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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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Dog_mum_52 Really struggling
  • replies: 3

Hi all In the past few months I've been feeling very depressed, and the last few weeks have been a real struggle. I have nothing to really complain about - I have a loving and supportive partner, a great family, two beautiful dogs, a good stable job ... View more

Hi all In the past few months I've been feeling very depressed, and the last few weeks have been a real struggle. I have nothing to really complain about - I have a loving and supportive partner, a great family, two beautiful dogs, a good stable job and a solid group of friends, yet every day feels like so much effort and like I'll never feel happy again. I've seen my GP , a psychologist and psychiatrist and mixed up my antidepressants, but am losing hope that anything will ever get better. I can't keep going like this- does anyone have any stories of hope to get me through? Unsure what I wanted out of this post, just needed to put down how I feel

white knight Clear the road- I’m on my way
  • replies: 9

Recently I wrote two articles that at the time I didn’t know they would be a sequel. “The snowball effect” was about how energy in a forum like this can gather strength and accelerate in its positivity. The second one was “Do we expect a smooth road ... View more

Recently I wrote two articles that at the time I didn’t know they would be a sequel. “The snowball effect” was about how energy in a forum like this can gather strength and accelerate in its positivity. The second one was “Do we expect a smooth road in life” depicts our basic expectations of a life free of any mental illness. We all have a journey whether we know it or not, recognise it or not. That journey, a road of twists and turns “Y” intersections or multiple intersections- can be a fragile one. One major slip in our decision making or an unsuspecting thump from a runaway vehicle (depression truck) and we fall flat on our faces. Let me digress here. Kathy Watt Australia’s gold medallist in cycling was asked after her race how she won it. Her reply- “my coach told me to get to the front and just as I start to feel comfortable…add another 10% effort…then just as I relax a little…add another 10%. These 10% added effort you don’t think is there but it is. No one could catch me.” We often refer to situations with our struggles as if we are on the bottom of our challenges and often we are. But there are days, hours, that we feel better. During these times, we are at an intersection, to the left is “go back to bed” and to the right is “don’t go back to bed”. We all know how hard that is but that snowball of recovery even short term recovery like a few hours wont happen if we take the easier route and turn left! By turning right we might- take the garbage out and during that short time you might realise how warm and inviting the sun is, meet the mail delivery person, see a daisy flower in bloom, realise your dog is staring at you for a walk lead in mouth…so that snowball has commenced all because you turned right.. As that snowball gathers momentum with each right turn your journey is no longer a plodding walk but turns into a brisk walk. You begin to get the feeling you are beating the black dog. If and when you think you are at this point then your choices are so important. There is a fighter inside us so much so some of us have never seen it. If those that think they haven't got a fighter inside them then what would you do if a dog bit you and held on? You'd find the fighter So that choice in your journey comes when you approach that new intersection. Left is "back 3 spaces" and right is "I'm going to fight like hell". Turn right on recovery road and do your best..then keep adding 10%. The black dog wont catch you!... Tony WK

Guest_1584 When depression isn't the illness, it's just life ?
  • replies: 250

Hi BB. l hope a separate thread for this topic is ok as it is a big topic and if anyone else would like or need to talk about their situation to and how they're handling things or anything at all please feel free. ldk where to begin but l suppose thi... View more

Hi BB. l hope a separate thread for this topic is ok as it is a big topic and if anyone else would like or need to talk about their situation to and how they're handling things or anything at all please feel free. ldk where to begin but l suppose this time it really starts from my divorce about 9yrs ago. l've never really had as far as l know the actually illness of depression, it's usually been from a life period itself. l did try meds yrs ago but didn't like them. And at this stage, it is again just life itself. After divorce l wanted to be alone and work through things 4yrs or so but later l started trying to feel like life again.l started getting back into my few hobbies, and walked or jogged and getting out and about.Later managed to buy this house to stay close to my daughter and l met gf l've been with last over 3yrs now.lt's been mostly beautiful earlier, a few bumps but they ironed out. Later some serious legal drama she'd had got worse and she had to go interstate up home for them and we've been apart mostly16mths since. Future us wise, not so sure right now as she still has ongoing problems needs another 6mths and also depression and anxiety herself. Well these days l just work on the house and outside a bit which l enjoy usually, forced right now though like everything. Do 1 or 2 hobbies, forced, get out most days to somewhere that l do like, l like driving my car and just getting out and about, but tbh, l don't feel like doing anything else,usually in bed very early, just pc ,too much, use to love movies but don't feel like them or tv. Still don't have any friends here, 5yrs, although l can't be bothered with many people one or two would be nice. Haven't worked at all this yr yet but l'll probably be going back for a few mths soon. l have a simple at home business not great money but covers house repayments and living, save a little bit. Great hrs though when l do work and leaves me lots of time which l like. Things is, later side of mid 50s now, gf and l looking pretty unlikely, the rest, this is just not where l pictured being and tbh, l just don't feel like doing anything, bed 24 7 would suit me right now no problem. About the only thing l do enjoy unforced is seeing my d or getting out for a drive about. l am depressed, l hate where l'm at in life and l wouldn't have believed it 10yrs ago, with zero interest or mojo for anything really, just feel sad. rx

