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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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Jordon23 Drowning yet Breathing fine
  • replies: 3

I'm not rly sure what to say, i'm just venting ig. I have struggled with Suicidal depression for almost half my life. I'm almost 20 and have been struggling with depression since I was 10 and have been suicidal since I was 13. Almost 7 years later an... View more

I'm not rly sure what to say, i'm just venting ig. I have struggled with Suicidal depression for almost half my life. I'm almost 20 and have been struggling with depression since I was 10 and have been suicidal since I was 13. Almost 7 years later and about 4ish years since all the bullying, harassment and exclusion has stopped since i left at the end of year 10 and my life is flourishing. I have finished 3 years studying something I love, started a job that i rly like and am surrounded by great people. So i am so F***ing angry that i still feel like i want to fall asleep and never wake up. I have literally almost everything good going for me in life and have so much to be thankful for but my default mood always goes right back to not wanting to be alive anymore. I'm surrounded by amazing people yet feel so disconnected from them and feel like they would be better off without me. I have never felt like I truly fit in anywhere and have never had a proper friend group that hand on my heart could say that I could depend on them. I hate myself so much and I see no reason why I do, but I also know exactly why. All I can see is how much I hurt people and make them feel uncomfortable because I find it very hard to read people and as a result, unintentionally cross boundaries all the time. I'm always interested in something else people are interested in and I feel like I just let everyone down all the time. In a weird way, I find it funny to call myself suicidal because I never actively planned to commit suicide, BUT I have hurt myself multiple times and thinking "I'm doing this to punish myself but If it goes worse, just let it happen". People keep seeing how I'm hurting physically and ask me what's wrong but I don't want to tell them because their lives are happy and I don't want to burden them with something they can't understand or control. My life is progressing so well and so quickly yet I feel so stuck and feel like I'm drowning and every breath I take feels like a sin. I won't actually do anything because I know how much it hurts people, but I cant seem to get better permenately regardless of meds and therapy. I just don't know what else to do.

Beaser The Guilt . Where does it come from.
  • replies: 5

Hi and best wishes to everyone. I know that guilt is often associated with depression. Sometimes i get overwhelmed with it myself .Those feelings of constantly letting people down ,whether it be from not visiting or being able to help them when they ... View more

Hi and best wishes to everyone. I know that guilt is often associated with depression. Sometimes i get overwhelmed with it myself .Those feelings of constantly letting people down ,whether it be from not visiting or being able to help them when they ask for help with something or just not being available for a social gathering.It just seems especially hard at this time of year. I was just wondering about peoples similar situations and how they manage these feelings.I find it quite overwhelming at times. Brett

Evanthia04 When it all falls apart : Where to especially since its sessional holiday spirits ?????
  • replies: 8

So, these last 6 weeks have been anything but happiness for me ... I have had to speak to Authorities about my feelings , emotions and well being , but importantly my SH. I have felt a lot of anger , hate and frustration to those around me . I have k... View more

So, these last 6 weeks have been anything but happiness for me ... I have had to speak to Authorities about my feelings , emotions and well being , but importantly my SH. I have felt a lot of anger , hate and frustration to those around me . I have kept my true feelings withheld from those around me . I have nightmares and feel very anxious. I was hospitalized for 5 days , but being home has left me with heartburn and panicking feelings. I have BPD. I am scared and lost. I have visual disturbances that l fear.

GMarenghi How to deal with derogatory comments in public
  • replies: 6

Hi, I wish I didn't have to even think about this but I thought posting to a supportive forum might help me in dealing with this issue. I have red hair, I'm indifferent about it, but unfortunately years ago there was a certain show broadcast that fea... View more

Hi, I wish I didn't have to even think about this but I thought posting to a supportive forum might help me in dealing with this issue. I have red hair, I'm indifferent about it, but unfortunately years ago there was a certain show broadcast that featured high school students teasing a character with red hair. Since then, on occasion I've been called this term in public (most of the time by teenagers). I know that in a group people tend to be more confident and that it's not something they would say to my face one-on-one. I'm not in high school anymore (and when I was in high school it was never even any issue). Some people dismiss it as a joke, but I don't see the funny side. I'm conscious that there's far worse that happens to people but I think the senseless, immature throwaway remark, causes me to experience low-self confidence and self-esteem issues. I've never spoken to a therapist about it, it feels too embarrassing and wouldn't be taken seriously. I never react because I know that it wouldn't change anything but would like to know how to move on from future remarks. The reason I'm writing this now is because it happened tonight. I was just walking home after doing shopping and I heard someone at a table say it to me. Also, I've suffered from OCD in the past and half the time I don't know whether I actually heard someone say that or if I just imagined it.

