Newbie

[melbourneant]

Hi all, this is a new thing for me, I have known about beyond blue for a long time, however I only recently started think it might be useful to me. I have suffered from depression and anxiety since my early teens and have managed it over the years in varying degrees, however at this stage in my life I think I am managing it as best as I can and I am a functioning human being on the outside, but on the inside I feel as if I am waiting to self destruct.

2 years ago, at a prime stage of my depression and anxiety, I decided I did not have enough problems and uprooted my life from WA and moved to VIC. Since then I settled into Melbourne and got worse and then better to the stage I am at now, however there is still a lot missing.

The one major contributing factor is all I do is work and housework and eat and sleep. My life has very little joy, which I get from my dog and partner who is extremely distant from me, and of course the occasional retail therapy I get to do.

I feel I need to do more, and this is one of those things which I hope will help me.

[smiles8099]

Hello Melbourneant! I too am new to this forum, having joined only this morning. Your story resonates with me somewhat. I do however, have a mostly wonderful husband, along with 3 children (grown & left home & all doing well), 3 cats & a dog. Basically, my problem is that I have absolutely ZERO motivation for doing anything at all. Some days I can hardly get out of bed to face the day. I find it hard also to leave the house on my own, & there is no where that I can think that I want to go. I have a job which I (mostly) enjoy, & other good things in my life, so I struggle to understand why I feel this way. Having read some of the forum member's stories today, I feel guilty that I do feel this way. My story is no where near as awful as some others. I am going to spend a little while reading some of the stories on the forums & then I will decide what I want to post, how much I want to get involved etc, but I just wanted to say welcome to you. I hope that we can help each other!

[kanga_brumby]

Melbourneant, It is totally up to you if you want to do it. One place you could inquire at is your local citizens advice center. They sometimes have a directory of places that are looking for volunteers. Your personality, and interests play a big part in what would suit you. Plus what hours you can work. Sometimes voluntary work can lead to full time work, or payed employment. Plus it gets you out of your home and talking to adults. If your at home all day and have children, it's a chance to have a mental break from the children. Which is good for all.

Kanga