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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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protracted44 Partners
  • replies: 2

Hi- i am suffering from long term protracted withdrawal and this comes in waves and up and downs. I have the most loving supportive partner and really can find any support for them. Its great that we are supported but how can i make sure my partner i... View more

Hi- i am suffering from long term protracted withdrawal and this comes in waves and up and downs. I have the most loving supportive partner and really can find any support for them. Its great that we are supported but how can i make sure my partner is getting support so it doesnt get too much for them?

idk_what_to_put_here Why do I hate myself so much
  • replies: 3

you know the scariest thought to me is the fact i have to spend the rest of my life with myself. a person i couldnt hate any more a person i can even look at, talk about, think about and obiously be a part of. I hate everything about me EVERYTHING. a... View more

you know the scariest thought to me is the fact i have to spend the rest of my life with myself. a person i couldnt hate any more a person i can even look at, talk about, think about and obiously be a part of. I hate everything about me EVERYTHING. and i dont know what to do is so exhausting i jsut feel drained and hopeless and im nearing the point i just give up. how can i expect anyone else to love me let alone like me when i cant even like myself when im the one person in the whole world who really should. i just crave the feeling of happiness so much and i can never seem to get there no matter what i do. i jsut want to be normal. i jsut want to accpet myself and be able to live a somewhat decent life its so unfair why i did have to be stuck with myself and with these awful thoughts what did i do to deserve this. ive already wasted so much of my life i dont want to wast anymore. please i need help!

frankoceanisbae Am i real?
  • replies: 7

i hate the feeling of not feeling real.im in year 11 and next year will be my last year of school and honeslty it terrifies me. i have no idea what i want to do or achieve when im "older" like why am i here? what is my purpose? and i feel like i cant... View more

i hate the feeling of not feeling real.im in year 11 and next year will be my last year of school and honeslty it terrifies me. i have no idea what i want to do or achieve when im "older" like why am i here? what is my purpose? and i feel like i cant be sad becuase i have so many things to be greatful for, but deep down i'm not happy. its so hard to explain this feeling like its not numbness but im not happy. i think its the mood swings from being happy when im with friends then sad and upset when im in my room and alone.I dont want to ask my bestfriend for help becuase i know her life was so much tougher than mine and i dont want anyone feeling bad for me and saying sorry. my sister was diagnosed with depresssion ages ago and now is fine, so i feel like i cant ask for help becuase i dont want to end up like how my sister was.i get these random episodes of dissassociation quite frequently and when i snap out of it i feel so fake, its like gettting deja vu, it freaks me out and really makes me think like wtf just happened and then i get this wave of dissassosiation and it repeats. a never ending cycle.i just want to be happy and 'normal'

Coby_ Struggling with lack of motivation
  • replies: 5

Hi, over the past few years I have begun to struggle a lot with gaining motivation to do anything regardless of how big or small or taxing the task or activity is. I've started to reach the point where I no longer enjoy doing things I used to go out ... View more

Hi, over the past few years I have begun to struggle a lot with gaining motivation to do anything regardless of how big or small or taxing the task or activity is. I've started to reach the point where I no longer enjoy doing things I used to go out of my way to do, and spent a large chunk of my free time doing. I have goals and aspirations in life but I'm just never able to get up and work towards them or do the things I know I have to to achieve them. I'll occasionally have little bursts where I am up and about and do a few things here and there but that never lasts for long. I'm not sure if this is just a case of me being lazy as I've been told when I've tried to speak about it in the past or if anyone else has experienced it, so I'm not even really sure I'm looking in the right place for help but this is the only place I could think of outside of the people surrounding me. Never really had any issues in the past with mental health before this so maybe its something separate but any help or ideas would be appreciated, I'm really just sick of feeling this way and not seeing any way to escape the loop.

