Mod. Notice Depressed? Anxious? Call Beyond Blue (1300 224636), Lifeline (131114), resources in OP

[Better Loosen Up]

What if we can't talk to someone about it

You can! I am tonight.

Once you make that decision to talk to someone, you will be amazed at how much it helps.

 

[KO_KO]

You can! I am tonight.

Once you make that decision to talk to someone, you will be amazed at how much it helps.

Agree, got to get it out there, first step to recovery

 

[Severe]

That is because a lot of people in Oz are all about ego, being tough, stiff upper lip and banter, and so admitting weakness is seen as a real problem....particularly in Oz..

It's like when I went out to dinner with friends and family, there isn't a lot of empathy there, it's just all about ego boosting, the whole time and ego does actually take people a long way so people live in that world because it works so well for them in their careers and is tied into confidence, status and humour as well...

You can't blame them for sticking to that world of existence because it works for them...

It's rare to meet people who are a bit more open minded then that though, in my experience...but they're out there..

It's rare to have a real a conversation about anything that doesn't involve banter or ego boosting..

It's also rare to have a proper two-way conversation where the other person actually listens and doesn't turn everything back to them...

How many times do you talk to someone and instead of talking about a subject, one person says something and the other just changed the subject to what they want right away, that's not a conversation, that's the life of "I"...and quite narcissistic..

It's very rare to talk about subject with someone that involves actual listening skills and that flows really well, it usually just gets flipped back and forth or goes directly into one upping each other..

If this is true it might be time to find preferred companions.

 

[hoianbulldog]

You can! I am tonight.

Once you make that decision to talk to someone, you will be amazed at how much it helps.

Not only how much it helps but how easy it is to keep talking. The first step is the hardest.

I've been on anti depressants for over 12 months and only recently started on meds for bi polar 2. Talking to my doctor now is very easy for me but the first time I discussed it was very difficult.

For anyone struggling and who hasn't spoken to their GP, take a deep breath, make an appointment and your world may well change of the better.

 

[Better Loosen Up]

Not only how much it helps but how easy it is to keep talking. The first step is the hardest.


I've been on anti depressants for over 12 months and only recently started on meds for bi polar 2. Talking to my doctor now is very easy for me but the first time I discussed it was very difficult.

For anyone struggling and who hasn't spoken to their GP, take a deep breath, make an appointment and your world may well change of the better.

Agreed. I'm currently undertaking weekly visits and at the moment, a week feels like an eternity.

I was recently introduced to the "Stop. Find." method and have found this to be the biggest help so far with my anxiety. I'm really surprised how well it works given how simple it is.

 

[Better Loosen Up]

Thanks mate

Hey mate. How are you travelling?

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

What if we can't talk to someone about it

Go to a GP. Get a referral to a counsellor. You'll be amazed how cathartic it is to offload to a non-judgemental, impartial professional.

Your loved ones can of course be an enormous source of support, but if your relationship with any of them is one of the factors contributing to your current state, that's when an impartial professional is just who you need.

 

[Ablett2Garland]

Good thread. Reaching out for help and talking about it is the best thing I ever did, after a lot of years of being ashamed to suffer both or be in denial about it.

 

[Chookaradley]

Why do you feel the way you do?. There must be a reason?. This is what family and friends would ask me. There doesnt have to be a reason. Its an illness.

All I wanted to do is close myself up in my room not speak to anyone, not even my wife and kids. My wife had even taken her wedding ring off, at her wits end, and I didnt even notice. Im proud to say with help ive turned things around, both physically and mentally. You just need to ask for help.

Great topic Wookie. Any forum that gives guys the opportunity to talk about this is priceless. Its potentially a lifesaving discussion.

 

[Punts]

Good thread

Takes time but see someone and never give up

Life is to short

 

[jedi mind tricks]

I was hoping to be eased off my medication now after feeling better on it. I got a reality check today on why it's important not to rush these things. My GP has been a great help and has been my voice of reasoning.

What I'm saying is it's important to seek the help you need. I put it off for too long and many months later I'm only just getting back to my best.

I'd also like to mention that if you have a loved one who needs support it's important to listen to them but don't think you need to fix their problems.

glad to be part of the bf community. Peace!!!

 

[kingkingston]

great thread, so many people struggle with mental issues and really, sometimes the 2 hours of football they get to see during the week is their happy place they feel they can get away from the struggles that they have. Unfortunately the football isn't 24/7 and some people just can't cope with some issues in life.

 

[Headless]

Note of deep appreciation for this thread. Thank you.

