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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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Fiatlux Winter Blues
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, Why does depression hit harder on cold gloomy days? Its only May and I am already feeling the cold. I am contemplating a cold winter indoors and weekends in bed, hiding from the outside. I am already exhausted this year. I work 5 days a ... View more

Hi everyone, Why does depression hit harder on cold gloomy days? Its only May and I am already feeling the cold. I am contemplating a cold winter indoors and weekends in bed, hiding from the outside. I am already exhausted this year. I work 5 days a week and I am exhausted and disinterested in getting up and out on the weekends. January 2020 I spent on a warm tropical island in Queensland. I would give anything to be back there. In hindsight I took it for granted. In normal economic times I have treated myself to a short holiday somewhere warm in the middle of winter. This year I feel despair that I just don’t have the will, energy or finances to get on a plane to somewhere nice. I feel guilty for even wanting to get out of here, leaving a mess behind me. My sons are both struggling with work and finances and all I want is to be on Daydream Island. I honestly don’t know if I can keep going this year. I am so scared of the future. I want to make a move but I am stuck. Too old to work at this pace, but too poor to stop. I wake up tired every morning and all I look forward to is staying in bed on the weekends.

Ilovehats New to this Forum.
  • replies: 4

Not sure where to start? I’ve made some huge life decisions due to being extremely unhappy in my marriage for over a decade thinking things will change but I’ve come to realisation that nothing will ever change unless I change it myself. My almost ad... View more

Not sure where to start? I’ve made some huge life decisions due to being extremely unhappy in my marriage for over a decade thinking things will change but I’ve come to realisation that nothing will ever change unless I change it myself. My almost adult child has moved with me and I’m having some physical health problems at the same time as well as being diagnosed with long Covid. I’ve joined BB as I’ve got to the stage where I’m waking up having panic attacks that we are going to be homeless in a few years when my money runs out. I’m working but on a single income it’s really difficult to balance the budget alone. The cost of living rising, no longer having a home and being part of a partnership is very scary. Add on Covid, a child experimenting with drugs and that’s my life. My GP diagnosed my depression years ago. I’ve been on anti depressants for 3 years and I want to come off them and start looking after myself and my mental health. I’ve put everyone else first for the last 20 years and I’ve got nothing left to give anyone I’m just exhausted , stressed and empty. Any advice to someone starting their journey please. My GP is no help not interested at all just gives me anti depressants and tells me to stress less and meditation.

LJpd81 Do psychologists check emails on weekends?
  • replies: 24

Hi in anyone's experience, do psychologists check their emails from clients on weekends? I messaged mine tonight and said I'd thought about harming tonight. I didn't, but the thought ran through my head. Made me wonder if psychologists monitor their ... View more

Hi in anyone's experience, do psychologists check their emails from clients on weekends? I messaged mine tonight and said I'd thought about harming tonight. I didn't, but the thought ran through my head. Made me wonder if psychologists monitor their emails on weekends, even if no reply until Monday? Makes me feel like I'm alone and how does my psychologist not not know I'm not serious?

Niamh1989 My thoughts and feelings are completely disorganised
  • replies: 3

I literally have no idea what my MH diagnosis should be. I’m just so so so sick of all of this. im 33, I have 2 kids. I was not too bad in terms of MH before kids, just got on with it. now, I’m a headcase. I am depressed & anxious. I have thoughts of... View more

I literally have no idea what my MH diagnosis should be. I’m just so so so sick of all of this. im 33, I have 2 kids. I was not too bad in terms of MH before kids, just got on with it. now, I’m a headcase. I am depressed & anxious. I have thoughts of suicide. but the biggest most hellish part is that my thoughts/moods/feelings are so chaotic & disorganised. I will fly from one place to the next. I so so desperately don’t want to be like this anymore, that I will go from wallowing in the depths of hell, then I feel okay for a second and I think okay maybe I’m fine now. I’ll then put off getting help because I’ll be fine for a few days. Then it’s bad again. i Have disorganised attachment style and when I first found out about that it really explained a lot. I thought “disorganised” is so accurate re my head. I swear, I am highly volatile. My husband is objectively a good person, he has done nothing wrong. But he has absolutely no idea what to do. He is very emotionally well regulated which I am really happy about for my kids sake but on a purely selfish level it annoys me to live with basically a male Mary Poppins. my kids are okay, I protect them from the worst of my behaviour now because I am self aware and I do a lot to try and get it out away from them. I get support. My husband helps, my parents help. my Childhood wasn’t great. Mum very emotionally unavailable and invalidated everything we felt good or bad. Her mum was a violent schizophrenic. Abuse, trauma & MH runs in the family. can anyone help or offer advice? im Seeing a new psych this week, just got my MH plan renewed. My previous psych was great but of course after a few sessions I thought I was fine and told her that. Never saw her again and within a. Few weeks I was a mess.

