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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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z0z Things are hard
  • replies: 3

I've had depression for 3 years now and I've expierenced the very low lows, and I've had times where life has improved almost back to a normal state. At the moment things aren't good, my energy is so low and I really have no motivation to do anything... View more

I've had depression for 3 years now and I've expierenced the very low lows, and I've had times where life has improved almost back to a normal state. At the moment things aren't good, my energy is so low and I really have no motivation to do anything i like which surprise surprise- is making me sadder. I've been seeing a psych for two years now and though I feel I can manage a lot of the mental "self talk" side of depression the physical effects of mental illness on my body and mind is rough. I'm constantly tired no matter how much I rest, my mood is so all over the place theres not much i can do to control it. My appeteite is either massive or tiny, and overall I just have the motivation and energy to do nothing. I really started to feel down again in March and since its been almost 5 months of consistently trying to improve my mood I think its time to turn to something else, and that's medication. I would love to hear how medication has really helped some people and their stories around it, what worked and what didn't (though i know its different for everybody)My biggest fear is medication "changing me" which sounds stupid because obviously the whole point is to alter some funny brain chemicals but I'm more scared in a sense of "losing who I am" and making me feel numb. It's a bit of a silly fear, but it's what has been holding me back for a while. Any advice is appreciated! stay well everybody

vnsjkdnds guilt
  • replies: 4

i have had diagnosed depression for nearly 3 years now after i was first diagnosed at 14 and the guilt it has left me with is unimaginable. my mum has to pay so much money to get me help, and this really worries me as she is a single mother and i don... View more

i have had diagnosed depression for nearly 3 years now after i was first diagnosed at 14 and the guilt it has left me with is unimaginable. my mum has to pay so much money to get me help, and this really worries me as she is a single mother and i dont want to be the reason she cant do what she wants. i feel so gulity as all of my friends have noticed that i barely go out with them anymore and my brother tells me how i bring the whole mood of the house down. i don't know how to change the way i feel

Clea Feel like a loser
  • replies: 4

Hi I'm feeling really low at the moment. I feel like I always lose in life. As a child my parents abandoned me for many months and I never knew why. I blamed myself thinking I must have done something really wrong. They came back and I tried to be th... View more

Hi I'm feeling really low at the moment. I feel like I always lose in life. As a child my parents abandoned me for many months and I never knew why. I blamed myself thinking I must have done something really wrong. They came back and I tried to be the perfect child. As a teen I began to have my own opinions but if I expressed them my father abused my mother saying she had brain washed me. They had an abusive relationship and mum finally left. Dad would sit outside my window every single night crying while I was trying to get through year 12. When I was 23 my father suddenly died. I met a great partner got married had my first child and mum died when my child was one. I have no other family besides the one I created. We had another child and I felt like I needed more as my family unit is so small. I begged and begged and begged and husband always said no. I've felt bitter as he has four siblings, two nieces and his parents. None of whom ever help us but he has this huge extended family and mine is so tiny. I am grateful for the kids I have but miss my parents, miss having family help and miss having more kids. On top of all that I hate every job I've had and so feel lost work wise. If you've read this far thanks for listening.

Emmyay Hello! Struggling with the diagnosis of bipolar 2 disorder
  • replies: 9

Hi, I’m new here. I’ve just been diagnosed with bipolar 2 and have started on medication. The diagnosis is a relief and a disappointment at the same time. I’m finding it hard to make sense of my life & am becoming fixated on all of the horrible momen... View more

Hi, I’m new here. I’ve just been diagnosed with bipolar 2 and have started on medication. The diagnosis is a relief and a disappointment at the same time. I’m finding it hard to make sense of my life & am becoming fixated on all of the horrible moments in my past due to this condition. It pains me very much & I feel so sad. I cry about it every day. I’ve been struggling with this for 27 years & I suppose I’m grieving for the life I could’ve had & the person I could’ve been without bipolar 2. Even though I’m sad, I don’t feel sorry for myself. I know that a lot of people have it much worse than I do & I have so much to be grateful for. I just feel like I can’t talk to anybody about it. My parents brushed it off & my husband doesn’t understand why I’m so sad. He is very supportive & positive though. Unfortunately, while I have lots of friends, I don’t have any close friends that I can talk about this with. I’m not close enough to any of them to burden them with these difficult emotions & thoughts. So, that’s why I’m writing this post. Just to feel heard & perhaps to be understood a little. I appreciate anyone making the time & effort to read this. Thank you, Emmyay

