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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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Rupes79 Advice for someone struggling with depression
  • replies: 4

Hi Folks Ive been struggling with depression for most of this year. I consulted my GP earlier this year and was put on medication. This medication was recently changed as I was suffering adverse side effects from it which were exacerbating my issues.... View more

Hi Folks Ive been struggling with depression for most of this year. I consulted my GP earlier this year and was put on medication. This medication was recently changed as I was suffering adverse side effects from it which were exacerbating my issues. I have a psychologist I am working with to deal with past issues in a relationship. The psychologist is very skilled and is assisting greatly with working through the issues I have from previous years. I have been seeing them for 5 months and have had ten sessions. I want to keep working with her. The concern I have is that while I have a long and trusted relationship with my GP (over ten years) I don’t think mental health is a strong point for him and feel I have exhausted all help he’s able to offer. I have tried to raise the depression issue with my psychologist in the last two sessions (most recent one was today) but I don’t feel she is taking it seriously and is almost dismissive of it. So I am at a bit of a loss as to what to do. I could change psychologists but I would feel I’ve wasted the last 5 months and am still keen to work with her in the issues we are uncovering. I realise these are likely the source of my depression and need resolving but I also realise this may take many months and I am not sure I can sustain the low feelings I have for that length of time. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

MiddleOfNowhere Depression & anxiety in the bush
  • replies: 4

Does anyone else feel that inevitably their life will enter a time where its not worth it anymore. Do I work my whole life? For what? Do I have kids and watch them leave and have their own lives? My partner dies or we seperate? Then what? At the mome... View more

Does anyone else feel that inevitably their life will enter a time where its not worth it anymore. Do I work my whole life? For what? Do I have kids and watch them leave and have their own lives? My partner dies or we seperate? Then what? At the moment I’m finding it hard to find a reason that keeps everyone hanging around. I used to be a hard worker, 14 hour days 3 months straight. I’m burnt out. I need some time to myself but I’m just not getting it. I don’t know what to do or where to go. If I quit my job/industry I feel I will hate the next thing I do. If I don’t leave I will run myself into the ground. Married 2 months ago and don’t know how to talk to my husband about this. It’s so hard for anyone to understand.

MamaWiks Audiobook recommedation
  • replies: 6

First time post and first time reaching out for help. can anyone recommend an audiobook that has helped them start the road out of depression. My brain fog makes it hard to read books and I thought maybe I’d try an audiobook? many thanks

First time post and first time reaching out for help. can anyone recommend an audiobook that has helped them start the road out of depression. My brain fog makes it hard to read books and I thought maybe I’d try an audiobook? many thanks

Pip25 Chronic Illness - I feel like a burden
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I'm 33 years old and developed a chronic pain condition 2 years ago as a result of a surgery gone wrong. I tried my best for so long to keep life going as usual but juggling pain, medical appointments, work and my mental health all becam... View more

Hi everyone, I'm 33 years old and developed a chronic pain condition 2 years ago as a result of a surgery gone wrong. I tried my best for so long to keep life going as usual but juggling pain, medical appointments, work and my mental health all became too much. At the moment I'm not working and am being financially supported by my partner. My medical bills are really high and I don't qualify for any government support. I feel as though I'm watching all my friends meet life milestones like buying their first home, starting a family and advancing in their career. I feel like a failure and a financial drain on the people I love most. Before my surgery, my partner and I were saving for a home and were planning to start a family very soon but I'm not even able to have children due to the medication I depend on to manage my condition; I always dreamt of being a mum. Does anyone out there understand or relate to what I'm going through and how did you get through this? I'm struggling to see a light at the other end of this dark tunnel but I'm really trying. Thank you!

Purple__Butterfly The depression is winning need help
  • replies: 18

I feel like my depression is winning. I don't see the point in life anymore and I feel like a massive burden on people. my parents are having money issues and it doesn't help they have to keep buying my medication. I don't know what to do anymore, It... View more

I feel like my depression is winning. I don't see the point in life anymore and I feel like a massive burden on people. my parents are having money issues and it doesn't help they have to keep buying my medication. I don't know what to do anymore, It's like I'm falling down this black hole that seems to never end or a tunnel with no light at the end of it. I'm so lost. I have no motivation for anything anymore. I have a case worker but nothing is working. Has anyone been in this position and found a way out?

Noskillz Not coping with life atm. Venting I think.
  • replies: 6

Hi all. Not sure if this will help. Have so much going on in my life atm, like a lot of others. Am currently in bed, where I should be sleeping. Unfortunately, I am having anxiety, feeling depressed and mild dark thoughts. I keep telling myself that ... View more

Hi all. Not sure if this will help. Have so much going on in my life atm, like a lot of others. Am currently in bed, where I should be sleeping. Unfortunately, I am having anxiety, feeling depressed and mild dark thoughts. I keep telling myself that I am just being stupid and to just toughen up and move on. I am trying to move from regional Qld to Melbourne. Lockdowns, border closures etc are not making this an easy task. My family don’t want to discuss these problems with me and just say it stresses them out too. Have other family telling us not to go and putting pressure on us to stay. I have tried to make people understand. I can not stay here in this town much longer. I work in a dead end job with no respect from management or colleagues. I am the only male working in my store, so none of them experience the same level of sexism from the store and some customers. I feel moving to a bigger city gives me a chance to get away (Or maybe run away) from current life choices, failed friendships, failed career choices and start new. I am working two jobs to try to raise the money for the move, but every time I do, expenses appear and I am forced to begin again. I feel like I am losing at life and am losing hope. I am struggling. Just feel like I should give up in so many ways. Really not sure what to do any more. My heart is racing and I just feel like I want to crawl into a dark corner and cry my arse off. I am sorry for the long read. I thought maybe putting it into words might help with either clarity or venting. Thank you if you got to end of this.

