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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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Billy_bat Sick of the run around!!!
  • replies: 1

I call the mental health line, they say go to the dr, i go to the dr, they say go to a psychologist, i go to a psychologist, they say go to a psychiatrist. I cant afford a psychiatrist. I online chat with beyond blue, they say new access is not avail... View more

I call the mental health line, they say go to the dr, i go to the dr, they say go to a psychologist, i go to a psychologist, they say go to a psychiatrist. I cant afford a psychiatrist. I online chat with beyond blue, they say new access is not available to me, have you seen a dr. They send me MIND details, i fill out that form..... reaching out is bloody hard, at what point does anyone actually say YES, i can help you. Ffs, i am desperate.

imdone Help with BDP
  • replies: 3

My 24 year old daughter has recently been diagnosed with BDP. She was given information from her GP and a referral to see someone, however she hasn't done anything about it, that was 2 months ago. She is very difficult to live with, she can be fine f... View more

My 24 year old daughter has recently been diagnosed with BDP. She was given information from her GP and a referral to see someone, however she hasn't done anything about it, that was 2 months ago. She is very difficult to live with, she can be fine for weeks, then BAM, she wont go to work, is abusive towards me..etc.. I don't know how to help her with this, I try talking to her but she just tells me to f**k off. I'm so concerned for her..what do I do??

Jaytee80 I don't know what to do
  • replies: 2

I have left a dv rship. My ex is living in our house but won't sign anything and I'm so scared to take it to court due to his threats.i just want to go home and move on with my life.im so down and upset.i have no friends,I can't make friends.noone kn... View more

I have left a dv rship. My ex is living in our house but won't sign anything and I'm so scared to take it to court due to his threats.i just want to go home and move on with my life.im so down and upset.i have no friends,I can't make friends.noone knows how I'm really feeling I've put on a face for so long I don't know how to show my true feelings.im seeing a phyc soon but no I won't be honest because I'm scared incase he finds out and uses it against me.i just want to run away but I can't I have a child.i can't block him because of our child.i have to see him every fortnight because of our child and he says things.no I can't put an avo on him I'm scared and when I called the police on him he lied and the police put one on me.he has moved on his with someone else why won't he just let me move on it's not fair on me but it's not fair on my child and that's what hurts.i just wish I could even go away for a few days but can't because of lockdown I feel there is no way forward

_blank i need someone to talk to
  • replies: 18

lately i’ve just been feeling very lonely and just very upset. i was diagnosed w depression around 6 months ago and for the first part i found it very difficult to accept. i’ve finally accepted that i am struggling but i just feel like my family isn’... View more

lately i’ve just been feeling very lonely and just very upset. i was diagnosed w depression around 6 months ago and for the first part i found it very difficult to accept. i’ve finally accepted that i am struggling but i just feel like my family isn’t supporting me in the way i need. they’re being extremely over protective and i feel like i am being suffocated by their restrictions. i’ve never really used this platform before so i am not really sure how it works. right now i just feel very alone w my thoughts and i just can’t seem to sleep. i don’t know why i feel so upset but i just do, i feel like it never rlly goes away no matter how much i try to push it away and not let it affect me. i really don’t like the way my parents are trying to deal with it by taking away my electronics during the night time, i took my phone as i was feeling very upset and i felt like i needed to reach out and get help. i usually don’t do stuff like this when i feel this way but i just can’t bare being alone w my own thoughts, i feel like i’m being controlled by my sadness and my pain and it just won’t go away. it’s so constant that at night i lose sleep over being upset and anxious. people keep telling me it gets better but i feel like it’s just getting worse. honestly, i don’t really want to be alive at the moment but i don’t want to act upon it bc of the people i have in my life that i don’t want to leave behind or leave upset. i want to keep pushing through but it just feels so difficult at the moment bc it feels like my parents have put up a barrier by restricting me and trying to control my life like it’s their own. i am truly sick of what they are trying to do for me bc it’s just not working and makes me feel worse rather than better. i feel like i’m trapped in a cage and i just can’t get out. i feel really upset and sick of everything. i wish i could reach out to my friends but i just don’t want to bother them bc i honestly have no idea if they would care or not. my parents have restricted my support from my friends in order to get me to seek help from them, but that’s just not what i want at all. i just feel like i need some way of communicating how i’m feeling but honestly i don’t know if typing this out is really helping me. if you read this far thank you for taking time out of your day.

Jordon23 I don't know my place
  • replies: 2

I have always had trouble with relationships and friendships. I didn't have many friends in school and was bullied crap-loads because of my interests and was isolated and rejected by pretty much all of my friend groups throughout my life and as such,... View more

I have always had trouble with relationships and friendships. I didn't have many friends in school and was bullied crap-loads because of my interests and was isolated and rejected by pretty much all of my friend groups throughout my life and as such, I have suffered from severe loneliness and depression for my entire teenage life and still do to this day. Now my environment has changed a lot and many people around me have grown up and matured and are now I am surrounded by people who like me and want to be with me but the feeling of loneliness and sadness still persists as I don't know how to operate in this environment now. No matter how much I try to convince myself things are better and I can trust people and I don't have to protect myself anymore, I can never truly trust people. It doesn't matter how engaged I am with people, I still feel so alone and alienated. This has been the most socially interactive year of my life yet I feel more alone and angry at myself than ever. I'm angry at myself for not moving on and just enjoying life when all I have to do is stop thinking but I can't. For some reason, I cannot move on despite how much I want to and I hate myself for that. Because what I know and how I feel contradict how reality actually is, everything just ultimately feels fake and pointless. I can't bring myself to fully accept any positive affirmation, encouragement, or deed from anyone because deep down I feel like I don't deserve it. I have a very low opinion of myself and I know I have no reason to say things like that about myself but It's truly what I believe. I feel like I'm just drifting and I'm the 3rd wheel everywhere I go regardless of the point that I know that people value me and I just feel so alone and miserable most of the time. I'm not suicidal in any way because I know how bad it would affect those around me if I were to go away, but I'm just stuck in this purgatory of self-hatred and loneliness and I have faith it will get better as I was a lot worse many years ago and it was gotten easier but it hasn't gotten easy in the slightest and in some ways, it's gotten harder with growing up and becoming an adult as I now have to carry a lot more weight on my shoulders and I'm just not sure what to do.

