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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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nic953 Self hatred
  • replies: 3

I haven’t felt this way in a while but recently my self worth has just plummeted. I hate myself and everything I am. I hate that I hate myself because I feel I shouldn’t, my situation isn’t that bad. I just hate me, my mind, my body and everything. I... View more

I haven’t felt this way in a while but recently my self worth has just plummeted. I hate myself and everything I am. I hate that I hate myself because I feel I shouldn’t, my situation isn’t that bad. I just hate me, my mind, my body and everything. I just shut down and want to sleep and cry. I look in the mirror and I don’t recognise myself again. I’ve never posted before I just I don’t know what to do. I hate me and I feel like I need to crawl out of this skin I’m in

randomguy81 I always feel i don't belong here
  • replies: 9

Hello I am a New member , but i have been struggling for a few years with either anxiety or depression or both( i don't know) i don't enjoy life, haven't found my purpose in life , don't enjoy work, don't enjoy speeding time with the kids or wife and... View more

Hello I am a New member , but i have been struggling for a few years with either anxiety or depression or both( i don't know) i don't enjoy life, haven't found my purpose in life , don't enjoy work, don't enjoy speeding time with the kids or wife and don't like been home,i always feel like i should not be here am i alone in this ?

Tinks99 I've been really struggling lately and just need someone to listen
  • replies: 11

Im a newbie and its 3am here and like the title says, I just want someone to listen to my thoughts. I got diagnosed with depression/anxiety/ptsd when I was 18. The anxiety and depression stem from an abusive childhood and the depression when my aunt ... View more

Im a newbie and its 3am here and like the title says, I just want someone to listen to my thoughts. I got diagnosed with depression/anxiety/ptsd when I was 18. The anxiety and depression stem from an abusive childhood and the depression when my aunt died. Just a little background info Lately, I dont want to be here anymore. I don't want to wake up, I dont want to eat and I just don't have any motivation to do anything. So I went and saw my doctor today and she increased my medication and recommended BeyondBlue. My partner doesn't really seem to understand, and it hurts. Every time I'm like this he thinks its because I've thought myself into it and doesn't understand that it can just happen. He thinks I need to learn how to be emotionally independent. Sorry I'm rambling. My biggest support system is my nana, shes always been there to help me, whether it be having a chat at 4 in the morning or coming with me to hospital Im barely holding it together, I really just want to fall apart and cry. I feel like I could just cry for months Someone please read this and just say they're proud of me

PurpleUnicorn Struggling to find a psychologist
  • replies: 4

Hi I would like to know is there anyone on here who has been struggling to find a psychologist? My name is on waiting list at a number of psychologist practices but I really really need to find a psychologist ASAP due to something that has trigger me... View more

Hi I would like to know is there anyone on here who has been struggling to find a psychologist? My name is on waiting list at a number of psychologist practices but I really really need to find a psychologist ASAP due to something that has trigger me. but it looks like I won’t be able too see a psychologist until next year.

Buzz71 It Never Ends
  • replies: 29

Hi I posted much of this in the newbie thread but I would like to seek a wider audience. I am 49, married (second time around) with two kids from my first marriage, and a five year old from my second. I am a career public servant at upper middle leve... View more

Hi I posted much of this in the newbie thread but I would like to seek a wider audience. I am 49, married (second time around) with two kids from my first marriage, and a five year old from my second. I am a career public servant at upper middle level, and I have had battles with depression and anxiety since my early 20s. Right now I'm going through (yet another) severe bout of depression. I appreciate we shouldn't post too much personal detail here but context is important. I'm actually on leave on half pay all of 2020. After many years of stress at work I decided to take this year to be a stay at home dad and help my youngest with their first year of school. Things haven't gone quite to plan with COVID etc but that's unavoidable. Now I am at home and at least not stressed by work but I am depressed as ever. I am very fortunate and have no major problems but I can't seem to shake it. I've tried two different medications over the years but mostly I feel the side-effects are worse than any possible benefits. I have finally weaned off the second of these with much difficulty. I feel hopeless ... everything is poisoned by the depression. Halfway through my leave and I am already starting to stress about returning to work. Long hours and high stress are part of the deal and my family has suffered over the years. I saw little of my older two children when they were younger because I was always at work. I don't want - and my wife definitely doesn't want - me to return to that habit. But at home not working I haven't found the peace and joy I was seeking. The depression never leaves and I am ... so... tired... of fighting every single day. I wake up and it punches me in the face. I am not suicidal but I do have thoughts about it being the only way to stop the pain. I have quit drinking because I did come close once last year on a work trip - after a lot of drinks I found myself on a high balcony and considered doing it. I do have professional help and have a psych I have seen for many years. She is good but no one else in my life understands the pain. My wife cares but doesn't know how to help, and I feel that it is slowly destroying our relationship. I have no real friends left - no one wants to be around depressed people. I feel hopeless- I see no way out and I can't see any options that will make things better. So here I am - hoping to talk to people that understand depression and won't just tell me to cheer up and move on. Thanks for listening.