itsbyaxl i am having a big depressive episode and i need help
  • replies: 1

i was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when i was in my early teens and turned 18 just last year. i have been really struggling but recently it’s gotten very bad. i have drifted away from my high school friends so i currently don’t have any frie... View more

i was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when i was in my early teens and turned 18 just last year. i have been really struggling but recently it’s gotten very bad. i have drifted away from my high school friends so i currently don’t have any friends other than my boyfriend who i have been seeing for a few months. I want to be able to talk to someone about how i feel but my parents and i have a struggling relationship so it’s hard for me to talk to them about my feelings and i don’t want to feel like a burden to my boyfriend. i have a therapist but i haven’t been motivated enough to make a session with him and even if i did i already struggle opening up to him.i’ve just been stuck in my room for the past few month’s completely unmotivated to do anything. i’ve also been forgetting to take my meds or just missing them because i’ve been asleep. i occasionally have suicidal thoughts but no intention to act on them. and they pass by quickly. i cry almost daily. i want to talk to somone about this but. i just cant. showing my feelings is so hard for me. i just want to not feel sad anymore. i want to have some sort of goal in life but i’m completely lost

LVB Hello - I'm new!
  • replies: 7

Hello all. I'm hoping to be a part of the forum/s, as I'd like to be a part of some kind of circle of support. I'm female and over 60, and I've lived with depression since my 20's. I am a victim-survivor of childhood sexual abuse. No one, except a cl... View more

Hello all. I'm hoping to be a part of the forum/s, as I'd like to be a part of some kind of circle of support. I'm female and over 60, and I've lived with depression since my 20's. I am a victim-survivor of childhood sexual abuse. No one, except a close partner at one time in my 30's knew, because outwardly I present as competent and 'in charge' of myself.....that still continues today, though most of the time I'm a quivering mass inside! My last relationship ended 3 years ago, which broke my heart after 20 years being together. I do see a therapist, and I believe she has helped me to 'hang on' - and indeed, build on strengths. One thing I'm really missing though, is a social community who already know my stuff, my 'baggage', so I can just 'be'. I'd love to be able to support others too, and I know that is part of being a community - so maybe I can say 'Hello' again - it would be good to meet/talk with you!

Vitto I Don't Like Being Antisocial
  • replies: 3

I suffered with Social Anxiety all throughout my teens and 20s.It began very early into my High School years. I did not want to get on anybody's bad side, so I went into my shell and did not do much talking.I rarely spoke unless spoken to and had an ... View more

I suffered with Social Anxiety all throughout my teens and 20s.It began very early into my High School years. I did not want to get on anybody's bad side, so I went into my shell and did not do much talking.I rarely spoke unless spoken to and had an irrational discomfort sharing my like/dislikes fearing this would lead to ridicule. Obviously, this made it very hard to establish any sort of strong friendships.I had no real friends leaving school, which lead to bouts of loneliness and depression. I went to a GP for help and tried medication and therapy.Both worked, to an extent. I became less worried about what others thought of me.I got a job and joined a local sport club. I don't think Anxiety is an issue any more. However, I am depressed at my complete lack of social skills.Simply put - I don't know how to talk to people.I have nothing to say. I don't know what questions to ask. I've had friends for a couple of years now. They like and respect me for my character.I fear that they will eventually tire of my boring personality and inability to have a simple conversation.When one-on-one with someone I feel sorry for them, that I make it so awkward, having nothing to say.In a group, I sit with nothing to say. Conversation goes on around me, I think it would make little difference if I was there or not.When this happens I feel pathetic - I think I'd rather be alone, than feeling so useless.It is even worse with strangers.I feel I’ll never be able to have a romantic relationship, because I cannot communicate adequately, and that would frustrate a partner. I have always felt out of the loop.This may be because I am not big on Social Media.It's like everybody has the same interests and knows everything about everybody and everything, except me.Family/Friends have done a lot of travel - I have not.Family/Friends have the same list of restaurants they want to try - I have heard of none of them.This all makes it very hard to add to an ongoing conversation. I wish more than anything I could be more engaging.