Fruit_Tingle Feeling Sad and Alone
  • replies: 13

New here and not really sure what to do. Actually signed up over 2 years ago but never went through with posting anything....it's been a long ride. Just when I feel like I'm getting back on track I fall back down again. I'm tired of feeling this way ... View more

New here and not really sure what to do. Actually signed up over 2 years ago but never went through with posting anything....it's been a long ride. Just when I feel like I'm getting back on track I fall back down again. I'm tired of feeling this way and the day to day challenge of pretending to be ok or trying to get through the day without breaking down. I don't even know where to begin or what to do anymore.

Tkat91 How to parent a difficult child when you have depression
  • replies: 4

I have just started on anti depressants yesterday and I have 3 kids but my youngest is the most difficult, I am finding it increasingly difficult to be a good mum. My 4yo had a meltdown at the shops and I had everyone staring at me so I left without ... View more

I have just started on anti depressants yesterday and I have 3 kids but my youngest is the most difficult, I am finding it increasingly difficult to be a good mum. My 4yo had a meltdown at the shops and I had everyone staring at me so I left without my shopping and she kept screaming and refused to go into her carseat so I could go home. After about 30 mins of her just sitting in the floor well of my car and me in my driver's seat balling my eyes out she finally went in her seat. I hate feeling like this and I love my kids more then anything but I know I can be a better mum. What more can I do? I am waiting to see a psych and it's obviously going to take time for my tablets to take effect but I can't keep feeling like this

Arejay871 Career break from mental health
  • replies: 8

Hi, Been living with depression and anxiety for the last 5 years and recently just decided to resign from my work (I am an IT Project manager) as i just couldn't take it anymore. I would describe myself as a people pleaser and found that If i didnt d... View more

Hi, Been living with depression and anxiety for the last 5 years and recently just decided to resign from my work (I am an IT Project manager) as i just couldn't take it anymore. I would describe myself as a people pleaser and found that If i didnt deliver something on time or knew all the answers i was failing. I also felt very burnt out and wasnt able to enjoy things outside of my work. Or even knew what i enjoyed outside of work to be honest. - im feeling stupid/annoyed/weak not being able to cope and deal with the day to day pressures of work. - im worried about my career prospects moving forward (even though my bosses were very understanding and supporting - i didnt leave in a very good way - which im ashamed of... - im finding it hard to not work and also ashamed not to be working - finding it hard to do whats best for me

Surfie883 Hi my name is Lawrence, and I have a problem.
  • replies: 1

I don't know how to ask for help. It been on medication for depression for twenty years and I'm still the same . I'm old and just want the world to stop so I can get off.

I don't know how to ask for help. It been on medication for depression for twenty years and I'm still the same . I'm old and just want the world to stop so I can get off.

Guest_1573 Happy Doormat Day To Me
  • replies: 6

So it is another Mothers' Day. Another day where I get nothing. No recognition; no presents. I don't care about material issues but I have bought my son up on my own since he was two. I have sacrificed money, a beautiful house, many so called friends... View more

So it is another Mothers' Day. Another day where I get nothing. No recognition; no presents. I don't care about material issues but I have bought my son up on my own since he was two. I have sacrificed money, a beautiful house, many so called friends...all to get him out of the violence we were living with at that time. That was 15 years ago. I have never gotten over having to give up so much. I have had major issues with finances, mental health and day to day care of my son. As not one person ever helped us. He is now a lazy slob and only cares about himself. I love him; don't get me wrong. But it is soul destroying living with him. He is very overweight. He blames his situation on everyone but himself. He is not making any effort to get a job or enrol in his uni courses. I try everything I can think of to motivate him. Nothing works!!!! So today is just another depressing day watching him play his stupid computer games and eat everything in the house. I am so bloody sick of it. I am 57 years old for gods sake; I am working at a supermarket whilst he sits around doing nothing. He then gets upset and dramatic. Says he hates himself and wants to die etc etc. I have booked appointments for him (counsellors etc) and he always bails at the last minute. I have done everything possible to help him. He just wants to be a lazy slob and smoke weed and stuff when he goes out with his so called mates. His 'father' is obviously useless. He only cares about himself. I am just so sick to death of this. What can I do? I can't kick him out...he has nowhere to go...it is a horrible life. If he was doing the right thing I would love him to stay. But he is abusing my love and generosity and I really can't deal.

Montacute When psychologists are not for you
  • replies: 8

Hi all, I know many people find the support of a psychologist to be helpful ( and I am glad they do ) but it’s not for me. I find it too intrusive, I am a private person and don’t speak to the ( few ) people close to me about personal things let alon... View more

Hi all, I know many people find the support of a psychologist to be helpful ( and I am glad they do ) but it’s not for me. I find it too intrusive, I am a private person and don’t speak to the ( few ) people close to me about personal things let alone someone I don’t know. And yes, I have tried quite a few. Then when I can’t open up they tell me I’m not helping myself. So it is a vicious cycle and each attempt leaves me feeling even worse. Anyone else the same, and what helps you?

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