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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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Jenna_ Just need to talk
  • replies: 2

17 and recently got diagnosed with depression. ever since starting college i haven't been happy. everyday i wake up with the dreading feeling of having to interact with people in the fakest way ever while suppressing my own emotions so i dont have to... View more

17 and recently got diagnosed with depression. ever since starting college i haven't been happy. everyday i wake up with the dreading feeling of having to interact with people in the fakest way ever while suppressing my own emotions so i dont have to deal with them. eventually they lead up to you. its now an every week type of thing, where i break down crying, hopeless for my future. my parents are immigrants - they dont believe in mental health problems, i hate being at home anyways because my parents are just always mad at me. i dont know why they can never ask me if im ok , i dont even feel comfortable opening up to them. i really hope i never become a parent like that. im not sure what i did to have a life like this. i feel like a failure. my grades just keep slipping, how am i even gonna get into university at this rate. i hate myself so much. i really hope someone understands. what do i do

Guest_52178034 loneliness
  • replies: 1

I am 32 year old male I am suffering from depression loneliness for a long time I don’t have any real friends I have no one to talk to and I feel hopeless I have thought of self harming myself what do I do

I am 32 year old male I am suffering from depression loneliness for a long time I don’t have any real friends I have no one to talk to and I feel hopeless I have thought of self harming myself what do I do

Love79 How do I pull back, move forward and not 'fix' it?
  • replies: 2

My husband is an amazing man, but we have found ourselves so stuck in the daily routine of life. We have both made decisions that have affected us, and I acknowledge my decisions while stuck in my own spiral have affected him greatly. We have been fi... View more

My husband is an amazing man, but we have found ourselves so stuck in the daily routine of life. We have both made decisions that have affected us, and I acknowledge my decisions while stuck in my own spiral have affected him greatly. We have been financially stressed for years, and feel like we haven't gotten anywhere. We have arrived at a crucial point in our lives and I feel we were making progress with plans, but to do this we need to do some things that don't sit right with either of us. I am taking the path that it is a stepping stone (of which we have had many) and he is feeling like it is putting him back in prison and he is stuck. He acknowledges that this is depression due to environment, and I am petrified that he will leave and we won't get the opportunity to live our dreams. We are both suffering anxiety for different reasons, and he recently admitted that the thought of spending time alone with me creates an anxiety in him but he can't explain why. I know I have let him down in the past, and please don't get me wrong, he is also not perfect, just me acknowledging my contribution to his unhappiness, but I have recognised everything and honestly validated his feelings with him, and felt we took a huge leap forward, and now his anxiety is overwhelming him. He feels he is not the father he wants to be, the husband he wants to be, has taken a job he doesn't want to do in a place he hates, but the thought of relocating (which we were in talks and plans for) is too much for him. I love him but I feel that I am a huge trigger for him at the moment, how do I do this?

Guest_16278551 Support for partner
  • replies: 1

My partner has had depression on and off for 10 years.He is genuinely a loving caring funny guy but the last twelve/eighteen months has been rough.He has in the last twelve months began anti-depression medication again which at first helped him but r... View more

My partner has had depression on and off for 10 years.He is genuinely a loving caring funny guy but the last twelve/eighteen months has been rough.He has in the last twelve months began anti-depression medication again which at first helped him but recently he is moody angry withdrawn and is saying things that are every concerning to me about how he dislikes himself.He experienced a very rough childhood of parental domestic violence and alcohol abuse to which he decided in the last couple of years to segregate himself from his parents and he has not spoken at allto his parents in the last twelve monthsHe has also left a toxic work environment for a new job but is being very hard on himself in learning his new job.He was speaking to a fabulous GP but he has left our area and he has not found anyone else he “clicks with” to talk to.He was speaking to a physiologist but he says it makes him feel worse so he stopped seeing him.We are very blessed with 2 beautiful healthy children we have my parents who are very supportive we have a great friend group we are financially comfortable but he always finds something to stress about.I am looking for advice on how I can helpmy husband to bring back the funny caring person I know he is.

