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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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AT_1 All gone
  • replies: 2

Everything has disappeared. Colour, drive, morality. Only a cold reality of stark unremarkableness stained with a mocking truth that even it will abandon you. With the most sickening of things being a daily occurance that destroys any hope for self r... View more

Everything has disappeared. Colour, drive, morality. Only a cold reality of stark unremarkableness stained with a mocking truth that even it will abandon you. With the most sickening of things being a daily occurance that destroys any hope for self respect and an inability to resist temptations, a spark which has also gone the way off all things, what a cruelty it is to ask that I hope for more. But if I truly despised this, why be here? Why does being here feel like a defeat? What am I trying to win? All I have is this delusion of unique suffering that is anything but. Its just so dark in here I can't see you.

Hong24 Dont really understand my feelings
  • replies: 2

The past few years i havnt been feeling the greatest about my mental health and i still dont fully know why. This all stemed from some drama between me and my friends which has pretty much resulted in me becoming distant with them despite me being ve... View more

The past few years i havnt been feeling the greatest about my mental health and i still dont fully know why. This all stemed from some drama between me and my friends which has pretty much resulted in me becoming distant with them despite me being very close to everyone before. When I then attempted to fix the relationships between my friends and I but only resulted in more drama and being outcasted even more. Its kind of weird because now I think about it I've always thought in the back of my mind that they are not the type of people i should be surronding myself with. Despite the fact that i am only in Y12 and with Uni being able to give me a "fresh start" next year, there is still often times where i just get hit with sadness if i see them having fun and stuff without me, even though their hobbies dont appeal to me anymore. When im sad i also tend to have a lot of self sabotage e.g. feeling of no worth, even though i have high expectations of my future and believe that all this drama is a blessing is diguise that will lead me to meet other people. I have decent grades, very loving parents and siblings, im constantly happy about my weight loss progress, and like most of the time im usually very happy and smile a lot. But I just dont understand why sometimes i feel so sad even when i know that in the long run everyting will be fine.

AT_1 Nothing mattered
  • replies: 5

Everything leading up to who I am now seems superfluous. All I am is failing heap of contemptible garbage. I was born wrong and ill die hated, I know it. Its no surprise she doesn't want me. Its no surprise everyone forgot. And this is the only place... View more

Everything leading up to who I am now seems superfluous. All I am is failing heap of contemptible garbage. I was born wrong and ill die hated, I know it. Its no surprise she doesn't want me. Its no surprise everyone forgot. And this is the only place I can tell anyone. I don't understand, I don't learn, everythings grey and diffuse. Why doesn't anyone want me

Rupes79 Never ending depression
  • replies: 3

Hi Folks What are your tips when you’ve been in a state of depression long enough you can’t remember what it felt like beforehand and despondent enough to feel like you’ll never emerge form it?

Hi Folks What are your tips when you’ve been in a state of depression long enough you can’t remember what it felt like beforehand and despondent enough to feel like you’ll never emerge form it?

jenms Over myself
  • replies: 3

i haven't been online for a while now but have hit another really low period. To be clear, always low it just varies in intensity. At the moment i am pretty rock bottom. Been trying to force myself to exercise, go for a walk, get out of the house but... View more

i haven't been online for a while now but have hit another really low period. To be clear, always low it just varies in intensity. At the moment i am pretty rock bottom. Been trying to force myself to exercise, go for a walk, get out of the house but just not succeeding very well. I just look at myself in the mirror every morning and hate what i see. I am constantly 'putting on a brave face' which is exhausting. Occasionally i lose it and burst into tears and if i am at home i just keep working (as i work from home). If i manage to force myself out of the house it doesn't take much to bring me to tears and then i go home again. Invited to a wedding i really should be going to but it was stressing me so much thinking about it that i declined as i didn't want to have a meltdown in 'public' and certainly didn't want to ruin somebodys' wedding day. I know logically that i should force myself out but it is just getting harder and harder. I have my cat who is the only thing keeping me going which sounds pathetic but it is what it is. I have been promising myself to get back into my yoga and walking for the last two months but just haven't done it. Don't expect anybody to fix me but i just really needed to vent today, so there it is.