Alannah57 Really wanting a boyfriend
  • replies: 7

I’ve been in love a few times, but all the men I’ve dated have used me and not valued me. I’m always the one wanting a lasting relationship and being broken up with. My last ex was with me because he missed his ex who he has a baby with, and he left ... View more

I’ve been in love a few times, but all the men I’ve dated have used me and not valued me. I’m always the one wanting a lasting relationship and being broken up with. My last ex was with me because he missed his ex who he has a baby with, and he left me for her once he started getting over his drug addiction. How do I handle caring about and loving people who end up hurting me?

randomguy81 i don't want to live but afraid to die
  • replies: 4

im scare to admit this to anyone in real life, im always lost and confused i feel ashamed to be here, i been taking sleeping tablets to help with the pain but lately they haven't been working am i alone in this feeling?

im scare to admit this to anyone in real life, im always lost and confused i feel ashamed to be here, i been taking sleeping tablets to help with the pain but lately they haven't been working am i alone in this feeling?

Sarah0209 Financial burden
  • replies: 4

Hi there, im not sure where else to do here and thought someone in here might now. 2 weeks ago I was admitted into a mental health facility and have had the last two weeks off work. So at the moment I am 3 weeks out of work. I have no sick or annual ... View more

Hi there, im not sure where else to do here and thought someone in here might now. 2 weeks ago I was admitted into a mental health facility and have had the last two weeks off work. So at the moment I am 3 weeks out of work. I have no sick or annual leave left and today my dr said I need at least 4-6 more weeks off. I have seen diagnosed with BPD, ADHD & an Eating disorder and we are still in the process of sorting out medication as well as me struggling to eat and not pass out etc.. My question is, does any of know of any type of government payment or financial support I can use to help us get by? My husband works full time but we have 4 children and bills are really creeping up on us & it is causing more harm than good while I’m struggling to get my mental health in check. know this could last up to 6 more weeks is giving me a lot of stress & anxiety!! I have also tried to access my super on hardship but I am had no success would love some advice please!!

Succulent Queen Alcohol/ self-medicating/ sobriety
  • replies: 8

Hi BB friends, Hope you're all travelling okay. Would like to ask if others experiencing depression have used alcohol or any other drug or vice to self medicate and what life is like for you after giving up. I drank an ocean of wine to medicate my fe... View more

Hi BB friends, Hope you're all travelling okay. Would like to ask if others experiencing depression have used alcohol or any other drug or vice to self medicate and what life is like for you after giving up. I drank an ocean of wine to medicate my feelings which of course didnt work long term. I gave up drinking 7 years ago at 38 and whilst life is more manageable, I still feel all the feelings. I see a psych but lack community and friends and wonder i f this is the antj depressant I need. Am finding that community and friendship are not easy to develop as an adult. Lately Ive been drinking alot of alcohol free beer and just discovered a good sauv blanc. Am finding I use these to cope in the same wah I used alcohol only the consequences arent there. They dont satisfy me and a cravin g for the real deal has been creeping up. I never did the AA steps but questioning if I need to. What's your experience with self-medicating? How did you stop and what is uour life like now that you've stopped? Cheers(no pun intended).

Tempest1609 Struggling
  • replies: 2

6 months ago I was at my absolute lowest, I was fully addicted to pills and convinced that I was going to kill myself. So then I have moved towns and got on top of my mental health or so I thought. The last couple of weeks have been really hard I’ve ... View more

6 months ago I was at my absolute lowest, I was fully addicted to pills and convinced that I was going to kill myself. So then I have moved towns and got on top of my mental health or so I thought. The last couple of weeks have been really hard I’ve been extremely lonely and I can’t seem to break the cycle of risky potentially dangerous behaviour if it’s not drugs or self harm then it’s sex. I can’t seem to break the cycle of self destructive behaviour and my feelings towards myself are not very kind at the moment. I have a good job and a safe place to live so why do I insist on harming myself. I just keep chasing that feeling I guess. I’m really not coping with having no friends and nobody to talk to my only friend back home just tried to kill them self and I’m doing everything I can to support them because we both dug ourselves into the same hole together. But it’s really, really hard, I thought a couple of months and I’d be perfect again but no I feel like this struggle is never gonna end, and I’ll always be chasing some variation of a high. Life is really hard especially when you thought that you were not gonna make it to this point and it feels strange to just go to work and come home and have dinner. I’m just not sure what to do at this point in my life I feel like I’ve wasted time but I continue to piss it away I feel grateful that I’m here but at the same time resentful because I could have just ended it all and saved myself the pain I want to help my friend but I’m a world away and I don’t know how to help him. I’m struggling lonely and confused and tbh I thought If I fixed the major issues in my life I’d be back good as new. But this is the hardest part of my life so far, and I genuinely don’t understand that.

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