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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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I am not okay What helps being really lonely?
  • replies: 2

I’ve gotten somewhat better than what I was but the one thing I realised is that I’m really lonely. Everyone I had in the time when I was unwell I’ve pushed away.

I’ve gotten somewhat better than what I was but the one thing I realised is that I’m really lonely. Everyone I had in the time when I was unwell I’ve pushed away.

CourtneyJ Just need to share my feelings - Deep deep shame
  • replies: 4

35yr old diagnosed GAD, SAD and depression. I've struggled with my weight all my life. I'm currently trying to "unlearn" all the toxic diet advice I've read over the years and implement and more healthy, consistent and long term plan. I'm currently t... View more

35yr old diagnosed GAD, SAD and depression. I've struggled with my weight all my life. I'm currently trying to "unlearn" all the toxic diet advice I've read over the years and implement and more healthy, consistent and long term plan. I'm currently the heaviest I've ever been (+30kg overweight). My job allows me to WFH and I have been since the start of the year (going through a difficult time mentally and working through it) but this morning I finally decided to go back into the office. I got up early, put my makeup on and went to get dressed... and I looked disgusting in every outfit I tried on. There's just no way I could walk into the office looking like that. If I was someone who could readily express their emotions I would be weeping in bed right now with the sheer depth of my shame. Instead I'm currently trying to manage my immediate reaction to try and fix it by implementing a drastic calorie restricted diet to lose as much weight as fast as possible. Experience tells me this is not a helpful solution. So right now I have no idea what I'm going to do.

Cailin Depressed and terrified to leave my house
  • replies: 4

I’m 60 and have suffered from depression and anxiety most of my life but usually with support I overcome This time I haven’t left my house for 10 days, not showered and just eat, sleep or watch tvi live alone with my beautiful little dog and I feel s... View more

I’m 60 and have suffered from depression and anxiety most of my life but usually with support I overcome This time I haven’t left my house for 10 days, not showered and just eat, sleep or watch tvi live alone with my beautiful little dog and I feel so bad that I haven’t walked her im just locked inside my house and I have to go to the shops by Friday but it feels insurmountable I can’t get a gp appointment for 6 weeks and feel so alone and worthless

white knight Highly Sensitive People (HSP)
  • replies: 133

Are you sensitive? If so you might be in the range of a HSP. Studies show up to 15-30% of people could fall into this category. And I thought I was alone! Have you had the comments ”you should toughen up” ”don’t be so sensitive” Yet these people don’... View more

Are you sensitive? If so you might be in the range of a HSP. Studies show up to 15-30% of people could fall into this category. And I thought I was alone! Have you had the comments ”you should toughen up” ”don’t be so sensitive” Yet these people don’t realise that your sensitivity is part of you, your personality. It’s like you suggesting they grow shorter as “you are too tall” How absurd. Sensitive people have strong inner feelings, can be creative in things like writing, like to help other people or animals and generally care deeply in their convictions. So people that criticise us are in effect bullying us to be someone we are not. If possible stand up for yourself because sure as yabbies bite your toes, if you don’t then you’ll be walked over. We cant all be without sensitivity, we can’t all be low in emotion... not everyone is a highly sensitive person, if they were they’d understand how our world is full of inner feelings and also wonderful in a strange way because we “feel” and that my friend is priceless... TonyWK

livin-life-I-guess my dad doesn't acknowledge my depression
  • replies: 6

Hi guys I'm new on here but I rly just need advice on how to deal with this situation tbh. I guess I have been dealing with these issues for a long time now (especially through year 11 and 12) but was only diagnosed after I was admitted to the psych ... View more

Hi guys I'm new on here but I rly just need advice on how to deal with this situation tbh. I guess I have been dealing with these issues for a long time now (especially through year 11 and 12) but was only diagnosed after I was admitted to the psych ward in November. I got diagnosed with depression, ADHD and anxiety, and I'm on medication for all of them. I started meds in september and its now January and none of my medication has worked, I'm worse than I was before I began lol. I deferred my uni exams around the time I went into the psych ward (november 2022), but now I have to sit them in under a month and I'm still feeling like shit and nothing has worked. To make matters worse I am living at home at the moment (during the uni semesters I live at college) and I'm constantly copping mean comments from my dad about how lazy I am, always sitting in my room, apparently all I do is watch TV according to him. Like I have tried to explain the fatigue and lack of motivation is literally a symptom of both depression and ADHD but he just doesnt believe me. When I tried to explain this to him he literally said "if I lived your lifestyle and never left my room or exercised I'd be depressed too." He just doesnt get it. He is already difficult to deal with on his own because I swear he is a narcissist, but on top of the added stress of everything and depression and exams, its unbearable. People from college don't understand why I never visit home but the constant fights, anger, blame and tension in my house is hard to explain and understand unless you have experienced it yourself. I really need advice on how to deal with this as its starting to effect me and I feel like I can never do anything right. Its hard enough having to deal with all the depression crap without having to feel like anything I do could get me yelled at or in trouble. And on top of this I have to find the motivation to study for exams in like 3 weeks (keeping in mind I was so depressed for the whole of sem 2 that I literally did no work and have to start from scratch on all my subjects so that I can pass my deferred exams that start late january). help lol, I hate it here thanks guys sorry for the rant, any advice at all would be appreciated

danmath Hi. Just introducing myself.
  • replies: 2

I'm 53 years old. Struggled with depression for most of my life. I think I'm suffering burnout - not necessarily work related. I'm an introvert and I think l experience things differently to most people. I have been, however, good at social/ interper... View more

