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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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Lady_Phoenix Rejecting support and feeling alone
  • replies: 2

Hi there, i suffer from generalised anxiety disorder as well as mild depression. Recently I have found myself saying no to any suggestions that is thrown at me and I want to find strategies to stop that, because it is hurting loves ones I cherish. A ... View more

Hi there, i suffer from generalised anxiety disorder as well as mild depression. Recently I have found myself saying no to any suggestions that is thrown at me and I want to find strategies to stop that, because it is hurting loves ones I cherish. A lot has happened in my life from upset and broken families, to an unhappy job, grief, worrying about friends, finances many things. I just want some help from people that have maybe been where I’m at and have seen the lifhr through the darkness. I want to be a happy and stronger me, not pushing away people that are trying to help. Anything is greatly appreciated.

Unbeliever "Who" would I be without the "darkness"?
  • replies: 4

I have often wondered what I would be like as a person, who I would become... if the "darkness" was completely removed from me. If one day it just vanished, what exactly would be left? Since I have lived with it so long. It has resulted in many aspec... View more

I have often wondered what I would be like as a person, who I would become... if the "darkness" was completely removed from me. If one day it just vanished, what exactly would be left? Since I have lived with it so long. It has resulted in many aspects of my personality, not all of which are negative things... in fact some of them are the best characteristics of my character. For example, my time spent alone thinking and introspectively searching has resulted in a great understanding of myself, how and why I think the way I do and my beliefs. It has also given me a powerful connection and understanding of my emotions (to a degree that not only men, but most women I have met cannot reach). I am highly empathetic to the suffering of others and driven to help when I can. I am able to view things easily from other peoples perspectives. I am consciously aware of many problems that people around the world are dealing with and driven to understand and find solutions or ways I can actively not contribute to them getting worse. It has driven things such as the types of organisations I have volunteered for in the past. It can also be argued that it has likely increased my intelligence, made me more articulate and able to communicate my thoughts and emotions with others much more easily. Also it has given me a deep understanding of many issues happening at the moment that the majority of "normal" people are ignorant of because they are too afraid to look into "the dark". People in my life have learned without question that when things get bad, the worse they become... that I am the person to come to for help and as a consequence I have helped many of the people I care about through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Sometimes they talk to me because I am literally the only person they know that could possibly understand how they feel and what they are going through. They also consider me more moral, more honest and more capable of giving opinions without biasm than the other people in their lives. They seem to respect my point of view because I try to be as "realistic" as possible.

Stillme Bipolar roundabouts
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I feel I am becoming more depressed atm from not working, yet my energy & moods levels are too inconsistent to seek a new job and also look after my children. I quit my professional job early last year during mania (unknown to me what it was ... View more

Hi all, I feel I am becoming more depressed atm from not working, yet my energy & moods levels are too inconsistent to seek a new job and also look after my children. I quit my professional job early last year during mania (unknown to me what it was at the time). So I find myself nearly 43 with 2 kids and medications not working/tolerable and I haven't been able to get back to where I was 18 months ago, before this severe mania swept everything from under me (& the following depression). I honestly don't know if I have the energy & strength to find another job/career/life, I've had to pick myself up before and this time feels so hard. I know I'll get through this as I've been depressed before, but I still feel like a shell of myself when I'm not low. I've lost my self-confidence. I feel like I've lost my capacity to use my intelligence. I'm trying to study again to be proactive and at least try to make future head roads into something but I honestly just want to be a recluse and buy a block in the bush somewhere and disappear. Stigma is really harsh too, lack of followup/care from my previous workplace (although it was in the health education industry?!). Probably the hardest thing though, has been my family, they've been too scared to talk about it, only my mum has tried. If I had had breast cancer or something, I'm sure they would have tried talking or being there, but nothing really. It's really confused me, I didn't expect it from my family and it's really affected my will, my worthiness or lack of. It's been the hardest factor actually. Presently, I don't want to trek to the countryside to see my parents/family, I just feel too forgotten to try. I feel like well, if you didn't try to understand or help last year, in what was one of the hardest year of my life, you missed out on getting to know me & you can't know me at all now, I feel like I've pulled away from them all, indefinitely. I know that's not healthy long term but I just don't want to go and 'hang out' with them if they don't get me or want to try. I feel so distant from family love after this last 18 months, it's not something I needed on top of the mental instability and I didn't expect it. They're a loving family but they just aren't great emotional talkers or good with mental health it seems. Thanks for listening x

Callumm Depressed
  • replies: 2

hey everyone, I'm feeling really depressed atm, I can't seem to get my head out of it. alittle about me - I'm single 36 and live alone, I'm also estranged from family and all my friends are on Facebook, none offline. So I'm isolated and need to talk ... View more

hey everyone, I'm feeling really depressed atm, I can't seem to get my head out of it. alittle about me - I'm single 36 and live alone, I'm also estranged from family and all my friends are on Facebook, none offline. So I'm isolated and need to talk to people that understand how I'm feeling.

