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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 chats on this Forum having 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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goldilocks My parents are addicts
  • replies: 8

I am not sure with what to do anymore. My father is an alcoholic who sometimes gambles and my mother is also an alcoholic who gambles. Their idea of spending family time together is by going to there pub to gamble and drink. This makes me (and my gra... View more

I am not sure with what to do anymore. My father is an alcoholic who sometimes gambles and my mother is also an alcoholic who gambles. Their idea of spending family time together is by going to there pub to gamble and drink. This makes me (and my grandmother who realistically isn't far off of dying) sad because we both want our family to spend quality family time together, and the aforementioned reason isn't a good enough reason to do as such. Apparently, I am the reason as to why my parents drink so much, according to them. I have had some issues with someone I was interested in romantically and they have used that as an excuse to make me feel like crap about myself by saying that they need to drink because of it all. I have spoken to an alcohol and gambling related helpline about this and the lady was very kind and helpful and suggested that I am depressed. There's more that I could write, but I just can't thin straight right now.

Jessa_ Losing hope
  • replies: 7

I don’t know how to keep going on. I’m barely keeping hold of my job, my relationships are falling apart and all I want to do is be by myself. But when I’m alone all I do is procrastinate and take no action to get better. I honestly don’t know if I’m... View more

I don’t know how to keep going on. I’m barely keeping hold of my job, my relationships are falling apart and all I want to do is be by myself. But when I’m alone all I do is procrastinate and take no action to get better. I honestly don’t know if I’m capable of happiness and getting better I’m starting to lose all hope in myself

softiejordy possible depression?
  • replies: 5

hello everybody. i suspect i may have depression, but i'm unsure on how to go about getting it checked. i've lived in a home (and in a school environment) where grew up not knowing much about depression until grade 7, where all of a sudden i was real... View more

hello everybody. i suspect i may have depression, but i'm unsure on how to go about getting it checked. i've lived in a home (and in a school environment) where grew up not knowing much about depression until grade 7, where all of a sudden i was really just. thrown into it by a friend who told me he had depression. i've done a lot more research since then, i've learned what depression really is, and i suspect that i may have it. the thing is i'm more worried about putting more on my parents plate than anything. both my little brother and my older brother have autism and both struggle in school (plus my little brother goes to an occupational therapist). im sure both pay a lot of money, and they're also quick to shout (my entire family is very sarcastic with eachother) i'm scared to go to them for anything because of this, but i fear i'm getting worse, so i think i have to. how should i go about telling them? i'm not very good at talking out loud, but i could write a letter or a text. i'd feel more comfortable telling my mother than anything, but i'm not quite sure how to go about writing the letter. thanks!

Hayden3105 Impulsive behaviour
  • replies: 5

Hello I'm 32 years old have struggled with depression and anxiety most of my life. I have C.A.H and take medication daily which cause emotional distress aswell. I have found over the last few years I have become more impulsive and rushing in my decis... View more

Hello I'm 32 years old have struggled with depression and anxiety most of my life. I have C.A.H and take medication daily which cause emotional distress aswell. I have found over the last few years I have become more impulsive and rushing in my decision making which can cause issues at work. I have lost confidence in myself and panic about causing an accident from not taking my time and picking up when something isn't safe. I feel as I'm getting older my social circle is shrinking and isolation is causing my ruminating to become a crutch. Due to my medical condition I don't respond to anti depressants and they tend to make my symptoms stronger. I'm a bit lost as to what direction to go in for help as even the medical staff are unsure what direction to take. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Unsure541 Need to move out but don’t know how
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am in a tricky situation and would love some opinions on what to do. A couple of years ago, I moved in with a friend/friend through family. It was my first time moving out of my family home (I was a late bloomer in that respect!) and she was in... View more

Hi, I am in a tricky situation and would love some opinions on what to do. A couple of years ago, I moved in with a friend/friend through family. It was my first time moving out of my family home (I was a late bloomer in that respect!) and she was in need of someone to live with her as it was expensive to live alone. Things seemed to work out well for both of us. The first year or so we got along well. But lately in the more recent years I feel like I constantly walk on eggshells around her, as she is always quite moody. Sometimes she’s very nice and we get along, but other times she can be quite mean and constantly making snide remarks to me. Lately I’ve begun to feel like this isn’t really my home. I tend to dread coming home after work because I always wonder what it will be like when I get there. I suffer from depression and I know I can be a bit “fragile” sometimes and take things to heart, but for a while now I have felt like I want to move out (and move back home to my parents house until I’m financially stable enough to live on my own). I am incredibly unhappy living here. However, both of us have fallen on some financial hardships. I lost my job and she cut down her hours at work in order to study. She actually got me a job at her place, which of course I am grateful for. But that is one of what makes this situation difficult (although we never have the same shift, because it is a small workplace. However it is a tight knit group of people). I have been trying to secure a different job but so far have been unsuccessful. She as well, is barely scraping by, and would never be able to cover the cost of rent and utilities on her own. I want to move out but not because she’s a bad person. I think we aren’t suited to living with each other. I know I would carry a lot of guilt and feel I had left her in an impossible situation if I left. The other issue with me moving out is I would continue to see her at every family gathering. I would of course want to remain friends with her but imagine that my moving out would cause a big rift between us. Apologies for this really long post. It has been weighing very heavily on me and made me feel quite depressed and anxious. I would love any opinions or advice anyone can offer. Thanks