justlurkin Trying to find out what is wrong with me
  • replies: 4

I'm 31 and ever since puberty it seems like I've been unable to finish or commit to anything. I was a smart kid and before high school started, I was invited to an "accelerated course" to complete high school in 3 years. I bombed out as soon as high ... View more

I'm 31 and ever since puberty it seems like I've been unable to finish or commit to anything. I was a smart kid and before high school started, I was invited to an "accelerated course" to complete high school in 3 years. I bombed out as soon as high school started and was never interested in doing any work at school or homework. The same thing happened after dropping out for TAFE and uni, I would just burn out a couple of months or even weeks into these courses. I managed to get some semi-decent work through my 20's with no experience but wouldn't last particularly long in these jobs either, and have massive gaps in my resume. Now here I am at 31 and I'm barely able to concentrate on reading a few pages of a book, watching a tv show or even playing video games (which I used to enjoy a lot). Obviously all this is very bad for my "career" and future goals.. I have felt tired a lot of the time since I was 13, and went on antidepressants in January this year. I have never been obese and get a decent amount of exercise imo. I find it hard to consider myself a lazy person, as I have successfully run a business last year. It just seems like nothing seems to last with me and I eventually lose all interest. The meds seem to make me slightly less depressed but haven't made a dent in my motivation or concentration. I have no idea what is wrong with me. Any ideas?

Bee12345 Changes to PBS affecting people with bipolar on abilify medication
  • replies: 2

Hi all, My sister, is on disability support pension. She has bipolar disorder. Before finding the right medication was hospitalised in a psychriatic unit for several weeks, 6 years ago. She has been stable and managing well. She is 7 months pregnant,... View more

Hi all, My sister, is on disability support pension. She has bipolar disorder. Before finding the right medication was hospitalised in a psychriatic unit for several weeks, 6 years ago. She has been stable and managing well. She is 7 months pregnant, and although they do not advise for people to remain on her type of meds while pregnant, her psychiatrist has stated it is more risk to her mental health if she comes off them, so she has had a lot of monitoring and extra appointments and thankfully all progressing well. It is extremely distressing to her, hearing from the GP that her medication, which is prescribed both for bipolar and for schizophrenia, as from 1st July is only covered on the PBS for people with schizophrenia NOT bipolar. Clearly this is medication she needs which will cost minimum $99 a month or $95 purchsng the generic brand rather than $6. Its unbelievable one day its $6 then $100, without any consult, advice or discussion prior to her about alternatives. it was never her choice to go on this medication, it was her doctors after several weeks of trial and error when in hospital but it has helped. She is on disability support pension, a new mum, adding to this is more financial stress of an essential medication. She is not in a position to go into a psychiatric unit while pregnant to find other medication. It will put her and her baby at risk doing so. Im reaching out to see if anyone else is facing this issue at the moment?

Musiclover10 Depression and Exercise
  • replies: 7

All of the research says exercise really helps with depression. Everyone around me is saying it. Even I am saying it to myself and often imagining myself exercising and it helping. But I'm still finding it SO HARD to even go for a walk around the blo... View more

All of the research says exercise really helps with depression. Everyone around me is saying it. Even I am saying it to myself and often imagining myself exercising and it helping. But I'm still finding it SO HARD to even go for a walk around the block! I enjoyed exercising before I got depressed. I'm looking for advice on how to start exercising and break the never-ending cycle of inactivity. What has worked for others? And have you noticed an improvement in how you feel soon after starting exercise? Thank you

jenms Over myself
  • replies: 11

I have only just joined BB online. Talking face to face with absolutely anybody...professional, friend, family just makes me cry non stop and not feel any better in fact i feel worse. Thought i could try this to 'vent' without being readily judged (w... View more

I have only just joined BB online. Talking face to face with absolutely anybody...professional, friend, family just makes me cry non stop and not feel any better in fact i feel worse. Thought i could try this to 'vent' without being readily judged (which happens all the time). People don't get it and i understand why they don't get it but that doesn't help. I have been in what i call 'robot mode' for years to be honest. Get up, work, finish, eat, bed, occasionally go out, keep the 'actress' face on. I am getting lower and lower and lower. Logically i know some of the things that i need to do to feel better but it is so hard to push myself to do them. Ironically in the past i have felt better when i have gone for a walk or done some yoga or similar but i just can't seem to even force myself out of the house at the moment. Sooooooooo over myself.