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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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WantOut My Doctor's Giving Up
  • replies: 2

I need to function much better than I am; I have children and need to earn money, but I'm increasingly convinced my family would be better off without me. After yet another round of trying to find a new shrink, my GP has gently told me that she's out... View more

I need to function much better than I am; I have children and need to earn money, but I'm increasingly convinced my family would be better off without me. After yet another round of trying to find a new shrink, my GP has gently told me that she's out of ideas as to what to recommend and doesn't think she can help me any further. She did say the local Mental Health Team would check-in, although I can't imagine what they can do other than check I'm alive; and they haven't even done that because they're absolutely run off their feet with acute emergencies to manage. My most recent psychologist has gently told me that she thinks that maybe I should see someone else as she doesn't feel she can help, which is what my previous one also said. I'm sure the ones I've seen before that would have gotten to that point too, had I not just opted out on my own. I've tried every class of medications over the last thirty years and the one drug that worked has stopped. My most recent med review concluded that attempts at augmentation hadn't worked, my current meds weren't working, and that the only option was a washout and then trying something similar to drugs that either haven't worked or have made things worse. And that's assuming I can find a shrink: there are literally no private clinics taking on new patients anywhere in my area, I can't even get on a waiting list for a waiting list, and the public system is already collapsing under demand. My GP recommended against ECT, and I agree. I think it'll make things worse, as well as being very disruptive for my family, and god knows I don't want to be near a hospital any time soon with COVID as it is. I can't even imagine a way forward, and I have to find a way to fix things so I can parent and support my family. If I can't do that, there's no point me sticking around. Once meds and therapy are ruled out, and somehow managing with things as they are isn't realistic, what's left aside from the obvious?

Exhausted_Mumma Does the feeling of NOT wanting to be a mum go away?
  • replies: 3

I'm struggling hard core with being a mum. My life has so many shit things in it right now I just want to escape. Has anyone here ever experienced PPD (post-partum depression) and if so how do/did you get over it? Please help....!

I'm struggling hard core with being a mum. My life has so many shit things in it right now I just want to escape. Has anyone here ever experienced PPD (post-partum depression) and if so how do/did you get over it? Please help....!

Cherry84 Heart broken
  • replies: 6

When your 3 year old daughter asks in the most caring way…. Are you ever going to be happy? And then asked my husband ‘what’s wrong with mum’ today felt like a normal day, nothing bad happened… But what she said straight away broke my heart that I’m ... View more

When your 3 year old daughter asks in the most caring way…. Are you ever going to be happy? And then asked my husband ‘what’s wrong with mum’ today felt like a normal day, nothing bad happened… But what she said straight away broke my heart that I’m having this effect on her and to know I’m not good enough for her… she deserves better than me

Cthulhu A break-up during isolation
  • replies: 3

I separated from my wife at the beginning of December and shortly after ended up in a relationship with a work colleague who had become my emotional support during that time. Fast-forward to last Tuesday night and they broke up with me via text. Desp... View more

I separated from my wife at the beginning of December and shortly after ended up in a relationship with a work colleague who had become my emotional support during that time. Fast-forward to last Tuesday night and they broke up with me via text. Despite the short duration, it was still heartbreaking, but that isn’t the problem. The problem is that my son tested positive for Covid the very next morning (he’s ok). During times of sadness and depression I would normally get out of the house and go for a walk on the beach or something, but I’m stuck in the house for a week’s isolation now and I can feel the depression taking hold. I tried watching Netflix last night, but every second movie I scrolled past was just triggering nostalgic feelings which made my depression worse. I’m at a loss at what to do. How do I control my depression without my usual coping strategy?

Sadie23 Can't stop crying
  • replies: 7

Hi I have had depression on and off for years but recently I have been crying all the time for no apparent reason. Crying uncontrollably is not something I have experienced before and I haven't got any skills that make it stop. Any ideas?

Hi I have had depression on and off for years but recently I have been crying all the time for no apparent reason. Crying uncontrollably is not something I have experienced before and I haven't got any skills that make it stop. Any ideas?

