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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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ConSamuel ConSamuel
  • replies: 5

Hi, I’m Con. Times are tough right now. I moved to NSW from Adelaide to be closer to mum who has dementia. Imreally struggling because I only have acquaintances here and no real friends yet. I'm very prone to bouts of anxiety and depression. My siste... View more

Hi, I’m Con. Times are tough right now. I moved to NSW from Adelaide to be closer to mum who has dementia. Imreally struggling because I only have acquaintances here and no real friends yet. I'm very prone to bouts of anxiety and depression. My sisters live 4-6 hours north and south and don’t have much to do with mum and me, so I reached out to Beyond Blue. My counsellor was a great help today at BB and I decided to get onto this forum. I need friends and support even just someone to swap notes and debrief with. So many feelings going through my mind with little support and I feel stuck.blessings,Con

white knight Do you feel valued? Roll your snowball
  • replies: 5

Ever been in awe of some people as they display ultimate confidence? I do, especially those that can stand on a stage and give a speech about their experiences. Jordan Peterson a professor and Maharaji Prem Rawat are two that come to mind. I've often... View more

Ever been in awe of some people as they display ultimate confidence? I do, especially those that can stand on a stage and give a speech about their experiences. Jordan Peterson a professor and Maharaji Prem Rawat are two that come to mind. I've often wondered what the secret is and how someone on the other end of the scale cant reach those heights. What is that secret? because it certainly isnt advertised, it's like one either has it or doesnt have it.. Well I think I now know why.To achieve that confidence isnt usually a development in the womb, no, its more likely three things- being raised in a manner that allows them to be confident, IQ level that allows them the capacity to think efficiently (genetics) and expertise in field/s. Their development becomes a snowball as they begin to receive praise from their friends, peers and teachers resulting in excellent marks in school But there is one thing left they have, all of these people have self value. All of the above areas of assistance has, during that snowballing development made it easier for them to value their abilities. Constant taps on the back "you did well" and "the sky is the limit" is not given to a child with low grades or if given is hasnt been given often enough. Imagine a 10yo child getting low grades all the time, it would be unusual for a parent to praise them for basically failing a grade. "You did well Johnny even though you failed and have to do year 5 again"... just doesnt happen. So that "snowball" stops. I'm not blaming parents or teachers, I'm seeking the remedy as an adult that hasnt developed confidence for what ever reason and the best avenue of self treatment to get it. So, confidence imo can best be achieved with self praise. Yes, it would be ideal to ask for others to give you praise, compliments but then you are reliant for them to supply that and that is not dependable. When you finish any task mumble to yourself any positive comment. "you did ok today by servicing the car" but adding to that avoid saying "you didnt rotate the tyres, idiot". Instead "I'll rotate the tyres when I get an opportunity". When done often enough it can transform your self esteem The final method of raising confidence is actually your defence mechanism. Our loved ones and friends can be the big tree that stops the snowball from gathering speed. Take action if you have a tree in your path. Distance/avoidance could be the answer or warnings. You are entitled to be the biggest snowball you can be.TonyWK

Helena Smith Family worries
  • replies: 1

Working full time and caring for my daughter with BPD and granddaughter with ASD, ADHD, anxiety (non verbal and not toilet trained). Some days I just want some peace, the phone rings again with some problem real or imagined problem (borderline person... View more

Working full time and caring for my daughter with BPD and granddaughter with ASD, ADHD, anxiety (non verbal and not toilet trained). Some days I just want some peace, the phone rings again with some problem real or imagined problem (borderline personality disorder leads to some very unclear thinking) . At 60 I worry what will happen when I am too old or frail to help and what will happen when I die. I worry now about 25 years from now, I worry about my granddaughter dying alone as there is not a lot of family around us. Some days it just about kills me the worry about the future for these two. I worry about my son (40) living at home working shift work, smoking, with not a lot of motivation to save or plan for the future. I just feel so tired and weighed down by worry. I feel very isolated and alone, I want to share my problems and at the same time not. I want some sympathy, some support but I just feel I shouldn't burden anyone with how sad, tired, and even frustrated I am.

Eagle Ray Accepting disability
  • replies: 119

Hi, today I’ve realised I may need to apply for the disability support pension. I’m with a disability employment agency and they recommended it today and my psychologist last week. On good days I can go for walks and do a few things at home. Other da... View more

