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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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Zenuria It's really all just hopeless isn't it?
  • replies: 3

The universe is conspiring against me and there is nothing I can do to change things even though I've tried.

The universe is conspiring against me and there is nothing I can do to change things even though I've tried.

_findingthelostme_ I want and need to move
  • replies: 8

I want and need a big change. A new place to live and a new job and a new friends and new relationships. But....its all happening at the same time. I just HATE my life. It makes me sick and so depressed and anxious. There is only so much exercise, bo... View more

I want and need a big change. A new place to live and a new job and a new friends and new relationships. But....its all happening at the same time. I just HATE my life. It makes me sick and so depressed and anxious. There is only so much exercise, books, study, netflix and throwing myself into meaningless tasks I can do. The anxiety is always there. I'm wasting my life and feel abused and ignored. Seems everything is toxic in my life and there is problems with everything. Mindfulness helps calm me but there is only so much time out sitting still and conscious i can do. I found the same issue with medication, it just made me numb. How can i make the big move? I have 3 school aged kids and 3 casual jobs without them i have nothing. Back to square 1 with no money and no home and no way to support us. Feeling completely hopeless and life slipping by. 10 years now. What a waste.

41singleBNE When your spouse refuses to seek help
  • replies: 15

I'm a 41yo single father with two kids aged 9 and 7. My ex wife suffers severe clinical depression with psychosis (mania, delusions & paranoia). She is also a diabetic 1. She's been living with her mother whom until recently was growing tired of seei... View more

I'm a 41yo single father with two kids aged 9 and 7. My ex wife suffers severe clinical depression with psychosis (mania, delusions & paranoia). She is also a diabetic 1. She's been living with her mother whom until recently was growing tired of seeing her staring off into the abyss, and general lack of practical progress. I am assuming this happened on the back of a disagreement. Mother drops her at the local centrelink office and demands she sort out her affairs - but instead of going inside, my ex wife ran off in a panic. She was reported missing for 48 hours and sparked a major police search operation. Eventually located safe and well by members of the public. Since this ordeal ex wife has been detained (treatment order) in hospital in a secure mental health ward. Our relationship had been strained for years leading up to this incident, but this was the final straw. For years I've been trying to raise our children, as well as deal with her crippling anxiety and constant fear and paranoia. Constantly urging her to seek help and assistance, my pleas were met with flat out denial, push back and refusal to acknowledge her state. I never wanted the relationship to end in the fashion that it has - with her being completely unable to cope with daily aspects of adult life. I have sole care of the children, and absolutely no life beyond that. I go to work, come home, feed/bathe and dress them, then the cycle repeats. I'm simply not coping with the isolation, loneliness and the grief of a 13 year union coming to a very sad and sudden end. My GP has put me on 2 weeks stress leave because I'm no longer able to get myself to work, it's too much of a burden. My house is a bombsite with clothes and general mess everywhere. I spent the afternoons and evenings trying to hold back the black dog biting at my heels. I've stopped trying to fight it, and often sit in a chair or lie in bed crying. I'm trying to book in with a psychologist but everyone I approach has closed books or a massive waiting list. Help...

Ramblify I ran into one of my primary school teachers and have mix feelings about it
  • replies: 5

Hi, I wasn't sure under what to post this thread - it could probably be under many? I'm in my 40's and ran into one of my primary school teachers. They mentioned that thwy thought I disnt live up to my 'full potential' and that I was an 'under achiev... View more

Hi, I wasn't sure under what to post this thread - it could probably be under many? I'm in my 40's and ran into one of my primary school teachers. They mentioned that thwy thought I disnt live up to my 'full potential' and that I was an 'under achiever'. I felt squirmish but kind of dead weighted (apathetic maybe), as they mentioned this. I didnt habe a good time in school, probably for a few reasons, but one of the main ones, is I think I was depressed even as a child. I have low self confidence still to this day, and Ive thought about why I have such low self-esteem and low self-worth too (maybe? ); And I think a large parth of that is from my schooling experiences. It was nice meeting the teacher again after so long, but I have feelings of bitterness and like the teaxhers at school (and other students), effected me in a very negitive way and stunted my growth.

Ramblify Why people feel so much shame about their own mental health?
  • replies: 9

Hi, I'd describe myself as currently, in remission, but have have major depressive disorder and GAD my whole life. I adressed my mental health and personal growth in the 90's. At the time I was in my late teens. I found the support I needed from diff... View more

Hi, I'd describe myself as currently, in remission, but have have major depressive disorder and GAD my whole life. I adressed my mental health and personal growth in the 90's. At the time I was in my late teens. I found the support I needed from different doctors, organisations and services in the community. I've had many ups and downs. I'm currently employed with supporting others in the community and some in their homes. I have noticed the level of shame some of these individuals apear to have is a huge barrier. I was wondering what mental health was like in the 70's and 80's? Maybe Ive been living in my own bubble and was able to instinctively weed out people in my life that weren't supportive to me. This has included somewhat recent estrangement with family members. They werent open or even really able to have a conversation about mental health - they just didnt have the capacity for it, and I stopped talking about anything that I was going through and decided not to ask for any help and just didn't talk about that stuff with them. Over time, my veiw of their family dynamics was that they were dysfunctional (but I keep that to myself, they certainly didn't see themselves as dysfunctional!). However, when Covid-19 hit, I found my family members to be very toxic and their own mental health was not good (but they had no idea of that). I decided it was best for me to cut ties (these were extended family members), and I felt very strongly that they were one-sided relationships. The reason Im mentioning the above experience, is because when I see the shame some people have about their mental health, I can only imagine they must be surrounded by people like my extended family members and have a toxic support network?? Do people move in groups where mental health is looked down upon? Or is it people's pride, of independence and 'strongness' - that they cant bare to ask for help or recieve help?

