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BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
  • replies: 0

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with Depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for ... View more

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with Depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for coming this far, we know it can be really hard to take these steps if depression is in your life - we see you and think this is a great step. To get the most out of this space we have a few tips: Get involved. The Forums work best for you when you get active and post where you can. Now, we know that can be really hard, especially when you are experiencing depression. So, if you can post something supportive to someone else here, that would be an incredible start. Speak from the heart. This community wants to know how YOU feel and what has worked for YOU. We trust that you have something unique to say and we can’t wait to hear it. Check in. Lots of the chats on this Forum having been going for years and they are some of the richest conversations we have. Keep checking in to get new ideas and offer your support. We know it can be tough to start, but when you are ready we want to hear your thoughts. If you need some time to get to know the community, that's okay! Have a look around and see where you want to get involved. Thank you for being here Beyond Blue

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.

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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NDR Always been single!
  • replies: 1

Hi, I've read a few posts on here recently, so I thought i'd share my situation for anyone else in the same boat. Basically since I was 18, i've lost my adolescence & youth to mental health & some heavy personal circumstances & have never really date... View more

Hi, I've read a few posts on here recently, so I thought i'd share my situation for anyone else in the same boat. Basically since I was 18, i've lost my adolescence & youth to mental health & some heavy personal circumstances & have never really dated either. Due to the above, it's made socialising hard & what i've been through destroyed my confidence, as well ability to form relationships with women, especially the ones i've liked & vice versa. Without sounding arrogant, i'm actually not a bad looking guy with a good personality & the fact that i've been unable to attract anyone or stuffed up opportunities, it's just soul destroying to be honest. I'm in my 40's now & I'm still dealing with it some days it's just plain awful. I've often thought about what it would've looked like had I had more luck. I have nothing but respect for women / others but feel really sad / depressed when I see other couples or anyone I find attractive. I know it's life, yes I should focus on the positives but having to take a back seat to your mental health can leave you pretty lonely & sad some days. I've recently started counselling but due to the holidays, i'm on my own & it's been tough. Just wanted to do the right thing & reach out. Anyways, I hope I made sense & can relate to what others may be dealing with. Thanks for your time, N.

Joel *Trigger Warning - Body Image Issues* I see beautiful women or couples and want to die
  • replies: 3

I’ll try keep it short. I suffer from depression and anxiety, but this happens to me all the time. The fact I want to die never leaves me, it just gets stronger sometimes. I am not good enough to be on earth, that much is clear. In ten years I have n... View more

I’ll try keep it short. I suffer from depression and anxiety, but this happens to me all the time. The fact I want to die never leaves me, it just gets stronger sometimes. I am not good enough to be on earth, that much is clear. In ten years I have not attracted a single woman, whether that be for a relationship or meaningless sex etc. This just reaffirms that extreme self hate I have for myself is justified. It’s not like I haven’t tried, I’m just human scum so it has never happened and I know it never will. But the fact that all it takes is seeing someone in public or online is something I can’t escape. How should I deal with this? I decided to post this now because I was on Instagram and seen a fitness model and now I feel like trash. It sounds dumb when I type it out, but it’s the way my screwed up mind works. I have totally given up on life, there is no hope for me, but while I’m still here I thought it would be interesting to get a different perspective. Just for the record, I have nothing against anyone, women, couples etc, I know I’m the problem, I know I’m not good enough. Sorry if this doesn’t make sense

JMumma Criticism by my husband constantly
  • replies: 6

My husband constantly criticises me, he then expects me to converse normally with him but I feel trapped and scared. He doesn’t acknowledge that what he says needs to be discussed he just tells me that I’m tapped in the head when I get upset about it

My husband constantly criticises me, he then expects me to converse normally with him but I feel trapped and scared. He doesn’t acknowledge that what he says needs to be discussed he just tells me that I’m tapped in the head when I get upset about it

user4002 uncontrollable anger
  • replies: 2

idk who to tell this to without sounding crazy and people thinking i’m over reacting but i tend to get this over whelming of anger over tiny little things, specifically over my boyfriend because i tend to attach myself to people, i will find someone ... View more

idk who to tell this to without sounding crazy and people thinking i’m over reacting but i tend to get this over whelming of anger over tiny little things, specifically over my boyfriend because i tend to attach myself to people, i will find someone i rlly like friend/boyfriend and completely attach myself to them and everything they do affects how i feel if they’re a tiny bit off my mind goes crazy, they hate me i’m annoying they’re gonna break up with me they think i’m ugly, or they could literally just go out with their friends and it’ll feel like damn they don’t wanna be with me they hate me they think i’m annoying and is an uncontrollable anger and idk why it makes me feel so bad cuz they’re allowed to see friends i just have this rlly bad attachment and will get mad over every tiny little thing and lose my mind to the point i didn’t even know what i’m doing and don’t recognise myself. and then once i’ve calmed down it’s like nothing happened and i don’t even remember a single thing that happened or a single thing i just said and feel completely fine. idk what’s wrong with me or why i always feel this way, it’s not just anger i will always have these over whelming feelings no matter what feeling it is i feel it 1000x more then what i probably should. it’s like i go from 0-100 in a split second. i don’t know why i’m like this or why all of this happens.

b24h Feel alone.
  • replies: 3

Hi, I have know one to talk to. I have recently had my second baby and my gosh my depression is going wild. I have no family support and a partner who can’t stay faithful to me. I’m not really sure who to lean on. I have a 2 year old and a 5 month ol... View more

