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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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LunaGray92 Chronic Illness, Deep Depression and feelings of Isolation
  • replies: 1

Hi All, Two years ago I was hospitalised and Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At the time, I was 31 and the fittest/healthiest I'd ever been. I swam, danced, gymmed 6 days a week. I counted calories, already had removed most processed sugars from my d... View more

Hi All, Two years ago I was hospitalised and Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At the time, I was 31 and the fittest/healthiest I'd ever been. I swam, danced, gymmed 6 days a week. I counted calories, already had removed most processed sugars from my diet etc. This healthy period of my life came off the back of a very traumatic breakup a couple years prior that I was still struggling with. So it was a bit of a surprise when suddenly I was diagnosed with an auto-immune condition. I love food - the first throughts I had while in the hospital were about all the things I couldn't enjoy again. When they told me I'd need to inject myself to stay alive, I broke down completely. I've been afraid of needles my whole life - and I still am. I've suffered with anxiety, depression and ADHD since I was 8 years old. After being diagnosed, I developed an eating disorder and there were days where I just wouldn't eat so I didn't have to have insulin. For the first 3 months, my partner had to give me my insulin because the fear of the needle would consume me and I would sit in a catatonic state, holding the needle-pen near my body. I'd eventually fall apart and sob uncontrobbaly for an hour. I ended up seeing a therapist for a bit and was escalated to a really great Diabetes Educator and Dietician. Throughout the two years of having this disease, I feel like a newer, worse version of myself. I can't exercise without having to make 100 extra decisions and plans to stop a low or stop a high. I can't go to the shops and get groceries - I have to plan to not eat and not have insulin on board as my body is so sensitive, I go low very fast and I end up unable to drive. I feel trapped and alone. My partner has been here throughout the whole ordeal, but I can see the resentment starting to set in that I haven't improved or gotten better/more accepting of this disease. Him encouraging me to exercise or eat low carb etc feel like attacks - like I'm not doing enough. I'm exhausted. I'm so mentally and physically ground down. I obsess over my calories and carb intake, but will then binge eat and send myself skyhigh, followed by a low because I've over-corrected. Yet - even with all of this, I'm 93% time in range and my HBA1C measurement is 6.0% - in the eyes of my specialist I am a "stellar example" of a T1D patient. Are there others here who feel this way? I barely leave the house. I can't connect with people anymore, and I'm so angry and volatile with no capacity for any other stress.

iJustDontKn0w Lost
  • replies: 1

I’m not sure if anyone will read this, but I’m feeling a little lost and helpless. I house-share with a 30yr old guy who is lovely and talented and smart. He just so happens to also be deeply depressed. He returned to Melbourne a year ago after livin... View more

I’m not sure if anyone will read this, but I’m feeling a little lost and helpless. I house-share with a 30yr old guy who is lovely and talented and smart. He just so happens to also be deeply depressed. He returned to Melbourne a year ago after living OS with his partner for 3.5 years. The relationship broke down, he lost his job in tech and has come back to nothing. His friends seem to have their own lives and don’t really check in with him or come over to spend time with him. His sister visits from time to time. I’ve tried to encourage him to seek professional help but he can barely fill in an online form. I’ve had the crisis team out a few times when the isolation he’s feeling gets too much. I don’t know what to do to help anymore. Also I personally feel angry at his flakey friends!! Does anyone have any ideas?

Guest_09239120 I feel lost, ashamed and kinda depressed
  • replies: 3

Hi all,I’m a male who has just graduated high school and started at Uni. Previously, I used to be crazy into running, but I’ve been injured for a bit over a year. Avoiding the details, I’m not recovering soon. It was a lot of who I was and how I deal... View more

Hi all,I’m a male who has just graduated high school and started at Uni. Previously, I used to be crazy into running, but I’ve been injured for a bit over a year. Avoiding the details, I’m not recovering soon. It was a lot of who I was and how I dealt with negative emotions, and now it’s gone. I still do weight training, but it’s not the same. I used to base a lot who I was about being a hard worker, but now that I’ve entered uni, I’m struggling to work at all. Most days blend into each other. I rot in bed, do 1 hour of study while getting further and further behind class, do one training session then rot again. I have good friends who I have deep relations with and regularly talk to, but I still feel lonely.Since a year ago, and particularly after high school, I just feel like I keep falling from who I want to be further and further. I know logically I’m still doing well. I have consistent sleep, exercise, diet and good friends, but I still feel ashamed of who I am and I don’t know if the future for me looks better. I feel depressed.- Ryan

