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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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Nimuae71 I don’t want to speak anymore
  • replies: 3

Every time I speak, be it to family and friends or complete strangers, I either embarrass myself by saying stupid things or no one seems to be interested in what I have to say. They talk over the top of me as if I’m invisible or if they do hear me, I... View more

Every time I speak, be it to family and friends or complete strangers, I either embarrass myself by saying stupid things or no one seems to be interested in what I have to say. They talk over the top of me as if I’m invisible or if they do hear me, I’m laughed at or told I don’t know what I’m saying or I don’t make sense.I just don’t want to be able to speak anymore and be mute. It would save me so much embarrassment and heartache. I just don’t have the energy anymore. It’s an honest effort both physically and mentally to think of the right words in the right tone.

Manda01 How do I support him ?
  • replies: 1

My partner suffers from depression and recently spiralled into a deep depression, when I exacerbated a situation by not initially trusting him. We resolved that issue, however, in doing so he told me he wasn’t sure how he felt about me any more and n... View more

My partner suffers from depression and recently spiralled into a deep depression, when I exacerbated a situation by not initially trusting him. We resolved that issue, however, in doing so he told me he wasn’t sure how he felt about me any more and needed space. It broke my heart. I blamed myself. He told me the current situation had broken him. But when it came to telling me how he felt about me, all he could say was, he didn’t know. I’ve been trying to understand and educate myself now on depression and I realise that it’s probably not me or our relationship causing this and I’m trying to look for ways to support him. We don’t live together so I’ve been able to give him his own space and I’m scared that he’ll tell me it’s over. I also suffer with anxiety so trying not to blame myself. trying not to be scared is hard, but I know that I need to be there for him without being scared. he’s not very responsive to text right now but has let me know he’s okay. We had a couple of days where we didn’t see each other but we did text I saw him two days ago and now I’m questioning myself how much space to give him without making him feel like I don’t care and without encroaching on his space and pushing him away. Do I wait for him ask me to spend the night again or do I suggest it .. if I leave it too long will he convince himself he doesn’t love me anymore .. how do I ask him what he needs from me to support him without him pushing me away and saying he doesn’t need anything .. I’m lost and all I know in my heart right now, as hard as it is I need to treat my own anxiety if I’m going to be able to support him and not have it affect my own emotional and mental health. So I have done this and i have made him aware of the help I sought and that I’m taking action . Maybe he will follow . Maybe this will help me listen actively without panicking and trying to salvage things.how much space and time is healthy ?

Quaver Feeling very up and down.
  • replies: 4

Hi guys, So I've recently been diagnosed with depression after telling people I've felt down for a few months. I wanted to get onto it quickly before it became worse but basically I knew something wasn't right because I had the gut feeling that wasn'... View more

Hi guys, So I've recently been diagnosed with depression after telling people I've felt down for a few months. I wanted to get onto it quickly before it became worse but basically I knew something wasn't right because I had the gut feeling that wasn't just feeling depressed for a short time. This was something I've never felt before, just overwhelming sadness. At first it just kind of came on and I didn't know where it came from because I don't have anything that's really missing from my life which the made me feel kind of selfish because there's so many people with way worse problems than me. But as I started therapy it came to me that there are a few triggers that I hadn't really acknowledged and while it was a relief to discover them, it hit me more that there is a reality that I'm feeling. I'm on my way to getting through the list of values the psychologist wants me to aim for but I guess the main issue is stopping hating myself and forgiving myself for the smallest mistakes. There is a lot of small things that are going on in my head that are causing me to feel this way too, it's a bit complicated to mention on here. I'm doing ok, I have good days when I'm with friends and family and do things. But the gut feeling is still there so that's my main aim at this point.

white knight Depression...a ship on the high seas
  • replies: 14

Imagine it. You are a ship in the ocean. 'Normal people' live on land and you visit there often but you are drawn back to your ship at the docks only to be sent off again on a trip to the high seas (depression) But there is no destination and no adve... View more

Imagine it. You are a ship in the ocean. 'Normal people' live on land and you visit there often but you are drawn back to your ship at the docks only to be sent off again on a trip to the high seas (depression) But there is no destination and no adventure In the ocean all alone you shut down the engine because- well there is no sense in proceeding when you have not directional control - no rudder (medication). Perhaps your parents were also born without one, or you had an incident or your construction is made of soft wood. So you go into the dry dock. Here you are dried of all control where others can evaluate you, ask you questions and repaint you. They install your rudder then put you out to sea. You head off with complete control but you have no map (therapy) nor do you have any contact with others (land) and others feel "out of sight out of mind". Land is not life on the high seas- they wont understand. Only sailors do. You search through to find comfort to find a map but this map has missing pieces (consultations), much searching is needed to find the missing bit to join them together.(therapy sessions). During this voyage your rudder is unreliable, the linkages are fragile. Your direction is always vague. You stand on the bridge with waves drenching your face often. You often want to kiss the world goodbye as you feel irrelevant, often adrift without energy. Some ships make it to shore but have to use anchors to land so they repel the forces that drag them back out to sea. Being a ship you will never be thrown onto land like most. But you do get some people waving at you from the shore. Lovely but not enough to call it support. And you do get the odd ship passing by throwing a rope ladder to connect you so you dont feel all alone, nice, but they also have their own problems as they are ships themselves. You accept that you are indeed a ship and always will be. You also realise that you can let out all of your emotions when ever you want,in your own hull. The echoes are deafening. The dock managers (psych's) know your struggle but when at sea if you have no rudder (meds) they cannot help you.And if you do not have therapy (maps) you cannot find direction.As you are a ship you will never get to be on land and return to the docks. You must fix your rudder,you must find all parts to your map and piece them together,you must make the interior of your ship seaworthy (caring for yourself). Then you can be repaired so you can anchor yourself to shore. A safe ship