CourtneyJ At war with myself
  • replies: 4

I've spent my entire adult life at war with myself. Under the multitude of masks and lies I've been telling myself for years is a profoundly unhappy person. And I can no longer pretend like everything is ok. It's not. Just needed to say this out loud... View more

I've spent my entire adult life at war with myself. Under the multitude of masks and lies I've been telling myself for years is a profoundly unhappy person. And I can no longer pretend like everything is ok. It's not. Just needed to say this out loud. I'm not sure where I go from here.

RecklessAbandon Beyond Miserable
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone. I think I’m just looking for any kind of advice right now… I don’t know how to get through to my partner. We are both 30 and have been together for 10 years. I have been miserable for the last 2 years in our relationship due to the lack ... View more

Hi everyone. I think I’m just looking for any kind of advice right now… I don’t know how to get through to my partner. We are both 30 and have been together for 10 years. I have been miserable for the last 2 years in our relationship due to the lack of effort he puts in and have had countless conversations over time with him about it. He is lazy, messy and lacks any kind of goals or ambition. I do everything for him all. the. time! If I don’t do things they just don’t get done. It’s very frustrating being with him. It never used to be like this. He is always laying around on the couch watching pointless YouTube videos, on his phone or online gaming with his mates on his computer. He does work long hours through the week so I get he enjoys those things to unwind but it’s gotten to the point where he ignores me and our 8 year old for hours when he is home. We live in a small town and I have hardly any friends and zero family here. I do struggle with depression which is only getting worse because of my situation. I’m also very introverted and most of the time only want to spend time with him and our daughter. I feel like now I’m even lonely in his presence. The way he is has just made my love for him really deteriorate. I miss how things used to be. We were crazy about each other and loved spending time together. He claims he loves me more than ever but I feel like he’s a bit in denial with how bad we really have become. It’s not until I’m in tears begging for his time and attention that he puts effort in (for a few days mind you) then once he thinks I’m okay he will just revert back to his lazy self. I find myself more frequently of an evening just putting my daughter to bed and going into my bedroom and crying in the dark. I don’t even remember when I felt genuinely happy. What do I do guys? I haven’t told anyone close to me about how crap our relationship is or how sad I am because I don’t want anyone to know or more so worry about me. I’m reaching out for the first time ever because I just spent over an hour in the shower crying because I’m just so lonely. He has no clue as he’s too into his Netflix show.

Freeman9876 TPD claims - mental health
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone I have been off work for now 21 months, my employer is about to terminate me. which is fine as I have been bullied for in and around 6 months and have no urge of going to back to my old role my question is what is the process of applying ... View more

Hi everyone I have been off work for now 21 months, my employer is about to terminate me. which is fine as I have been bullied for in and around 6 months and have no urge of going to back to my old role my question is what is the process of applying for TPDI have no experience in any other field and have no qualifications how will they assess this claim basedon my employment is pretty huge pay - will they take into account roles that will pay similar or would it be any occupation whats happens at an IME independent medical examination?thanks

Jamiroquai Whats the point
  • replies: 5

So ill start off by saying I'm 20 and male.I've never been any good at expressing my feelings if feels wrong and really uncomfortable. And when I do share it with someone I end up pushing them away I can't really explain it. I just don't like people ... View more