Hi, today I’ve realised I may need to apply for the disability support pension. I’m with a disability employment agency and they recommended it today and my psychologist last week. On good days I can go for walks and do a few things at home. Other days I’m struggling to function to do basic tasks. Today I could not even get my car key in the lock because I was so unwell and had to lie in a park for sometime before driving home to my town, realising I wasn’t safe to drive until I rested. I’ve had a chronic pain and fatigue condition for 35 years. I’ve pushed through periods of extreme pain on slow release synthetic opioid meds in order to be able to work. More recently I’ve developed an autoimmune liver disease. It somewhat stabilised with the right treatment in recent months, but can progress to liver failure if it worsens and so I have to manage it with care. I have complex ptsd, anxiety and depression, the latter made worse by recent steep changes in hormone levels from perimenopause. I’ve always pushed through in the past, but I feel I am spent and my body is screaming at me it can’t keep going as it has. But I feel a sense of grief, a loss of who I wanted to be and hoped for in life. I had a creative business idea but despite being technically capable I’ve realised I’m unlikely to be able to run a business in any great capacity. Accepting my limitations is hard and I think I just have to write that down here. I may not even qualify for the DSP as it’s so hard to get it now, yet I’m being encouraged to do it. My future feels so uncertain. I want to feel independent and capable. I don’t like accepting my limitations and it’s hard not to feel depressed. Not sure if anyone can relate but just needed to tell someone how I feel. Living alone I only have myself to keep myself going and it can be a real struggle at times. There is no one to help me on days when I’m incapacitated and in extreme pain. I was a carer for years also and that has also burnt me out. I am spent.

Musicalchef Don't know myself anymore
  • replies: 3

Hi thanks for readingI feel like I've completely lost touch with myself over the span of the last few yearsI'm 29 years old and I'm getting married very soon I feel like I should be happy and excited but I feel nothing.The last 2 years of my life I'v... View more

Hi thanks for readingI feel like I've completely lost touch with myself over the span of the last few yearsI'm 29 years old and I'm getting married very soon I feel like I should be happy and excited but I feel nothing.The last 2 years of my life I've made major leaps in my career leading myself into multiple promotions but I still feel nothing my partner is very supportive of everything I do and I would do anything for her aswell but I feel asif everything I do is for someone else and not for myselfWe've spent the good part of the last 2 years saving all of our money and all of our spare time into planning our wedding but Instead of being excited I just have this feeling of I can't wait for it to be over. Work had always been my escape as it allows me to focus on something else instead of whatever else is going on but recently I've had an injury at work putting me on light duties leaving me feeling useless at work and feeling as I've let down my colleagues. I've lost interest in all my hobbies. The one thing I was really enjoying was work has been taking away from me leaving me feeling like I have nothing to look forward too.Can anyone give me some advice on how I can get back in touch with myself? I want to enjoy the things I used to love and I want to be there for my loving partner but at the moment I just feel numb.

Rye_ How do i tell my family and friends I think I have depression?
  • replies: 3

The past few months or so I have been struggling with my mental health and for the past week it has gotten really bad- I decided to read up on it and I think I may have depression (I’ve taken the K10 test and I relate to every one of the basic sympto... View more

The past few months or so I have been struggling with my mental health and for the past week it has gotten really bad- I decided to read up on it and I think I may have depression (I’ve taken the K10 test and I relate to every one of the basic symptoms) i know I shouldn’t self diagnose anything and that it could all just be a coincidence but I have a gut feeling that it isn’t. The problem is, my family can be very judgmental especially when It comes to mental health. How do i reach out for help if I know they won’t believe me? Not to mention i have been to around 6/7 different therapy sessions before across two different therapists and none of them helped even a bit. I’m so lost and I don’t know what to do or if it’s even worth seeking professional help because it might not even work. How do i reach out for help and is it worth it if it means getting in trouble with my parents?

Ace.x-ray Going through a dark time
  • replies: 3

Right now, I am at a loss, I have broken up with my ex-boyfriend 9 months from now, and it was hard as I thought he was the one. My ex-bf and I are both introverts and that is why we got along. we had a lot of things in common such as video games, mo... View more

Right now, I am at a loss, I have broken up with my ex-boyfriend 9 months from now, and it was hard as I thought he was the one. My ex-bf and I are both introverts and that is why we got along. we had a lot of things in common such as video games, movies and anime, manga. I was the one who screwed up as I was never experienced in relationships, it was only short-term relationships. as a person he didn't understand who I was or what I was like as an introvert, he has never dated an introvert before only extrovert females. He didn't understand introverted women or how they worked. We had problems too in-between dating, as he didn't fully understand how to be with an introverted woman. A few months later we decided to become friends, and later on we would try to get back together which made it harder for him. since a few months ago he has lost his job and was depressed and struggling. So, he decided to give me up because he can't be with anyone at the moment. I was heartbroken again now that I realize I will never see him again. he was the last man I will ever met, I have given up on love as I am bad luck. It never seems to work for me. I feel so lost and don't know what to do. I don't think I can never be with someone again as I am tired of being hurt and betrayed in my life. not just with men but with people I have met in my life. I just want to go to work and then go home, I don't even want to go out with my friends ever again. All I want to do is stay at home and ignore everyone.

bunnybee Where to go from here
  • replies: 2

Hi there.. I am 38yrs old and have been in my relationship for 14 years. We have three beautiful young children all under the age of 10. I thought our family life was great until out of the blue my partner told me he didn’t love me anymore. He mentio... View more