Samuel Struggling with my VCE
  • replies: 2

A few weeks ago I had a TC seizure, and it took about two weeks before I could even start working again. Since then, everything has piled up.Right now I have about 4 weeks of catch-up across 5 subjects, including SACs. That’s a minimum of 120 hours o... View more

A few weeks ago I had a TC seizure, and it took about two weeks before I could even start working again. Since then, everything has piled up.Right now I have about 4 weeks of catch-up across 5 subjects, including SACs. That’s a minimum of 120 hours of work, which is at least 5 full days straight with no breaks, and it’s impossible to realistically get it all done. Just one subject takes me over 6 hours a day.I don’t even have time for the things I enjoy, like art-I would spend all day every day drawing if I could. I also have daily responsibilities at home that take around 3 hours, which makes it even harder to find time and energy to work. Even when I try to focus, I’m dealing with brain fog and procrastination, and I just can’t keep up.Mentally, I feel completely burnt out. I’ve always had a strong work ethic and pushed myself, but this is different. I genuinely can’t keep up anymore. I’m at the point where I’m considering dropping VCE entirely, even though I had plans to go into nursing.I feel stuck and overwhelmed, and I haven’t been able to talk to my family about it because they expect a lot from me. Right now I just feel exhausted and unsure of what to do.I’m not really sure what I need, but I know I can’t keep going like this. Note: I suffer from Epilepsy and IBD (UC)

tashi No more joy
  • replies: 10

I feel absolutely ridiculous writing this when I know how blessed I am in this life . I have a husband who supports me , two beautiful children and a roof over my head . I have been through some shit in this life , but along with everyone else right?... View more

I feel absolutely ridiculous writing this when I know how blessed I am in this life . I have a husband who supports me , two beautiful children and a roof over my head . I have been through some shit in this life , but along with everyone else right? But ive been making excuses for to long … its been a long week or the kids have been hard work today or im a bit under the weather , my low iron is causing me to be flat but if im being truly honest . I don’t remember the last time I felt true happiness or joy . I have to work really hard to pretend things are making me happy and I feel evil saying it . Even when I’m out experiencing life with myfamily . Sometimes crippled in my bed scrolling my phone with not an ounce of energy yo get up . What on earth do I do from here . I feel so broken

Guest_98280030 Little miss lonely
  • replies: 2

Hi, I don’t usually do things like this as I’m naturally a very introverted person who doesn’t like talking about her feelings, but I’ve reached a point where I can’t cope with my feelings very well. I am 18, and I’ve just finished school and all my ... View more

Hi, I don’t usually do things like this as I’m naturally a very introverted person who doesn’t like talking about her feelings, but I’ve reached a point where I can’t cope with my feelings very well. I am 18, and I’ve just finished school and all my friends pretty much ghosted me. I find it really hard to make friends, and even harder to be close enough to people to go out with them often. I do have my boyfriend, but even he makes me feel like he doesn’t want to be around me. My dilemma ultimately is that I’m really sad and depressed, feeling like I’ve hit a dead end. And yes, I’ve brought up my feelings with my boyfriend and he just doesn’t get it. It’s really playing a toll on my mental health because I have problems and I just want to have other people to lean on, and be able to talk to, but I’m so scared to make friends because they always seem to turn, after I put so much trust in them. Any advice as to what to do? I don’t know how much longer I can feel this way. thank you x

Guest_10307 Hindsight
  • replies: 3

I have been feeling very heavy of late.I can't really call it a mid-life crisis, as I'm 32, but whatever it is, the feeling I have made wrong choices in life is weighing on me. I left school at the end of year 10- I was desperate to get out because o... View more

