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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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Conjor88 Depression without knowing it
  • replies: 2

Theres alot been happening with me lately I think I need to see a doctor I haven't been able cope with myself I've been easy to snap at little things and go absolutely crazy when the kids don't listen or do something I don't like I just go mental, I ... View more

Theres alot been happening with me lately I think I need to see a doctor I haven't been able cope with myself I've been easy to snap at little things and go absolutely crazy when the kids don't listen or do something I don't like I just go mental, I try to hold myself back by just crying it out and breathing in and out. By the end of the day i feel so drain out and I think about things that I shouldn't be thinking about. I think im depressed without knowing it.

Doodel Weight loss surgery, depression and alcohol
  • replies: 1

I had my first baby at 18, second at 21.Divorced their father after five years due to his Drug addiction.Met my now husband in 2004, we have a blended family, two boys, two girls. My husband has a much closer relationship with my daughters than I do ... View more

I had my first baby at 18, second at 21.Divorced their father after five years due to his Drug addiction.Met my now husband in 2004, we have a blended family, two boys, two girls. My husband has a much closer relationship with my daughters than I do with his sons.I have always been obese but never really let it get to me.I had my first weight loss surgery in 2011, things didn’t go as planned, ended up having more in 2018.I lost my father in law in 2018, my father in 2019 and mother in law in 2021. I don’t think I’ve been able to mourn any of them as it was up to me to organise everything. We are still going through the process with my mother in laws estate, it’s been nearly two years.I’ve always been the one to knuckle down and get stuff done.I’ve never been a big drinker, was always the deso Dave on nights out.For the past couple of years I have been drinking spirits.It came to the point where I was drunk nearly every afternoon, then I passed out and hit my head earning a night in hospital.I spoke to a psychologist a few times but don’t think she was the right fit for me.I don’t drink everyday but when I do it’s nearly the whole bottle and it’s in secret.I have no motivation, no enthusiasm for anything.After reading many other forum posts I’m wondering if depression has reared its ugly head?I’m just wanting to know if there’s anyone else out there dealing with these kinds of issues

dubrovnik Fed up, depressed & not happy
  • replies: 7

Hello I have posted on here before, I am having difficulties with family members accusing me of being selfish for hiring a nurse to look after my mother.I am sick and tired of being called selfish etc, my sister has turned mutual friends and family m... View more

Hello I have posted on here before, I am having difficulties with family members accusing me of being selfish for hiring a nurse to look after my mother.I am sick and tired of being called selfish etc, my sister has turned mutual friends and family members against me, it got to the stage where I burst into tears in a shopping centre. I have told my sister off for turning people against me, I feelso helpless and alone.I usually put on a good front but right now I can’t do it. I am working from home now as I can’t face people looking at me and asking questions.I know it sounds like I feel sorry for myself. I have been through a lot with former friends who backstabbed me & former partners. I broke up from my ex partner a few years ago, which makes it hard. I have put up very high walls, I have trust issues. I am not the type of person to tell my friends everything, I am a private person. I don’t know what to do.Thank you

nat1563 No one to lean on
  • replies: 4

I’m 40 years old and I’m just not happy in my life , I have a husband and 3 children but I feel like I’m just existing, my husband works hard and helps at home but if we are not intimate on his request he won’t talk to me for days or weeks , even whe... View more

I’m 40 years old and I’m just not happy in my life , I have a husband and 3 children but I feel like I’m just existing, my husband works hard and helps at home but if we are not intimate on his request he won’t talk to me for days or weeks , even when that’s not the case he barely says hello or goodbye to me when he leaves or comes home from work .my kids are horrible to me , I know as teens they are going through their own things but they literally never speak nicely to me unless they want something, I feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells day in and out , I can’t speak without being called names or yelled at . I only have 1 friend, she is great but has a busy life of her own with 2 teens and 2 babies , i feel she is the only one I can talk to but I feel like such a burden to her , she has so much on her plate she doesn’t need to deal with my problems..I just don’t know what to do anymore, I can’t remember the last time I was actually happy ! I hate my life and wish I could just walk away but I love my kids and husband and could never do that to them , but how do I live in the constant sad state I’m in . feeling lonely stupid and ignored

random_guy1 Getting it off my chest
  • replies: 3

I’ve been sat here for like 5 minutes not knowing how to start or what to say. It’s 2 am, sry if the grammars not right I dropped out, anyway about 2 years ago something flipped in me I shut everyone out including my 2 friends now 1 probably not for ... View more