Hi there.. I am 38yrs old and have been in my relationship for 14 years. We have three beautiful young children all under the age of 10. I thought our family life was great until out of the blue my partner told me he didn’t love me anymore. He mentioned to me that he feels nothing at all no emotions what so ever. he came forward and said he feels depressed and unhappy. He eventually moved back with his mum for a short while but then came back home after a few months and asked to take things slow. I asked him how he was feeling and he said that he was better which he wasn’t. I love him very much and finally convinced him to seek treatment.he is speaking to someone and also on medication for his diagnosis of sever depression. fast forward to our current situation where we don’t sleep in the same bed and he says he still feels no love. we live under the same roof with our babies but this entire situation is taking its toll on me. Am I silly to be holding on for a man that has told me on two occasions that he doesn’t love me. When we speak he tells me that peoples feelings change and that he can’t help the way he feels… my thing is if he feels that way why doesn’t he completely cut ties with me and continue on his life journey without me instead of hurting me so deeply. He keeps saying that he is not ready to move out as he doesn’t like being away from the kids but doesn’t seem to mind that he is making my suffer. even with the help he is getting he still says that he is in a really bad place. does he need to make the move to cut off ties..?? I just don’t know where to go from here. would appreciate other peoples point of view in this situation.. thanks in advance…

Rrrawr I’m losing my life. I have lost so much of my life.
  • replies: 4

I don’t know what to do. I can’t experience joy. I feel alone and unable to connect. I can’t get out. I’ve done everything, eating right, exercising, socialising, all the different meds, ect, talk therapies, light therapy. I’ve been trying for so lon... View more

I don’t know what to do. I can’t experience joy. I feel alone and unable to connect. I can’t get out. I’ve done everything, eating right, exercising, socialising, all the different meds, ect, talk therapies, light therapy. I’ve been trying for so long. I get myself together briefly over the summer and then fall back into the depths in April until spring every year. I’ve spent maybe five years of the last ten in stuck like this. It’s so hard to maintain any semblance of trajectory in career and relationships loving like this. Trying again is so expensive, I can’t afford it but could eat my savings. I’m on a waiting list for a counsellor who I can see a handful of times before that eats up all the savings I have. I don’t have much savings because I’ve been unable to work properly because of my reoccurring illness. It feels like I need a doctor but I would only be able to see them a few times because they cost $500 a session. Then again they’ve never been able to help. They’ve often made things worse. If I spend all my money I won’t be able to keep renting probably, it is likely that rent will increase soon. I had to go part time because I am so sick. I’ll also not have money for nice things, I’ve already missed out on so much for so long but there’s no point saving for nice things if I can’t enjoy anything I guess. I have next to no friends. No one knows what to say to me anymore. Who would want to be around this anyway it’s exhausting. My family resent me for being so miserable and think that I don’t have a right to be sad because of my ‘first world privilege’, it’s not sadness though, I feel sick, so much more anguish and difficulty than sadness. Some of them don’t talk to me, I don’t know why, it feels like they hate me or are ashamed. I would hate this disappointment too. I am ashamed too. (Please be clear I am safe just suffering tremendously). It feels hopeless. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to spend another ten years or the rest of my life suffering and becoming more and more isolated. But it feel’s inevitable given the lack of available/accessible supports.

Elephant86 Holistic healing pathway
  • replies: 1

With our health we have to make decisions about the things we do everyday that hurts or heals us for example for a snack do I eat a fried chicken burger or do I have a stteak sandwich with salad I hope you chose the steak sandwich not the burger. Lif... View more

With our health we have to make decisions about the things we do everyday that hurts or heals us for example for a snack do I eat a fried chicken burger or do I have a stteak sandwich with salad I hope you chose the steak sandwich not the burger. Life is about making positive powerful decisions for your health. I will use me as an example. I choose not to smoke and drink not because I want to but because it is a good positive decision for my health. If we make positive decisions in life we will live a long happy one. I think focusing on things that help and heal your body is important. I think finding the exercis e that fits into your life is important for me it is cycling 40 min. The other thing is finding a healthy diet with fresh fruit and vegies and I found have lean meats better for me. Also learning to prepare healthy meals at home and only eating out once in a while. I treat myself to a burger once a month to reward myself for good behaviour otherwise stick to my diet. Eating more fish is more benificial because of omega 3-6It also helps body repair I found that the healthiest diet to be on is the meditarianian diet because it has more fish and fresh vegies and definitly more rich olive oil that is good for you The less processed foods you eat like chips and soft drinks and Im sorry to make you sad choclate you eat the better your health will be Since I was diagnosed with my diabetes type 2 I had to change my relationship with food and realise there are foods that enhance your life and others that don't. In there process I gave up all processed food . Have a diet with close to no suger and instead have a friut instead of choclate have fish for dinner instead of a burger. Start cooking at home eat out as a treat. Most importantly have an exercise regime and exercise everyday if possible because if you make the right choicers now you will not have to suffer consquences for bad decisions in the future. I watch my favourite show masterchef and I learn how to prepare healthy meals. I change my relationship with food and exercise and I challange myself to work hard and be a better family man. Life is a journey of choices and we need to make the right decisions to reach the true benifit. I found having my diabetes a true challenge but if you make the right lifestyle decisions now you can build a better future. Meditation is the other thing I do everyday to help me come to peace with the universe to look after myself I wish everyone on the forum a wonderful day!