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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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maddie_faye Severely depressed boyfriend is constantly ‘busy’
  • replies: 30

I have posted this under relationships but since this is also related to depression I thought that I’d put it here to get more advice. my current boyfriend and I have been together since late September/early October 2021. I had not long come out of d... View more

I have posted this under relationships but since this is also related to depression I thought that I’d put it here to get more advice. my current boyfriend and I have been together since late September/early October 2021. I had not long come out of domestic violence and now have ptsd as a result, as well as a pre exisiting anxiety condition. My partner also opened up about having a depression diagnosis and I suspect he also has cfs, but was well at the time. The first 2-3 months he was fine mentally then around month 4/5 he started to go down hill but was able to pick himself up, however, since March he has being in a severely depressed hole. We used to see each other every 1-2 weeks, since his depression has gotten worse we only see each other about 1-2 times a month. he is also a full time mechanic and we live an hour away from each other too so doesn’t help. I’ve often struggled with trauma based thoughts since getting into a healthy relationship despite having evidence to prove those thoughts wrong, hence my diagnosis of ptsd (as that is a symptom) and what it’s cottoned onto over the last few months is that it tells me that we’ll never see each other again, he doesn’t love me and things will never get better with his depression. When I do see him next in person, whenever that may be I will try and talk to him about how I’ve been feeling about his depression and hoping he gets some help like I am for my mental health. Despite other people including my psychologist and worker telling me the complete opposite to what my mind says it’s still really hard to deal with and my worker actually has said that this is a trauma response. But I really do hope that my boyfriend gets help for his mental health as it is really quite bad and I don’t like seeing him like this.

SLSTR I want to help my Dad with his depression
  • replies: 2

I am an adult child that recently moved home, in many ways I am the prodigal son. My parents are in their sixty’s and seventy's (father) and we live together (this is temp situation and I move out next month). My dad has been depressed since they los... View more

I am an adult child that recently moved home, in many ways I am the prodigal son. My parents are in their sixty’s and seventy's (father) and we live together (this is temp situation and I move out next month). My dad has been depressed since they lost their home in the GFC and the passing of his dad several years ago, he lives in memories all the time talking about the past. I have encouraged them to have marriage counselling at our church and they have had two sessions... It’s an uncomfortable feeling when he’s at home as I feel like he does not know what to do with himself or say, he makes very little eye contact... He works six days a week and should be retired and spends very little time with his wife, and next to none with his children. When he’s not working, he’s weeding the lawn for hours on end and this goes on day after day (his routine is work 6 days, come home weed the garden, play slot machines on the computer, watch tv, go to bed) there is very little social interaction. it breaks my heart to watch all this... My partner and I have helped my parents with lots of positive changes recently but dad is very stuck in his ways, I am sure he just tells the counsellor what they want to hear. I don’t want to get too involved by I feel fear that he probably needs more than marriage counselling and some psychology cbt but it’s very difficult to tell anyone this sort of thing and I am concerned it could be early dementia. I also worry for my mother who is now seeing a psychologist. My dad was always a cranky angry tradesman, he has softened in age but he’s very much his father’s son and lives in that old generation of boys don’t cry and finds it difficult to express his emotions. My father has many talents like playing music and other things and we are encouraging him to do those again. He wont read books so any help here would be greatly appreciated.

Nikto Nothing is helping and I don't know what to do
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I am a 38yo male, and have had depression for well over a decade now. I am on antidepressants (which have helped) and I am seeing a psychologist. But, my mental health is only ever declining. I am at a stage where nothing is helping me g... View more

Hi everyone, I am a 38yo male, and have had depression for well over a decade now. I am on antidepressants (which have helped) and I am seeing a psychologist. But, my mental health is only ever declining. I am at a stage where nothing is helping me get better, my life is pretty miserable, I have zero motivation, I am unable to do the simplest of things and just don't know where to turn to. Most people would look at my life and say I have a good life, but to me it genuinely feels like a personalized hell, like the universe has somehow managed to perfect living hell for me. I don't know where to turn to.

Leisa68 The business end.
  • replies: 7

Oh boy have I hit rock bottom today. I was diagnosed with BiPolar disorder in January 2020 and sailed along okay, until my mood plummeted in September that year. I felt I did the right thing, I continued to see my psychiatrist and engaged a psycholog... View more