Hi, I have know one to talk to. I have recently had my second baby and my gosh my depression is going wild. I have no family support and a partner who can’t stay faithful to me. I’m not really sure who to lean on. I have a 2 year old and a 5 month old and I just feel so sad and angry. Every day that goes on I can’t control my sadness and anger more and more. I never take it out in my kids but I take it out on myself. move put on so much weight, I look and feel like shit, I’m broke, I’m sad.. so so sad and I can’t stop being so unmotivated and tired. I need support, I just need someone to understand me and what I’m going through. Instead I’m called and retard and I’m toyed with until I snap. I hate it. That’s all I have to say.. I can’t control myself anymore. I’m losing myself. Being a mum is hard.

bluejellyfish87 Man, I am sad
  • replies: 2

Not a day goes by where I don't feel a sense of inadequacy. Even now I sit drinking my wine feeling like I might as well just fall off the earth... the people around me just tolerate my existence. I care so much and they care so little. Truthfully, I... View more

Not a day goes by where I don't feel a sense of inadequacy. Even now I sit drinking my wine feeling like I might as well just fall off the earth... the people around me just tolerate my existence. I care so much and they care so little. Truthfully, I just need freedom whatever that is. It is not here. They all hate me. Even though I am good and kind. They don't like that. Sounds like weakness to them. I'm tired of being numb and making no sense...

mdln_00 Tired and confused, just need to let it out..
  • replies: 3

The past two years have been really difficult lately, as I'm sure it was for everyone during lockdowns. I started to develop insomnia mid last year and became worse as time went on. However the first half of this year was a bit better but now it has ... View more

The past two years have been really difficult lately, as I'm sure it was for everyone during lockdowns. I started to develop insomnia mid last year and became worse as time went on. However the first half of this year was a bit better but now it has come back and I'm so frustrated as I just want to sleep. I'm not sure if I have depression as it has not been diagnosed and I don't want to self diagnose myself. However the way I feel the past couple years sure feel depressing to say the least. Especially this year I'm in this constant state of tiredness no matter how much sleep I get, hopelessness, and just feeling like a shell walking around. I just want to disappear tbh, not necessarily that I want to die, but that I don't want to exist in the first place to not have any presence in the world. And tbh, it frustrates me that deleting my existence is not an option. I have spoken to a few people about how I feel but never as deep as I actually feel. I have considered seeking professional help but I'm not sure how to start, and my parents would not support me in doing so as well... Anyways just thought I'd try to say my thoughts here and see how it goes...

Nissan9 Melbourne weather
  • replies: 6

Hey all Been struggling this year with this crap weather in Melbourne. I know Melbourne weather never been exactly great but over the last couple years and in particular this year its been terrible. I'm a outdoors person luv to play golf and go fishi... View more

Hey all Been struggling this year with this crap weather in Melbourne. I know Melbourne weather never been exactly great but over the last couple years and in particular this year its been terrible. I'm a outdoors person luv to play golf and go fishing etc but this year havnt been able to anywhere as much with the weather. At moment all I can think about is moving away to somewhere more warmer and consistent weather. Think I need to go speak to my counsellor because I'm finding my mental health is just going backwards over the last few months and big part of it been this weather. Feel like I'm letting it dictate my life right now. Wondering if anyone else been experiencing same thing and how do you deal with it? Thanks

sandy321 Coping with depression
  • replies: 2

I have recently had a major change in my life which has caused me to go into a depressive spiral.I just thought it would be nice to chat to someone

I have recently had a major change in my life which has caused me to go into a depressive spiral.I just thought it would be nice to chat to someone

Bwalker No support-Wife and Step daughter shutting me out
  • replies: 1

Hi… i am looking for advice. any help is much appreciated I am a previous emergency worked and have ptsd. I have been married for 1.5 years. With my wife for 4. She has two children, 8 & 15. we have had our issues before, where my wife has shut me ou... View more

Hi… i am looking for advice. any help is much appreciated I am a previous emergency worked and have ptsd. I have been married for 1.5 years. With my wife for 4. She has two children, 8 & 15. we have had our issues before, where my wife has shut me out. I think that is how she deals with her emotions. She said I “have changed” and that she thinks I tricked her by being happy in our engagement etc. Now, with no real apparent trigger… my step daughter, 15, stared to avoid me, ignore me, not want me to be near her etc. I tried to talk to my wife about it, and she started to shut down too. She said that I have been so miserable and low that I am bringing the family down. That 15 yo daughter doesn’t want to be around me anymore. my wife told me I am draining her and she can’t handle it. we had discussions about what to do. But she shuts down and physically withdraws and emotionally too. I said I would start medication etc and other things to try get better. But I said I need her support. She said I have it. But when I tried to hold her hand, she pulled away because she said she doesn’t want me to touch her when she feels like this. But last time this happened.. it was 2.5 months until she even touched my hand. and then she told me that she needs space, and so do the kids. I asked if she wanted me to stay somewhere else, she didn’t answer but suggested maybe, but then said she didn’t know. So I have left the house. I don’t know when I should go back…I know that I have been sad, and I have lost my bubbly self But I guess, I just don’t understand why I get treated like this… I feel as if it is an extreme reaction… I feel unloved, rejected, unsupported and unwanted. It’s hard to differentiate what feelings are justifiable and what feelings are not due to depression etc. the other part that concerns me is my wife’s 15 year old daughter is super clingy to her mum- like I think unhealthy amount. One example, the other day her mum went to work before she woke up, so she got her grandma to drive her into her work so she could see her. Her shift was only 8 hours. Therefore… I am concerned that my step daughter is feeding the situation, as my wife was fine with me until her daughter started acting like that with me. I feel so lost, and unwanted. I just don’t know what to do anymore.