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Depression

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Jeriava How do I talk to my doctor?
  • replies: 9

I’ve been struggling with my life for the past 7-8 years but I finally made an appointment with a doctor. I feel really scared though because I don’t ever go to the doctor for anything, and I havent seen this doctor for so many years that I’m really ... View more

I’ve been struggling with my life for the past 7-8 years but I finally made an appointment with a doctor. I feel really scared though because I don’t ever go to the doctor for anything, and I havent seen this doctor for so many years that I’m really scared that they’ll judge me or won’t believe anything I say. I’m really anti social so I feel like I won’t be able to say what I wanna say or I’ll say the wrong thing causing them to just dismiss me and move me along without helping. I’m just tired of feeling alone, depressed and just worthless but I’m really scared to talk to them.

Chris_B Are you looking to support someone else with depression? PLEASE READ before posting
  • replies: 0

This forum is for people seeking support for their own mental health issues. If you're posting on behalf of someone else with a mental health issue that you're concerned about, please have a look at this section of our forums: Supporting family and f... View more

This forum is for people seeking support for their own mental health issues. If you're posting on behalf of someone else with a mental health issue that you're concerned about, please have a look at this section of our forums: Supporting family and friends with a mental health condition It's full of threads from people who have family members and friends going through anxiety, depression or other related conditions. Have a read through the threads there, and feel free to take part in the discussions. Below are also some helpful beyondblue resources you might want to look through first as well: Supporting someone Have the conversation

AGrace SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING DEPRESSION
  • replies: 132

Hi Everyone, Here are some ideas you might like to try for managing symptoms of depression. Of course everyone's different, so let us know what works for you, and please feel free to add to the list... Mindfulness – through breathing or engaging the ... View more

Hi Everyone, Here are some ideas you might like to try for managing symptoms of depression. Of course everyone's different, so let us know what works for you, and please feel free to add to the list... Mindfulness – through breathing or engaging the 5 senses Distress Tolerance – Accepting Emotions and Self Soothing Distraction – Put the thoughts/feelings aside and come back to them when you are ready to deal with them Positive Affirmations – Have some affirmations written down repeat them to yourself daily Sleep/Exercise/Diet – All 3 aspects of our lifestyle can impact the way we think/feel Increasing Pleasurable Activities – Engage in at least one pleasurable activity per day

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Pink grapefruit Disappointment in life
  • replies: 13

I thought that life would become much easier and more fun as we get older but I feel the opposite. How can I overcome this feeling?

I thought that life would become much easier and more fun as we get older but I feel the opposite. How can I overcome this feeling?

emberz Is this dysthymia or am I just being dramatic...?
  • replies: 5

Hi. I recently came across the term dysthymia and I feel like everything has just clicked for me. I've always felt like my depressive feelings aren't 'bad' enough to be actual depression, but I never knew there were other types such as dysthymia. I'm... View more

Hi. I recently came across the term dysthymia and I feel like everything has just clicked for me. I've always felt like my depressive feelings aren't 'bad' enough to be actual depression, but I never knew there were other types such as dysthymia. I'm 19 years old and have been feeling this way since I was about 15 or 16. I'm always tired, no matter how much sleep I get, like this tiredness is an insatiable fatigue that I can never 'fix.' I have no motivation for anything or to do anything. I have no energy and I always feel so lazy. I've lost all passion for everything. I force myself to wake up everyday and go to uni or to work, and I feel like a ghost inhabiting my own body. I can't even remember the last time I felt truly happy. I feel like I'm an outcast in every social situation and I can't be bothered interacting with people. I feel like I'm always mildly suicidal, like it's a thought that comes and goes depending on if I've had an especially bad day or not. It feels like there's a low hanging dark cloud above my head that's always there and never really goes away, even if some days it shrinks a bit or some days it gets heavier. I've been feeling this way for so long now that I didn't even realise it wasn't normal. Recently I've been feeling my mental health get even worse since going back to university, as I also believe I could have social anxiety and so the stress of meeting so many new people combined with the intensive workload has left me feeling really overwhelmed, almost like i'm drowning. So I tried looking for answers, and after googling 'high functioning depression' and discovering dysthymia, I saw myself fitting almost every criteria. I know I'm lucky in many aspects, because I have an education, a loving family, a stable job, etc etc, but if anything this just makes it all the more frustrating because I feel so guilty for feeling this way. What could I possibly have to be depressed about? Which is also why i'm so hesitant to talk to anyone about this. I've never told anyone about how much I'm always struggling, and I also don't want to go to my GP and say I think I might have dysthymia because what if I don't have it at all and I'm just being overdramatic? I don't know, I guess i just needed to vent somewhere so I decided to try here. Any advice from people who are actually suffering from dysthymia would be much appreciated.