alexis123 she was my greatest comfort in the loneliest of times
  • replies: 3

my childhood cat has just passed away and i’ve never felt such sadness and grief, she was like the only one who truly understood me, we understood each other even though we didn’t speak each others language, she calmed and helped me with my anxiety a... View more

my childhood cat has just passed away and i’ve never felt such sadness and grief, she was like the only one who truly understood me, we understood each other even though we didn’t speak each others language, she calmed and helped me with my anxiety and depression down so much, whenever things were really bad for me she would just pop up sit on my chest and purr and look at me like she knew everything would be okay, she was my greatest comfort in the loneliest of times and gave me a purpose to still be here, I’m feeling lost without her, I hope I see her soon someday, any tips of grief for loved pets, I know a lot of people go through worse, i’ve just always been so close with her. I’ll love her forever x

mickmook I need some help and advise - Depressed, lost, aimless, bored
  • replies: 1

Hi,I'm at a bit of a loss with what to do with myself and my situation. Unfortunately I feel really lost and unfulfilled in my life. I feel like I have made some missteps and have gotten myself stuck in a place I don't enjoy.Some background; I am a n... View more

Hi,I'm at a bit of a loss with what to do with myself and my situation. Unfortunately I feel really lost and unfulfilled in my life. I feel like I have made some missteps and have gotten myself stuck in a place I don't enjoy.Some background; I am a near 40yo male with a wife and a 6 year old daughter. I work in IT as a Business Analyst and have been in this career for about a decade. For the past few years I have felt really lost, I attribute it most to work but I don't know if this is the whole reason. I had a couple of challenges over the past 6 or 7 years wrt work; company lost contract so made redundant, let go after probation because I stood up for myself, burned out from high expectations and being unable to properly stand up for myself because of fear (from previous instance of being let go for it), and now being in a role I am somewhat new to the domain and have little to no support with the prospect of a huge amount of tedious unfulfilling work ahead of me because of the lack of handover/support. I just feel stuck, like I've stumbled down endless dark corridors and ended up at a dead end. And I feel really ashamed of started a new job having felt so bad about the previous couple, and then still feeling like I've made another mistake. At home I feel like my wife and I have drifted apart. We are rarely intimate and she's become more of a workaholic than before. When I'm home, I'm bored, when I'm at work I'm bored, frustrated and unfulfilled. In the past few years I think I have blamed myself for a lot of these things. I used to be more confident but also probably pushed blame for my frustrations onto other things or people. But I cant help but think me thinking I am the problem, is actually causing me to be my own worst enemy. At least when I had other things that were a cause of my frustrations I feel I could take steps to change things, or at least didn't feel so awful about being the source of all my perceived problems. I don't know how to move forward. I don't know if I should try looking for another job even though I've just moved to this one. I have been trying to re ignite my relationship with my wife but I think my constant down mood has made her feel bad too and we both appear to have no energy to engage meaningfully with one another. I guess I'm after some thoughts, advice, experiences similar and how you got out of it. Thanks

Debussy I have lost my identity and purpose
  • replies: 2

I am tired of a cyclical life that I have been on now for nearly 10 years. I am a 51 year old female and was diagnosed with bipolar when I was 26. I am a music teacher and singing teacher. I had a daughter at 17, got a music degree at university, mar... View more

