so l can concentrate on getting other things better? Am too old to be crying this much and feeling that even tho l have 4 wonderful children that l am stuffed. My kids keep me going everyday and l seriously wouldn't be here without them making me laugh. I look forward to hearing from someone

Lenie_code looking for a soft place to fall
  • replies: 7

Struggling to find a place where i can express myself without repercussions. I guess it's safe to say I am having a less than average day. Advice?

Struggling to find a place where i can express myself without repercussions. I guess it's safe to say I am having a less than average day. Advice?

RenH Lost
  • replies: 2

I don't really know where to start. I've read some of the threads on the forum and I am blank- What am I meant to type here? Its actually quite difficult for me to even type this as I don't open up to people very well, but hey, no one on this site wi... View more

I don't really know where to start. I've read some of the threads on the forum and I am blank- What am I meant to type here? Its actually quite difficult for me to even type this as I don't open up to people very well, but hey, no one on this site will actually know me or meet me in person. Well for anyone who is interested: I am 26 years old, came to Australia when I was 1. Lived in Sydney all my life. I would class my family in the upper middle class range with your typical hard working Asian parents who have always tried to provide tangible support rather than emotional. Maybe it's because I never actually reached out to them emotionally? Who knows right? After doing a considerable amount of contemplation in regards to where I am (my current situation) and how I became to be the way I am, I'm resigned to the fact that I am the only one to blame. I am absolutely numb to all emotions and my last recollection of when I was 'happy' would be at least 4 years ago. I want to feel some sort of emotion, anything really - May sound silly but I really just want to have a good cry. Tried and Failed. There has even been a time I have thought about ending my own life.As you can probably tell, I am quite numb - no real feelings of any kind at the moment. It has been 7 weeks of pure hell. I find it interesting that the human body is capable of dealing with this amount of stress. Back pain, neck pain, no sleep and no appetite - but it still keeps chugging along like Thomas the Tank Engine. Life is short. Can't really explain in any further detail than this. I guess I'm not ready to show and tell - not sure if I even could though. This is as best as I can 'release' at the moment, not even sure why I typed this? Haven't been able to show you if I'm depressed or anything - feeling like a sinking volcano.

Caspercat Disappointing the Family
  • replies: 2

I definately need more help and probably admission, but my family would be destroyed by this. Husband needs to work and Daughter has been diagnosed and hospitalised with Anorexia and Depression. Have a Great Psych but till can't ring her and say thin... View more

I definately need more help and probably admission, but my family would be destroyed by this. Husband needs to work and Daughter has been diagnosed and hospitalised with Anorexia and Depression. Have a Great Psych but till can't ring her and say thing. Have self harmed today a number of times. Had a anxiety pill and nothing is working. This is a site she suggested.

rowdy1111 so unhappy
  • replies: 2

i cant remember the last time i was really happy not since i was a teenager, my dad got sick and died 6 years ago, and recently after being laid off from work may dog had to be put down and my aunty died after an operation i have been wanting to die,... View more

i cant remember the last time i was really happy not since i was a teenager, my dad got sick and died 6 years ago, and recently after being laid off from work may dog had to be put down and my aunty died after an operation i have been wanting to die, just go to bed and never wake up. i find it hard to meet new people and find it hard talking to my family and freinds

cetch Please help
  • replies: 3

Hi. I'm so depressed and today crying whole time wanting end my life..im on an SSRI. I feel I'm going nowhere. been off work as a teacher for two months. Been hospitalised recently.went to see a clinical psychologist which basically told me go on wor... View more

Hi. I'm so depressed and today crying whole time wanting end my life..im on an SSRI. I feel I'm going nowhere. been off work as a teacher for two months. Been hospitalised recently.went to see a clinical psychologist which basically told me go on workers comp. for me that is not the solution.i want strategies to cope with my negative thoughts and give me confidence again.Please can anyone give me advice or can recommend a good clinical psychologist in Perth.I feel like such a failure .My life was good before this and now I can't cope.

HopeSpringsEternal To med or not to med?
  • replies: 5

Hi beautiful people. i've just joined the forum today having been on the phone to lifeline at 4am this morning who mentioned the resources here to me. i don't know if i'm going to turn into a regular member as i have done with some forums in the past... View more

