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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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Hanz98 I don’t know
  • replies: 1

I hate getting out of bed, I hate talking to new people, I hate knowing I have to go somewhere especially because I’m afraid I might see or smell something that reminds me of the past I’m trying to get away from, I haven’t been shopping for myself in... View more

I hate getting out of bed, I hate talking to new people, I hate knowing I have to go somewhere especially because I’m afraid I might see or smell something that reminds me of the past I’m trying to get away from, I haven’t been shopping for myself in about a year, I can’t sleep most of the time because I keep replaying things that happened in my life, I breakdown in the worst of time, I regret making myself look like such a fool and always trying to help people when knowone understands or listens to me, I sometimes wish I was put in a box of some sort with no door and I’m just alone with my thoughts cradling myself, I feel that I need that we’ll actually want that but my family is always around and telling me to get out of my room, I wish I was alone but I wish someone understands me.

cgp_bs Just frustrated.
  • replies: 5

Hey everyone. Not a first time poster as I originally had made a post a couple of months ago but forgot my login details and which email was associated with it, so I decided to create another account, instead. Wanting to get a bit of advice and a ven... View more

Hey everyone. Not a first time poster as I originally had made a post a couple of months ago but forgot my login details and which email was associated with it, so I decided to create another account, instead. Wanting to get a bit of advice and a vent about my current experience. I feel frustrated yet anxious all the time. I had a pretty shit day today where I needed to get a set of keys cut and couldn't have the guts to approach the gentleman at the counter... I then moved to another cutting place and realised they were on lunch for another hour. I had already been sitting around for an hour and a half, at my local shopping centre. I walked to my car after an unsuccessful trip in sheer defeat, anger and frustration at myself... I punched my car door. I don't know why I did that. I've never done that before... and I feel like an idiot for doing it. I've already reached out to my GP for a mental health plan and are in the works of getting my sessions up and running but it's turning out that the waiting time is well over a month and a half. It's been not even a week and I can't stand this... I feel like everyday is pointless and I'm beginning to feel more and more depressed everyday. When I approached my GP originally, she very much came across like this wasn't an issue and just needed to see a psych... I feel like my situation isn't as important as others and though I'm sure many need it more than I, I can't help but feel frustrated at myself. I don't know what I can do to seek further help that isn't just going back to the same GP and telling them issues they already know and can't exactly speed up the process... What happens if this psych doesn't gel well with me? Especially after the last 5, I'm worried... and waiting nearly 2 months to even speak to this person is already a big struggle. I don't know what to do. I'm frustrated. Does anyone know what are some extra steps I can try? I've been to many psychs and CBT is a struggle to keep up with. I've been incredibly arrogant about things like meditation (which I know isn't helpful but I can't help it). I just want to know if I had other options that can help while I wait these 2 months... It's scary, I've never thought about suicidal plans or anything but it's been scary even having the thought of death pop up in my brain... I'm scared to tell my partner this... Thank you in advance for anyone even reading this.

Lost_husband Seeking fresh resource suggestions to help my bipolar wife
  • replies: 4

Hey guys, Hoping someone might be able to suggest some new and fresh resources I might be able to use to help my bipolar wife. In a nutshell, we've been together almost 15 years and unfortunately I didn't take her bipolar disorder as seriously as I s... View more

Hey guys, Hoping someone might be able to suggest some new and fresh resources I might be able to use to help my bipolar wife. In a nutshell, we've been together almost 15 years and unfortunately I didn't take her bipolar disorder as seriously as I should have from the word go and as a result our marriage is up and down like a yo-yo. I've promised her countless times that I would finally step up and help her but I quickly fall into old habits, get distracted by all the stuff I have going on at work and never actually step up to the plate and provide her with the support she so desperately needs. I finally feel like I'm in a good space to actually help her and am looking for any/all suggestions or which might help me truly help her. Cheers, Ready to step up

MishelLou Asking someone for help
  • replies: 2

I am in a position where I need support but can't bring myself to ask anyone, especially having to ask out loud. Have made and cancelled doctors appointments and just push through. It's been years of ups and downs and don't know at what point a chang... View more

I am in a position where I need support but can't bring myself to ask anyone, especially having to ask out loud. Have made and cancelled doctors appointments and just push through. It's been years of ups and downs and don't know at what point a change needs to happen.

Guest_1573 What is wrong with me?
  • replies: 4

Hi All I am here now as I suffer severe depression and do not know what to do. I am on medication. I am so tired of this awful world..the awful people that I encounter daily (selfish, rude, entitled). Daily I go through road rage as it appears everyo... View more

Hi All I am here now as I suffer severe depression and do not know what to do. I am on medication. I am so tired of this awful world..the awful people that I encounter daily (selfish, rude, entitled). Daily I go through road rage as it appears everyone on the road thinks they are the best drivers...yet they continually flout the rules. I do everything by the book. I am honest; drive carefully, treat everyone with respect. Treat my customers like they are gold...go over and above my job description. Never get any thanks. I really just want to stay alone with my darling dog. And go to the dog beach. Dogs are my one passion in life. They are the only joy in my life. I doubt the medication is working. Again...nothing seems to work! I have multiple health issues and mental health issues. I am 55 years old with a 16 year old (whom I love totally) with zero help from his 'father'. I feel so alone in life and I have become a fat lazy slob. I just don't care anymore. Yet I have to for my son! I need some motivation but I simply cannot find it. I feel totally dead inside. All I want to do is sleep. Or go to the dog beach. Everything else....zero care factor. I guess I am lucky I have my dog passion. If it weren't for that i would be totally lost. I am scared because I am doing everything the professionals tell me to yet nothing is changing for the better. I am now on other medications to counteract the first medications....I have side effects ( dry mouth, throat, headache, weight gain)....should I just stop all of it and try to resolve things in a natural fashion? I constantly fear for my son. The World has become such a horrible place...I am totally gobsmacked daily with what goes on. I would NEVER bring a child into this World now. It has become a festering sewer pit of mad people. I would really love to speak to others who feel the same as I do. Life shouldn't be such a drama surely? I have had plenty of drama since the day I was born and I just want peace. I just want to believe that there is some good in the World and my son will have a happy future. Thanks for reading.