Oh boy have I hit rock bottom today. I was diagnosed with BiPolar disorder in January 2020 and sailed along okay, until my mood plummeted in September that year. I felt I did the right thing, I continued to see my psychiatrist and engaged a psychologist. I have been practicing CBT and mindfulness and have had some wins with some days without the mania and anxiety which would nearly render me unapproachable at the end of the day. I have a son who is eleven and I just can't be that way for him, I try very hard so he is not aware. I also have a great partner of 17 years, who wonders what the hell I have turned into. He does not believe I have BiPolar. Today I woke up, literally dead inside. I felt dead, my inner voice was anxious and flat, and my voice was anxious and flat. I was reading the news and read of a celebrity I really liked who committed suicide overnight and that thought shocked me. For the rest of the day, I have just concentrated on small things. I have felt this feeling before, but it was so very profound today. I have contacted my psychologist and am on the standby list for next week. I cannot see my psychiatrist for two weeks. I'll be honest. I'm very scared I will have this feeling again, knowing full well it will be back tomorrow. I have told myself that this is the business end of BiPolar and I have to deal with this business end. I am safe tonight. I love my family, but this thing feels bigger than Ben Hur. I would appreciate any advice on how to go until I see my psych team, who I fully intend to see. Leisa68

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

Private33313 Where to seek help?
  • replies: 3

Hi guys. I have been suffering from loneliness and depression ever since I came to Australia 3 years ago as student, but in the past few years, especially after the lockdown, it's been particularly rough. I am really shy/scared to seek help as it's h... View more

Hi guys. I have been suffering from loneliness and depression ever since I came to Australia 3 years ago as student, but in the past few years, especially after the lockdown, it's been particularly rough. I am really shy/scared to seek help as it's heavily looked down on my culture, especially for men but now it's gotten to a point where I just spend my day dreaming about nice things then I go to night thinking I didn't do anything. I used to breeze through my uni subjects during first few semester but past few semester I failed, first it was one subject, then two, then the same one every semester, I have exam in few days and I feel even if I pass one subject it'll be an achievement, I feel like my uni is going to cancel my course and am really scared, I can't motivate myself to do anything at all, I also gained a lot of weight because of this as well. My life is just on a downward spiral and I feel really numb about everything, can't seem to enjoy anything or have fun at all. I am not really a introverted guy, I used to love going outdoors and playing sports back in my home country, but here I don't have anyone to talk to, I live alone and spend most of my day inside my room doing nothing, I work part time but even there I just go for the sake of it, and I feel I am living the same life everyday. I really want to seek help but I don't know where to begin, if someone can guide me through where to seek help, I would really really appreciate it. Thanks

JK87 Feeling like my loved ones could move on better without me holding them back
  • replies: 2

Exactly as the title said. I have loved ones, but they’ve drifted away and I sincerely feel like without me they could drift away guilt free and they’d have better and richer lives for it

Exactly as the title said. I have loved ones, but they’ve drifted away and I sincerely feel like without me they could drift away guilt free and they’d have better and richer lives for it

Pink grapefruit Lonely without friends. Cannot trust others.
  • replies: 15

This is my second time to post a thread. I don’t show it in front of others but I have been feeling very lonely especially since I moved to Australia about 10 years ago. I tried to make ones by joining some local events etc but I was not able to get ... View more

This is my second time to post a thread. I don’t show it in front of others but I have been feeling very lonely especially since I moved to Australia about 10 years ago. I tried to make ones by joining some local events etc but I was not able to get close with them. One reason I think is I cannot trust others. I feel that they are all trying to deceive me or put me down, which some people really did in the past. Life without friends is really sad and depressing but Its hard for me to trust others and open my hearts. How can I change this situation?

Shanthan Going back to the beginning
  • replies: 5

Hello all, This thread will be my third one discussing my depression. I don't understand what's going on. Beginning of this month, I started working on my condition. I'm financially unstable to afford therapy or help. So, I began looking into these f... View more

Hello all, This thread will be my third one discussing my depression. I don't understand what's going on. Beginning of this month, I started working on my condition. I'm financially unstable to afford therapy or help. So, I began looking into these forums to get tips. I thought I was doing my best and coping. But, there were many situations where I went back to the beginning, and my whole mind went dark. For the entire week, I was optimistic and motivated. But today, it hit me again. I go into a darker place where hundreds of thoughts run in my mind, which are harmful. Once that happens, that worse thought comes back again, where I think, "it's time". I feel weak; I feel like I will not survive this. After a while, I stop feeling anxious. But, the thought still exists. I don't know whether I can start over recovery.

Deathbug9976 Rant about my coping mechanism.
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I’m new here and I just wanted to get something off my shoulders. I’ve recently found a way to cope with my depression by going on long walks daily, but as a teen I still have to talk to my parents first. For the past few days I have ask... View more

Hi everyone, I’m new here and I just wanted to get something off my shoulders. I’ve recently found a way to cope with my depression by going on long walks daily, but as a teen I still have to talk to my parents first. For the past few days I have asked to go on my walks but been declined. My parents know I have depression, and I they said they will take that into account when making decisions with me, but I’m being declined the one coping mechanism I have found. what do I do?