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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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Numb Achored.
  • replies: 7

Good morning to one and all. I am a senior, trying to break free from my mundane self-isolating life. Hurt has seen me resort to withdrawal. Depression has been my companion. Yes, I have tried Counselling, activities, etc., only to ride on a high for... View more

Good morning to one and all. I am a senior, trying to break free from my mundane self-isolating life. Hurt has seen me resort to withdrawal. Depression has been my companion. Yes, I have tried Counselling, activities, etc., only to ride on a high for a while, then fall back to earth with a sickening thud. For the past 2 yrs I have been trying to move house to no avail. I have tried to find paid work, to no avail. I have tried, tried and tried again to move forward, only to be held back by my insecurities, bad decisions or circumstances beyond my control. I am fortunate as I am secure with material means, but I am an empty shell. I have a faithful partner; who's only input to our relationship is his opinion to which he gives freely, and nothing else. I am a grandparent, and my children have their own lives. Their preference to their father and his side of the family is obvious. I have nothing to offer them, apart from my hands, willingness, home cooked meals, a shoulder to cry on, a refuge and monies I give, that I don't have or can't afford. In truth, I hate myself, my life and each and every morning, I wake to dread. Suicide is constantly on my mind. No, I won't go through with it, as I have a family, and it's a burden I won't inflict on them, to leave them to carry and deal with my cowardness all their lives. I ask myself daily, when will my final day come!! My life is not a consequence from lack of trying; it's not knowing what other options (I haven't already tried) that will help me to move forward. To become what I have always wanted to be, what I use to be. My former self haunts me daily, I look back on what I had and achieved, only to be left thinking and living with how I screwed up my life. I don't want to live alone, but I don't want what I have now. I just don't know the reasoning behind my failures, besides that perhaps I was born a failure to begin with. How do others move forward when the anchor around their legs, is pulling them deeper into the depths of despair.

phightingphan im hideous
  • replies: 5

TW First of all, thank you all for the support. I doubt I will ever change, and I'm only ever on here to rant, but I'm extremely grateful that there are people who are taking time out of their days to support me. :)) To the topic at hand: I believe I... View more

TW First of all, thank you all for the support. I doubt I will ever change, and I'm only ever on here to rant, but I'm extremely grateful that there are people who are taking time out of their days to support me. :)) To the topic at hand: I believe I am terribly ugly. Yes, I am well aware of what causes me to think this way, the perpetuation of beauty standards and whatnot, and I know I have become an unfortunate victim of that system, but it is. Actually impossible to stop thinking this way lol. I have prominent body hair, for one. I KNOW that body hair is normal on every human, and basically everyone has it, but oh my GOD. I can't go outside wearing short-sleeved shirts because my arm hair makes me feel like a sasquatch. Like I'm a giant grizzly bear trying to masquerade as a teenage girl. This wouldn't at all be an issue if my body hair weren't so dark. It is so dark that even if I shave, you can still see it underneath my skin (I have pale skin). The worst thing is? I can do NOTHING about it. Do you think I'm bothered to go get some sort of laser hair removal?? no?? How am I even supposed to explain that to my parents?? - Probably one of the worst issues I have with my body is.. well.. my body. The very way my bones are structured, the way my flesh and muscle sit atop of it. Disfigured, even. I look into the mirror before I shower every day, and I want to hurl. My ribcage is far too wide, my shoulders are too broad, my hips are too narrow, my waist is too short. It hurts to know that I'm cursed to look the way I do for as long as I live. What can I do to improve this? What can make it so I don't have to live like this anymore??? Forget it. I'm far too lazy anyhow.

Ms-B Struggling alone and abandoned
  • replies: 2

Hi I haven’t been here for a very long time, but I’m really struggling at the moment and I’m often feeling this sense of desperation pumping through my body. Like I don’t know where to turn to. I feel so let down by community mental health they have ... View more

Hi I haven’t been here for a very long time, but I’m really struggling at the moment and I’m often feeling this sense of desperation pumping through my body. Like I don’t know where to turn to. I feel so let down by community mental health they have been so slack. I have a lot going on at the moment and it’s a really difficult time of the year. I’m safe, I wish I wasn’t, I have a lot of them bad dark thoughts, but I am safe.

lost_echo Constant empty feeling
  • replies: 9

recently i finished my hsc and went travelling for a couple weeks before returning back home. during the periods of study, exams and travelling, my mind was very occupied with the things i had to do that in a way i was able to avoid the constant voic... View more

recently i finished my hsc and went travelling for a couple weeks before returning back home. during the periods of study, exams and travelling, my mind was very occupied with the things i had to do that in a way i was able to avoid the constant voices in my head and the numbing feeling of depression. however, now that im back, i feel like i have fallen back into a pit and the waves of depression has returned. i have been dealing with mdd for over 3 years now and i feel like every year it gets worse and worse but i dont want to get hospitalised so i never really go into detail of the thoughts that play in my head constantly. these days i have just been feeling extremely low and listless. while people my age are thinking about their uni lives, i'm here literally just living because i have to. i know its just my depression but i have nihilism and everything just seems so useless, especially with all the global events occurring at the same time, it makes me lose faith in humanity and purpose to continue the existence of humans. that's not to say all humans are bad, it's just that the majority worldly leaders of earth who makes society, the economic and the overall functioning of the earth is doing a really crappy job and to imagine that im going to be a part of that workforce in a couple years is daunting. i just want everything to be over so that i can be free and escape this life. i wish an asteroid hits earth all humans can be free together.

