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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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MissJ94 Manic Bipolar?
  • replies: 7

Hi all, For those whove kinda read my posts over the last couple months, still the same! No luck with anything still. Still a ball of stress. I have bipolar. But today i really noticed my moods have been all over the place. Woke up feeling good, scho... View more

Hi all, For those whove kinda read my posts over the last couple months, still the same! No luck with anything still. Still a ball of stress. I have bipolar. But today i really noticed my moods have been all over the place. Woke up feeling good, schools back, routine can start again. Then became really irritated with how slow my son was getting ready, i knew he was nervous to go back and i was just so irritated when he really hadnt done anything wrong. Then was really angry, not at my son at all! But due to the actions of someone else, like furious. Not long later i was extremely anxious and stressed. Then that turned to extreme sadness and spent a solid 30mins crying. Then i kinda zoned out for a while, numb to the fact i have no money, will be out of food in the next few days, cant work right now because i have covid and am in isolation(i got a casual job but yet to formally start, illness and covid for my son and i has pushed my start date back over a month now), numb to the fact that now my good job reference hasnt yet given me a reference on a job i really want and would have if the reference check was done. Just completely numb, sat there staring into space for over an hour. Son got home from school and was in a good mood again asking him about his day, receptive to his emotions from the first day back at school. About 7pm i started to stress again, my mind reminding me that if i dont have another baby soon then ill probably miss my chance for ever having a second baby, the fear came in strongly and really felt sick to the stomach like i was going to vomit. That lasted about 30mins. Then watching MAFS tonight i became overly emotional and jealous. And now sitting here as im about to go to bed i just thought what a bloody draining day its been. Not physically but mentally, emotionally. Decided to just search "bipolar". Went to images and it had examples of mania vs depression. Had a look as the mania side. Talking excessively, tick. Racing thoughts, tick. Hostility, at times tick. Less sleep, triple tick(the last couple weeks ive only been getting an average of 6 hours sleep compared to my usual 9-10). Delusions, not that i can think of. Risky behaviour, tick. Distractibility, big tick. Extremely high energy, tick! I have motivation to workout and get stuff done but cant due to being in isolation! Ive never really noticed mania in myself before. Those who have, is it normal to have that rapid cycling of moods just in one day?

Lulu1630 Never enough
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone. My whole life I've been the "happy, smiley girl". The one who everyone feels comfortable to open up to. But I'm never enough for people to want to stick around. After having children, I finally found a friend who was truly there! I could... View more

Hi everyone. My whole life I've been the "happy, smiley girl". The one who everyone feels comfortable to open up to. But I'm never enough for people to want to stick around. After having children, I finally found a friend who was truly there! I could count on her like she could count on me. After 7 years of friendship, she has iced me out! I have tried to talk. Ask if she's OK. If we're OK! She says yes but I never see her or hear from her. My kids are desperate for play dates with her family but she declines every single time. The rejection is like torture! The not knowing if or what I've done is horrendous! But worst of all, is the fact that it is now hurting my children! I keep telling myself that it isn't worth my energy to worry about it but that's not working. Having to see her every day at school drop off and pick up will be hell! How do you find peace without understanding what happened?

white knight Depression and personal goals
  • replies: 1

If you're reading this post you have experienced depression or care for someone that is suffering. I can describe depression best as- an extra 10kg of weight on each limb and my brain in water. Until the tide flows and the ebb does not return cradle ... View more

If you're reading this post you have experienced depression or care for someone that is suffering. I can describe depression best as- an extra 10kg of weight on each limb and my brain in water. Until the tide flows and the ebb does not return cradle every inch of my mind gather time and let it burn. Essentially, losing time in our lives to depression is depressing on its own, time wasted as we cannot be our normal productive selves. The worst people in this situation is those that are impatient as they fret on the loss of that time. But patience cannot be purchased, it is part of us that cannot be removed except by aging/maturity so remove patience as a goal. If you want more information on patience- https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/supermarket-shelves There is no coupons to relieve sensitivity and there's numbers by the phone But I'll arrive at harmony hill and stable park As my clock chimes all alone.... It was a sombre chat I had with my old neighbour 30 years ago. She was 82yo with a terminal illness. I asked her if she felt all alone.. "well Tony, we arrive alone and we pass on alone, so I decided a long time ago- I should learn to live alone". She taught me with those few words of the challenge we all face early or young, that to survive life with a degree of security we have to learn to tackle challenges alone. This is extremely difficult with a mental illness. With all this gathered information my most recent spell of depression just 2 weeks ago (lasted 4 days) I tried to focus on why it came which wasn't clever, but I thought there was a trigger. What could it be? money in my wallet sleeping till I'm numb reasons for the black dog? I'll always search for one... So I concluded that as always, I'm thinking too much. Luckily my depression doesnt come around as often as some here but when it does I'm reminded by that old neighbour and how she learned to be alone in peace and secure. Enter my latest challenge to get to that goal and I'm spreading that goal with you. To learn to survive in life with peace and with a feeling of security as if alone, my own rock! STANDING ALONE I appreciate my wife by my side as she spreads calm upon my toast but I must stand alone with my confidence until then I cannot boast I heard its all quite normal nothing gained and nothing lost but one day I'll reach that goal when on my own shoulders bares my cross.... I wonder if you have goals with depression? I'd love to read it. TonyWK