JustanNPC How to stop feeling like my life is over?
  • replies: 2

Hi everybody. I've had depression for many years, and is currently at its worst. There's a underlying feeling of dread and despair, and it won't let up. When I turned 18 and the "training wheels" of high school came off, I became a recluse and my emo... View more

Hi everybody. I've had depression for many years, and is currently at its worst. There's a underlying feeling of dread and despair, and it won't let up. When I turned 18 and the "training wheels" of high school came off, I became a recluse and my emotional state has been low ever since. I feel like I missed my chance to live a fulfilling life by hiding from opportunities because it was too hard to face the world. I'm envious of those around me that took chances and found confidence through experience, and for a time I put them down (in my thoughts) to make myself feel better. I constantly compare what people have accomplished at what age to my own life and feel like a failure. I lacked the courage to ever try dating seriously and as a result do not have a partner. I see a psychologist, I take antidepressants, I have supportive parents. All I can feel despite this is a sense of loneliness and self loathing. Sorry to just dump all that info but I wanted to give some context for the question. If anybody has some advice I'd appreciate it.

Elephant86 Possibilities for work life balence
  • replies: 0

It is important to work and earn an income so you can support yourself and your family to make a better life for yourself but sometime we work so hard at the detrement to our health and wellbeing . I will talk about what are some ways you can look af... View more

It is important to work and earn an income so you can support yourself and your family to make a better life for yourself but sometime we work so hard at the detrement to our health and wellbeing . I will talk about what are some ways you can look after yourself so you can have a wonderful long lived career so you don't run yourself under ground to early in your career. when you think about it what do you really want out of life do you want to be over worked at the detrement to your health or do you want to strike a balence between your health and your work you can still work to your potential at work without destroying your health. We are programed to think that if I work and make a million dolars I will be happy and content. I beleive that you need to work to earn a living. I think you need to work to help your family and support the community. I think it is important to put family first and be there at your childs soccer game or your daughters dance resital. It is important to not let work consume your every waking moment. You must find ways to stay healthy and fit and strong for example finding and starting your exercise regimealways pick and exercise that fits in woth work and family commitments and make time to look after yourself so you can look after your family and live a long prosperous life so you are able to be there at your daughter or sons wedding to celebrate life and not to let lifes difficulties destroy you. I will share a personal experience to explain why it is important to have work life balence. Last year I had a bipolar episode and the doctor told me you are doing to many things at once you need to pick a few things and do it well you are more likely to be successful at a few things. There is the fable about the fox and the rabbit The fox decided well I will do six things and worked on them but didn't get anything right. Then there was the rabbit who said I want to grow a vegie patch so he toiled and focused on being a farmer and focused of his vegie patch and by spring he sold all his vegtables and was able to feed his family through the winter. There is a principle by Malcolm gladwell that states if you pick one thing and do it for 10 000 hour you will eventually become and expert. If you pick 5 things you will run out of time and you will be spread to thin and probably get sick like I did. This is the lesson I wish to pass on to you to hopfully make a difference There is the buddism law of eqinimity also known as balence to bring harmony

marc25 My problem
  • replies: 5

It’s been difficult time for many many years now, and I’m still trying to change myself. When I was very young I use to go to my uncle house. He has 4 step daughter that age between middle teen and their middle 20s, which i became very close with. I’... View more

It’s been difficult time for many many years now, and I’m still trying to change myself. When I was very young I use to go to my uncle house. He has 4 step daughter that age between middle teen and their middle 20s, which i became very close with. I’m innocent and very friendly back then and I like adventure, l love everyone. I don’t like to stay home because my mum was very strict, and being a child you always want to play or do anything outside . So I would sneak home to go out and play outside, even though the consequences would be harsh for me. I would play with my friends and always seek adventure and have fun. I’d stay with my uncle house and my cousins would spoil me with lollies and food and I love it. My aunt work full time and my uncle works overseas so I had my cousin all the time. I can not give the details here, but I had been molested at a very young age by those people I trust. I had a lot of bad experience because of my nature of being kind and friendly person at the very young age. And because of my bad experience, I’m so broken inside, I tried to be active go to church and everything but it’s seems it doesn’t work. Ad to this my porn addiction which I really hate so bad. I need help but I don’t believe someone will help me, I’m so sad and depressed. I don’t know how to fix myself and I scared to talk about this. Please help me