Shadow No where to go but up…
  • replies: 1

… or so they say.And so I used to believe. What felt like rock bottom wasn’t the worst but in that moment it would feel it. But still the fire would ignite and perseverance and grit would kick in - raising me to a place better than when I started. Ad... View more

… or so they say.And so I used to believe. What felt like rock bottom wasn’t the worst but in that moment it would feel it. But still the fire would ignite and perseverance and grit would kick in - raising me to a place better than when I started. Admittedly I was partially inspired just to prove to those who had wronged me that they hadn’t broken me. And I believed in the good karma that would return to those with integrity. Those who fought for others. For a better world. I always gave 110% of me. But it has been many years and this time, I feel broken. I was not made for this world and I don’t know how to exist in it any longer with the society norms that are ever so heavy. The effort of leaving the house and trying to stay positive/happy mask only to be met with ‘that I’m too much’ or ‘not enough’. This time I feel no desire to get up and try, no hope for a better future, no faith in people at all.Least of all in myself, after everything that’s happened to me throughout life - they’ve just turned me into another one of them. Just another black heart - only one thing remains the same …despite its colour I still wear it on my sleeve for all to see. And with that brings the darkest of times.

That_Boy_Needs_Therapy Lonliness
  • replies: 1

I always come back to this really empty feeling of loneliness, where there is no cure for this. And then it just flames my depression.But it also feels like that this is a really taboo reason to be upset about.

I always come back to this really empty feeling of loneliness, where there is no cure for this. And then it just flames my depression.But it also feels like that this is a really taboo reason to be upset about.

Mitch- Forgotten how to feel happy
  • replies: 1

Hi I’m 56 years old and if I were to define my life with one word it would be Hard.Ive never felt I fit anywhere, I have always just lived around what others need from me.I feel others don’t really see me I guess.I was adopted and even though my pare... View more

Hi I’m 56 years old and if I were to define my life with one word it would be Hard.Ive never felt I fit anywhere, I have always just lived around what others need from me.I feel others don’t really see me I guess.I was adopted and even though my parents were good people I remember my childhood as being sad and lonely.As I grew older I desperately tried to find that person who would love and recognise me, but got it wrong too many times.I view the world as a hard and lonely place to be and at times wish I was no longer in it.My life now is one that so many people would love to have but I’ve lost the ability to feel happy or trust in happy.My head is always filled with negativity.thanks for listening

Guest_10345 Loneliness/Depression/Lost
  • replies: 2

HI there I'm Drew and are from Western Australia I'm going though major depression ATM and are struggling to cope with my circumstances and situation that I find myself in. So I thought I would reach out.I stopped drinking in 2019 and since then have... View more

HI there I'm Drew and are from Western Australia I'm going though major depression ATM and are struggling to cope with my circumstances and situation that I find myself in. So I thought I would reach out.I stopped drinking in 2019 and since then have realised it is probably too late to make any real differences or changes in my life @ (54)I'm currently homeless and living in a tent in a NP. I regularly have thoughts of suicide, have no family and not much in the way of friends, even though people tell me I'm a nice guy.What I have learnt since being homeless is that society in general is cruel, judgemental and not really forgiving or understanding, everyday it seems I'm reminded that this is true, Does anyone else have these thoughts/experiences? and constant thought's of suicide, any advice would be appreciated, preferably your own... Thankyou

mr magoo back down the rabbit hole
  • replies: 11

reading posts from years ago nothing has changed most times worse especially atm i’m not in the business of blaming other people for where i am definitely a reality check glad im trying to help myself

reading posts from years ago nothing has changed most times worse especially atm i’m not in the business of blaming other people for where i am definitely a reality check glad im trying to help myself

muminoz So tired of life
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I don’t even know where to start. I’m just tired of life. Married 22 years, he does nothing except for work and being a couch potato. I’ve been taking care of the kids, house, pets and bills. His business failed a couple of years ago and now ... View more

Hi all, I don’t even know where to start. I’m just tired of life. Married 22 years, he does nothing except for work and being a couch potato. I’ve been taking care of the kids, house, pets and bills. His business failed a couple of years ago and now we are struggling financially. I feel stuck and trapped in this marriage. Can’t leave as I’m financially dependent on him. No friends or family, so no support. Where do I go? I suffer from depression and anxiety and had a mental breakdown last year. I also have social anxiety and have trouble talking to others. I am so lonely. Have had suicidal thoughts for a while now and it is getting worse. I really want to end it, I do not see the point of living but I worry about my 2 girls. They are the only reason that is keeping me from going through with it. I stay strong for them but inside I am a mess. I can’t deal with the stress of living, work and worrying about money. Can’t stop the constant stream of negative thoughts in my head. Life is so meaningless. I hate myself so much for being weak, for being dependent on him, for not setting boundaries earlier, for not having a career, for trusting him

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