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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: 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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Advise-Seeker Consistent Menstrual Cycle with Antidepressants
  • replies: 4

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has had a similar issue with antidepressant medications? I have tried various medications. I start to have menstrual bleeding around 2/3 weeks and it does not stop until I stop the medication. I’m already anaemic so t... View more

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has had a similar issue with antidepressant medications? I have tried various medications. I start to have menstrual bleeding around 2/3 weeks and it does not stop until I stop the medication. I’m already anaemic so that’s this is not ideal. I have the contraceptive implant in and normally do not get my period at all. I’m really looking for any help as my psychiatrist, therapist and GP are at a loss and say this side effect only affects a very small number of women. Also, I am seeing a massive positive effect on my mental health when I am on medication so really want to stay on it. Any help would be amazing! Thanks

Winged Anxiety to depression
  • replies: 2

Hi, I’m your newest member. So glad to have found this resource and community.Over the last three years I’ve been managing my anxiety and panic attacks with medication and an exercise regime. I’ve just left a really stressful job, which pushed me bey... View more

Hi, I’m your newest member. So glad to have found this resource and community.Over the last three years I’ve been managing my anxiety and panic attacks with medication and an exercise regime. I’ve just left a really stressful job, which pushed me beyond my limit for the past 7 months. This week, as I’ve started my new job, a coincidence of factors caused two of the worst panic attacks I’ve experienced. I talked to my GP and his view is I’ve progressed towards depression, and present signs of PTSD. I’m booked in to see a psychologist through my employer. I’m committed to doing whatever’s necessary to regain balance. But my fear is whether I’ll get back to feeling stable and resilient, or if I’m going to be teetering on the edge indefinitely. I am truly lucky to have a supporting partner and teenage kids who I share my challenges with openly. I’m scared I’m going to be a burden and drain on them emotionally.

Ragnarsson Feel like a broken human being
  • replies: 3

Not really sure what to write here just wanted to hear how others have dealt with things.My depression and anxiety have gotten so bad that I avoid leaving the house unless I'm working. Something changed in me after the covid lockdowns and we're compo... View more

Not really sure what to write here just wanted to hear how others have dealt with things.My depression and anxiety have gotten so bad that I avoid leaving the house unless I'm working. Something changed in me after the covid lockdowns and we're compounded when my father got diagnosed with cancer.I'm 34 and it's gotten to the point where I feel like there is no turning things around I've never been a depressed person.Thanks for letting me vent guys.

Existentiality Finding it difficult to get help because I appear high functioning
  • replies: 7

I'm a late career professional and superficially my life is a success, but for at least a decade I've struggled with my mental health. My patience and tolerance is often impaired by my underlying sense of despair. I can pull myself together for 'real... View more

I'm a late career professional and superficially my life is a success, but for at least a decade I've struggled with my mental health. My patience and tolerance is often impaired by my underlying sense of despair. I can pull myself together for 'real' responsibilities concerning other people (being a good parent, supporting relatives, responding to ethical dilemmas in my work) but I have just about given up on my own life. I push myself to exercise regularly and eat well, but all that does is keep my physical structure afloat. I cannot connect with the people around me and I'm chronically single (I form new relationships frequently and they never last long). I've tried various counsellors but they consider that I'm coping OK or they offer really inappropriate support strategies. I'm entirely secular in my beliefs so anything spiritual or faith-based is anathema to me.

imokayipromise Is what I’m feeling real?
  • replies: 11

I often don’t feel like my feelings and thoughts need worrying about, as I’m just a stupid kid who doesn’t really know what I’m doing. But a few of my friends who I have opened up to have mixed opinions. I’m only 15 (yes I lied about my age to make t... View more

I often don’t feel like my feelings and thoughts need worrying about, as I’m just a stupid kid who doesn’t really know what I’m doing. But a few of my friends who I have opened up to have mixed opinions. I’m only 15 (yes I lied about my age to make this account) but I can’t sleep and I just feel like there is no point, if I am never going to amount to anything why bother you know? Basically is the feeling that what I feel is wrong normal for other people too? Or is the guilt of the fact I might be faking it even to myself just stupid. Idk what I’m saying it’s 5am for me as I type this. And there is loads of other stuff too but that’s just basic things.

lilly2016 Cancer still here robbing me of my life
  • replies: 2

Hello all, I'm back after two years and updating my situation, and my situation is I still have Cancer and it's spread again, I had some wins! But the damage is done, the only thing I can do is pray. Being kind of young and living with cancer changes... View more

Hello all, I'm back after two years and updating my situation, and my situation is I still have Cancer and it's spread again, I had some wins! But the damage is done, the only thing I can do is pray. Being kind of young and living with cancer changes your world, you never feel the same and the future, well is there one to think about? Worrying about loved ones is the hardest of all, how do they deal with this. My anxiety is through the roof and medication is the only thing that helps, you try to escape at times in your mind, but reality kicks in and you know what your facing, it's like facing a firing squad, you never know when the trigger is going to go off. I've had a great life don't get me wrong, many ups and downs but overall it's been so remarkable.i still get around and go on little holidays etc but when your alone, your left with your own thoughts and believe you me, it's traumatic. I believe in the afterlife, I often seek out information about people that have passed and been brought back to life and what they saw when they died, some of the stories are incredible, that helps. Love,. Praying and caring for others are the most important things in my life right now. I still laugh, have fun, but there is a dark cloud above me constantly and it never leaves me.

