Finally seeking help

[eclips333]

Hi guys,

26 year old male, been battling depression for as long as I can remember, but only recently acknowledged it to myself.
It is starting to get a lot worse so I am ready to reach out for help.

I am leaving for a 3 week work trip + vacation on Saturday, so ideally I'd like to speak to someone before then to help manage this while I am away.

I don't know if I should be reaching out to a psychologist or a GP, but I know I need help.

Who should I be trying to speak to so I can get an action plan before I head away?

Thanks

[white knight]

Hi and welcome

Your first port of call is your GP and obtain a referral if he/she thinks that's the way to go. Often he can give an initial treatment though.

In the meantime here are a few threads you can read that might be helpful to get things into perspective. It is admirable that you are no longer in denial.

Use google

Beyondblue topic Depression, life on the high seas

Beyondblue topic Depression is there any positive

Beyondblue topic Newly diagnosed with depression, what to expect?

Beyondblue topic the timing of motivation

Beyondblue topic Depression is it rocket science

I hope you enjoy reading them.

TonyWK

[Doolhof]

Hi eclips333,

Try phoning for an appointment to see your Dr. Let the receptionist know it is urgent and if possible ask for a double appointment.

A Mental Health Care plan fromt he Dr takes a while to process in an appointment as the Dr will have a lot of questions for you to answer.

The Dr may well be able to give you suggestions and ideas of what will help you immediately.

It can take some time to get in to see a psychologist or psychiatrist, so you might be on a waiting list.

As this is a matter of getting assistance and advice quickly, see if you can get in to see your Dr.

You could phone the Beyond Blue support service on 1300 22 4636 and ask for suggestions. Or life line.

On the Beyond Blue website there is information regarding depression and ideas on how you may be able to help yourself.

Writing down more of how you are feeling here may help you offload some stuff as well.

You could also check to see what mental health services are available in your region.

Trying to work out ways you can help yourself and what makes you feel better can be beneficial. Think of strategies you can use to help relieve, release and reduce the negatives you are feeling.

All the best, the more you plan for finding things that will help, the better you will be. Cheers from Dools

[eclips333]

Thanks for the reply.
I was planning on giving the Beyond Blue line a call tonight so I can have a chat with someone about this.

I am not great at putting words together, but this topic basically sums up exactly what I am going through right now:
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/young-people/i-think-im-depressed--how-do-i-talk-to-a-doctor

I will try and get a visit with a GP locked in for tomorrow.. I am really wanting to tackle this, so definitely need to start reaching out to someone.

[eclips333]

Thanks for that Tony,

I will try and get onto a GP as soon as I can, and will read through those topics when I get home from work