I'm 53 years old. Struggled with depression for most of my life. I think I'm suffering burnout - not necessarily work related. I'm an introvert and I think l experience things differently to most people. I have been, however, good at social/ interpersonal interactions. But it's a mask to help me function day to day. Something I learned over time. I have a pretty strong sense of wrong and right and I have empathy but there's something missing. Functioning is extremely exhausting and it has gotten to the stage that my life is falling apart.I've got a family. Marriage broke down due to intimacy issues a few years ago - i'm pretty aromantic and asexual. We're still good friends. Taking time off work because I'm not coping there - left a mess of paper work and my productivity was waning. I feel depressed and hopless. I can't go back to my day to day life because I know I'll just fall apart again. It's the first fine in a long time that I've dropped the mask. To be honest I'm not sure who I am.

NextStage Comparing myself to others..
  • replies: 4

I suffer with anxiety and depression. I took a massive gamble and left my job in the Australian Public Service after roughly 14 years, to support my husband's career opportunity in Bangkok, Thailand. It was supposed to be a fresh start and a new life... View more

I suffer with anxiety and depression. I took a massive gamble and left my job in the Australian Public Service after roughly 14 years, to support my husband's career opportunity in Bangkok, Thailand. It was supposed to be a fresh start and a new life. However, after traveling to and from Thailand over 3 years and giving life in a different country a 'red hot go', I found I missed my family, friends and lifestyle in Australia (including working) so in November 22 I relocated back to Oz. Most of my friends are employed/employed in public service and I feel a bit inadequate as I am on the job hunt and feel like I am not getting anywhere. When getting up the nerve to discuss with my closest friends and husband that I am feeling raw, anxious, self-conscious and panicky about my situation, I'm getting the responses that its the Christmas season and everyone is yet to come back from holidays so not to get too sensitive about things. Were just about broke now with only 1 wage and Australian prices. I try to keep positive but I feel so disconnected with everything around me, like I am treading water but everyone is full steam ahead and everyday I feel a little bit more like I am dipping below the waterline and my hope is dropping. I am on antidepression medication already (long term). Half of me feels like I should talk to someone professionally for some support but the other half of me keeps thinking its too soon and I'm being silly. I just want to get back to normal, feel normal and be valued.

macadamianut Life advice
  • replies: 1

Hi. Curious on getting some objective opinions on my current situation. I’m a 33 y/o she/her living in the inner city & working full-time.- I enjoy my job & was promoted in August 2022 after 1.5y employment & subsequently endured some passive aggress... View more

Hi. Curious on getting some objective opinions on my current situation. I’m a 33 y/o she/her living in the inner city & working full-time.- I enjoy my job & was promoted in August 2022 after 1.5y employment & subsequently endured some passive aggressive bullying by two more long term staff, culminating in a HR investigation that found the main person at fault - but which wasn’t resolved as they weren’t willing to mediate in person/with an impartial support party present. - This was disrupted as during the later stages of the above, my mum was diagnosed with 3B lung cancer which has spread to a lymph node. There's a 40% chance of survival through treatment (radiation, chemo and immunotherapy) or she is facing 6-12 months of life. She lives interstate & I can visit, but she lives at her partner’s place which doesn’t have additional rooms so I can't just crash at hers unfortunately.- I got drunk at the work Xmas party, fainted on my walk home w/ a colleague who lives nearby & an ambulance was called which took me to hospital ($$$).- On Xmas Eve I discovered my love of my life/best friend/partner of 6.5 years has been seeing sex workers during our time together & has confessed he uses them for stress relief (having used 100+ sex workers since around 18yo). We will be separating but are supporting each other given the shitty circumstances. He also pursued another woman emotionally in 2019 which I forgave him for & we did couples counselling, but I never would have guessed a love/sex addiction as he hid it impeccably. - We’ve given notice to vacate our rental (now 2 weeks away) & I’m desperately trying to find a 1 bed rental but it’s proving extremely difficult given the current competitive rental market in my city. I’ve spent the entire break going to inspections & am aware of all the application tips/tricks. - At this point I am exasperated & ready to pack up and start a new life anywhere else, but given my mum is very sick I want to be around in Australia to support her. I have 140k+ in savings, some of which I planned to use for a house deposit with my now ex. I don’t really feel positive to returning to work given the bullying situation among everything else, but can endure it. I have supportive people in my life, but I’m just curious as to what others who aren’t involved would do in the situation.

Edurna Mine site depression
  • replies: 2

Hi, I have never done anything like this before, but decided to reach out because I am really struggling right now. I am currently doing vacation work on a mine site, and saying it has been hard is an understatement. I have never felt so alone than I... View more

Hi, I have never done anything like this before, but decided to reach out because I am really struggling right now. I am currently doing vacation work on a mine site, and saying it has been hard is an understatement. I have never felt so alone than I do here, where I feel like I cannot talk to anyone (especially as there are not many females like myself around). My parents keep saying, just do it for the money, only 2 more shifts here left, but I have been crying every night, and even typing this makes me feel quite emotional. I do not enjoy it here, going underground made me claustrophobic, but they are sending me down again today, and I am honestly terrified. The work is brain numbing, leaving me with my own thoughts (which are not great right now). A family member is sick back home, and its hard been separated so far away. I cannot seem to find the courage to smile here, but I do plaster on fake ones. I just do not know what to do Everyone here says it isn't that bad here, and I do agree, but it hasn't stopped me from going this rabbit hole of constantly wanting to go home and crying.