Dog_mum_52 Really struggling
  • replies: 3

Hi all In the past few months I've been feeling very depressed, and the last few weeks have been a real struggle. I have nothing to really complain about - I have a loving and supportive partner, a great family, two beautiful dogs, a good stable job ... View more

Hi all In the past few months I've been feeling very depressed, and the last few weeks have been a real struggle. I have nothing to really complain about - I have a loving and supportive partner, a great family, two beautiful dogs, a good stable job and a solid group of friends, yet every day feels like so much effort and like I'll never feel happy again. I've seen my GP , a psychologist and psychiatrist and mixed up my antidepressants, but am losing hope that anything will ever get better. I can't keep going like this- does anyone have any stories of hope to get me through? Unsure what I wanted out of this post, just needed to put down how I feel

white knight Clear the road- I’m on my way
  • replies: 9

Recently I wrote two articles that at the time I didn’t know they would be a sequel. “The snowball effect” was about how energy in a forum like this can gather strength and accelerate in its positivity. The second one was “Do we expect a smooth road ... View more

Recently I wrote two articles that at the time I didn’t know they would be a sequel. “The snowball effect” was about how energy in a forum like this can gather strength and accelerate in its positivity. The second one was “Do we expect a smooth road in life” depicts our basic expectations of a life free of any mental illness. We all have a journey whether we know it or not, recognise it or not. That journey, a road of twists and turns “Y” intersections or multiple intersections- can be a fragile one. One major slip in our decision making or an unsuspecting thump from a runaway vehicle (depression truck) and we fall flat on our faces. Let me digress here. Kathy Watt Australia’s gold medallist in cycling was asked after her race how she won it. Her reply- “my coach told me to get to the front and just as I start to feel comfortable…add another 10% effort…then just as I relax a little…add another 10%. These 10% added effort you don’t think is there but it is. No one could catch me.” We often refer to situations with our struggles as if we are on the bottom of our challenges and often we are. But there are days, hours, that we feel better. During these times, we are at an intersection, to the left is “go back to bed” and to the right is “don’t go back to bed”. We all know how hard that is but that snowball of recovery even short term recovery like a few hours wont happen if we take the easier route and turn left! By turning right we might- take the garbage out and during that short time you might realise how warm and inviting the sun is, meet the mail delivery person, see a daisy flower in bloom, realise your dog is staring at you for a walk lead in mouth…so that snowball has commenced all because you turned right.. As that snowball gathers momentum with each right turn your journey is no longer a plodding walk but turns into a brisk walk. You begin to get the feeling you are beating the black dog. If and when you think you are at this point then your choices are so important. There is a fighter inside us so much so some of us have never seen it. If those that think they haven't got a fighter inside them then what would you do if a dog bit you and held on? You'd find the fighter So that choice in your journey comes when you approach that new intersection. Left is "back 3 spaces" and right is "I'm going to fight like hell". Turn right on recovery road and do your best..then keep adding 10%. The black dog wont catch you!... Tony WK

Guest_1584 When depression isn't the illness, it's just life ?
  • replies: 250

Hi BB. l hope a separate thread for this topic is ok as it is a big topic and if anyone else would like or need to talk about their situation to and how they're handling things or anything at all please feel free. ldk where to begin but l suppose thi... View more

Hi BB. l hope a separate thread for this topic is ok as it is a big topic and if anyone else would like or need to talk about their situation to and how they're handling things or anything at all please feel free. ldk where to begin but l suppose this time it really starts from my divorce about 9yrs ago. l've never really had as far as l know the actually illness of depression, it's usually been from a life period itself. l did try meds yrs ago but didn't like them. And at this stage, it is again just life itself. After divorce l wanted to be alone and work through things 4yrs or so but later l started trying to feel like life again.l started getting back into my few hobbies, and walked or jogged and getting out and about.Later managed to buy this house to stay close to my daughter and l met gf l've been with last over 3yrs now.lt's been mostly beautiful earlier, a few bumps but they ironed out. Later some serious legal drama she'd had got worse and she had to go interstate up home for them and we've been apart mostly16mths since. Future us wise, not so sure right now as she still has ongoing problems needs another 6mths and also depression and anxiety herself. Well these days l just work on the house and outside a bit which l enjoy usually, forced right now though like everything. Do 1 or 2 hobbies, forced, get out most days to somewhere that l do like, l like driving my car and just getting out and about, but tbh, l don't feel like doing anything else,usually in bed very early, just pc ,too much, use to love movies but don't feel like them or tv. Still don't have any friends here, 5yrs, although l can't be bothered with many people one or two would be nice. Haven't worked at all this yr yet but l'll probably be going back for a few mths soon. l have a simple at home business not great money but covers house repayments and living, save a little bit. Great hrs though when l do work and leaves me lots of time which l like. Things is, later side of mid 50s now, gf and l looking pretty unlikely, the rest, this is just not where l pictured being and tbh, l just don't feel like doing anything, bed 24 7 would suit me right now no problem. About the only thing l do enjoy unforced is seeing my d or getting out for a drive about. l am depressed, l hate where l'm at in life and l wouldn't have believed it 10yrs ago, with zero interest or mojo for anything really, just feel sad. rx

alexis123 she was my greatest comfort in the loneliest of times
  • replies: 3

my childhood cat has just passed away and i’ve never felt such sadness and grief, she was like the only one who truly understood me, we understood each other even though we didn’t speak each others language, she calmed and helped me with my anxiety a... View more

my childhood cat has just passed away and i’ve never felt such sadness and grief, she was like the only one who truly understood me, we understood each other even though we didn’t speak each others language, she calmed and helped me with my anxiety and depression down so much, whenever things were really bad for me she would just pop up sit on my chest and purr and look at me like she knew everything would be okay, she was my greatest comfort in the loneliest of times and gave me a purpose to still be here, I’m feeling lost without her, I hope I see her soon someday, any tips of grief for loved pets, I know a lot of people go through worse, i’ve just always been so close with her. I’ll love her forever x