I have been feeling very heavy of late.I can't really call it a mid-life crisis, as I'm 32, but whatever it is, the feeling I have made wrong choices in life is weighing on me. I left school at the end of year 10- I was desperate to get out because of the bullying at the time, and I was also just too keen to be an adult. And if you'd asked me at the time- I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do career wise. As it was, I got a job in retail, moved out of home and though I've been in various positions since I'm still doing much the same thing. Today, I think I would have been a good nurse. Particularly in aged care or disability. I have a lot to be thankful for, I rent a nice apartment for myself, I have a decent car I lease and two cats that I adore. But I feel empty. My job isn't rewarding or meaningful in the slightest, and though I am not on terrible money, I am also stubbornly single- and I get hung up on the fact I will never likely be in the position to own a home and be afforded the same comforts and financial security my parents had. And finding a partner only for reasons of financial security I don't feel is the right strategy. People will try and tell me I'm still young- and to "go for it" but the reality is, its not that simple to change course. I have commitments, and no financial safety net to think about leaving a steady job. The risks are just too high. And sadly, nurses are not paid anywhere near enough for what they do. So for now I am just stuck in the "what ifs" and no real solution as to what to do to improve my outlook and its making days harder than need be. I realise this will seem so trivial compared to others problems, and I almost feel ridiculous putting this out there. But if someone else feels a little hopeless and lost with regret or feel down their life hasn't panned out like hoped, maybe we can be there for eachother.

RG4264 Antidepressants - Do they work?
  • replies: 3

I constantly feel under the weather; constantly tired, irritable, numb emotionally, and beginning to have thoughts of self harm. This is mainly aimed towards those who have taken antidepressants or know people who have taken antidepressants. Do they ... View more

I constantly feel under the weather; constantly tired, irritable, numb emotionally, and beginning to have thoughts of self harm. This is mainly aimed towards those who have taken antidepressants or know people who have taken antidepressants. Do they work? Will they help me? I ask because, if I were to inform my parents (I'm below the age of 18), that will be a door I cannot close, and if they don't work, I'd have done that for nothing. Any and all help is appreciated.

Rye Feeling like i’m ruining my life
  • replies: 2

Recently i’ve just felt like my life has been falling apart. For reference i’ve been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety & depression and have struggled many years having long episodes of depression, but last year for a while I got better and got into a nur... View more

Recently i’ve just felt like my life has been falling apart. For reference i’ve been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety & depression and have struggled many years having long episodes of depression, but last year for a while I got better and got into a nursing course. I started my first placements last week but for the last month everything has been going wrong. I’m living with my mother but we lost our house due to her being sick and unable to work, so I’ve had to move in with my grandmother and I feel like i’m burdening her. On top of that my cat of 13 years went missing and hasn’t come home, and since I’ve moved I fear that we won’t find him. Placements for nursing weren’t going too badly but I was feeling the pressure of caring for people whilst my own mental health was collapsing and on Friday I had the worst anxiety and ended up calling out. Saturday was my 21st birthday and that feeling lingered the entire day and it felt like the worst day i’ve had in a long time. I ended up reaching out to my teacher because I was beginning to feel like my placements were undoable and i’d been having second thoughts about nursing in general and I decided to withdraw from the course today. I feel like i’m ruining my own life, I seem to be unable to keep a good thing going for long. I have thought i possibly have ADHD as both my sisters have it, however with little to no money it’s essentially impossible for me to get tested at this moment in time. Im just unsure of where to go. I’m going back to my doctor to see about anti-depressants and want to go back to counselling - But this pattern of depressive waves mixed with a general lack of interest, motivation or ambition in anything makes me feel like i’m never going to be able to keep a job, or keep up an education.

Guest_42890481 Immense sadness
  • replies: 2

I’ve separated from my ex-husband for almost 3 years. I’ve struggled so much being a working single mum of 2. I feel exhausted mentally. I have no support, no friends, I’m not close with my parents. I feel sad and anxious most of the time. I feel lon... View more

I’ve separated from my ex-husband for almost 3 years. I’ve struggled so much being a working single mum of 2. I feel exhausted mentally. I have no support, no friends, I’m not close with my parents. I feel sad and anxious most of the time. I feel lonely and depressed. One time I ran into an issue and I had no one to call, so I ended up calling my ex and I instantly regretted it. I hated myself for reaching out to him as I knew contacting him will only hurt me more. We strictly talk about the kids only. I want to heal so badly, I want to move on with my life and just be happy but I can’t. I don’t understand why I am still sad about my marriage ending even though it’s been 3 years and even though it was amicable (for the most part). I know he has moved on, but why can’t I. I have so much resentment towards him but I also hate myself for still letting him control my emotions. I don’t know what to do. Also being an immigrant, i never feel belonged here. Part of me wanted to escape but I can’t. My kids are the only things that keep me going. If I don’t keep myself busy with work or with the kids, I will drown into this deep dark hole and feel trapped. I tried therapy, that didn’t help. I also couldn’t keep spending money on therapy due to the expensive cost. I am so unhappy and I don’t know how and when or even if I will ever see the light at the end of the tunnel..

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