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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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Alannah57 How do you find warmth in a world that feels cold?
  • replies: 4

It feels like the world is indifferent and cold, happiness isn’t allowed to last and positive things don’t matter. I feel so trapped here, how do you find warmth when you are missing in warm, genuine interactions, when no one understands you, when li... View more

It feels like the world is indifferent and cold, happiness isn’t allowed to last and positive things don’t matter. I feel so trapped here, how do you find warmth when you are missing in warm, genuine interactions, when no one understands you, when life’s just about the task at hand?

Musiclover10 Depression is crippling
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I am currently in a deep depression and at a total loss. I have been clinically depressed many times in the past and overcome it, but I just can't seem to pull myself out of this one. At least not on my own. I believe the trigger was chr... View more

Hi everyone, I am currently in a deep depression and at a total loss. I have been clinically depressed many times in the past and overcome it, but I just can't seem to pull myself out of this one. At least not on my own. I believe the trigger was chronic physical pain which I had for several weeks before the black dog set in. Feeling frustrated, hopeless and worn down by physical pain that I didn't have answers or a cure for and no idea when it would subside etc. I still am experiencing a bit of physical pain but my biggest issue now is the way I am feeling emotionally. I am struggling to get out of bed every day. Waking early and just staying there for hours, not wanting to face the day. It's getting harder every day. I'm finding it hard to communicate with those closest to me, even being around people is hard. I feel like I've been trying and pushing through for several weeks, despite feeling down and flat but now it's really interfering with my daily functioning and I've reached the point where I've given up trying. It all seems hopeless. And I feel incredibly low. I'm cancelling plans and don't feel I'll be able to go to work next week. I also have a wedding in a couple of months and I am in the bridal party. It's such an important event and I'm so worried because of how I'm feeling. Please help

Shazie Changing my antidepressants
  • replies: 8

I’m having such a hard time at the moment, my meds have been changed and I feel totally hopeless, I can’t stop crying, today has been the worst day since starting the new meds. Please tell me it will get better, I don’t feel like I’m coping at all. M... View more

I’m having such a hard time at the moment, my meds have been changed and I feel totally hopeless, I can’t stop crying, today has been the worst day since starting the new meds. Please tell me it will get better, I don’t feel like I’m coping at all. My husband doesn’t understand, he is waiting for me to cook tea but I just don’t have the motivation to do it, he is acting like it’s my fault I’m like this. I don’t know what to do, I feel so useless, I can’t think straight, all I want to do is curl up into a ball until everything and everyone goes away. Please someone give me some advice before I go insane

TJS4133 I've been fighting depression for so long but I don't know how much longer I can keep going
  • replies: 6

I've been struggling with depression for pretty much all my adult life; that's several decades now. To be honest, I have had many good years. But the last 18 months or so have been really hard. And I don't know how much longer I can keep fighting. I'... View more

I've been struggling with depression for pretty much all my adult life; that's several decades now. To be honest, I have had many good years. But the last 18 months or so have been really hard. And I don't know how much longer I can keep fighting. I'm just exhausted. I have a loving wife and two great children for whom I'm trying to stay alive but I need something more. What's the point? How and/or where can I find meaning and joy? I know these are big questions but I'm sure some of you have faced similar ones. Any tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Nicole_GM Please help Lost hope
  • replies: 15

I am going through three major life changes, a pending divorce, left my job and moved out of the house I once shared with my husband. My depression at times is so overwhelming and I don’t know if I can go on. I have been on an antidepressant for the ... View more

I am going through three major life changes, a pending divorce, left my job and moved out of the house I once shared with my husband. My depression at times is so overwhelming and I don’t know if I can go on. I have been on an antidepressant for the last three weeks but I am feeling no relief. I feel like I’m going to be like this forever. I just want to know everything will be ok

poss93 Feeling depressed on the weekends
  • replies: 3

Hey guys, I just need to express this and see if anyone else feels the same. Most weekends I stay in because of study and to save money. The last 8 months I have been causal and have been getting some consistent hours to pay rent and keep me afloat a... View more

Hey guys, I just need to express this and see if anyone else feels the same. Most weekends I stay in because of study and to save money. The last 8 months I have been causal and have been getting some consistent hours to pay rent and keep me afloat and content whilst studying. I now have a fulltime job and am finding I'm becoming more depressed on the weekends. My boyfriend usually has his friends over and I am friends with them as well so we all just hangout and chill. Although I find I'm becoming more depressed even around company. I'm just tired and exhausted. I caught up with a friend of mine for dinner during the week this week while I haven't seen in months and as nice as it was I just wasn't connecting in the moment. I don't mean to be rude and I hate that I feel this way but I didn't care about what she had to say during our catch up. Normally I would be like "Oh wow that' so cool" and generally mean it, but I just say it and express false emotions. I don't socialise as much as I should with "Girlfriends". I just finding socialising hard when my job is so social. I have been seeing a someone to talk to for many years and have been on antidepressants for 4 months now. this is the first time I've felt this way since being on my medication. what's happening?

