Hi there, newbie!

[earthsista]

Hi everyone,

So happy to be here! My name is Lisa and live in Western Sydney. I'm 30 years old and suffer from depression and severe anxiety. It's not much fun at the moment as I study full time (studying Bachelor of Health Science in Nutritional Medicine) and work casually on the side. The last 12 weeks have been the worst unfortunately, especially as I'm burning out from college and had to drop a subject as well as losing my friend this week to brain cancer. I've been seeing a psychologist since last October and talk to my mother about my problems (I live with her also so she see me at my best and my worrrst lol), but thought it was about time I had a forum I could go to talk to fellow depression and anxiety sufferers. Hope to talk to you all soon x

Lisa

[Gruffudd]

Hi Lisa,

Welcome to the forums, I'm glad you found us. That all sounds full on for you just now, my third year of university was one of those I'd rather forget in some ways. I stuck through it all and things got better, glad I did.

So a big little question, I'd love to know your favourite things, what little things do you enjoy doing?

I like a walk in the sunshine at this time of year, finding a big pile of leaves and kicking them around, or sometimes raking them into a pile higher then me and taking a run up and leaping in. Gardening can be therapeutic too, I've got some bulbs to plant.

Anyway, happy you are here.

Rob.

[blondguy]

Hello Lisa and Welcome to the forums

I'm Paul.

You have been through some really very rough patches and I am sorry for your friend that passed away this week. You have had many 'triggers' that would put anyone into a 'dark place'...I feel your pain.

Congratulations though on your BSc and working as well too...Thats a big load on your plate right now...Thankyou for having the strength to reach out...

Your mum and brother are legends to be there for you! My first mega anxiety attack was in 1983...then the depression kicked in...ugh! I understand where you are coming from.

You are not only intelligent and well articulated but also have had the self awareness to see a doc since last October too.

Okay...just some background from me...I was very anti-meds until 1997 and my female GP kicked me very hard and got me on them...I have never looked back since....They gave me a platform on which I could heal and use my coping mechanisms I learned so much more effectively.

If I may ask....are your anxiety attacks frequent in traffic....in a crowded place....at Uni? Just trying to get a better picture so I can understand the level of anxiety you are going through.

Sorry Lisa....for the questions....You also mentioned depression....How 'black' is it?

I admire your courage to post

My Kind Thoughts

Paul

[White_Rose]

Dear Lisa

Hello and welcome to Beyond Blue. You sound quite positive about your life even though you are going through a rough patch. Congratulations. It's not easy at times.

How far through your study are you? I found uni to be exhilarating but then I was 47 when I started as a part time student, with a husband and four children. Took me five years to graduate but oh so satisfying.

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your friend. No matter the cause, the loss of a dear friend, especially when they are young is always sad. When a friend of mine died we, her friends, got together and had an evening talking about the things we used to do. Funerals do this to some extent, but having only friends was different and special. I think we all gained some comfort from this and the ache of loss was eased.

Dropping a subject can feel painful. I suspect you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself to get it all done and now it feels a bit like a failure. The other way to look at it is to say you are looking after yourself, both physically and mentally. Had you persisted it keeping the whole workload you may well have actually failed one or more subjects. So remind yourself of all the wins you have under your belt and move on.

I imagine it's good having mom around to talk to. We all need our mom at times to pick us up when we feel down. And you are working.

You are very welcome here. Please continue to post on this thread and/or join in other conversations. You can also start another thread in one of the other forums.

Mary