NumPy I’m getting that look again
  • replies: 7

My dog, he knows something’s not right. Won’t leave my side. on the surface I have nothing to complain about, great family, good job, nice home. Inside is completely numb, no energy, no drive to be alive. Everyday I put on a good performance for thos... View more

My dog, he knows something’s not right. Won’t leave my side. on the surface I have nothing to complain about, great family, good job, nice home. Inside is completely numb, no energy, no drive to be alive. Everyday I put on a good performance for those around me to avoid causing any worries. Just wish I knew how to shake this off without any fuss. we acknowledged my depression 8 years ago and done the whole roller coaster ride of highs and very low lows. I was actually thinking I could stop the meds until this latest challenge jumped on my back about 6 months ago. my apologies if my sh!t sandwich isn’t as dramatic as some. Makes me question my posting at all but I’m seeking ideas how to recharge the soul.

LynC Undiagnosed Bipolar - Anger or resentment?
  • replies: 6

Hey everyone, just wanted to know if anyone had similar feelings or advice about this as it’s relatively new for me. A quick bio… Diagnosed about 4 months ago, officially bipolar II, at age 40. Life has changed, very much for the better, medication a... View more

Hey everyone, just wanted to know if anyone had similar feelings or advice about this as it’s relatively new for me. A quick bio… Diagnosed about 4 months ago, officially bipolar II, at age 40. Life has changed, very much for the better, medication and support services have made my head clear and my heart happy for the first time in a long time. I was first diagnosed with depression and medicated with antidepressants 4 years ago after a significant breakdown. Fast forward through many hurdles and heartache, the universe put an incredible doctor in my path that diagnosed me with bipolar II and changed everything. So, to the reason for my post. When you finally have an answer, is it then normal to think back through your life to figure out when this started? Well that’s what I did, I went back further and further until I found memories of a 7 year old me going through some very erratic behaviors, then again into teenage years where things got out of control. I have always thought I was a good kid with a bad temper and a rebellious streak, i’ve spent most of my adult life guilt ridden about what I put my parents through from about the age of 13 and the outbursts I had when I was younger. Now i’m beginning to understand that perhaps not everything was within my control. I’ve been told bipolar (the whole spectrum) is incredibly hard to diagnose, but I can’t help having feelings of anger and resentment to my parents (who I love dearly) and now this makes me feel awful even having these thoughts. I feel like a huge part of my life wasn’t real, I wasn’t the kind, loving me that I knew I was deep down, I regret so much but can’t help feel like it could have been different, it didn’t need to be this way. How do you let go of the past? the things you lost with your illness? I want to look forward as life has become so much more positive but these thoughts keep chewing away at my mind. I have a very loving, understanding husband, sister and close friend in my support circle. My parents do not know anything about my illness. Thank you for any words in advance x

Tonyw anxiety and depression
  • replies: 3

My wife has left me she sent SMS saying I in love with old school boyfriend,I am finding it hard to see my future all I can see it's black no light at the end, any help to get me back and happy. 21 years marriage.

My wife has left me she sent SMS saying I in love with old school boyfriend,I am finding it hard to see my future all I can see it's black no light at the end, any help to get me back and happy. 21 years marriage.

Josephine77 My partner is suffering I need advice please
  • replies: 58

My partner has told me he has been struggling mentally for a while and disclosed some concerning things which I talked to him about what he could do to get help. He doesn’t want to have me around to put me through everything he is goi g through. He w... View more

My partner has told me he has been struggling mentally for a while and disclosed some concerning things which I talked to him about what he could do to get help. He doesn’t want to have me around to put me through everything he is goi g through. He wants space to sort himself out and get his financial situation sorted. His conclusion is we live apart for him to do this I understand the space but I don’t understand me having to live elsewhere it really hurts how does this help him financially and how does this help him by being alone he wants us to stay exclusive and does t want to lose me out of his life I took us elf away for the last week and a half to give him time alone and for myself too he has been in contact and wants to know details about how my holiday is etc i go back today and I just don’t know how to go through this r what to discuss when I’m back i Need someone to talk to j

A2D2 What jobs work when you have depression, anxiety and some physical limitations?
  • replies: 6

I'm curious what works for others in this situation. I am a personal shopper and while I enjoy the job, I have no work-life balance in spite of working part time. The shifts mean I am sleeping more, not eating properly and can't even get time to comf... View more

I'm curious what works for others in this situation. I am a personal shopper and while I enjoy the job, I have no work-life balance in spite of working part time. The shifts mean I am sleeping more, not eating properly and can't even get time to comfortably get the dog out for a walk. Almost every week I do at least 1 day of 10 hours or more with no meal break because we are so short of senior staff. BUT, I don't feel capable of doing anything directly customer focused, I'm falling apart at the slightest stressor and I suffer from injuries that make it difficult to do anything like barista or kitchen work. My background is in administration which now seems to mean you need to do reception as well. Add to that, I'm mid 50s and live in regional WA. I feel like there is nothing out there that I am suited to. So, I'm curious what jobs work for other people with depression and anxiety.

Kilo Seen therapists, why bother.
  • replies: 3

Hi, I Have been battling depression for most of my life. I have tried anti depression meds seen therapists, whats the point when you try and try and life just kicks you constantly, I did not ask to come into this world.

Hi, I Have been battling depression for most of my life. I have tried anti depression meds seen therapists, whats the point when you try and try and life just kicks you constantly, I did not ask to come into this world.