 

[Blue and Silver]

I've been an anxious person my whole life, although I didn't know what I had was anxiety. It just seemed like life to me.

After a bad break-up I got depressed, disaffected and suicidal.

It gets better. I know that sounds weird at times, untrue at times, but it does. Stick in there. Seek help, friends, family, GP, counselor, Headspace, Beyond Blue any of a hundred hotlines. A lot of these options are very confidential.

 

[Alesana]

I never knew what to expect when I sought help, I would've taken comfort in knowing how it would go. So in case it eases someone's mind here I'll give a little brief; I made an appointment with a doctor I had never seen before. Short conversation was had, typical questions (have you thought about suicide etc.) then he gave me the number of a psychologist. He also gave me a prescription for anti-depressants. I called the psychologist and made an appoint with her. It was in a small shared office building, in her room was basically just a desk and a couple of chairs, no sofa to lie down on and tell your life story like you see on tv. I found it quite underwhelming. Then she just asks a couple of questions and you find yourself going on and on because in my case I had so much stuff bottled up, she might write down a few notes. There was no time limit either, there's no "I'm afraid that's all we have time for". My sessions usually went for 60-90 minutes. Some of my sessions went for 2 hours and she still charged the same amount ($120, and I get $87 back from Medicare.)

It's a lot easier than you think, the hardest part about it all was calling the doctor, to me that felt like I was admitting that I had something extremely embarrassingly wrong with me. I couldn't actually bring myself to say I felt 'depressed', I said I had been feeling really down lately, for years really. That's probably from the stigma that everyone talks about now. But from there everything was basically taken care of.

Hopefully that gives some idea of what to expect if anyone is fretting about getting help. And if anyone wants to know more or has any questions, hit me up, happy to share.

 

[telsor]

I never knew what to expect when I sought help, I would've taken comfort in knowing how it would go. So in case it eases someone's mind here I'll give a little brief; I made an appointment with a doctor I had never seen before. Short conversation was had, typical questions (have you thought about suicide etc.) then he gave me the number of a psychologist. He also gave me a prescription for anti-depressants. I called the psychologist and made an appoint with her. It was in a small shared office building, in her room was basically just a desk and a couple of chairs, no sofa to lie down on and tell your life story like you see on tv. I found it quite underwhelming. Then she just asks a couple of questions and you find yourself going on and on because in my case I had so much stuff bottled up, she might write down a few notes. There was no time limit either, there's no "I'm afraid that's all we have time for". My sessions usually went for 60-90 minutes. Some of my sessions went for 2 hours and she still charged the same amount ($120, and I get $87 back from Medicare.)

It's a lot easier than you think, the hardest part about it all was calling the doctor, to me that felt like I was admitting that I had something extremely embarrassingly wrong with me. I couldn't actually bring myself to say I felt 'depressed', I said I had been feeling really down lately, for years really. That's probably from the stigma that everyone talks about now. But from there everything was basically taken care of.

Hopefully that gives some idea of what to expect if anyone is fretting about getting help. And if anyone wants to know more or has any questions, hit me up, happy to share.

My experience was pretty similar, except I didn't really have the choice to see a doctor initially.

I'd had a chat with a friend who had some experience with mental health issues herself, and suffice to say, it worried her, so she called the CAT team (Critical Assessment and Treatment) who called me and told me I was going to go see a GP the following day and get a referral (yes, TOLD me..as in 'or else'). I didn't actually have a GP, so they gave me a number and when I called for an appointment...Initially I was told they had no free slots, until I mentioned how I got their number and doors opened.

Anyway, the GP kinda specialises in this stuff, and after chatting to me for a while decided on which psychologist to send me to. It's very important to get the right one...shrinks are people to, and like all people, some will connect and understand you better than others...If you get one you don't connect with, find another! Also, psychologists will talk to you about these things and try to work through your issues that way, psychiatrists will try and fix you using drugs...Neither is 'right', it's just a matter of what works for you (you may also need to take several different drugs before finding one that works for you).

As Alesana said, once you're there, it's really pretty mundane, although my psychologist did have a couple of couches, but I think that's more because she does a lot of couples/family work rather than lying on. We talked for a few sessions, and to be honest I thought we were getting nowhere, then one day she turns around and rattles off insights into me that I barely realised and from then I knew she could help.

So that was my 'first time'.



I mentioned before the 'or else', and being both curious and a little paranoid, I checked it out ... There is this thing called the Mental health act, which is probably fairly similar in most states, but in Vic they have compulsive powers for those who they think have the potential to harm themselves, others, or are disassociated from reality. Police and psych workers can have you held under this until you're checked out.

