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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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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!

Rose2021 I hate what happened at 4am today
  • replies: 6

Hi, my mum and I got rudely woken up by the police at 4am this morning because apparently a police station contacted my local police station to check up on me. I was dead asleep and then a couple of hours later the cops came to my house again. One of... View more

Hi, my mum and I got rudely woken up by the police at 4am this morning because apparently a police station contacted my local police station to check up on me. I was dead asleep and then a couple of hours later the cops came to my house again. One of the male cops was being very arrogant to my mum and I. I now hate the cops because of it.

purplehat123 Expat failure to fit in
  • replies: 4

I am really struggling. My mum was diagnosed with dementia 4 years ago. I left Australia with my family in tow to care for her. I have a sibling, however her care was completely handballed to me. At the time I coped. Thing is, despite the circumstanc... View more

I am really struggling. My mum was diagnosed with dementia 4 years ago. I left Australia with my family in tow to care for her. I have a sibling, however her care was completely handballed to me. At the time I coped. Thing is, despite the circumstances I really enjoyed being home, I had my friends, a tough job but with some great colleagues. Whilst things annoyed me, I was happy most of the time. My husband is Australian. We returned back here once the borders opened. I failed to slot in to my old life despite reaching out to old groups and trying and inviting. They moved on to bigger and better things, bigger homes and I just didn’t fit the narrative anymore and would hear about it too. One of my old mum group people saw me in a shopping Centre and did everything to avoid me, turning her head into a shop window. I am friendly and kind and have tried and tried within the school community too. One kid proudly declared to my little one, my mum said you are not my friend. We held a big party for my other little one (party bags, not with the usual cheap toys arranged, included and a paid for activity). Neighbours said they’d be there but didn’t show, weren’t bothered either sending a text or dropping a note through the door. We used this an excuse to be fully inclusive, integrate with the parents too and it didn’t work - my kids are still excluded months on. This weekend at someone’s house, I was accused of coming onto their husband, he had taken his kid to a birthday party where I had innocently chatted away (wouldn’t touch with a ten foot barge pole). Other mums give out about others kids behind their backs…innocent kids…the other parents aligning themselves with others who will be sending their kids to private school. Some days parents will talk to you, other days they will pretend you don’t exist. I am so tired of the constant superficial meaningless chatter and failure to connect/meetup. I have no friends here. Despite the boom, I have applied for over 200 jobs (rejected each time), I have a Level 9 qualification with 20 years experience. Currently seeing a psychologist and GP has prescribed meds (on antibiotics so haven’t started, my husband doesn’t want me using them). I have been diagnosed with both depression and anxiety. I have hit rock bottom and don’t know how to get up….Life in Australia is obviously not for me and it’s quite clear I don’t fit in here, I am tired trying and incredibly lonely with the added bonus of depression and anxiety which I never had. My husband wants to stay as it’s a better place for the kids.

Mycompassion 3 times
  • replies: 3

Hi3 times I have had depression in life. 18 year old moving out of family home, 26 when my (8 year relationship with partner) finished and 37 when covid started and my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer and died 10 months later. It's ... View more

Hi3 times I have had depression in life. 18 year old moving out of family home, 26 when my (8 year relationship with partner) finished and 37 when covid started and my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer and died 10 months later. It's tough! At times I am so exhausted with life but I battle on. On mild medication now for the last visit of depression as I got to the point of not functioning well at all. I love life but feel so tired at times. I have thought of suicide a couple of times (18 and 37 year old) but I have a strong belief I am TOO GOOD for that. I do love me more than i can describe. Self care is critical. Thanks for reading xx

nicedae What drives you to keep going?
  • replies: 4

Hi there, I hope you’re well & that today has gone well for you. This is my first time posting here, and I guess it’s because I’ve hit a roadblock. A mental roadblock one could call it. I was diagnosed with depression & anxiety 8 years ago. Initially... View more