LC80 Quality of life
  • replies: 6

I am trying to deal with a severe lumbar spine injury, that has gotten worse over a number of years. Currently I am not able to walk unaided, can not do anything outside in the fresh air, and my hobby, that is so good for my mental health, has been c... View more

I am trying to deal with a severe lumbar spine injury, that has gotten worse over a number of years. Currently I am not able to walk unaided, can not do anything outside in the fresh air, and my hobby, that is so good for my mental health, has been curtailed. I have suffered bouts of depression for many years, and just as I was getting into a good place, I have had this latest setback. I am retired and now live in a small country town and medical services are limited. I need to travel 160 ks from home to access specialist care, so it's a long and tiring day as a round trip. My wife is my support and I don't wish to be a burden on her any more than totally necessary. I feel that I am just lost and fear what the future holds for us both. If it is surgery, a poor outcome would change our lives forever. Retirement was supposed to be better than this.

Guest_920 I was feeling suicidal told boyfriend and he broke up with me
  • replies: 4

I had a night of feeling angry as I was coming off an anti depressant, drinking and Waa at his place alone. I thought he would of texted what time he would be back he didn't and came in at 2am after a bux party. I wasn't annoyed at the time just that... View more

I had a night of feeling angry as I was coming off an anti depressant, drinking and Waa at his place alone. I thought he would of texted what time he would be back he didn't and came in at 2am after a bux party. I wasn't annoyed at the time just that he didn't tell me, I was feeling so emotional and disclosed how I felt. I thought we sorted it out he was physical with me and then few days after with silent treatment broke up with me. I feel devastated and so guilty for how I was. I just can't get the guilt out of my mind and how I have ruined another relationship in exactly the same way.

Mr K Utterly unmotivated, don't know how to break out of the rut I'm in.
  • replies: 3

I'm reluctant to write this but if I get even the slightest help, I'll thank myself later. I've spent so much time stuck in a rut that I've lost all ability to plan or organise anything to do with my time. I leave everything up to other people which ... View more

I'm reluctant to write this but if I get even the slightest help, I'll thank myself later. I've spent so much time stuck in a rut that I've lost all ability to plan or organise anything to do with my time. I leave everything up to other people which I know is frustrating and although I'm happy to tag along I feel overwhelmed anytime I'm asked what I want to do. I have no hobbies or interests, I can't finish movies and I just feel like life is passing me by constantly. I hate not having anything to talk about and I view myself as boring. The worst thing is I find the boredom utterly draining which seems to be sapping me of any energy I have left. Any and all suggestions welcome, please.

_teve68_ Feeling Better, give it a try.
  • replies: 1

Hi again to post number three. So after loosing my job as an electrical supervisor and struggling to make sense of the way in which I was dismissed. I spent six months on the couch sleeping, but I knew I had to provide for my family so I did a traini... View more