Generally speaking, they prefer people to cooperate, but if they feel the need, they'll subject you to an assessment order, under which they can hold you for up to 24 hours to assess your condition (probably in the psych ward of some hospital). If they decide to hold you longer, you get put under a temporary treatment order under which they can hold you for quite a bit longer (I think it needs to be reassessed/reviewed after 3 months, but I'm not sure about that) while they treat you and you basically get out once they feel they can trust you not to do what got you in there (or at least, not do it due to mental illness...bit of a loophole, if you want to hurt yourself or others for reasons not due to mental illness, they don't have the grounds to hold you, although convincing them of that could be kinda tough).

 

[AM]

We should feel no different about seeking help for psychological problems than we do about seeking help for physical problems. Sadly, some of us still don't.

Also, having the feeling you know what to do when under severe psychological stress doesn't provide you with the skills to do it. There's absolutely no shame in seeking professional help and guidance. None!

Congratulations The_Wookie. You've considerably raised the standard of debate here.

 

[mightymouse75]

Been off anti depressants for 4 months now. About the same time I became redundant and the girl left me. Yikes. That's not a bad accomplishment thinking about it. (Though I am ok financially). Been a really interesting time for reflection and detaching myself from many of my limitING thought patterns without the help of chemicals. Though I beleive anti depresants were an important part of my journey and recomend them big time if your not coping. I just felt it was my time to move off them.
I still have some one I speak to monthly. A life coach. Lol. Never thought I would need 1 of those. Quite expensive but the man's a genius.
I was at my wits end. About to turn 40 and anxious. Stressed. Depressed. I thought I would give this guy a go.
Just saying don't give up. Keep trying until you find your truth. If that means religion, medically trained profesionals, family or a life coach. There is no right or wrong.
Love and peace to all .☺

 

[smasha]

Why do you feel the way you do?. There must be a reason?. This is what family and friends would ask me. There doesnt have to be a reason. Its an illness.

All I wanted to do is close myself up in my room not speak to anyone, not even my wife and kids. My wife had even taken her wedding ring off, at her wits end, and I didnt even notice. Im proud to say with help ive turned things around, both physically and mentally. You just need to ask for help.

Great topic Wookie. Any forum that gives guys the opportunity to talk about this is priceless. Its potentially a lifesaving discussion.

Least you got married mate.
That's like walking Mount Everest to me.
I don't even believe in God.
I believe in nature and spirituality from nature but I don't believe in God.

The best creatures on Earth are animals non human.They aren't as intelligent as us but act in life more nobly and intelligent than humans could ever do.
We are here to clog up the pollution levels.

We love hating ,whether it's being narcissist(more intelligent),religion,money,better looking,we are a joke of a species.

Probably time I left forums for good.
In a shyte mood.
Tomorrow I will feel better.

 

[FuManchu]

Been in a dark place lately. Stupid thoughts. Feelings of being overwhelmed. Not good. Only ever had these thoughts fleetingly before, but this is a prolonged period. Feel stupid putting it up here, but what the heck!!

 

[skipper kelly]

Been in a dark place lately. Stupid thoughts. Feelings of being overwhelmed. Not good. Only ever had these thoughts fleetingly before, but this is a prolonged period. Feel stupid putting it up here, but what the heck!!

That's not good to hear Fu. My advice is to find a good professional that you trust and tell them everything. Good luck with it.

 

[mightymouse75]

Some people wake up from it overnight. Others like me it's 2 step forwards 1 or even 3 steps back. Lol. If you are like me don't give up. The more information you get. The easier life becomes. Just be open to everything. And love yourself.

 

[Vaple]

Not going into detail or anything but this thread convinced me to see a GP yesterday. Top thread.

 

[Punts]

Took me ages to go see someone cause I thought I'll be sweet I'll get over it
My first day I did I walked out feeling better and so on
Strange as it sounds my was ️food related , gym freak bodybuilding etc
Just didn't want to look back and say why did I waste them years wording bout what people thought

 

[telsor]

Took me ages to go see someone cause I thought I'll be sweet I'll get over it
My first day I did I walked out feeling better and so on
Strange as it sounds my was ️food related , gym freak bodybuilding etc
Just didn't want to look back and say why did I waste them years wording bout what people thought

Doesn't sound strange at all...Many different ways it manifests. I have a mate who is effectively the opposite, his way of handling it is to be a bodybuilder...he thinks the exercise helps him (personally I think it's the focus/direction, but let's face it, it doesn't really matter so long as it makes him feel better).