The_Bro A DAILY SCHEDULE CAN HELP WITH LOCKDOWN DEPRESSION
  • replies: 17

Hi Everyone I have noticed on our forum many posts where people are effected by lockdown - and now I read that many of our returning Olympic athletes, returning from huge success, are depressed by quarantine and general settling back into post Olympi... View more

Hi Everyone I have noticed on our forum many posts where people are effected by lockdown - and now I read that many of our returning Olympic athletes, returning from huge success, are depressed by quarantine and general settling back into post Olympic life. I was struck by the advice that many of the athletes received, or created for themselves, that helped their attitude. Simply put, it was to have a daily schedule and stick to it. If I may offer one small suggestion that has proven very successful with people suddenly separated from their support framework due to lock down - that is to have a routine and keep busy with it. Even Olympic athletes who have recently been on top of the world are now finding that those who have created a daily routine and stick to it are coping much better. This probably sounds too easy - but I personally find that when my mind is occupied or thinking of the next daily thing to do (they are NOT regarded as tasks), I feel much better and the day flies by. My daily list includes a 1 hour exercise programme and I monitor and write down how I feel afterwards each day, relearning how to play my guitar all over again, getting into a great series of books written by Peter Fitzgerald, brushing both our dogs (very therapeutic), thinking about what's for dinner when its my turn etc etc. You may also include study, creative activities, leaning a new language, sorting out your photo gallery and heaps of other stuff. This is so simple and chances are you've heard it all before - but it DOES WORK! The hardest part is getting started, sticking to the schedule, looking forward to the next thing on your daily list, and not allowing your mind space to dwell too much on negative thoughts. Any comments on this would be appreciated - I know it isn't rocket science or even deeply insightful, but the evidence I read is that it works. Have a great day! The bro.

underscore Something needs to change
  • replies: 5

Something needs to change I can't keep living this way but I don't know what needs to change or how I can change it . I'm paralyzed by all my responsibilities and everyday task I need to do to keep going. I feel alone and isolated but I also want to ... View more

Something needs to change I can't keep living this way but I don't know what needs to change or how I can change it . I'm paralyzed by all my responsibilities and everyday task I need to do to keep going. I feel alone and isolated but I also want to be left alone partly because I don't want to burden anyone with the mess that I am , no ones doing well at the moment and it's not fair on them that I need help because I'm not either. I'm on anti depressants but they don't seems to work anymore , much like my will to get out of bed. Every time it try to dig myself out of this hole I seem to slide back down to a deeper pit . I guess I'm just writing this because I'm hoping that putting my feelings anywhere will help remove the weight of them , I'm so tempted to let them burry me quit my job quit doing anything and just sit in my room in the dark and distract myself with inane videos and shows . But I don't want to do that, I don't want to get to that point , and I know I can't let myself either something needs to change and hopefully this is my first step towards that .

Aquaffinity Any tips to help with depression and organization?
  • replies: 3

Hey all, I think I may be struggling with depression. For the past few years I have been trying to handle my really bad (approximately 3-4 times a week) masturbation habit whilst also going to school. I am also trying to organized and willing to get ... View more