Kll_ Never enough
  • replies: 2

I'm tired, so very tired. I look at my life and all I see is failure, I wanted someone to love, to spend my life wife, I wanted a family, I just want to feel something has gone right. Now i am almost 40, alone, just told I am infertile and I can't se... View more

I'm tired, so very tired. I look at my life and all I see is failure, I wanted someone to love, to spend my life wife, I wanted a family, I just want to feel something has gone right. Now i am almost 40, alone, just told I am infertile and I can't see a way where I am happy. I don't want to be around friends because they have what I don't and it makes me feel worse. So one I sit in a house that has never felt like a home, alone and cry. I tried so hard for it to be different, I put myself out there and I am never enough. I am exhausted from it.

BBUser98 Fear of abandonment
  • replies: 6

For the past 2 years I have been in a relationship that has proved to be very intense at times and problematic with communication. 1 week ago my partner said she wanted to end it to look after herself and so I could look after myself. 2 days ago she ... View more

For the past 2 years I have been in a relationship that has proved to be very intense at times and problematic with communication. 1 week ago my partner said she wanted to end it to look after herself and so I could look after myself. 2 days ago she went to a psychologist who told her it’s extremely likely that I have BPD after she mentioned it as I told her I am suspicious of having it. Of the 9 traits I have all 9 quite severely. I’ve looked for help and a mental health assessment but my gp has called in sick 2 appointments in a row. Her psychologist told her that we shouldn’t contact eachother for 3 months and I reluctantly agreed so that I can help her. I promised her I’d look after myself but it is so hard, I’ve slept less than 2 hours a night for the past week and barely have the appetite to eat anymore. Im so paranoid that after 3 months she won’t love me anymore and will abandon me which I really can’t take and I can’t stop thinking about it. I really feel at the end of my tether. As with the BPD I don’t know if I can take that either, it means a whole lifetime of being absolutely miserable and unable to live a normal life. Im also constantly overwhelmed by guilt that I’ve hurt her during our relationship due to feelings I can’t control. any advice is welcome, I don’t know what to do anymore. I live by myself and my family and friends aren’t close by. I feel completely alone.

Alai How canI explain to my family about my depression
  • replies: 3

I have a caring family but they don't seems to understand what I'm experiencing. Their advices are always physical health related. Exercise more, eat less sweet and meat, don't drink coffee, don't go out unless necessary, don't go to crowded place, d... View more

I have a caring family but they don't seems to understand what I'm experiencing. Their advices are always physical health related. Exercise more, eat less sweet and meat, don't drink coffee, don't go out unless necessary, don't go to crowded place, don't eat out as home cook is healthier. When I show them articles about depression, their responses are "How do you cure this? Have you tried any medicine?" I would wish they provides more mental support. Ask me to relax, enjoy life, go out to meet people etc. I myself already a introvert and it's not helpful when my family also encourage me to stay inside. I'm already 40 and never have a relationship and no close friends. Covid lockdown to me isn't that much different from my normal life. Anyone experienced this? How do explain to your family about depression?

Cazza87 Depression
  • replies: 9

Hi, I’ve had depression for most of my life. Recently my depressive episodes have been more frequent & not sure why. I’m on medication. I just can’t seem to find the strategies I need to stop my depressive episodes spiralling out of control. Hoping f... View more

Hi, I’ve had depression for most of my life. Recently my depressive episodes have been more frequent & not sure why. I’m on medication. I just can’t seem to find the strategies I need to stop my depressive episodes spiralling out of control. Hoping for some ideas thank you

TheBigBlue How to stop it before it starts?
  • replies: 5

Suffering a major depressive episode. I do nothing except sleep all day. Don’t leave the house, don’t shower or brush hair, don’t grocery shop, don’t eat right & basically just don’t care. I have never abused alcohol in the past, in fact I rarely dri... View more

Suffering a major depressive episode. I do nothing except sleep all day. Don’t leave the house, don’t shower or brush hair, don’t grocery shop, don’t eat right & basically just don’t care. I have never abused alcohol in the past, in fact I rarely drink. But tonight I am sitting here & finding it very hard to not crack open the bottle of vodka & just losing myself to oblivion. How so I stop this before it starts? I don’t want to fall down that hole

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