I am tired of a cyclical life that I have been on now for nearly 10 years. I am a 51 year old female and was diagnosed with bipolar when I was 26. I am a music teacher and singing teacher. I had a daughter at 17, got a music degree at university, married at 25 and my husband left after a year. I haven't really had a long relationship since. Had a very successful career and personal professional perfomance opportunities. I was known as a talented performer and teacher. I had good friends who valued my company and thought I was funny. Unfortunately I made the mistake of letting my work know I had bipolar and they denied me any career trajectory because of this. It reached a point where I suppose I had a breakdown at school. Was hospitalised and took a year off work and eventually resigned. Have had blocks of work since but nothing permanent. I have always struggled with rejection and failure. I have a supportive family but they have never really understood me. I have a very close relationship with my daughter but worry that I depend on her too much these days. Worst of all is I have had long periods of depression for the last 10 years. I isolate, find no joy in anything and can't really do much. Terribly sad and hopeless thoughts are a regular occurence. I feel I have lost my sense of self identity. What ties me to this earth is knowing the pain my daughter would suffer and not seeing my grand daughter grow.

Shadree A crisis of faith and an added sub-level of despair.
  • replies: 13

TLDR: Jehovah's Witness threatened with disfellowshipping (being kicked out). I have a chance to appeal it but feel too disheartened to do so due to lack of support. Don't know who to turn to.I'm a Jehovah's Witness. I have been baptised for over 20 ... View more

TLDR: Jehovah's Witness threatened with disfellowshipping (being kicked out). I have a chance to appeal it but feel too disheartened to do so due to lack of support. Don't know who to turn to.I'm a Jehovah's Witness. I have been baptised for over 20 years and was raised in the religion.Last December, I went through a breakdown of sorts. I had been reflecting on my time as a witness and felt that my time and effort in my service throughout my life had been unrewarding. This, coupled with my chronic depression and troubles at home made for a very dark time in my life. I have been taking anti-depressants (mainly for my stomach issues) and have been seeing a therapist (but not long enough to make significant progress). When I went to the elders, they seemed eager to help. However, when I said I had a problem that I wasn't ready to deal with yet, they insisted. Ever since, they've focused in on that specific problem and not given me the support I asked for. Cut to a year later and because I haven't fully overcome my problem, they said they were going to disfellowship me. I had 7 days to write an appeal. After a couple of days, I managed to get my thoughts on paper but they are just full of hurt feelings and desperate pleas. I asked a friend to go over it and on the brief glance my brain allowed me to take, seemed to need a more lawyer-styled approach. She said "What is your key purpose for writing this appeal?1) To have the brothers reverse their decision?2) To express your own perspective, feelings and position clearly, with minimal compromise/apology/appeasement, even at the risk of disfellowship?" I feel like a) the letter won't change their minds regardless and b) even if it did, they seem adamant about not providing the help I want. I don't have any close friends to ask about this within that community and the sensitive nature of my problem prevents me from approaching anyone else. Any advice on what to do that doesn't just involve disparaging remarks about JWs or hopes and prayer would be appreciated.

H45H Support Buddies
  • replies: 3

Hi,I’m currently struggling with depression.I’m burnt out from pushing career and not living the kind of life that would actually make me happy. my support group is weak. Some acquaintances but nobody I could really call a good friend that can help w... View more

Hi,I’m currently struggling with depression.I’m burnt out from pushing career and not living the kind of life that would actually make me happy. my support group is weak. Some acquaintances but nobody I could really call a good friend that can help with this. I’m hoping to connect with people. Talk and help each other.

smile14 Need some advice
  • replies: 2

Hi, I’m 21 and have been struggling with depression for a year now. No one in my family or friends seem to understand what it is like and I feel like more of a burden when I tell them what’s going on cause they stress about it and change how they act... View more

Hi, I’m 21 and have been struggling with depression for a year now. No one in my family or friends seem to understand what it is like and I feel like more of a burden when I tell them what’s going on cause they stress about it and change how they act around me. I don’t feel I have anyone to talk to. I don’t always feel suicidal but sometimes I just don’t want to be able to think or feel so I take pills to put me to sleep. I don’t want to do that anymore and I just want to feel that my life is worth living. Any suggestions on how to feel a little more happy - please don’t tell me to go for a run cause I can hardly get out of bed. Thanks

42 lady Medication not helping
  • replies: 4

After more than 20 years on and off various antidepressants I have to face the reality-they no longer help, they make me feel worse. I am giving up. If I have 'treatment resistant-depression' it is because the medications have failed, not me, but it ... View more

After more than 20 years on and off various antidepressants I have to face the reality-they no longer help, they make me feel worse. I am giving up. If I have 'treatment resistant-depression' it is because the medications have failed, not me, but it feels like I have failed, just another thing to feel hopeless about.