Good evening everyone I didn’t even know where to start with dealing with what I feel is depression and severe anxiety issues. I’m struggling to adapt to city life, myself and my wife have spent several years living a remote lifestyle but city temptations such as drinking, gambling and losing control of my finances are all creeping into my life. I’m extremely good at hiding my feelings. I cry behind closed doors, I drink to hide pain I seriously don’t know where to turn or where to start. I have a family and friends that love me and I know will support me but I feel scared, selfish, hopeless. Help

Good Morning, and a warm welcome.

To answer your thread title, no you are not self-fish for posting here at all, and from what you have told us, it's so good that you have been able to open up to us.

It's not easy to do this and many other people would have had the same feeling, I included.

Pretending to be OK in front of others or a smiling depression is not uncommon, as want our friends/family to think that we're not suffering at all, but behind closed doors it all changes as we are able to release our true emotions and I certainly know about that.

We always fear that people who see us 'being OK' will never believe the true sadness that controls us, that's why we pretend, our circumstances are too involved because one problem leads to another and then we're caught up in knowing what to do .

Can I please suggest you go and see your doctor, they will talk with you and then diagnose your behaviour, but please this isn't necessarily your fault, something has started all of this and the doctor will guide you in the right direction.

They may prescribe medication and then refer you onto a psychologist, with a 'mental health plan', which entitles you to 10 Medicare paid sessions per year.

This is just to say hello and let you that you're alone in this suffering.

Hope to hear back from you.

Geoff.

me too. I'm sorry that I can't provide advice, but I just wanted to say, me too. I feel selfish and weak and dramatic and emotional because that's what I've been conditioned to think.

I wish someone could just acknowledge my pain and strength and courage so far, but yes..it is selfish to ask isn't it.

Sorry for talking about myself under your concern. Stay strong.

Hello Cckn, no it isn't self-fish for you to post because what you think defines who you are, and you are allowed to think differently, especially if you are hurting or in pain and please realise that most of us, if not all, have struggled through this by ourselves, but have now started to open up to others and gain the support we need.

Best wishes.

Geoff.