Cee123 Still struggling
  • replies: 17

I'm having more and more days where I feel like I can't go on... I don't know how to cope anymore. Mornings are harder than ever. Nights are lonelier than ever. Everything feels pointless and grey. I am socially isolated (except for my family). I hav... View more

I'm having more and more days where I feel like I can't go on... I don't know how to cope anymore. Mornings are harder than ever. Nights are lonelier than ever. Everything feels pointless and grey. I am socially isolated (except for my family). I have no meaning or purpose. I can't get out of bed, it's a struggle just to do basic things. And now I'm getting harassed by Centrelink who think that I can work even though I clearly can't, I have a damn doctor's certificate and an exemption from looking for work. JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!! I haven't been answering my phone. I haven't been doing much of anything. I am REALLY bad at the moment. If they want, they can cut me off, I'm done. And damn anxiety doesn't help. I'll just live with no money, living off my parents at 35 years of age. I don't have any shame anymore because I'm genuinely struggling (and I know that, and my family knows that) and I can't handle anything. People can call me worthless and a freeloader all they want because they don't understand what I'm going through and will never understand. They can judge me and hate me all they want. I only want to be alone anyway. If I can't do it, then I just can't do it. I'm not going to try and come up with reasons why I can't do it just to please other people. I have genuinely tried to function. But I just can't. And medication isn't helping. Therapy hasn't helped me EVER. I've tried reaching out to other people with depression but nobody EVER replies. And most of those people are 12 to 16 years of age. I ask other people around my age what helps them, what helps them to get through each day, what helps keep them motivated and they say it's their kids that give their life meaning, it's their kids that give them a purpose. Well that doesn't help me because I don't have any kids. And that also makes me depressed - feeling that I missed out on marriage and having kids and because of my age and what little I have in life - nobody wants to know me or speak to me anymore. I am a broken person. I only have my dog and she is almost on her last legs. When she goes I dont know what I'm going to do with my time. I just can't do it... I'm feeling like I can't go on. I haven't told anybody this. And I haven't spoken to anybody because I don't want to burden them or bring them down as well. I feel like a failure and a burden and all I want to do is curl up and lay in bed all day. I've been finding things to take my mind off it like gardening. But I've been tired

bluenight these forums help
  • replies: 15

Hey everyone I haven't been onto the forums for about a year, as I started a new job and have been really busy and focused on doing well in the new position. Over the last couple of weeks though I've been browsing through the forums and it helps me t... View more

Hey everyone I haven't been onto the forums for about a year, as I started a new job and have been really busy and focused on doing well in the new position. Over the last couple of weeks though I've been browsing through the forums and it helps me to read what people are going through and the kind supportive responses. That's it for now

Michelle34 Can’t parent today.
  • replies: 5

I can’t stop crying, I’ve locked myself in my room and I don’t know what to do. My kids have made their own breakfast but I just can’t do it today. I got given a mental health care plan and a list of psychologists and I went through the whole list an... View more

I can’t stop crying, I’ve locked myself in my room and I don’t know what to do. My kids have made their own breakfast but I just can’t do it today. I got given a mental health care plan and a list of psychologists and I went through the whole list and they’re all booked out and won’t take a waiting list. I can’t feed myself properly I manage to make my kids food but it’s not the best and I would have never have just fed them thing like 2 minute noodles and toast constantly. I can’t do it anymore. When I’m well I’m always helping people out and when I’m not those people are no where to be found. I feel very alone and don’t know how to manage anything anymore, I can’t keep pretending.

Alannah57 Finally reached acceptance over a break up
  • replies: 2

Break ups hurt, I had all these beautiful and happy feelings and memories with my ex. I felt so hurt last week when we broke up, but I can move on now, look onto better things, and just miss him right now until the hurt fades. Has anyone else gone th... View more

Break ups hurt, I had all these beautiful and happy feelings and memories with my ex. I felt so hurt last week when we broke up, but I can move on now, look onto better things, and just miss him right now until the hurt fades. Has anyone else gone through a painful break up? How did you cope?