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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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Cmay Out of my depth with depressed spouse
  • replies: 2

I’ve always suffered from bouts of depression but have been good at maintaining it throughout my life until now. My husband of 4 years suffers undiagnosed chronic depression. For the past 2 years he has felt hopeless, immense sadness, sleeps all the ... View more

I’ve always suffered from bouts of depression but have been good at maintaining it throughout my life until now. My husband of 4 years suffers undiagnosed chronic depression. For the past 2 years he has felt hopeless, immense sadness, sleeps all the time, can’t hold a job despite being qualified in a sought after industry, lost communication with all of his friends , isolated and began hoarding. I tried for a long time to get him to seek help but he refuses to even talk to anyone. It got to the point that he began becoming aggressive and had multiple infidelities. Instead of lifting him out of his depression I began spiralling into it. I couldn’t cope any longer and made the decision in September of 2020 to move home for awhile where I’ve began to make real progress within myself. I’m only 28 and didn’t want to look back one day and feel regret because I didn’t accomplish any of the hopes and dreams I have. I still feel love and a real attachment to my husband and we communicate on a daily basis, however he desperately wants me back living in Victoria with him. During the time I’ve been gone he has been kicked out of the house and lives in his car. I’ve tried to explain that I need to stay where I am right now and try to talk to him but the sadness he expresses down the phone to me is pulling me right back into my depressed state. He sobs uncontrollably and says he doesn’t know what to do and no one will be able to help, he talks about suicide and often tells me he’s going to do it on this day/night and has no self esteem. He expresses debilitating loneliness and believes he’s too old to make a fresh start (he’s only 40 this year). I don’t know what to do, I almost feel responsible for him and there’s nothing I can do to help him. When I try he gets angry at me and I’ve resorted to having to tell him he can’t share these emotions with me. I honestly feel like I’m going to have a mental breakdown. I’m way out of my depth. does anyone have any suggestions on how to help?

ash200218 i am so lonely it hurts.
  • replies: 10

hi, i have never posted on here before so I am hoping this is right. I am 18 years old, I graduated high school last year. during high school, I really struggled with social anxiety and depression (still am). I had 2 really close best friends, who we... View more

hi, i have never posted on here before so I am hoping this is right. I am 18 years old, I graduated high school last year. during high school, I really struggled with social anxiety and depression (still am). I had 2 really close best friends, who were manipulative and isolated me from pretty much everyone. at the beginning of year 12, I made one other friend when they left me alone at school for a week, and my '2 best friends' made me chose between them and this new girl. I chose this other girl since she seemed much nicer and there for me. ever since high school has finished, she has went off and made a bunch of friends. with my social anxiety and depression, I really struggle with this and she was the only person I talked to. I have texted her twice since the beginning of April and she has left me on read. I am assuming she has moved on and gone to bigger and better things than me. even when we did spend time together outside of school, she would only ask me to go shopping because I had a car and offered to pay for food all the time (I know I did this as a way to try and keep people to like me, which is sad). I am really desperate for a friend. I am so lonely, I cry most nights. I went to therapy when I was 12-17 and nothing helped. I am too sad to leave my room, and socially anxious to try new things and meet people. I don't have social media because it destroys me seeing my past friendships having perfect lives. if anyone has read this through, I really need advice right now.

Guitar New here. Struggling
  • replies: 6

Hi Im not sure why I'm in here doing a post. Tough day today I saw my GP and he wants me to get some help with a psychiatrist for depression and anxiety. I'm already on a high dose of medication and have been for a long time. He was very nice but fir... View more

Hi Im not sure why I'm in here doing a post. Tough day today I saw my GP and he wants me to get some help with a psychiatrist for depression and anxiety. I'm already on a high dose of medication and have been for a long time. He was very nice but firm in his opinion that I'm very unwell and have been for some time. Last week he gave me another script ( I went in for my usual script renewal) for an additional tablet to try and lift my mood. He also sent me for bloods and scans. So today I went back for results hoping to be told my thyroid was off which would explain my mood. Thyroid was OK. I told him I hadn't started the additional medication because I didn't want to be dulled and was wanting to get off meds not add to an already high dose. He's now asked me to see another Dr in his practice for a second opinion on seeing a shrink and extra meds. I want to feel well. I'm so tired and sad. I don't work and haven't done for a long time (13yrs)apart from a six month stint which just ended as I wasnt strong enough. How do I tell my family I need to spend $$$ on a shrink. I feel so bloody guilty. I'm 50 mum of a pre-teen and partner of 25yrs to a hard working hubby. I'm feeling very unhealthy in every way.

gloria10 Feel like I've hit a wall
  • replies: 7

Well, it has been a while since writing. I thought I was managing okay, but I'm starting to see that I've been trying to control everything instead and putting more and more on myself. I think a lot of it started last year when I noticed I was really... View more