So ill start off by saying I'm 20 and male.I've never been any good at expressing my feelings if feels wrong and really uncomfortable. And when I do share it with someone I end up pushing them away I can't really explain it. I just don't like people around me knowing my most inner thoughts. I hate my life I don't do anything interesting like at all I don't drink don't smoke nor have I ever had any drugs. I have no friends after I drove the friend group at school to ignore me because I was a bully I didn't even realise I was and no matter how much I apologised and tried to change it was never the same. So I left school only 9 months before I would have finished to make it easier for everyone. I ended up at a chef apprenticeship and hated it ended up taking up gambling which I still can't stop but anyway. Left that job because of a toxic work environment to another higher paying job and it was definitely better for a while but I just ended back up at this pit I feel stuck in. All I do is think about how many mistakes I've made and what would happen if I'd just been nicer. But no matter how much I try to be happy my mind just fills my head constantly with the memories of me making mistakes, being cringy or just some other sad thing that'll bring down my mood. I drag myself to work everyday putting on a fake persona that's probably the only thing I'm good at. I can guarantee that not a single one of my workmates could even notice that I have these feelings. Which for some reason gives me comfort. But as soon as I hop back into my car at the end of the day this happy energetic loving person just fades away leaving me with this sad lump of body parts and pure regret. I spend all my time thinking about the past and trying to get away from my thoughts any way possible. What little money doesn't go to paying off debt or living is almost always gambled away I can't seem to get away from those stupid machines. I live at home with my parents my sister who is 2 years older has moved out is engaged and is well on her way to her dream job and has the biggest social circle I've ever seen and is living her best life. My mum loves me I know that but when after years I let her in and told her everything she balled and balled saying she'd failed me as a mother and soon went on antidepressants and has a alcohol problem as a result. I can't help but feel responsible all I've ever done is cause issues I don't really see a point to keep going anymore.

GoneGirl74 HOPELESS
  • replies: 4

Hi, From the outside things look perfect. House. Hubby. Kids. Career. But for many years I am shattered, empty, hopeless and surviving day to day. I am an empty shell going through the motions. A shadow of my former self. I feel sad, lonely and hopel... View more

Hi, From the outside things look perfect. House. Hubby. Kids. Career. But for many years I am shattered, empty, hopeless and surviving day to day. I am an empty shell going through the motions. A shadow of my former self. I feel sad, lonely and hopeless all the time. Trapped by financial and emotional responsibility for my family. Barely holding it together. Just want to run away, be on my own, or vanish. No friends. No fun. No future. Isolation. Never enough. Not seen. Not heard. Not cared for. Like I don't exist. Weekends I retreat. Sleep is my sollace and my company. It kills me to put that mask on again for the week ahead. To avoid "how was your weekend" when I wish I could answer "I didn't leave the house, I stayed in my bed and cried, but I'm still alive". I hate who I've become. Sad and negative all the time on the inside. I just don't know how to keep this up. It's like being on a rollercoaster that's jammed and I can't get off 24/7 365. I've tried counselling with a clin psych, kinesiology, tapping, and life coaching. But nothing works. I am exhausted and have given up on things ever getter better. I have accepted loneliness, nothingness, joylessness. Living in my own twighlight zone - sleepwalking through life. Do other people feel the same?

Jampob_321 Can’t keep going
  • replies: 6

Hello. I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve struggled with major depression all my life, which has now morphed into postnatal depression and anxiety. I have a 16 month old (a result of a surprise pregnancy) and I just really don’t think I can keep ... View more

Hello. I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve struggled with major depression all my life, which has now morphed into postnatal depression and anxiety. I have a 16 month old (a result of a surprise pregnancy) and I just really don’t think I can keep going. My relationship with my partner is in tatters, I have no job and no income, my parents are unwell themselves, and I have no support network to help with my baby. I was extremely stressed during my pregnancy and my daughter has turned out to have a very highly sensitive and reactive temperament, which I blame on the heightened levels of cortisol running through my body when she was developing in utero. She is extremely clingy and needy, so I get no time to myself. She is terrified of other people. She also wakes very frequently during the night, which is taking a serious toll on me. (Please do not tell me to sleep train, as I am not interested). I just feel like I have nothing to live for. My mental health problems place such a burden on my partner, sister and parents. I see a great psychologist and am on medication, but I’m sick of feeling so hopeless. I don’t know how to fix myself. I can’t keep dumping all my problems on my partner as he is sick to death of it. We have fallen out of love but now feel trapped together for the sake of our baby. I am in huge debt because of study, and the prospect of working feels so hard right now with my daughter being too clingy to be looked after by anyone else, and the sleep deprivation making it so difficult to concentrate throughout the day. My life just feels like a huge mess and I honestly wish it would just end.