Mental health conditions

Anxiety and depression aren’t the only mental health conditions. Share what’s affecting you and learn more about managing your mental health.

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Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with anxiety.

Guest_9960 My anxiety might be risking my access to support services
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I’m currently trying to coordinate access to inpatient care, but I haven’t had to do this on my own before. Ive been working with my GP, but realising I just don’t know all the questions I should be asking him or any other services I’m speaking with.... View more

I’m currently trying to coordinate access to inpatient care, but I haven’t had to do this on my own before. Ive been working with my GP, but realising I just don’t know all the questions I should be asking him or any other services I’m speaking with. I’ve also called intake coordinators at private facilities to try and understand why the process is delayed and what other options exist. Each time I call I was provided a tidbit of useful and new information, but also I noted that the humans on the end of the line were understandably struggling with my persistent calls. Today when I tried to call I recieved an automated message, which led me to believe I’m on a DNA list. I’ve been feeling really anxious about ensuring I coordinate this process to the best of my ability to access the care I need, but today I think I got a bit manic and risked my chances with my preferred provider. I have been respectful and courteous, and have not taken out my frustrations on those I’ve spoken to but still I feel like I was harassing them and felt a lot of shame for trying my best to get myself care. Has anyone else who’s had to do this type of thing alone felt/ experienced similar? Did it ultimately impact your service access? I’m scared I’ve ruined my chances, so have reached out to a pathways service to help me navigate from here moving forward.

Ranga-1 Anxiety about family
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Hello, everyone. For the past few years, my life has been incredibly stressful. My husband has had less than optimum health for a long time, but the past 18 months have been particularly difficult. He almost died about 18 months ago and since then it... View more

Hello, everyone. For the past few years, my life has been incredibly stressful. My husband has had less than optimum health for a long time, but the past 18 months have been particularly difficult. He almost died about 18 months ago and since then it's been one thing after the other (mainly stemming from the major medical episode). He can't work and this upsets him. I have to work and am finalising my degree (which I'm very happy about achieving). The main thing I'm worrying about at the moment is our 19yo son. He's resumed studies but has to attend the institution in another town two days a week, and it's difficult to motivate him. He does not drive owing to a medical condition and he had a minor medical episode a few weeks ago (he is now taking better care of himself, which is great). I worry for his mental health, too. I told him we support him on this journey and to talk to us if he needs to. He and I have a good relationship, so I'm grateful for that. We're in a rural town with no opportunity for what my son is interested in, so I'm helping him with getting ready to move to the 'Big Smoke', which I think will be good for him. I've ordered a book targeted towards young adults in their transition from living at home. I'm so worried all the time. I am a catastrophiser, which doesn't help me. I hate this fear and it's making it hard for me to concentrate on my studies. The stress has been ongoing for months. Has anyone else been through similar?

Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

StephenP12 Struggling with some proper strong mood swings
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Yeah just really having some strong, fairly major mood swings. Which are starting to yeah I guess worry and definitely faze me. Too much Call Of Duty to borrow that word faze aha recently, anyway yeah that is hard to deal with. Anyone got good distra... View more

Yeah just really having some strong, fairly major mood swings. Which are starting to yeah I guess worry and definitely faze me. Too much Call Of Duty to borrow that word faze aha recently, anyway yeah that is hard to deal with. Anyone got good distractions in terms of music/podcasts even for example, just in general. Sometimes can push through it in fact kind of often, but not at the moment

string_cheese big feelings feeling big!
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Hi BBers, Tonight I am feeling lots of big feelings. I have changed medication recently, so that is probably why. But also, stuff happening in my relationships, family, work life and friendships. I am not great at actually feeling my feelings, or exp... View more

Hi BBers, Tonight I am feeling lots of big feelings. I have changed medication recently, so that is probably why. But also, stuff happening in my relationships, family, work life and friendships. I am not great at actually feeling my feelings, or expressing them. It scares me. My brain starts telling me I am stupid. It is like I don't trust myself. Looking for advice and reassurance?

beezandhoney Sister struggles with depression/ suicidal ideation
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hello this is my first time posting in a forum like this, but I’m just trying to look for some answers.my older sister is constantly talking about how much she hates her life and how everything in her life gives her a pit in her stomach. like the sui... View more

hello this is my first time posting in a forum like this, but I’m just trying to look for some answers.my older sister is constantly talking about how much she hates her life and how everything in her life gives her a pit in her stomach. like the suicidal ideation is just always lingering in her mind. She talks about how she hates this society and how people function in it, (city life) and I agree with her honestly, but it’s the horrid feeling she’s fighting with everyday and I just feel hopeless, like I don’t know what to do next. she mentions how medication messes with her and makes her feel worse so im afraid to suggest she goes back on that again. Years of seeing psychiatrists just isn’t working for her so im not sure what else to suggest. My family and I offer her our support constantly, but it’s not enough, I feel. If there’s anyone out there who knows exactly what my sister is going through and is able to offer some advice/support, that would be very much appreciated. Sorry this got so long haha

PTSD and trauma

A space for discussing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), domestic abuse, sexual abuse and other trauma. Please note some content may be distressing.

emiliam Anxiety
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I have bad anxiety and I constantly have like a knot in my stomach, everything is magnified 100 per cent and I am in a constant state of worry it's affecting my sleep terribly does this sound familiar to anyone?

I have bad anxiety and I constantly have like a knot in my stomach, everything is magnified 100 per cent and I am in a constant state of worry it's affecting my sleep terribly does this sound familiar to anyone?