Well, it has been a while since writing. I thought I was managing okay, but I'm starting to see that I've been trying to control everything instead and putting more and more on myself. I think a lot of it started last year when I noticed I was really overweight and it shocked me. I've been trying to lose weight ever since, but I've been putting so much pressure on myself. I think it's because my dad passed away from heart complications and I'm worried I'll end up like him. I'm also finding it hard to find a suitable place to work as I cant seem to concentrate on anything. I also feel like I'm letting people down and worrying more about them. Recently when I tried to go to work, I felt like I hit a wall and I just couldn't go in. I think my depression has come back as I've been feeling exhausted, teary and overwhelmed. I am seeing a GP tomorrow for help as it has been a long time coming, but what are some positive ways to deal with this?

hairclip I'm Emotionally Numb + Stopped Therapy
  • replies: 19

Hi, I've posted a long time ago. I've made some changes to my life...big changes actually. Previously I was stuck in hospitality and I felt extremely trapped. I finally mustered up the courage to change because I was so tired of crying every night an... View more

Hi, I've posted a long time ago. I've made some changes to my life...big changes actually. Previously I was stuck in hospitality and I felt extremely trapped. I finally mustered up the courage to change because I was so tired of crying every night and waking up from panic attacks. So I ended up easing out of my job, went back to study, ended a long term relationship and found a new line of work. I even finally took up therapy. I finally was happy. I know you're not suppose to be happy all the time. But lately I stopped going to therapy, I don't find it helpful any more. I dread going to therapy...I'm just numb now...I'm not motivated, I use to care for my looks and now I don't even care about that. I just don't feel anything...my therapist wants me to continue with therapy but I don't. Its probably just the pandemic right? I feel trapped once again but unlike last time, I'm not struggling, I'm just emotionally unresponsive and tired...

Zanthus My actions and my desires are at odds.
  • replies: 3

I live in a busy house hold 4 adults and 4 children my sisters. I've been needing help of some sort for as long as I can remember At the moment I'm deep in negative momentum and am finding it impossible to try the things that worked in the past I don... View more

I live in a busy house hold 4 adults and 4 children my sisters. I've been needing help of some sort for as long as I can remember At the moment I'm deep in negative momentum and am finding it impossible to try the things that worked in the past I don't understand why I am avoiding things I like and make me feel better My actions and my desires seem far far away from each other

goldilocks My parents are addicts
  • replies: 8

I am not sure with what to do anymore. My father is an alcoholic who sometimes gambles and my mother is also an alcoholic who gambles. Their idea of spending family time together is by going to there pub to gamble and drink. This makes me (and my gra... View more

I am not sure with what to do anymore. My father is an alcoholic who sometimes gambles and my mother is also an alcoholic who gambles. Their idea of spending family time together is by going to there pub to gamble and drink. This makes me (and my grandmother who realistically isn't far off of dying) sad because we both want our family to spend quality family time together, and the aforementioned reason isn't a good enough reason to do as such. Apparently, I am the reason as to why my parents drink so much, according to them. I have had some issues with someone I was interested in romantically and they have used that as an excuse to make me feel like crap about myself by saying that they need to drink because of it all. I have spoken to an alcohol and gambling related helpline about this and the lady was very kind and helpful and suggested that I am depressed. There's more that I could write, but I just can't thin straight right now.

Jessa_ Losing hope
  • replies: 7

I don’t know how to keep going on. I’m barely keeping hold of my job, my relationships are falling apart and all I want to do is be by myself. But when I’m alone all I do is procrastinate and take no action to get better. I honestly don’t know if I’m... View more

I don’t know how to keep going on. I’m barely keeping hold of my job, my relationships are falling apart and all I want to do is be by myself. But when I’m alone all I do is procrastinate and take no action to get better. I honestly don’t know if I’m capable of happiness and getting better I’m starting to lose all hope in myself

softiejordy possible depression?
  • replies: 5

hello everybody. i suspect i may have depression, but i'm unsure on how to go about getting it checked. i've lived in a home (and in a school environment) where grew up not knowing much about depression until grade 7, where all of a sudden i was real... View more

hello everybody. i suspect i may have depression, but i'm unsure on how to go about getting it checked. i've lived in a home (and in a school environment) where grew up not knowing much about depression until grade 7, where all of a sudden i was really just. thrown into it by a friend who told me he had depression. i've done a lot more research since then, i've learned what depression really is, and i suspect that i may have it. the thing is i'm more worried about putting more on my parents plate than anything. both my little brother and my older brother have autism and both struggle in school (plus my little brother goes to an occupational therapist). im sure both pay a lot of money, and they're also quick to shout (my entire family is very sarcastic with eachother) i'm scared to go to them for anything because of this, but i fear i'm getting worse, so i think i have to. how should i go about telling them? i'm not very good at talking out loud, but i could write a letter or a text. i'd feel more comfortable telling my mother than anything, but i'm not quite sure how to go about writing the letter. thanks!