A start

[bia_blue]

Hi! Not sure how many people are seeing this at all, so here it goes 🙂 I've struggled with severe depression in the past following on from an abusive relationship, and now that I'm through that, I struggle with anxiety. It was worst when I was battling depression as well, but still plays up a lot today, and I don't know much about it. My family are amazing but don't understand what's happening to me very well, and sometimes even I find it scary and confusing, which I'm sure is normal. I have many questions to ask while I'm here, and I'm so hopeful that someone out there will read and respond to even one of my threads 🙂 Still figuring out how to use the site, but figured I'd start it off with this. Thank you so much for reading! Best wishes and love to you all

[Elea]

Hi bia_blue, I'm new too 🙂 I get what you mean about family, mine have been really supportive too but I don't think depression and anxiety are something you can completely understand unless you've experienced it yourself. Best of luck xx

[Lori]

Hi bia_blue,

Welcome to the Beyondblue forums thankyou for posting and a massive welldone to you for reaching out that is great!! 

I am sorry to hear about the abusive relationship i am so glad that is all over now for you, no one deserves to be treates horribly by another human being.

I know what it's like to suffer from these illnesses and it can definitely be scary at times and alot of the time your emotions do go up and down it's definitely one bumpy ride but you can definitely get through this all with the right help.

Beyondblue have many resources that you are able to read to help understand it all that bit better and where to look for the right help, have a look at all the topics on the menu and have a read through. 

With your family not everyone understands mental illnesses all that well and soemtimes people get worried because they don't know how to help, try your best to be honest with them tell them how you are feeling its always good to be honest.

Have you thought in talking to a professional?  Whether it's a counsellor or maybe a Psychologist ? Talking about traumatic events such as an abusive relationship always helps take the ease off the anxiety its never good to hold it in and bottle it up remember there are many that are here to listen and to help.

Stay strong and please keep in touch !! 

- Lori:) 

[bia_blue]

Wow thank you so much for those words, means so much to have people responding but also responding with such positive messages 🙂
I'm so sorry to hear about your own battles, I suppose that's the beauty of this site; we can all bounce ideas off each other and are able to share our own experiences. I really hope you're getting through and that you have people as supportive as you are, supporting you in your time of need.

As for the counselling, I was seeing a counsellor for a while but I got so much better that it ended up being an hour a week of catching up, because there was nothing I needed help on; I had my coping strategies and most of the time they worked. And I was mainly seeing her for the depression, I didn't fully understand the anxiety at that point. Now that I don't see her anymore because I didn't really need to go, my anxiety is more the problem. Like I said, I've gotten through the darkest parts, now it's just dealing with the anxiety. It confuses me because it comes out of no where, even when I'm not nervous at all; I could just be sitting down relaxing and my chest tightens andI feel out of breath for no reason. It's a scary thought, and naturally I think the worst which leads on to nervousness. I've thought about going to a psychologist again but my mum thinks I'm okay and don't need it, especially since I've gone about a year without it and seemed fine. My anxiety has gotten worse throughout the last few months however, which is why I sought help here, and am so glad I did. But either way I'm well-communicated and very open about the past events 🙂 I think it's good, I'm able to speak openly about it without crying or cringing anymore, which seems like progress to me 🙂

Thank you again for your response! Good luck 🙂 

Bianca

[bia_blue]

Elea I completely agree with you, it gets hard not being surrounded by those who understand but I'm grateful that the don't, because I wouldn't ever want them to go through it. I hope you're doing okay! Thanks for reading my post 🙂