Fuduu Getting help
  • replies: 2

I have been getting symptoms of depression a lot lately and feeling like I am worthless and constant stress and dread of things and I want to get a help but I keep thinking about what people would think of me if I told them about it, for example if I... View more

I have been getting symptoms of depression a lot lately and feeling like I am worthless and constant stress and dread of things and I want to get a help but I keep thinking about what people would think of me if I told them about it, for example if I told my parents they would think I am joking or trying to get attention or they would scoff and forget about me.

Dejena Can we just talk
  • replies: 3

Can we just talk like friends because I feel lonely?

Can we just talk like friends because I feel lonely?

Fuduu Telling Parents about Depression
  • replies: 7

Lately I have been feeling really depressed about life and feeling worthless, and I did aa Depression Test on beyond blue and it said "Very High" for the score. I sort of want to tell my parents about it but they would think I am joking because i am ... View more

Lately I have been feeling really depressed about life and feeling worthless, and I did aa Depression Test on beyond blue and it said "Very High" for the score. I sort of want to tell my parents about it but they would think I am joking because i am normally happy and talkative but i just put that on, so I dont know how to tell them without them thinking its a joke or scoffing. Any ideas?

Deep_rest Futility of effort
  • replies: 1

Feeling trapped is one of the scariest feelings Ive ever encountered. This feeling of having no control and seeing no way out has brought me within inches of a fatal action. And it's something I've been feeling a lot recently. for context I recently ... View more

Feeling trapped is one of the scariest feelings Ive ever encountered. This feeling of having no control and seeing no way out has brought me within inches of a fatal action. And it's something I've been feeling a lot recently. for context I recently was admitted to hospital for an attempt. I spent almost a month in hospital and I'm definitely doing better now that I was before due to some big changes I had to make including leaving my job. This wasn't my first bout with mental health problems I'm in my early twenties and I've been dealing with mental health issues on and off since I was 7 or 8. However this recent episode was by far the most dangerous. I want to clarify that I'm not currently feeling suicidal but I am feeling (for lack of a better phrase) trapped in life. I've had episodes in the past, and they've only been worse each time and so I feel that if and when I have another episode, I'm worried that I may not be so lucky. As a result of this I feel a sense of futility in doing anything to benefit my future. I feel like it's pointless to out effort into taking care of myself and trying to get my life on track. I think one of the main driving forces for me is empathy cos it hurts to know that people are worried for me and that I might be the cause of pain and anguish. I know pain, I know anguish and I wouldn't wish the same on anyone, much less someone I know who cares about me. And so I find myself stuck. Feeling like I'm living only to protect people I know from a tragedy that I think may be inevitable.

MrMase Opinion needed: Should I get help?
  • replies: 4

So, I haven't seen any professionals or talked to parents about my feelings and thoughts so I guess you could call this a self-diagnosis. Only a couple of people know about how I feel, and I just feel like I'm in a tug of war inside my mind. Lately, ... View more

So, I haven't seen any professionals or talked to parents about my feelings and thoughts so I guess you could call this a self-diagnosis. Only a couple of people know about how I feel, and I just feel like I'm in a tug of war inside my mind. Lately, in the past months, I have been experiencing heavy loneliness feelings and the reason is because of the constant house and city moving (from my parent's jobs) over the past 8 years. I have never really experienced having true friendships with other people as to others I am "an extremely empathetic person" and I don't blame them. In the last couple of weeks, I've noticed all the things people dislike me for and more reasons to hate myself. I feel like I care too much over things or people I shouldn't and nobody really cares about me, like any friendship I've ever had never really makes it far before I move again. One friendship I have had through talking online and kept for ages is my good mate that knows about these things, he suggests for me to get help as I'm spiralling too much, and my mate has had Depression since he was 8 ( I think it was chronic). I just hate the thought of being that kid taken out of school to go to counselling or a psychiatrist. I've been dealing with my thoughts in my head for just under 3 months now but they're starting to worsen and I can't drown it out with music anymore.