Derek_ Why am I depressed if my life is perfectly fine
  • replies: 3

my life is perfectly fine, I have a loving family, nice friends and a girlfriend, my parents are sometimes stressing as for school but I don’t really think that’ll make me depressed, I have diagnosed depression and anxiety I’m 16, I harm myself and h... View more

my life is perfectly fine, I have a loving family, nice friends and a girlfriend, my parents are sometimes stressing as for school but I don’t really think that’ll make me depressed, I have diagnosed depression and anxiety I’m 16, I harm myself and have suicide attempts I want to know why I’m depressed, but there’s no reason at all.

roga I have suffered from depression for many years.
  • replies: 1

Hi, I have suffered from depression for many years. I am now in my seventies and it seems to be getting worse. That Is I believe is from the time I have on my hands. Some days I am unable to get out of bed. My wife leaves me alone to navigate through... View more

Hi, I have suffered from depression for many years. I am now in my seventies and it seems to be getting worse. That Is I believe is from the time I have on my hands. Some days I am unable to get out of bed. My wife leaves me alone to navigate through this. I play guitar but even that feels like a struggle to pick it up. My personnel hygiene suffers for having a shower can be too much for me to do regularly. There seems no end to this in my thought pattern. If anyone can recognise these symptoms I would love to hear from you.

dubrovnik Fed up
  • replies: 20

Hello I am a middle aged woman who is youthful both in looks and attitude. I have siblings who often dismiss me, put me down, are nice when they feel like it. I have often walked out of family get togethers & it’s made me look neurotic in front of ot... View more

Hello I am a middle aged woman who is youthful both in looks and attitude. I have siblings who often dismiss me, put me down, are nice when they feel like it. I have often walked out of family get togethers & it’s made me look neurotic in front of other family members & mutual friends, certain friends that I had always take their side. This has impacted my relationships with other people, I have lost trust in people, I have severe trust issues stemming back to being hurt in relationships & former friends. when I am away from & with other people, I am confident, happy & comfortable within myself but when I am around 2 of my siblings they make me feel like I am boring. I am a reserved person but once I get to know people I am quite open. I have tried talking to them, things go well for awhile but then their attitude towards me starts all over again. I have always been a good sister towards them, I don’t understand it at all. I get upset and emotional when they start with their put downs. I have a different personality to them which they seem to put me down about. I am at a loss. i have been told that I am too sensitive but their attitude is beyond a joke. I don’t know what to do.

Oct0ber Recognising I’m struggling and asking for help
  • replies: 2

The last 2 years have not been easy. My teenage daughter has struggled with her mental health to a great extent and all my focus was on helping her. My life is nothing like what it was two years ago. I have finally admitted to myself that I’m depress... View more

The last 2 years have not been easy. My teenage daughter has struggled with her mental health to a great extent and all my focus was on helping her. My life is nothing like what it was two years ago. I have finally admitted to myself that I’m depressed and possibly suffering from some PTSD. I have a GP appointment next week. I am a private person and have always been able to manage and bounce back from every situation or set back. I am very nervous about the discussion with the GP and not sure how to ask for help without either downplaying the extent of how sad I am all the time or falling apart in the appointment. I’m not entirely sure what I’m looking for here. Maybe some words of encouragement or insights into what to expect.

Euphie I am suffering from depression
  • replies: 2

I’ve been suffering for a long time, while recently I lost the one I love the most, my grandmother, she was everything to me, she raised me, and my real parents were not involved so much in my life as my grandparents, I’ve spent 17 years with them be... View more

I’ve been suffering for a long time, while recently I lost the one I love the most, my grandmother, she was everything to me, she raised me, and my real parents were not involved so much in my life as my grandparents, I’ve spent 17 years with them before I started my life alone in Australia. I still feel the grief and sadness that makes me cannot sleep and work, but I have to work to pay all the bills. My work is really intense and stressful, I feel like I am always chasing the deadlines. When I finish my work I feel exhausted but I still cannot sleep well when things remind me that my grandmother passed. Now I have no idea how can I find the peace and get away from all the depression and anxiousness. I feel sad and guilty when I start to feel happy again, because my grandmother cannot see and feel the same.Can you talk how you walk through the grief process if you experienced this before?