I’ve been sat here for like 5 minutes not knowing how to start or what to say. It’s 2 am, sry if the grammars not right I dropped out, anyway about 2 years ago something flipped in me I shut everyone out including my 2 friends now 1 probably not for long though, idk if I’m depressed but I feel like I shouldn’t be alive plus I don’t see my future being sun shine and rainbows. We found out my brother had made plans to take his own life, that was a couple months ago but he seems to be doing better, he has a new gf he also started going to the gym. I feel like I’m the reason he felt the way he felt so better me then him, I’m not really giving up yet cause I don’t want to make my family sad, my mum went through way to much pain when she was younger I don’t want to add to it. My parents weren’t the best parents but I don’t blame them they weren’t ready for kids they said it them selves, I don’t make eye contact with anyone because I’m scared they see me for me a piece of human scum, im a coward I made stupid deal with my self halfway through last year that if things didn’t get better I would do it, didn’t obviously. I’m emotionally numb the thought of showing my emotions to anyone including family or friends just seems impossible, this website’s pretty cool though

hello_everyone No care given
  • replies: 5

Hi, I’ve been struggling for the past 6 months to feel any compassion towards people anymore. Even the ones I care about the most. I’ve lost interest in everything I once used to love (quit soccer) even walking the dogs was something small I enjoyed ... View more

Hi, I’ve been struggling for the past 6 months to feel any compassion towards people anymore. Even the ones I care about the most. I’ve lost interest in everything I once used to love (quit soccer) even walking the dogs was something small I enjoyed and looked forward to now I can’t bring myself to do anything or have motivation to do anything again. I’m starting not to care about school work and struggle to be nice to people, I feel easily irritated and annoyed. A lot of my friends have gone against me recently because of this and tell me “I’ve changed”. I even feel so irritated with my own boyfriend of coming on 4 years and I don’t know how to fix this. I’m to scared to reach out for help. someone talk to me I feel so alone.

Tonyw Centrelink will not accept my medical Certificate
  • replies: 31

I have got Anxiety And Depression And Centrelink will not accept my medical Certificate after 1 year now they are stuff me around they say you can work 15+h and that`s it. I been cut off 4 times not turning up. any know what i can do?

I have got Anxiety And Depression And Centrelink will not accept my medical Certificate after 1 year now they are stuff me around they say you can work 15+h and that`s it. I been cut off 4 times not turning up. any know what i can do?

Unhappy Mom I hate myself and the life I have
  • replies: 2

I know most people won’t understand this because I have a lot to be grateful about but I hate my life so much. Ive always suffered from depression (I only realised this in my early 20’s) and have been on anti depressants for most of my life. I have t... View more

I know most people won’t understand this because I have a lot to be grateful about but I hate my life so much. Ive always suffered from depression (I only realised this in my early 20’s) and have been on anti depressants for most of my life. I have two kids and a husband but I hate everything about my life. I’m overweight, not obese but fat enough that I haven’t been to the beach once with my kids cause my body is awful. My husband takes them and they build amazing memories together and I sit at home and cry. I don’t see my friends anymore cause I’m embarrassed about how I look (they all tell me it doesn’t matter to them but it’s such a lie because they all gym and diet and care about how they look cause their looks are important so how can they tell me not to care about how I look?). None of my friends are fat. I haven’t bought myself any new clothes in about 5 years because nothing looks nice on me and everything feels tight. I also never have money so I find it difficult to spend money on clothes that just make me feel awful about myself. I will goto the shops and spend the day there and never find anything for myself. I have two kids and a husband and they bring me absolutely no joy. They are all wonderful and love spending time together but I find spending time with them so boring and I get angry and scream often. I’m so disappointed in the mother and wife I am, I’m horrible and I know it and so do they. knowing my kids have me as a mom makes me sad cause I say very hurtful things. I have worked in numerous jobs and failed at all of them. I’m not good at anything I do and it’s really embarrassing cause I know it and so does everyone else. I am bad at work, bad at sport, bad at sticking to diets, bad at being spontaneous and care free ect ect. I hate myself so much you have no idea, I sleep most of the day away and only leave my house once every few weeks cause I’m so embarrassed of the failure I am.