Corrinne Treatment resistant depression
  • replies: 2

I am at the stage where it feels like none of the meds work anymore. Have been on anti-dep meds for 30 years. Have recently had some improvement and took steps to try to re-engage with life. The positive change has not been sustained. How does one ge... View more

I am at the stage where it feels like none of the meds work anymore. Have been on anti-dep meds for 30 years. Have recently had some improvement and took steps to try to re-engage with life. The positive change has not been sustained. How does one get through the day and try to connect with life when your mood is very low? My natural inclination is to just lie on my bed

Noidea1234 Tired of my husband
  • replies: 4

I am 27 years old, just had a baby now 9 weeks postnatal. Husband want sex and i dont feel interested. So now since im not working im still a student will work part time when ill resume studies, he said he pays rent and feed me and im giving him noth... View more

I am 27 years old, just had a baby now 9 weeks postnatal. Husband want sex and i dont feel interested. So now since im not working im still a student will work part time when ill resume studies, he said he pays rent and feed me and im giving him nothing. His yelling at me while i was breatfeeding wanting his ring back. I feel tired, depress im gaving headache. I dont know what to do with life anymore. I need to know if im in fault. He said his going to cheat.

Jay86 Health professionals who bulk bill...
  • replies: 2

Ok so ive been in a bad space for a while. Ive been self medicating with benzos and booze but i really would like to speak with a professional. Trouble is my gp gives me referrals for professionals who charge $80 per session. I dont have private heal... View more

Ok so ive been in a bad space for a while. Ive been self medicating with benzos and booze but i really would like to speak with a professional. Trouble is my gp gives me referrals for professionals who charge $80 per session. I dont have private health and im supposed to be saving for a wedding....if i actually get there. Can anyone give me any advice. Located Perth

Wild_ Strategies needed for moving cities.
  • replies: 2

Hi all, Firstly, its nice to be back here on the Online Forums. As soon as I logged in, I felt supported. It's a bit of a long story, but I'll try and shorted it for you. For the past two years, I lived in another country. I'm now back in my home tow... View more

Hi all, Firstly, its nice to be back here on the Online Forums. As soon as I logged in, I felt supported. It's a bit of a long story, but I'll try and shorted it for you. For the past two years, I lived in another country. I'm now back in my home town. I moved overseas for work, and while it was good at the beginning, it turned out to be a toxic workplace with bullying bosses and colleagues. I slipped into a huge depression when I was over there, to the point that I took 6 months off to travel and clear my head. Now I'm back in my home town, the job search is on and it's getting to me. I worked in a very particular field, where people get very emotionally-charged with every meeting, and I'm facing a situation where people are asking me when I'm returning to 'The Dream Job.' To me, it was very shiny from the outside, but once you get into it, its a lot of hard, dirty work with a lot of competition and difficult people. I've returned to my home town where it seems that my network has shrunk considerably. I have a boyfriend here who is amazing, but he's new to this city so as a result, doesn't have any networks here either. I'm feeling friendless and I'm sleeping a lot (which is a big sign for me). It seems like a bit of rambling, but I guess I'm looking for a bit of a helping hand so I can get to the next stage without falling into a depression again. I can feel one lingering around, but so far it has only been patches of a few hours that are bad, and they're no where near as bad as last year's days. Any strategies out there for moving to a new place? I'm not a very good socialiser as it is, so 'going and making friends' is not really possible for me. Happy to hear any words of positivity and/or suggestions and/or support. Wild.

Bella888 I'm so confused about depression
  • replies: 3

My mental health has been declining steadily for a few months. Ive never felt like this before in my life. I was prescribed medication but it made me so ill. Its like I'm not here at all, I've just disappeared and no one even noticed. Its strange. I ... View more

My mental health has been declining steadily for a few months. Ive never felt like this before in my life. I was prescribed medication but it made me so ill. Its like I'm not here at all, I've just disappeared and no one even noticed. Its strange. I get a long ok, and then i have a massive meltdown and cry for hours and just want anyone to help me but no one is ever around. When ever I see the psych I'm having a good day, as I can never get in when I'm having a bad day. No one ever sees my bad days and it makes me feel like I'm making it up. Does this happen to anyone else?

Brokenmind How do I explain it when I don't know?
  • replies: 7

I've been struggling with depression for 5 years. Almost two years ago I had a major breakdown which ended in a hospitalization. Since then my parents have kept tabs on me. Particularly my mum. I went to therapy for a while as per the hospitals recom... View more

I've been struggling with depression for 5 years. Almost two years ago I had a major breakdown which ended in a hospitalization. Since then my parents have kept tabs on me. Particularly my mum. I went to therapy for a while as per the hospitals recommendation and the wishes of my parents. My issue is that both my parents and my therapist are always asking what I'm thinking or if I'm ok. Or they're asking if there is anything that I want to talk about. I know that they're being supportive but it stresses me out. How am I supposed to explain my mind to people if I can't even make sense of it myself? It's become easier to pretend I'm ok to stop the questions. As a result my therapist has suggested we stop appointments and my parents haven't been asking questions as much. I know that I want and need help because everything is too much. But I can't verbalise anything. I'm noticing that my behaviour and thoughts are in the same place as before my breakdown but as last time I'm too nervous to seek help. I feel like because I can't explain my thoughts and emotions clearly that they won't understand. Any advice or help on how to explain your head to others when you can barely make sense of it yourself.?