Depression-the first steps

[Em91Em]

After fighting depression on and off for 5 years, I finally opened up to my friend about it. It's tough and I don't no wat to do next 

[blondguy]

Hi Em, and Welcome to the 'club'

My name is Paul....and I have depression too....and it can be awful.....You are very smart and strong for posting here...Nice1....

This site is that secure you can say whatever you wish on here....seriously.There are many kind people on here that are here for you....anytime....okay

How do you feel? (if you wish to respond of course)

Paul

[blondguy]

My apologies Em for the double response...I just forgot to mention something important.

Well for having the courage to open up to your friend...That is a huge achievement...

Was your friend understanding about your depression?

To answer your question....and please forgive me....What do you do next?...

Have you a GP that you are comfortable with?...........

If you do....please go in and vent....they are trained a lot better nowadays than a few years ago

Let us know how you go....

Paul

[geoff]

dear Em, good on you for posting your comment as well as trying to get the help you need from your friend.
To have depression for 5 years would certainly have been a struggle, so it must have been awful for you to try and
understand what has been happening to you and why should you be the one to cop it.
Well there's no answer on why you have depression, unless someone you dearly love has passed away, but there are too
many other factors to even begin to say why you have it.
You must have a close friend in telling him/her, but there ocassions when our 'friends' decide to ignore us and then
want to leave us, but I certainly hope that this doesn't happen for you.
I only mention this as a precaution, but to get help you need to go and see your doctor and ask him/her about the
'mental health plan' as Paul has said, where it will entitle you to 10 free visits to see a psychologist.
As much as we need friends to help us through our depression, we also need help from those who are experienced and
qualified to talk to.
Everybody on this site has had experience and have had to suffer for a long time with their own type of depression, but
and there are people who are still trying to overcome it, but are generous enough to reply to those who are suffering,
so in other words it's an anonymous site, unless you post a photo of yourself, but certainly a friendly forum, so please
I hope that you can get back to us. Geoff.

[Ladyhawke]

Hi Em, and welcome to the 'beyondblue' community.

​As both Paul and Geoff mentioned, this is a very kind, caring and supportive community.

Well done for reaching out and coming to the forums for some guidance.

I have had depression and anxiety since childhood, but it wasn't till my mid-30s that I had the courage to seek professional help.

Well done for recognising you have an issue and for not continuing to try to cope alone. That's what I did and I ended up losing so many productive years.

Now you've decided you want help, the next step, as Paul and Geoff advised, is to see your GP. Tell him/her exactly how you've been feeling (make notes if you need to) and that you would like to be referred on to a psychologist or psychiatrist. Geoff has explained the mental health plan if you see a psychologist.

You may not be able to get an immediate appointment (I had to wait 3 weeks to see my psychiatrist), so if, at any time prior to seeing your therapist you suffer any distressing feelings, then I would strongly suggest you telephone one of the professionals here.  If you simply want to ask more questions or seek some advice, or even just unload your feelings, then come back to the forums for a chat.

Best wishes for your new plan of action. You will find therapy very helpful and rewarding, after years of trying to deal with depression alone.

 Paul, Geoff and I are very interested in how things progress for you. Do let us know, if you can.

Very best wishes,

ladyhawke