44Max44 My Dad is dragging me down, can't better myself while living with him
  • replies: 4

I've recently come to the realization that it's my Dad that has stopped me from being able to progress any further in my life. He is a hoarder, 90% of the house is full of junk that we don't need. 3 out of 4 of our bedrooms are full of junk and unusa... View more

I've recently come to the realization that it's my Dad that has stopped me from being able to progress any further in my life. He is a hoarder, 90% of the house is full of junk that we don't need. 3 out of 4 of our bedrooms are full of junk and unusable. Our lounge room is full of junk and unusable. We have two sheds, and both of them are full to the brim and unusable. We have a back patio and that is full of junk and unusable. Pretty much 90% of the house is unusable space because it is full of junk. On top of being a hoarder, my Dad is ALWAYS in a bad mood and depressed which washes off on me. The SECOND he gets home from work I feel my mood get worse just because I know he's going to bring a bad attitude home with him and bring me down. I realized that as long as I live with him, I won't be happy. It is impossible to feel happy in an environment as toxic as this. He comes home from work with $3 worth of deli meatballs and some bread rolls and thinks "yep, that's a good well-rounded dinner" and will buy that again and again and again for 2 weeks straight because he thinks that somehow constitutes as a good meal and somehow thinks that eating the same shitty meal every night for 2 weeks straight is acceptable (he makes more than enough to be able to afford proper food but spends most of it on junk, cigarettes, and coffee). He spends 100x more on hoarding junk and his bad habits than he does on buying food (I wish this was an exaggeration but it isn't). I can't live like this anymore, I'm just so fed up with him. I can't improve myself if he's always there at the end of the day to drag me back down. I can't get fit and healthy while eating junk food and takeout all the time because he can't be bothered to buy proper food. I can't get a girlfriend or invite any friends over to my house because it is super embarrassing because he's a hoarder. My Mum, sister, and brother all moved out of the house YEARS ago and I can see why. If I was them I'd be moving out ASAP too. I know he has his own issues that he's dealing with such as depression, but that doesn't give him the right to drag me down with him and be as neglectful as he's being. There's no point in talking to him about it, my Mum tried many times when they were going through their divorce, it doesn't work. He'll say he'll do better and then a week later he'll be back to his normal self. He is quite possibly the most stubborn person I know. I don't know what to do at this point. I'm sick of it.

tunafish At a new low - feeling empty and hopeless
  • replies: 3

I can feel my depression getting worse again and don’t know what to do. I’ve lost everything that once gave me joy. Hobbies, sex, people. I need to get out of my toxic family situation but can’t because I have to care for my mum who has cancer. She’s... View more

I can feel my depression getting worse again and don’t know what to do. I’ve lost everything that once gave me joy. Hobbies, sex, people. I need to get out of my toxic family situation but can’t because I have to care for my mum who has cancer. She’s never supported my depression and just thinks i’m lazy, rude etc. Becus of COVID being stuck at home is driving me insane. I stopped taking my antidepressants because I just forgot, but they weren’t doing much anyway. I had to stop seeing my therapist and am struggling to get in contact with a new one, I have ADHD too which makes doing tasks very challenging at times. I’m 18 and graduated last year, but I don’t know if I can study any more, I feel like all I can manage is to sleep. I don’t even have passions anymore so don’t know what I want to do as a career. I feel like I have nothing in life and all I want to do is leave but I can’t. So here I am.

Lookingforlightgirl Desperate for change
  • replies: 20

Hi I am writing from in my bed 3.30 in afternoon awoke earlier had a cup of coffee only to return to bed. This has been me for at least last 2-3weeks -prior to this I did try and do more chores etc but now feel like I can’t be bothered what is the po... View more