Hi again to post number three. So after loosing my job as an electrical supervisor and struggling to make sense of the way in which I was dismissed. I spent six months on the couch sleeping, but I knew I had to provide for my family so I did a training course for traffic control. So the last three weeks I've been doing traffic control on some of Melbourne's level crossing removal project. It has been a positive experience but at the same time feeling like a very temporary job, not matching my skill set, but feeling appreciated again has made me feel a bit better. But after doing a twelve hour shift on Saturday, I walked in the front door dressed in my high vis clothes to have my mother in law laugh out loud the second she laid eyes on me. She then said the washing needs bringing in and it was my job as I was now the house wife because I lost my high paying job, and now her daughter has to start working after not working for 20 years. Both these people destroy me with there toxic comments. I chose this stepping stone job to reset my career, and put a little money back into the bank account. So here comes the self hate again, the belief that I am not good enough.! I just deleted all my dark thoughts because this time I want to share the positives. it was good to get out and work. it was good to get out and socialise. it was good to get out in the fresh air. it was good to get out of the house, it was good to get out and have a laugh. These people that control traffic across Melbourne's intersections and train crossings are a special breed. They (we) are abused all day long by the general public who can't join the dots...that the traffic people are only there to guide and keep people safe and are not part of what ever the project might be. Traffic control are a third party bought in to help with the control of hazards that arise from project work. But here is the kicker, these people laugh and have a good time doing there job. I have had more abuse yelled at me then ever before in my life, but it is like water of a ducks back and sometimes really funny. So if like me you are struggling to return to work, maybe think outside the box just try something anything it might be the first step in a new road to recovery. Try it you might like it ! it doesn't have to be permanent, maybe just a short journey. Steve- King of the STOP-SLOW batten.

Grace12 Can't stop supporting a family member
  • replies: 3

After re-reading my earlier posts from 2018 and 2020 I realise how stuck I am, that I haven't moved on at all. I have a close family member who depends on me for advice, psychological support and money and I can't refuse him. This has gone on for dec... View more

After re-reading my earlier posts from 2018 and 2020 I realise how stuck I am, that I haven't moved on at all. I have a close family member who depends on me for advice, psychological support and money and I can't refuse him. This has gone on for decades. He can only do casual work because of his disability and always needs money although he doesn't ask for it, just says he is struggling at the moment and then I offer to help out. I help him write documents and I take on his worries, am very involved in his family problems, let him vent and try to offer solutions or at least some understanding and support. I am far too involved in his life but don't know how to stop this as I worry about him, although on the other hand I do realise it would be better for him if he could solve his own problems. How can I set some boundaries without upsetting him?

Bededio Depression
  • replies: 2

I don’t want to be alive anymore. Nothing is enjoyable anymore. I have no kids or partner. I drink too much which doesn’t help. I don’t see a reason to go on

I don’t want to be alive anymore. Nothing is enjoyable anymore. I have no kids or partner. I drink too much which doesn’t help. I don’t see a reason to go on

Ijustneedhelp Is this depression or something else?
  • replies: 3

I cannot find the motivation to do anything other than gaming....and even that is becoming dull and a chore. I just don't care. About anything. Dont care about hiuse chores, my job which I really hate it's so incredibly mind numbing and I feel like I... View more

I cannot find the motivation to do anything other than gaming....and even that is becoming dull and a chore. I just don't care. About anything. Dont care about hiuse chores, my job which I really hate it's so incredibly mind numbing and I feel like I waste my time there. I feel so much anger too. Towards my life, past present and future I just feel anger when thinking about them. I don't know what this is but I posted it in depression just in case it is that? I'm unsure.

Guest_1573 So Upset About Foster Dog
  • replies: 9

I fostered a dog three weeks ago. I was told she was a bit boisterous but other than that she was great on lead etc. I was promised training, food, crate, halter etc...none of which was forthcoming. She finally was desexed and vaccinated one week ago... View more

I fostered a dog three weeks ago. I was told she was a bit boisterous but other than that she was great on lead etc. I was promised training, food, crate, halter etc...none of which was forthcoming. She finally was desexed and vaccinated one week ago. She popped her stitches Wednesday and had to go back to vet to be restitched. Again I rang the organisation and stated how upset I was about what had happened and how I needed help with her. Again they promised to bring some stuff around to calm her down. Never happened. Since then I have been injured (all by accident) due to her behaviours. She has peed on my son's bed and in the car. She has destroyed books and remote controls. I have tried to take her for walks and she hurt my shoulder. I am so distressed. I never would have taken her if they had been honest with me. Now she loves us and she has to go on Tuesday as I simply cannot stand it anymore. I rang lifeline to discuss as I feel like such a horrible person.