Loosing_faith What do I do now
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Hi all, I’m not sure this is the right topic group but here goes. Ive had diagnosed anxiety and depression for over a decade and 2 years ago I moved to rural NSW to start my dream job which I’m exceptionally good at. I’m 8 weeks post a major operatio... View more

Hi all, I’m not sure this is the right topic group but here goes. Ive had diagnosed anxiety and depression for over a decade and 2 years ago I moved to rural NSW to start my dream job which I’m exceptionally good at. I’m 8 weeks post a major operation and have just been cleared to work part time but come Friday I get an email saying I’ve been accused of various things at work and have to have a meeting about this. I’ve called the Union for assistance. My A&D has gone through the roof, I feel like I’m a total burden on my family as it is and also feel that I’m being railroaded by my workplace ( which is very toxic as it is ) I now feel that even if I win to prove my innocence that I’m in a loosing situation. i think I need to see someone professional about this and pretty soon to get the A&D under a bit of control before my mind explodes as it cannot turn it off.

momAndWife Is this common or its only me .......
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I am 33 years old married for 9 years and have 2 beautiful kids. I am experiencing so void in my married life. My husband is well educated and hard working guy. He loves his kids and can do anything for them as far as I know him. Its his behaviour wi... View more

I am 33 years old married for 9 years and have 2 beautiful kids. I am experiencing so void in my married life. My husband is well educated and hard working guy. He loves his kids and can do anything for them as far as I know him. Its his behaviour with me, he is always busy working or on call with his friends. He never touch me or hug me ( he touch me when we have sex) But like normally he never holds my hand or say anything that can show his affection towards me. I work full time mostly from home as my husband but we barely talk. He talk to his friends and family all day long on phone (not sure if this is normal). when ever we fight he accuse me of being possessive and say that I do not want him to go out even say so many mean things eg, "You are a Zero", "you do not have any friends", "you are brainless" , "you are not a good wife", "you do not like my family". But I never have a issue if he go out with his friends once in a week but my problem is he never ask me to go out with him we never went to a romantic dinner or just night out after we had kids. My whole day I work take care of kids , clean the house, make the meals and sleep ( once in a while we have sex). its not that we never had good time we do but now its like we are too busy earning money and saving money that there is no value for emotions. some time I feel like I do not want to live like that and just kill my self but then I think about my kids. sometime I cant breath thinking that one day my husband and I will get divorce. I have spend last 9 years totally dedicated towards my marriage and kids and I cant loose it. what should I do? is there anyone out there who can help me ?

Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

This space discusses suicide and self-harm. Consider limiting the time you spend here. To use the section safely, read the pinned discussion.

mcc Bipolar Disorder Low's Causing Dark Thoughts
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Hi and thank you to anyone who is reading this. I am 26 and I suffer from Bipolar 2. I was diagnosed almost 3 years ago and I don't cope any better now than I did back then. I am definitely self aware now and no where near as reckless and chaotic whe... View more

Hi and thank you to anyone who is reading this. I am 26 and I suffer from Bipolar 2. I was diagnosed almost 3 years ago and I don't cope any better now than I did back then. I am definitely self aware now and no where near as reckless and chaotic when I am in my highs but none have been as crazy as before I was diagnosed and medicated. My lows however are just as bad as they were the first time. I feel and think the worst and find it really hard to stay positive and I guess look for the light at the end of the tunnel. The thought of passing away is more ideal than it is scary. The best way to explain it would be that I dont care if I died. I know thats not the right way to feel but its so hard not to think that way and just know that it would stop all the pain and just crappy feeling. I struggle to let out how bad I am mentally because I dont want the people around me to look after me anymore than they already do (Mum, Friends and Girlfriend). I visit my therapist pretty much fortnightly which is a big help but even her I cant tell her how much I think negative thoughts. I am embarrassed that I do feel this way. I message lifeline in the night sometimes to just kind of let it all out when I cant which I do feel helps a bit and because I dont know who is on the other end I dont feel bad for putting all my stuff onto somebody else. I guess this is kinda what I am doing here. so thank you so much to anyone who does read this. I just really need help as to how to completly open up to my therapist and the ones who care about me and tell them how bad I really am doing. I just need help and feel helpless. Thanks and I am sorry if this doesnt make sense. M

Hannahmk Threatened/intimidated by me
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Anyone else just felt like every work place they have been in there's always been that one person that just doesn't act their pay grade and start acting up and drama with you for no reason... Even though you know your a good hard worker. I am friendl... View more

Anyone else just felt like every work place they have been in there's always been that one person that just doesn't act their pay grade and start acting up and drama with you for no reason... Even though you know your a good hard worker. I am friendly kind all of it really and always seem to deal with that one smug girl that just doesn't like me for whatever reason and I'm over it. I told myself next time I'm going to lose it completely next person that try's to act up on me again cause I'm done legit.

asdfvfdsa Support when feeling like i cannot return to work?
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ive been off work for almost 2 months after having a breakdown due to medication stopping working/ toxic work environment. i was becoming increasingly suicidal while at work until i got to a point where it was becoming a real possibility for the firs... View more

ive been off work for almost 2 months after having a breakdown due to medication stopping working/ toxic work environment. i was becoming increasingly suicidal while at work until i got to a point where it was becoming a real possibility for the first time in years. after a month or so of time off i started feeling a lot better again but now that its coming time to actually return to work due to not being able to afford food rent etc im back to exactly where i was. i cant seem to get any help from my gp or psychologist about it, keep being told that work usually helps when you are feeling depressed/suicidal as it can give you purpose despite me telling them time and time again that in my experience it does the total opposite. anyway what im asking is how can i try and access some kind of monetary mental health support without having a gp involved as this is the final straw for my faith in them. does such a thing even exist?