How to start when you don’t know what’s wrong??

[Coffee4life40]

I know I need to get some help, to talk to someone professional about my many, may issues but I really struggle with how to start it all?

It feels like I have so many things going on right now that I just can’t work out if I’m anxious, depressed or what! I want to speak to someone but also, sometimes I feel like a bit of a fraud as well, my life’s isn’t all that bad.

[missep123]

Hi Coffee4life40,

I think that it is a great step that you are recognising that you would like to speak to someone. The first step is to usually go to your GP and they can refer you to a mental health professional under a Mental Health Care Plan.

What you feel and think are completely valid and everyone deals with things differently. If my gut is telling me something isn't right then I've sought out support and it's worked out really well.

Here for you!

[ecomama]

Hi Coffee4Life40

I see this is your first post, so welcome!

You made a great first step joining the BB forum.

Missep123 is right on track with a GP appointment.

If you want to talk to a Counsellor now over the phone then you can call the Beyond Blue Helpline on 1300 224 636 and / or 1800RESPECT. I highly recommend calling these lines. The Counsellors are freaking amazing.

I also felt like a fraud but after speaking with a specialist trauma counsellor, I wasn't being a fraud. It's okay to feel that way though! Maybe if you get the right support right now, your mental health will improve a lot and you'll feel a whole lot better.

Leaving it and just hoping that things get better could be like going down the rabbit hole in my opinion.

It's better to be anchored.

Hope you keep posting. Take care.

EM

[mocha delight]

Hi coffee4life40 first welcome and I to kind of felt like I was a fraud so your definitely not alone in thinking that. And I highly recommend for you to type up & print out or write a list of the thoughts & feelings ect ect ect your having that you can just hand to your gp so that you don’t forget anything you want to talk about or mention on the day. That’s what I did which I handed the list straight away to my gp straight away and that helped having it. Afterwards my gp asked me some questions and I mentioned that I have one cousin who has been diagnosed with depression & bipolar plus some others in that side of the family who I suspect has some form of depression but as far as I know not been diagnosed. I’m now on antidepressants that she gave a prescription for as she strongly believes I do have depression despite no diagnosis of depression yet as when I got my first prescription was the week before covid 19 was first mentioned. Sorry for the long as reply but what I’m trying to say is sometimes you need to take a leap of faith in a way.

[geoff]

Hello Coffee4life40, it can always be a worry talking about how we are feeling, especially to someone we don't know or haven't seen before, because we have to reveal our inner thoughts, which is totally different when you see your doctor about your shoulder you can't move.

It's easy to answer the question when asked 'how are you', but to actually open up and say exactly how you feel, means there's been a problem I've been hiding for too long and need to talk with someone who is experienced in dealing with situations like what you are suffering from.

The comments above have been good, but more so would like to know how you are feeling.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[White_Rose]

Dear Coffee4life40

Welcome to the forum. I do agree with your name, coffee for life. I think I am a bit of an addict there.

The above replies are all great and it really shows that many people get into a situation similar to yours. It's easy to feel like fraud because we have no real frame of reference to measure ourselves against. Mostly people hide their difficulties especially if they relate to poor mental health. Unless you know someone well and that person tells you about their problems you just don't know what's going on for others. I imagine others would be surprised to learn how unhappy you are because you try to present a good picture to the world.

Please accept the feelings you have are real and valid. It really is only then that you can start to get well again. Make an appointment with your GP and book a long appointment. Writing a list of your feelings etc is a good step and makes sure you don't go away before saying all that you wan to. Be as open as you can. It can be hard to tell someone you presumably don't see often about what is distressing you.

Talking on this forum has helped many people and may well help you so please feel welcome to continue this conversation and to join other conversations. Browse the information BB has by following the links in the drop box under The Facts above. Lots of information which you may find helpful. Being informed is always good.

Mary

[mocha delight]

I agree with everything both Geoff and white rose said and be completely honest with your gp. I just realised yesterday or the day before that I think I have a new coping mechanism which is not being completely completely honest with how I’ve been feeling as I may of kind of quite a bit down played how I’ve been truly feeling which I don’t know how to fix that ie like not do that anymore.

[ecomama]

mocha delight said:I agree with everything both Geoff and white rose said and be completely honest with your gp.

Ditto above.

Mocha delight you have my cat at your house! hahaha

Take care.

How are you doing Coffee for life?

EM

[Coffee4life40]

Thank you for your response!

I have made an appointment with my GP for when I get back from work. Baby steps right?

[Coffee4life40]

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me.

That is actually a great idea, writing it out. At least it gives me some starting points for my GP rather than me just going in and crying!!

I hope you are doing better yourself 🙂