Hi there, I hope you’re well & that today has gone well for you. This is my first time posting here, and I guess it’s because I’ve hit a roadblock. A mental roadblock one could call it. I was diagnosed with depression & anxiety 8 years ago. Initially counselling helped a lot, for a few years I was genuinely happy. Around 2 years ago however my mental health took a huge turn, mainly due to anxiety issues, I was prescribed antidepressant and that’s been amazing. Anxiety issues are essentially gone. (10mg, daily) However over the last few months, depression has really begun to set it, I don’t feel worthless or anything like that, just empty. I don’t have a strong relationship with my parents, they separated when I was 8 (I’m now 24) and they’ve both decided life is better exploring their own paths. I’ve made peace with that, I still respect & love them so much. I do miss them however - quite a lot. (There’s no bad blood between us, they are just encapsulated in their own lives & seemingly have lost interest in me.) I have an incredible support network, that I don’t utilise. I just can’t and it’s not a pride or ego related issue. It’s more to do with not wanting to burden one with my problems, I don’t know how to get over that. but I digress. The issue now is that no matter how much I progress in my career, physical activity, relationships, or personal endeavours - the depression does not fade. (I don’t expect it to, and I understand mindset is a significant factor, but I am 100% a glass half full kinda guy.) I do not have high wants or needs in my life, I live quite minimalistic in a sense mainly to keep things simple. I am literally beyond grateful just to have been born & raised in such a beautiful country. I must admit I have considered ending it, I won’t deny that, but I do love life so much. I enjoy helping others, and that alone is enough to keep me around, at least for a while. My question for you today is, how do you keep going? What internal factors motivate you to move forward. I’ve hit a point now where I am not sure if that drive is within me to keep pushing. What also gets me down is that plenty of us feel like this, all for our own individual reasons. I’m not certain if this makes complete sense, but would it be reasonable to seek assistance from a professional? Thank you in advance, I really appreciate any input

Lach69 No feelings
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone just wondering if anyone else out there has been living life but not being able to enjoy it. Like do everything you used to enjoy just doesn’t make you happy anymore and not being able to love people anymore especially family members. Wak... View more

Hi everyone just wondering if anyone else out there has been living life but not being able to enjoy it. Like do everything you used to enjoy just doesn’t make you happy anymore and not being able to love people anymore especially family members. Waking up everyday doing the same thing hoping it will get better but it just doesn’t change and just not living life to the fullest it really make me sad

Hulaka Looking for help
  • replies: 1

Hi there,I look like a normal and lively lady, but my inside a lot of problems, angers and discomforts. I don't know and don't understand my tackles. My partner and I have been together for 13 years (meet at the first year in Australia). English is o... View more

Hi there,I look like a normal and lively lady, but my inside a lot of problems, angers and discomforts. I don't know and don't understand my tackles. My partner and I have been together for 13 years (meet at the first year in Australia). English is our 2nd language. We have fertility issues, my partner has no sperm out and also he addicted to slot machines for last 8 years. He is much older than me. I bear them till today. I am crazy right?! After these long years I am becoming more aggressive and stressful old lady. We have adopted daughter she is 3 now. I have no job, just look after her. I met a psychologist last year and she did not help me lot. Now I don't know where should I go and how to help or regulate my life!? Really worthless and hateful to myself!

_Sinner_ Normal?
  • replies: 1

Waking up feeling powerless each day. Walking around consistently with broken hearts and dreams. Knowing I’m the one that’s ruined all my relationships. Family. Friends. Relationships. I don’t know how to have close relationships. I don’t know how to... View more

Waking up feeling powerless each day. Walking around consistently with broken hearts and dreams. Knowing I’m the one that’s ruined all my relationships. Family. Friends. Relationships. I don’t know how to have close relationships. I don’t know how to be normal. Or feel happy. I’m a horrible person. That’s why I’m being punished. Freaking out, I’m pregnant. I just want it to be over. I know I’m going to be in so much pain after the operation as I’m so far along. And it’s a 3 hour car drive to the place & back. Not mentioning the cost. It’s so debilitating. I don’t want a baby, I can’t love myself let alone love or look after another. Just want to feel ok. Not depressed.