Niks85 Feeling really unwell health problems getting me down
  • replies: 3

Hi there last time I posted I had some relationship issues which I have managed to sort out thanks for listening . This time Im down because I have health issues still trying to be positive but I feel very unwell in my body. I was slim my whole life ... View more

Hi there last time I posted I had some relationship issues which I have managed to sort out thanks for listening . This time Im down because I have health issues still trying to be positive but I feel very unwell in my body. I was slim my whole life until I was put on medication for bipolar. I gained 20kgs in a year. I saw a psychiatrist a month ago to review my medication but he said he's not willing to change anything I just need to change my diet then he tried to diagnose me with ADD because I can't concentrate properly and I'm forgetting things. Then I ended up in hospital with pain in my heart and a wheezy chesty cough that I still have 8 weeks later its not covid tested negative twice. I've had chronic fatigue for weeks now then I found a large lump in my neck the ultrasound said it was a reactive lymph node I have to wait another two months to get another ultrasound of my neck. I had some blood tests said I was very low on vitamin D elevated liver and high cholesterol maybe that's why I feel so unwell and down. I wish the psychiatrist could put me on medication that will help my weight. I constantly crave carbs honestly it's so hard to live with bipolar I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. The medication helps my mental illness but now I have physical problems. My memory is going. My husband told me our friend is having a baby and a 3 days later I forgot. So upset I called my mum and told her but nobody is taking me seriously that my memory is going. I can't drink anymore not even a glass I get a rash all over my neck if I do. Anyone have advice Im so tired all the time even when I sleep nine hours Im so tired. Thanks for listening

jonny09 I am very sensitive to criticism
  • replies: 13

Hello, Whenever someone criticizes me(or makes fun of me), I think about it all the time. After the event(where the person criticized me) gets over, i'll think about it the entire day and recreate the entire event in my mind and find a way to make a ... View more

Hello, Whenever someone criticizes me(or makes fun of me), I think about it all the time. After the event(where the person criticized me) gets over, i'll think about it the entire day and recreate the entire event in my mind and find a way to make a comeback. I wud be like, "next time this person says me this, i'll say him that". And this thing just ruins my entire day. I know i shud ignore it and move on. But i find it very difficult to ignore toxic people. Such things really consume my entire day. How do i fix this problem? I was thinking if i actively seek criticism(from people) instead of running away from it, maybe after nth time or 100th time, i'll get accustomed to it and it won't have any effect on me.Will this work? How shud i fix it?

Whysosad Feeling over whelmed
  • replies: 11

Hi, moved in to a new place following eviction because my partner lost his job. Because being evicted finding somewhere else was very hard. I know I should be happy to have a place but I really feel bad here. The landlord is in the back of the house ... View more

Hi, moved in to a new place following eviction because my partner lost his job. Because being evicted finding somewhere else was very hard. I know I should be happy to have a place but I really feel bad here. The landlord is in the back of the house which has been blocked off, so blocked off windows, it's so dark. There is no curtains or heating, no airial for tv, blocked sink and bath. I don't want to be here, stuff is everywhere from moving, just the thought of unpacking is too much.I just want to run but nowhere to go.

iitzpeterr I’m scared of what’s to come
  • replies: 2

I’ve been depressed for awhile now and recently I’ve lost the girl I loved more than anything and I’ll admit it I deserve it I’m a piece of trash but I now have nothing left and I know she’s doing fine she has a lot of people for her and distractions... View more

I’ve been depressed for awhile now and recently I’ve lost the girl I loved more than anything and I’ll admit it I deserve it I’m a piece of trash but I now have nothing left and I know she’s doing fine she has a lot of people for her and distractions and safe places. Just life has been tough this year especially, I used to enjoy coming to highschool especially since I was freshman 10th grade now going into 11th but what now. I have nothing left we agreed to be friends as I was the one being dumped but I can’t let go of what we had and I’m scared to sleep cause it’s all I think about all the dreams I get hurt and I’ve now fallen even deeper into the hole where the urge to die has become stronger I can’t no more I’ve delayed my death so many times but I just can’t be f****d and keeping in contact with her since we are still friends hurts me so much the spark is gone it went from a “goodnight I love you” to a “goodnight love you” because a guy came into play and well ruined everything I don’t expect help or anything I just needed to rant I literally have nobody my heart is aching

Guest_0845 Why I am always lonely and useless
  • replies: 2

I find myself sitting at home every Friday and Saturday night hating life, being lonely, feeling useless, feeling like a waste of space, I have always had a lot of trouble making friends, I've Not ever really had any really. I've always been the ugly... View more

I find myself sitting at home every Friday and Saturday night hating life, being lonely, feeling useless, feeling like a waste of space, I have always had a lot of trouble making friends, I've Not ever really had any really. I've always been the ugly duckling, people don't want anything to do with me, nobody will talk to me, I try to meet new people and it just doesn't get me anywhere and makes me feel worse, it makes me feel like I'm a waste of space, my family don't understand, therapy doesn't fix my issues, I'm guessing nothing will???

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