Hi I am writing from in my bed 3.30 in afternoon awoke earlier had a cup of coffee only to return to bed. This has been me for at least last 2-3weeks -prior to this I did try and do more chores etc but now feel like I can’t be bothered what is the point low energy so very depressed diagnosed probs 15 years ago with anxiety and depression was on medication for 10 +years still experienced ++++ anxiety so not on them anymore did have some CBT which did appear to help at the time however life’s circumstances were a lot better then also I have had a lot of trauma in my life and became an alcoholic as was the only thing that truly helped me be happy and feel able to communicate/express myself at the time I obvs still am an alcoholic however I don’t drink nightly to second nightly like I used to now it’s every now n then like months in between.I have 3 beautiful girls 22 10 and 8 (eldest has left with bf ) I never leave the house anymore I have lost all interest in anything I ever enjoyed poor kids stuck at home on school holidays because I cannot get my life together feels so hopeless I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel I really don’t

smith2 TPD for depression
  • replies: 41

Hello All, I've been off work with a major depressive disorder for 20 months, my employer (a well known multinational) instructed me to attend an Independence Medical Examination, based on the examination report my employment will be terminated. Depr... View more

Hello All, I've been off work with a major depressive disorder for 20 months, my employer (a well known multinational) instructed me to attend an Independence Medical Examination, based on the examination report my employment will be terminated. Depressed, alone, out of work and with a mortgage is not a good place. I'm about to start a TPD claim in the hope that I can keep my home. Does anyone have experience with TPD claims, I've read they can be difficult to prove ? Any advice ? Regards

Baileybasil I have no energy anymore
  • replies: 103

I have nothing to live for, my psychiatrist put me on another pill when I went in to complain about and change the medication I’m on. Now I’m all doped up and nothing is changing. My ex is sending me videos of her with other guys. I’m so sad. I told ... View more

I have nothing to live for, my psychiatrist put me on another pill when I went in to complain about and change the medication I’m on. Now I’m all doped up and nothing is changing. My ex is sending me videos of her with other guys. I’m so sad. I told my gp I’m suicidal and all he said was lower my dose of medication and wait 4 weeks. No one cares. I’m alone. I have nothing.

sometimeshappysometimessa depression or something more?
  • replies: 2

I need help. I probably won't be able to explain this but here we go. I was originally diagnosed with depression but something isn't right. I had a brain injury 19 years ago and I'm still having problems. I've gotten so much better but I still have m... View more

I need help. I probably won't be able to explain this but here we go. I was originally diagnosed with depression but something isn't right. I had a brain injury 19 years ago and I'm still having problems. I've gotten so much better but I still have memory issues, I can't focus for long periods of time, generally can't focus on what people are saying, can't control my emotions for periods, whether it's sad, happy, or angry.. overthinking absolutely everything, I think I always think something will go wrong at any time so I'm always in a kind of fight or flight? overstimulated & overwhelmed easily & sometimes I cannot for the life of me make decisions. when I have to learn something new I memorise as opposed to actually learning whatever it is. when people talk it goes in one ear and out the other and then I beat myself up for not really listening. generally I don't drink a lot of alcohol but when I do, I go a bit overboard. I have forgotten appointments in the past because I was distracted. i have a social phobia outside my immediate family and a few close friends. other than them, I don't really talk to people. Not because I don't want to, I'm just so bloody afraid. i get so super stressed or angry about minuscule things, I've noticed I spend a lot of money over a short period of time. Sometimes if I see a thing I want to buy, I won't be able to relax until I have it. I don't feel safe driving all the time because the attention just isn't there I think I know what "it" is & I need different treatment I had a letter to a psychiatrist faxed away and now we wait.

Argirios Hello, depressed and Lonely.
  • replies: 4

Not sure where to start, I suffer depression (taking some medication for it) and have for a long time, though didn't really see professional help until a little over a year ago. I have no close friends. I probably wouldn't even say I have distant fri... View more

Not sure where to start, I suffer depression (taking some medication for it) and have for a long time, though didn't really see professional help until a little over a year ago. I have no close friends. I probably wouldn't even say I have distant friends. Acquaintances at best. Never been in a relationship. Not even close. This can really hold me back as I can't even relate to people on either of these topics. Worse when I try to express my feelings and then it often gets taken over quickly bwith someone else's relationship issue and then the group would discuss that because it is more relatable/interesting. I've joined various clubs/groups that had similar interests though they all knew each other on more personal levels and from other locations that I never truly felt like I was part of them. Even after years. I would look forward to it all week, but then as soon as it was over for the session, it was over. As if I didn't matter. They've all also either disbanded or moved on. I probably have anxiety issues though that comes and goes. The worst was a couple years ago at a lonely station I experienced a strong feeling of an absence of imaginary people. I used to enjoy hobbies many years ago but seems worth less these days. It can be hard for me to truly say what hobbies I have. I saw one Psychologist for 5 sessions that didn't help. Then I saw another for two and felt it would go the same way. Not sure if there is an easier way to search for psychologists as I need to do this again before seeing my GP again for another referral. Last few days felt like maybe I was feeling more sadness then depression. Like I had accepted the state I was in, in a good way. But I feel the depression creep back when I felt like caring again. Trying to reach out to possible friends. Sorry for the long post.

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