Hey all, I think I may be struggling with depression. For the past few years I have been trying to handle my really bad (approximately 3-4 times a week) masturbation habit whilst also going to school. I am also trying to organized and willing to get the work done. However, I procrastinate so much (through youtube, games, chatting and gaming with friends at the wrong times and masturbation for up to 4 - 6 hours a day) that I usually can't get anything done at home. I also think that I don't like the subjects that a previously took a keen interest in anymore (due to the workload and toughness). I have been diagnosed with Asperger's, so I am not quite sure if that has allowed this situation to be made worse. It is so bad that I probably only spend less than a couple of minutes a day exercising. At school however I am able to get my work done. This is really becoming a problem since my mock exams are coming up then my externals and I haven't done any proper study at all. I am seriously worried for myself since I want to pursue medicine as a career and am currently scoring just under the minimum requirements for medicine. If I can improve my score (and organization, through pushing these time wasters out) a bit more I think I will be able to apply to the university I want to go to for medicine. At the moment the things I have tried were Fortify to help with masturbation (however I don't think it has worked since I ignore it), Daily planners, diaries, calendars to try get stuff done. It only works when attend things rather than to get work done (e.g. when I have to chunk out times) Apple watch (similarly since I ignore it) To do list Breathing exercises (somewhat helpful to calm me down, but I forget to do it) Changing mindset (though I am not sure how and where to start) Current issues other issues that I have Giving advice to people which can take up hours of my time. I am wondering how could I cut things like this shorter. Haven't been able to talk to my friends often (since I need to study during my lunch breaks, or I don't do it at all) During my weekends I pretty much always now spend them inside my house (trying to get work done but procrastinating) Have felt too embarrassed to discuss my masturbation habit with psychologist that I am talking to (or anyone else in that matter) Would be grateful if anyone had any advice.

stressedcrayon Just writing things out
  • replies: 1

Been about a year since my last post Think I brought up the possibility my mother was toxic or emotionally abusive to my then mental health gp and therapist. Now I just don't want to care about the past and feeling pain over it. After dropping out fo... View more

Been about a year since my last post Think I brought up the possibility my mother was toxic or emotionally abusive to my then mental health gp and therapist. Now I just don't want to care about the past and feeling pain over it. After dropping out for the second time I eventually got a job. It was that or school and considering I just dropped out... Been working there since Nov. Already kind of dislike it... swear it makes my mental health worse and not sure if it's burnout or just depression. While I was still in my course I applied for uni and got into one. I knew I wasn't ready and wanted to do a term or year in what was pretty much another yr 12 eqv. Of course mother didn't like that. I was struggling mentally still and deferred before having to pay fees. Turned 18... yay. Didn't see therapist or the new gp for a bit and just worked. Eventually saw them, had a bad experience with the new gp. Told my therapist I'm not sure of therapy was working because of me. Worked until I decided to enroll in that same yr 12 eqv again. Now how I am exhausted, feeling burnout and whatever else I'm feeling. Writing this while I should be on online class. Most likely about to drop out again... Haven't see my therapist in awhile because I can't bring myself to make a stupid phone call. I wish things were different... that I didn't struggle with school my whole life or actually got the help I needed regarding school Asking myself what's the point To work until I can afford to retire To try to study only to fail and drop out I'll be moving out by the end of the year and will try to rent a room or apartment whatever is cheaper that I can get. I'll go low contact with my parents. Hope my mental health won't end me homeless and I'll be able to work enough to pay for essentials. I have somewhat friends I might be able to rent with. Most have their own issues and I'm really only in one's life. She has offered for me to live there but I don't know how I'll deal with three people and heaps of animals and for the sake that I seem to have certain issues, it'll be a hindrance as they have their own issues to deal with. Also interesting since last year I've been questioning if I have different disorders which I kind of concluded might be health anxiety with mental illness as a main focus or something, I don't know. Guess that's it.

Redblue05 Hey peeps, I'm new. I dunno what I'm doing here. I guess I just want someone to talk to.
  • replies: 14

Anyone feel like they have had so many best friends in the past years but you are no one's best friend? You value and love people so much and you are always the outsider. I just want a connection. Someone who knows everything about me, and loves me u... View more

Anyone feel like they have had so many best friends in the past years but you are no one's best friend? You value and love people so much and you are always the outsider. I just want a connection. Someone who knows everything about me, and loves me unconditionally. But at the same time people are so much effort and I just want to be alone and watch the stars and listen to sad music. Please help me, I'm so lonely. I think I'm fading, each day gets worse and worse until I can't function. Sorry