fred2018 stuck
  • replies: 6

Hi guys, having a tough time of late. I think my mood has been unstable for a few months now and had had the goal with my psychiatrist to get a job as a way to possibly help my depression etc. I did get a job but its been a real struggle doing the tr... View more

Hi guys, having a tough time of late. I think my mood has been unstable for a few months now and had had the goal with my psychiatrist to get a job as a way to possibly help my depression etc. I did get a job but its been a real struggle doing the training for it. My brain doesn't feel clear, brain fog has been a problem for me and probably many others, along with that reduced motivation and fatigue of late. Whilst it is good to be doing something more useful, the work training is quite dull so that aint helping my motivation feelings so yeah its all a bit of a mess. I sort of think the job may have to wait or something needs to be changed, I have considered another treatment option but that needs to be talked over with my doctor.

SLRP Depression creeping back
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am new to this. So bare with me. I am aged 32 and mother of three boys aged 7,8 and 9. My depression started after my third child, my mother - in-law picked out up and told my husband to help me. I have always felt like I was being left out of ... View more

Hi, I am new to this. So bare with me. I am aged 32 and mother of three boys aged 7,8 and 9. My depression started after my third child, my mother - in-law picked out up and told my husband to help me. I have always felt like I was being left out of things by friends, feel like things are my fault and being inadequate. I started medication back in 2014/2015. I then stepped down my dose in 2018. November 2020 I went down again after showing to my doctor as I was doing really well. From December 2020 I had weened off medication completely. Everything was going well until my dad passed away in mid February 2021. Ever since then things have been getting me down. Those feeling of inadequacy and being left out have been coming back. I don't know if I should go back onto my medication or just ride it out.

mogg123 really struggling at the moment
  • replies: 6

Hey everyone. I just joined this forum today, and I'm really new to talking about how i'm feeling. Its something i find really difficult to do, as i'm sure most of you can relate to! I've been dealing with depression for almost 2 years now and i've b... View more

Hey everyone. I just joined this forum today, and I'm really new to talking about how i'm feeling. Its something i find really difficult to do, as i'm sure most of you can relate to! I've been dealing with depression for almost 2 years now and i've been seeing a psychologist and been on anti-depressants for about 1 year. This is the first episode i've had for the year and I'm just really struggling to get through it. I feel really numb and isolated from everyone. My family and friends have been really supportive of me which just makes me feel guilty that I feel this way. Anyone relate? I hope everyone is doing okay

Starletbunny Lonely and sad
  • replies: 5

Currently 6 weeks pregnant, through ivf and sperm donor, but now it's starting to hit me how alone I am. After a visit to the hospital due to cramps and bleeding, I messaged my best friend who said she'd be there for me, then fell asleep. I don't hav... View more

Currently 6 weeks pregnant, through ivf and sperm donor, but now it's starting to hit me how alone I am. After a visit to the hospital due to cramps and bleeding, I messaged my best friend who said she'd be there for me, then fell asleep. I don't have any other friends, my family don't know I'm pregnant because theyve always told me I'd be a bad mother and shouldn't be a parent. I have noone on my life. Noone to share things with. People keep saying to find a hobby or something I love and happiness will follow, but I have zero interests in any hobbies. I've googled and nothing jumps out to me. There's nothing I'm passionate about. I have been seeing a psych for the last 4 years, and my last session ended badly, she said that my immediate issues have been sorted, and since I'm going to be hormonal, delving back into past issues will be counter active as I have enough to focus on now being pregnant, then getting worked up about history and I should see her in 9 months and there's plenty of help around my area (midwives etc) she also made a comment about the guy I'm crushing on not being interested in me because he can sense my issues. So now, I've been rejected by him, my psych and my only friend and I'm just so lonely and sad. Been googling new psychs but most aren't taking new patients, or have no appointments for over a month. I don't even know if it's my depression getting worse, pregnancy hormones or a mix. I just keep crying. Thanks for listening to my rants

Derit New Here - Nobody to Talk To.
  • replies: 8

Battled depression most of my life and I've run out of steam and help. I don't know how to Not Lie about how I feel. Despite everyone saying they understand and accept, they don't. So I lie everyday and hope I'm going to wake up dead. I'm not going t... View more

Battled depression most of my life and I've run out of steam and help. I don't know how to Not Lie about how I feel. Despite everyone saying they understand and accept, they don't. So I lie everyday and hope I'm going to wake up dead. I'm not going to physically harm myself but I am so miserable. I've always taken my prescribed medication but I don't believe it works. I'm tired, bitter and hate myself. I think I know what I need but the Government Doctors can't or won't provide it and I can't afford it. I have a wife and 2 sons who I adore and they do their best for me but they can't control me enough. I need 4 weeks or more in a boot camp where I'm told when to get up and what to eat and when to exercise all day every day. I'm an ex serviceman and know I need that structure. I only eat savoury food and hate vegetables and need to be taught how to prepare edible vegetables. I'm done going to my Doctor, Counselor and Psychiatrist. Maybe just blowing off steam here will help.