Hi beautiful people. i've just joined the forum today having been on the phone to lifeline at 4am this morning who mentioned the resources here to me. i don't know if i'm going to turn into a regular member as i have done with some forums in the past or whether i'll selfishly post my current dilemma and drift away into my busy life and other resources so please forgive me if it's a one-off. having said that, i've immensely enjoyed skimming through the discussions this afternoon and find a lot of hope here. i'll try to keep it brief. i've suffered with depression or bipolar (depending who you ask) for 30 years, since my mid-teens. it was worst in my 20s and 30s but seems to have settled to some reasonable degree in the last 7 years since meeting my long-term partner and having our beautiful son (now 5). i have tried to treat my depression, for the most part, 'naturally'. i've tried to incorporate exercise into my life; i pray and meditate (not as regularly as i'd like but as much as i can); i've done endless affirmations and gratitude lists to keep me positive; i've had a series of psychologists/counsellors (my current one has been for 5 years and is terrific); i've done all sorts of psychological healing work; i've pursued various forms of spirituality; i eat reasonably healthily; have been to naturopaths; and have been sober from alcoholism through AA for 23 years though I don't attend meetings all that regularly any more. anyway, you get the gist. i've taken meds twice - once for 6 months and once for 6 weeks both during relationship breakups. so i've just taken a turn for the worse recently though i'm not entirely sure why. after a few crazy years of business things have been quieter this year possibly leaving me too much time in my home office doing 'project work' rather than being out with clients where i get my kicks; we bought a house mid-year and painted it ourselves before moving in 2 months ago; we've had an endless stream of visitors since moving in (nice but too much); i've found the 'prep transition' for my son a bit stressful and making arrangements for his after-school care etc pretty exhausting; we haven't had a holiday for eons (4 days at easter and maybe a 18 months since we had a week in fiji); we don't have much extended family so baby-sitting and time to ourselves is sparse and when i start to get weepy my partner gets angry. we've been having arguments recently because he can feel me 'acting scared and scatty like a flickering light' all the time and i wake up with a look of dread about the day ahead on my face which he can't fathom when I "want for nothing". and the arguments lead me to feeling like a failure, depression, suicidal fantasy and calling lifeline at 4am. i'm catching up with my counsellor in 10 days and perhaps it will all just pass but lifeline said "you've given it your all for 30 years. do you really want this to go on for another 30?". and it makes sense of course. but then i feel like "what a waste of 30 years - i could've just taken a bloody pill in the first place" and i'm also pathetically scared of the side effects of lost libido and potential weight gain (though i don't remember the latter being a big issue previously). i think i'm mostly loathe to take a permanent solution in the form of long term meds to what could just be a passing phase that has interrupted a mostly solid period. having said that, i'm far more worried about the effect on my relationship and my son of course if this doesn't turn around soon. i do think that a bit of time to myself to read my positive literature and listen to positive talks would make a big difference, but what damage in the meantime? so anyway, so much for the 'brief' post. any thoughts greatly appreciated. xx

Mares73 Can't function, feel such a loser, consumed bu self hate
  • replies: 11

Hi all you may remember me from my earlier post about being on so many medications with little support. And my condensed story of growing up abused by an alcoholic father, turning to a priest for help-who then sedated and assaulted me, a stranger rap... View more

Hi all you may remember me from my earlier post about being on so many medications with little support. And my condensed story of growing up abused by an alcoholic father, turning to a priest for help-who then sedated and assaulted me, a stranger rape several years ago, suicide of my father and the recent trauma of my husband getting acute leukaemia. Until the birth of my first child and again following the rape-I was such a high achiever. I didn't allow myself time to think about my life-I kept very busy & highly functioning. No one but me could tell the darkness brewing underneath. I gave up work several years ago because I wasn't coping with the pressure anymore & I wanted to be there for my kids. But the depression and extreme anxiety is ruining my life. I even applied to do an online self help course and a psychologist phoned me and said he was very concerned by my assessment results and felt I should see somebody ASAP rather than do a self help course. I've being seeing the same psych for 7 years-I think she just considers me too traumatised and says things like "you are doing amazing under the circumstances" and just hands out another script. But I'm not doing anywhere near "amazing". I'm struggling to face the day each morning, I stress over stupid things like finding something to wear, I procrastinate all day even though I've written lists of things to do each day. The mail is piling up, bills unpaid, things I need to do left for another "better day" that never comes. I feel completely hollow inside. Empty. Alone and wishing I could sleep and never wake up. Then I think how selfish of me would it be to leave my kids behind-they are all that's stopping me I'm sure. I also used to be a social. Bubbly person and I'm still a very warm and caring person that most people would find me easygoing BUT the change is I've isolated myself from everybody and even my own family (mother &sisters) who I looked after and was their mother figure-even they have no desire to understand me. My mother said from a very young age that "feelings don't matter" and to get on "with the cards you've been dealt". I am extremely lonely of a day, I usually spend most days (after ive organised kids for school) inside the house reading a book or looking up websites on depression etc. I wish there was a support service where someone would visit occasionally. Gosh I'm only turned 40 and I sound like an old woman! But having a visitor would help or knowing people in same situation to talk to. I'm really hating myself today, why can't I do something, why can't I get dressed, why am I locked in house with all blinds shut and its a beautiful day outside. I'm sick of feeling helpless and unable to deal with these feelings when I've dealt with many traumatic events before. And it's so so easy for me to feel a failure and blame anything on myself. I'm really stuck. I feel I need help desperately but I'm at home in Sydney with the kids by myself for a while and have no one to support me-but my daughter is 14 so she could help with my 9yr old son if I could get some help. I literally feel like I'm being sucked down a drain and the water levels are rising dangerously. I really don't know anymore-this depression and anxiety has taken my life from me, I'm now just existing. Can't remember how happiness feels. So before I hit "send"-I apologise for my ranting which is just another sign of where I'm at. Lv M

939 Lost
  • replies: 3

Since the break up with my first girlfriend I've been very depressed. She broke up with me. At the start of July. And now it's almoat December . For the last few months since the break up I've isolated myself from people. I stopped working..and haven... View more

Since the break up with my first girlfriend I've been very depressed. She broke up with me. At the start of July. And now it's almoat December . For the last few months since the break up I've isolated myself from people. I stopped working..and haven't worked since June of this year. Someone who was supposed to be my friend lied to me about her still being friends with my ex. And my ex-friend and my ex are both bi-sexual. My ex-friend asked numerous times to make out with my ex while I was with her. I said no each time and was upset about it. Now I keep thinking they have hooked up becauae they have been friends the whole time . My ex girlfriend made comments at my size down there..and they were really hurtful comments..and were made behind my back. since all that happened I've been in hospital because I wasn't eating or showering and just stayed in bed all day. My family contacted the hospital about me and I was in there for a few days. I'm on medication now..I'm seeing a pychologist...but I still stay at home all the time and I still am isolating myself..I don't know what to do. It's been months now..and I can't keep feeling like this and going on like this. And all my thoughts about my ex and my ex-friend won't stop...