Guest_52029089 My Experience with Postpartum Depression
  • replies: 2

After the birth of my baby, I have been struggling with postpartum depression. I often feel very low, exhausted, and alone, and I have ongoing anxiety and mood changes. Even with support around me, I feel misunderstood and emotionally overwhelmed.

After the birth of my baby, I have been struggling with postpartum depression. I often feel very low, exhausted, and alone, and I have ongoing anxiety and mood changes. Even with support around me, I feel misunderstood and emotionally overwhelmed.

Guest_10343 What is one small thing you managed to do today?
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone,I know that when the fog of depression rolls in, just existing can feel like running a marathon. We often beat ourselves up for not achieving "big" things, so I wanted to start a space where we can celebrate the very small things. What is... View more

Hi everyone,I know that when the fog of depression rolls in, just existing can feel like running a marathon. We often beat ourselves up for not achieving "big" things, so I wanted to start a space where we can celebrate the very small things. What is one tiny thing you managed to do today?It doesn't have to be big. It doesn't have to be productive. Maybe you brushed your teeth.Maybe you sat outside in the sun for 5 minutes.Maybe you just drank a glass of water.Maybe you simply got out of bed, even if you got back in later.

Guest_31217213 Depression: A long time coming
  • replies: 2

Hello. I am a new member of the Beyond Blue forum, so apologies for any mistakes made in this post.For about the last 3 months now, I haven't felt myself. Might sound vague, but for those 3 months I've been feeling more lonely, less upbeat and hopefu... View more

Hello. I am a new member of the Beyond Blue forum, so apologies for any mistakes made in this post.For about the last 3 months now, I haven't felt myself. Might sound vague, but for those 3 months I've been feeling more lonely, less upbeat and hopeful, and I haven't been "connecting" to other people. It's probably because I sit in what I believe to be a triangle of "Things that a lot of people don't really like", making me not want to really connect with new people (not just because it feels weird to walk up to someone and start talking!) in the probably high chance they hate it and become a new rival hater of me, ruining my popularity and decreasing the chances I get to connect to others and my self-confidence in making new connections. A snowballing of issues may seem overexagerated, but it's just what my mind believes is true.If anyone wishes to discuss this further, I'll (usually) be ready to continue. Thank you.

cadyxoxo I don't know what to do
  • replies: 3

I'm currently in my last year of school, and i should be happy as everything's going well, but I can't be its like nothing I do makes me feel happy anymore, apart from small times with my family, as sometimes I can't even be bothered to leave my room... View more

I'm currently in my last year of school, and i should be happy as everything's going well, but I can't be its like nothing I do makes me feel happy anymore, apart from small times with my family, as sometimes I can't even be bothered to leave my room to talk to them, even though it makes me happy. I struggle with simple needs, and its really getting annoying as i have all these plans i wanna do but when they come around, I'm not able to. And the truth is i have no reason to be unhappy i have a loving family alot of friends, and I'm in a relationship with someone who loves me, but it's hard to keep these relationships up. I don't know what to do, I can't reach out to them as they have worried over me since year six and now they believe i am better but im not, i really dont know what to do, i feel kinda pathetic being one here lol. If I tell them, they’ll probably send me back to therapy with the same family friend. They trust her completely, talk about how much she helped me, and I don’t know how to explain that she didn't i acted like she did so i could get out of it and i'm starting to regret it but she truly made me uncomfortable back then i didn't i could talk to my parents about this and i feel like i still cant. Sorry, any advice will be helpful sorry for venting lol.

bfic12 Lonely
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm Billy, 43 years old, are there any women who would like to have a chat?

Hi, I'm Billy, 43 years old, are there any women who would like to have a chat?

Guest_44228154 My life is failing and falling apart
  • replies: 2

I am going through a lot and by wife is always yelling next to me because I am a failure. Since I was a kid, my mom called me failure and I do not want to ask from my wife and we argued top of our lungs. Later I overthink and realized that I am a fai... View more

I am going through a lot and by wife is always yelling next to me because I am a failure. Since I was a kid, my mom called me failure and I do not want to ask from my wife and we argued top of our lungs. Later I overthink and realized that I am a failure I am always as failure. End of the day I feel like that way. Recently, I have completed and exam and failed but wife kept telling me how many times have you failed that exam and yet you cannot pass. I felt insecure and yelled at her . I lover her so much. but when she talks like that I felt like I am insecure. I have ego to understand that I am a failure . I am a looser . everything is not going my way. what should I do? I feel to harm myself but no confidence for that

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