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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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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.

dead_cactus parents genuinely think i'm sociopathic
  • replies: 4

it's 2am now and i overheard parents ranting on how i am an exact replica of my grandma who has evident sociopathic tendencies. my dad's family has a long line of ancestors who were academically inclined sociopaths. my mum thinks i too am one. she th... View more

it's 2am now and i overheard parents ranting on how i am an exact replica of my grandma who has evident sociopathic tendencies. my dad's family has a long line of ancestors who were academically inclined sociopaths. my mum thinks i too am one. she thinks i will become engrossed for life with some unrealistic ideals or some nasty habits or an absurd scientific hypothesis. I will drag those who get close to me down and end up alone in an age care facility. it wasn't the "heat of the moment" talk, it was a polite discussion about wanting to marry me off at an appropriate age so they'd never have to live with me again, sad over having birthed me that i've inherited the nasty evil genetics. how my sister is a much better option to live and enjoy life with. i dont know if i should trust myself and not them because what if all the things i believe i have done right i've done wrong, that i've hurt them so much they finally gave up. i'm 16 with no friends, no lovers. just a family and i dont care about anyone else but them. now no one on the surface of earth cares about me truly. i've known i am underdeveloped in emotional maturity but i thought i learned to make myself a relatively ideal kid since i became aware of my flaws, i look neat, i exercise, i have many solid achievements, i help others, i am obedient, i like animals, i never broke a rule. but it seems like my mum has been dreading me because of the psychological damage done by my grandma, now even my weird but ordinary and unharmful behaviors (hiding insignificant things, collecting random stuff etc.) are considered signs of sociopathy. what should i do? I can't see therapists because of financial reasons. i dont hate them i just don't know anymore. we are perfectly fine during the day, are they really scared of flipping a sociopath switch in me they have to pretend to be nice? i just want to enjoy life with all of them, finish highschool with a perfect score and pursue my dream career. I'd never intentionally hurt anyone like my grandma did but what's the use of explaining myself to them at this point?

Shiobhan Immigration to Australia
  • replies: 2

It has been 6 month since immigrating to Australia. I have a husband and two children. I am extremely lonely as I do not have any family or friends here. I am not naturally a social person and no matter how much I try, I am unable to meet people with... View more

It has been 6 month since immigrating to Australia. I have a husband and two children. I am extremely lonely as I do not have any family or friends here. I am not naturally a social person and no matter how much I try, I am unable to meet people with whom I am able to form deeper connections with later on. I have known many people who have been in my situation and made lasting friendships. My heart feels so sore every day, I feel very sad. I have lost my whole life at home and it hurts. Mainly I do not know how to meet people or form deeper connections. Lastly, I do not know how to overcome the feelings of emptiness and loneliness. I would like to speak to people in this forum who are in similar situations and understand as well as receive advise. I feel like a failure.

Coco18-8 I can feel it getting bad again
  • replies: 1

Hi, its been a while since I've been here which is really good. However I can feel my depression coming back, I thought this was over but I can feel myself each day slowly sliding back into it. It started because my boyfriend is about to leave for th... View more

Hi, its been a while since I've been here which is really good. However I can feel my depression coming back, I thought this was over but I can feel myself each day slowly sliding back into it. It started because my boyfriend is about to leave for the army. We have been friends for a year and dating for two months, he really helped me get through it last time and now he's leaving. I am scared for when he leaves in a week because I will truely be alone. My friends are growing up and I think growing out of me, they have their own relationships and clubbing a lot which I can't do because I'm under 18. I thought I should reach out to my mum because I have been crying everyday about my boyfriend leaving but because my relationship is so new she laughed when I told her ill be upset when he leaves. I have experienced depression before and my parents don't know because they continue to invalidate my feelings. I have a therapist however they are not reopening until three weeks from now. Its like i'm waiting for my depression to hit as soon as he leaves and i'll be alone again like I always am, I always feel like I'm alone.

Jay1980 How do I work up the courage to talk to someone
  • replies: 1

I'm an last 6 months have really been bad I feel helpless an not worthy of the things I do I'm not a person to open up on things. any help an a push in the right direction

I'm an last 6 months have really been bad I feel helpless an not worthy of the things I do I'm not a person to open up on things. any help an a push in the right direction

redandblue Loneliness
  • replies: 1

Hi all, After a nice Christmas and Newyear break I am struggling with going back to normal. It’s like a come down from all the excitement of seeing friends and family and tends to occur quite frequently however is particularly bad after the recent ho... View more

Hi all, After a nice Christmas and Newyear break I am struggling with going back to normal. It’s like a come down from all the excitement of seeing friends and family and tends to occur quite frequently however is particularly bad after the recent holiday break. Although I am married and have a close family and group of friends I just have a feeling of loneliness and feel like I can’t connect with anyone not even my wife. Does anybody else get these feelings after events like holidays and what do you do to cope? regards