Blaze290 Perinatal depression
  • replies: 5

potential triggers I usually struggle with major depressive symptoms and am usually on anti depressants. I only just taking them again a few weeks ago and a few days ago found out I was 6 weeks pregnant. This entire time I've been terrified from the ... View more

potential triggers I usually struggle with major depressive symptoms and am usually on anti depressants. I only just taking them again a few weeks ago and a few days ago found out I was 6 weeks pregnant. This entire time I've been terrified from the moment I found out. I go through periods of looking up things to try to learn what to do and then massive periods of sheer panic at everything you need to do and know when you become a parent. I'm generally not a confident person and I never have been so the idea of having to change/feed/bath and even hold a newborn just makes me want to burst into tears all over again. I have a wonderful supportive husband who definitely wants this baby (and has already arranged a GP to go talk) but I don't feel anything but terror especially at the thought of being on my own when he has to go back to work post baby arriving and sometimes hope I have a miscarriage so I don't have to feel this fear. Ive always not been a confident person and always avoid things because I don't want to be hurt or fail but I don't know if it's something else. I feel like if I didn't want this child I wouldn't be entertaining even trying to learn but I dont feel anything beside the crippling terror. Am I alone in feeling this way?

Meow31 Just tired of trying so hard
  • replies: 15

I’ve tried hard for my entire life. I’ve been honest, working hard, nice to everyone. It did not get me anywhere. I am still trying. Hard. For what? I do not know. I will live to keep my cats and dogs safe and happy. When they are gone, is it Ok if I... View more

I’ve tried hard for my entire life. I’ve been honest, working hard, nice to everyone. It did not get me anywhere. I am still trying. Hard. For what? I do not know. I will live to keep my cats and dogs safe and happy. When they are gone, is it Ok if I stop trying? I’m so tired.

Helpmeeeee Does anyone have any tips for managing depression and pain?
  • replies: 6

My most effective strategies for managing depression involved getting out of the house and exercise, but my pain levels have been really high since I've started exercising and I'm feeling more exhausted than ever. If anyone has any tips for coping wi... View more

My most effective strategies for managing depression involved getting out of the house and exercise, but my pain levels have been really high since I've started exercising and I'm feeling more exhausted than ever. If anyone has any tips for coping with pain and fatigue, or depression they would be greatly appreciated.

The_Bro 'ACTUALLY I'M NOT COPING' - OLYMPIC MEDALLIST
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone I was stunned when reading yesterday that around 30% of Olympic athletes suffer depression or anxiety after the Games. Here they are, the best athletes in the world, who have the discipline and talent to succeed, falling into mental diffi... View more

Hi Everyone I was stunned when reading yesterday that around 30% of Olympic athletes suffer depression or anxiety after the Games. Here they are, the best athletes in the world, who have the discipline and talent to succeed, falling into mental difficulty after the Games. Australian athletes sacrifice so much to achieve - family, social contact, physical setbacks, relentless training hours. Plus financially - our athletes get paid a pittance in Australia for all that sacrifice and talent. Could this be the cause? Yet Michael Phelps, the American swimmer with more medals than any one, and a net worth of over $90million (yes that's right!), fell into deep depression after the Rio Olympics. Add Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and the list of wealthy champions with mental struggles goes on. What do you think? It seems that once selected and before the Games, athletes are surrounded by attention - coaches, mentors, physios, sports psychologists, nutritionists etc etc. Then straight after the games there is nothing. Oh maybe a victory parade. If the athlete is good enough and personable enough and had a good manager, there is a chance of endorsements and commercial fame - but does this help with depression? Lots of very famous people get depressed. Succeeding as a medallist seems to help a bit, according to the research. But those who may perform at their very best but don't get on the podium struggle with self worth. Then there's social media which can be a killer with all those uninformed keyboard trolls getting stuck into athletes for all sorts of reasons. POST GAMES PLAN Some of the athletes found that to work in personal plan to implement straight after the games helped a lot. The plan could be anything from study, renovating that room, fixing up that neglected garden, helping a charity and so on. Or a new training plan. It also appears that it is very important to keep up strong social contacts - with friends and colleagues who help you ease back into the real world. Anyway I thought it might be useful to comment on this. Sorry to rave on but I did find it interesting! Please let me know what you think. Any athletes out there who have found it hard to cope after a major competition? Bye for now - The Bro

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