Jazz1959 Chronic Depression
  • replies: 1

Seven years ago I underwent an Operation on my Thyroid. Shortly, afterwards I was found wandering around in an incoherent manner. I was admitted to hospital & underwent many tests over the following 2 weeks. After no results I was sent to Cramond Cli... View more

Seven years ago I underwent an Operation on my Thyroid. Shortly, afterwards I was found wandering around in an incoherent manner. I was admitted to hospital & underwent many tests over the following 2 weeks. After no results I was sent to Cramond Clinic @ the QEH.I was given a cocktail of many different anti depressants. Then finally after a month sent home. A week later I attempted suicide. I was rushed back to the QEH where I stayed again at Cramond Clinic for a month then sent to a rehab facility.I began a series of six Shock Treatments over a 4 week period. This was a VERY stressful time. 18 months later my Pychiatrist finally prescribed the right mix of drugs & I finally started feeling like myself. I had been to hell & back.For 5 years my life resumed & I stayed depression free. Then last August I relasped into a 3 week depressive state.Thankfully, due to family & friends I came through this time. Then 4 weekend ago in early May, through a series of stressful events, The Black Dog reared it's ugly head again. I went to a very dark place & fortunately due to the love & care of my husband, I pulled through. I lost 5.5 kg in 3 weeks!! I stayed in bed most days & only wanted to curl up into a fetal position. It was horrid. Only one week ago I stated feeling better.I have booked into a Beyond Bluue course & see my Dr regularly.I now realise that sadly depression does not go away, but can reoccur.

misssanonymous I need help.
  • replies: 2

Hi, I've been living in a deep depression for the last 8 years. I've struggled with self harm and attempted suicide numerous times, and I can't remember the last time I actually felt anything other than anger or sadness. I'm only 18, and the first ti... View more

Hi, I've been living in a deep depression for the last 8 years. I've struggled with self harm and attempted suicide numerous times, and I can't remember the last time I actually felt anything other than anger or sadness. I'm only 18, and the first time I attempted to take my life, I was 11. I'm on here because I want to know things that have helped others break out of their slump. I've tried therapy years ago, but quickly stopped when my parents yelled at me because my mental health was costing them, and they weren't seeing fast enough results. I've tried so many different things to break out of my slump, but genuinely cannot find the motivation to seek new ideas or keep them up. I'm unmotivated in life, I have zero interest in the things that used to make me feel like me, and even though I pretend I'm doing better, I'm getting worse. Nobody in my family listens or asks me questions. The only time anything was brought up was when my mum, out of the blue, asked if I was over harming myself. Every time I try to bring up how I'm feeling I'm told it's just hormones and 'we were dramatic teenagers once too'. I'm pushed away, ignored and left to try and change in a home environment that isn't doing anything to change either. My feelings are invalidated to the point where I feel shit for crying or not pretending to be the 'happy, grateful' daughter I should be in a family that treats me like I'm a burden and a disappointment. If I'm not angry or sad I genuinely feel nothing. It feels like my chest and brain are hollow and I'm a mannequin forced to watch everyone else live their lives. I have felt this way for so long, 8 god damn years and I fear it will never change. I'm scared if something doesn't change, ie.my mindset or habits, or even just the way I look at the meaning of life, I'll resort back to self harm, something I was told by parents was a selfish habit. How do I re-find myself? And how can I work up the courage to stand up to my family and seek out help?

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