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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 discussions in this section of the Forums have 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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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.

KG_1975 Home from Hospital
  • replies: 7

I recently had a 4 week stay in a mental health unit in hospital for depression and anxiety. They were super supportive and I feel like I learnt lots to help me, but since I got back home I don’t know where I fit into the family and have zero motivat... View more

I recently had a 4 week stay in a mental health unit in hospital for depression and anxiety. They were super supportive and I feel like I learnt lots to help me, but since I got back home I don’t know where I fit into the family and have zero motivation. I don’t want to go back to my old habits of doing everything myself, but can’t find motivation to do anything. How do I readjust to being at home?

dwade3 Just hanging onto myself
  • replies: 4

For the last 2 years i have been dealing with some persistent depression, feeling so alone , worthless But lately things just can't seem to stop going wrong. And it's just pushing me further and further down. And each time I have to somehow claw my w... View more

For the last 2 years i have been dealing with some persistent depression, feeling so alone , worthless But lately things just can't seem to stop going wrong. And it's just pushing me further and further down. And each time I have to somehow claw my way out of all these thoughts and feelings. Only for them to be triggered again and again. And I'm just so exhausted of feeling this way. Initially self harming or suicidal thoughts didn't really happen in my head. But the longer I felt this way, the more these thoughts seem viable and frequent. Idk what to do anymore. But Id like some help

JDuncs dealing with depression for the past 5 years
  • replies: 6

hey guys, im 23 years old and i have been struggling with depression for the past 5 years, which has started to increase dramatically after covid. My early life consisted of a broken family and parents being divorced, the loss of my mother at the age... View more

hey guys, im 23 years old and i have been struggling with depression for the past 5 years, which has started to increase dramatically after covid. My early life consisted of a broken family and parents being divorced, the loss of my mother at the age of 10, to then having to live with my father who was a pedophile for the next 4 years and witnessed everything that he caused not only to himself but to the family too until he was finally taken to jail. Being 14-15 years old you dont really know or understand how to cope with and comprehend all of this so it was kinda pushed to the back of my mind never to be thought about, until 5 years ago when i finished year 12, a massive change in everyones life i'd say. In saying that massive changes for me dont go really well, taking a bad turn i starting smoking a lot of weed to cover up all my pain all the up until now where i am here seeking for any guidance or support.

Jane_024 Feeling lost
  • replies: 2

I’m a Nurse in a busy ED and a single mum to 2. I’m lost. I’ve struggled with anxiety (Not formally diagnosed) for years. I saw my GP years ago who agreed we trail an antidepressant, and see a psychologist. I trialed them briefly with no affect. I st... View more

I’m a Nurse in a busy ED and a single mum to 2. I’m lost. I’ve struggled with anxiety (Not formally diagnosed) for years. I saw my GP years ago who agreed we trail an antidepressant, and see a psychologist. I trialed them briefly with no affect. I strangled to check in routinely with a psychologist as I’m time poor, with work and kids I couldn’t find the time to meet with her when appointments were available, eventually our sessions tapered off a result of this. Years have passed, I have ups and downs. I feel the last year I’ve ‘fallen off the horse’. Ironically I tried to put myself first for once, health wise, lost 40kg, as a result have suffered in many other ways. I’ve been involved in a situationship which has also played into how I am now. I’m a nurse and carry guilt like ‘I should know better’, people often say “but you have great insight” if I disclose I’m feeling down, which is dismissive but also plays on my mind. Being a ‘respected professional’ somehow means ‘I should be insightful enough to not experience anxiety or depression’. I feel I’ve lost motivation in finding support as a result of this and having no time for me. I feel I’m sad a lot with no family and minimal friends. I want and need support but feel I’ll be considered not well enough for work or my children.

Jaybird77 Not sure what to do
  • replies: 5

Hello I feel I’m becoming numb to living. I can’t even say at least my childhood was great because it started off with the first man in my life that was suppose to love me enough to not take away my childhood . He was meant to be the protector of it ... View more

Hello I feel I’m becoming numb to living. I can’t even say at least my childhood was great because it started off with the first man in my life that was suppose to love me enough to not take away my childhood . He was meant to be the protector of it happening but instead was the beast who inappropriately abused me , followed by an uncle and family friend. I question myself stil at age 48 and a mother to 8 , why did they all pick me. Did I do something that encouraged it. I was just a baby still and didn’t deserve it. But why so many men and why me. It still sickens me today. Then again I faced it again by a adult who was suppose to be my friend when I was 14 years old; in front of a room full of boys, all of whom did nothing to help me. I couldn’t tell anyone this happend to me , I never even told anyone what had happened by my father , uncle and family friend. I couldn’t tell my mother because she would of blamed me like she did my sister when she told her this same uncle sexually abused her, my mothers brother to be exact. So I learnt early not to share anything with my toxic mother. I pushed that experience down deep with the others and left it there. The only person I felt loved by was my only brother. He understood what I went though with our mother. But on my birthday a few years ago I was watching the news and saw a man had been murdered and it was my brother. He was murdered on my birthday. I haven’t celebrated a birthday since and never will. I am still grieving for him as he was the only family I had. A year after his death my son in law was murdered and left my daughter to raise two little babies so I had to put all of my grief back down into the place I leave all my traumas and hell and help my daughter get through her grief and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I don’t feel I got to grieve for my brother properly. I just don’t know where to go. I’ve never had any kind of therapy and I don’t even know how to get it or if it wil even help me. I’m so mentally messed up. I just don’t know where to go

crystloak Feeling really down for no particular reason
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone I just need to connect. I have been feeling really depressed for the past 3 weeks in the lat week i feel like I've a hit a low low. At times I feel angry but mostly I just feel like I don't want to be around anyone because I've my low moo... View more

Hi everyone I just need to connect. I have been feeling really depressed for the past 3 weeks in the lat week i feel like I've a hit a low low. At times I feel angry but mostly I just feel like I don't want to be around anyone because I've my low mood and lack of spark .To be honest I feel like I will infect them with darkness . I've had Anxiety and depression in the past more anxiety and had a ptsd diagnosis 10 yrs but I've been fine for the past few years . This time it's surprised me how quickly I've slid down the dark slide . I have struggled with this time of the year xmas for the past 20 years . I honestly feel like I just don't want to burden anyone anymore and I know I dint want to feel this way . I like functioning . At the moment I'm struggling to even care if I shower eat or get out of bed. Art keeps me going .I have a husband and grandkids but struggle to feel part of their lives. I think I just need to voice this somewhere that others understand.