Depression

[Farthing]

Hi I am a 37 year old male with chronic depression. I also have anxiety and have become addicted to alcohol. Does anyone have any tips for how to become better.

[kanga_brumby]

I have found taking on a new Hobie helped a little for a while. Till the rest of me started falling apart/ Plus my support network fell totally apart. Still fighting tough it's never easy. When your fighting the beast all alone. try taking on a sport like cricket football darts

Kanga

[Star_Jasmine]

Welcome Farthing.

Have you sought any professional help yet? If not, I think that would be the best place to start given you said you have chronic depression. It's concerning that you're using alcohol as a kind of bandaid as it will make it worse in the long run unfortunately.

This website and forums are a great place for information on depression and anxiety and how to get better or at least manage them.

If you book in with your GP and you are diagnosed with depression/anxiety, you will get a 'mental health care plan' in which you can get subsidised visits with a psychologist.

I would also suggest talking to someone about the alcohol addiction, whether that's the GP or another support service.

The things that help me deal with depression are exercise, eating well, keeping busy and seeing friends and family. I have good and bad days but I am slowly learning how to best manage it (and hoping that I can overcome it!)

Feel free to let us know more about yourself if you feel comfortable.

Hope to hear from you again!

[Farthing]

Hello yes I see a psychologist and a psychiatrist. I feel really hopeless. I just quit a job because I could not get there because of the all encompassing depression I feel. I don't want to do any thing to help myself because it all seems to hard. I drink to ease the pain of living.

[Star_Jasmine]

Hi again Farthing

So sorry to hear that you're struggling so much at the moment. I can hear your desperation.

Do you find your psychologist and psychiatrist help you? Are you taking any medications and if so, do they help?

At the start of this year I joined a gym because I realised exercise was very important for my mood/mental health (even though I've never really like exercising much) and I needed a place to go to and a reason to do it regularly. Anyway since then I've actually started to enjoy exercising as well as it helping my mood and forming part of my weekly routine.

Do you do any exercise or do you have any hobbies that can get you out of the house, and interacting with people? What did you do for work? Has your depression worsened since you quit your job or is it helping to have a break?

Sorry if I have asked too many questions, only answer if you feel comfortable! Just trying to understand where you're coming from so me or others on the forums might be able to help.

Hang in there, things will get better...

Talk soon

[Farthing]

Yeah they both help. I don't do any exercise or get out of the house with a group of people. I used to run but now I don't because of depression. I recently quit a job I had just started due to anxiety and depression. Thank you for replying.

[kanga_brumby]

Farthing as I suggested try taking on a sport walking can be fun hundreds of walking groups around neibour hood houses and the like and bush walking groups tats how my parents met try tennis basket base ball

kanga

[Lee lee 73]

Hi Farthing,

Would it help to talk here more? I mean, what gets you down the most, if anything? I have chronic depression, it helps for me to share how I'm feeling because I know I'm being heard. I'm wondering if maybe doing so would help you? Everyone here is non judgemental and pretty much going through similar things so we understand. Just a suggestion. Hang in there Farthing. Hope to hear from you real soon.

Lee lee73

[Farthing]

I get down because I have not really achieved anything with my life to date. I also get down because I am lonely. I only have a few friends who I don't see very often and that gets me down also.

[Lee lee 73]

Hi Farthing,

This probably means nothing to you at the moment but you posted and reached out here. That's one hell of an achievement. It takes courage to do.

I have no doubt you have accomplished many achievements Farthing and have friends who care. Depression makes us think otherwise. Maybe pick one thing you know you used to enjoy and see if you can fit that one thing into your day, week or weekend.

Alcohol is a depressant as I'm sure you are aware. I drank to numb the pain as well but eventually I noticed I felt 100 times worse the next day. You're doing the right things by seeking treatment and coming here. As hard ad it is, Try to limit the alcohol if you can.

Lee lee 73