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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 chats on this Forum having 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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Guest_15233924 Can't get out of my head
  • replies: 1

About a year ago I moved to Australia as it had always been a dream of mine to come. I've struggled very much with my mental health here and wish I never came. I have wanted to go home, but feel like a failure because I have not have a successful liv... View more

About a year ago I moved to Australia as it had always been a dream of mine to come. I've struggled very much with my mental health here and wish I never came. I have wanted to go home, but feel like a failure because I have not have a successful living abroad experience. I also feel like I will hate my life and regret leaving if I were to return home. I recently moved apartments as I had a bad roommate situation where they just stopped talking to me one day and we never spoke again (over 10 months of living in silence). That really affected my mental health. Then recently I saw a picture of an ex with their new person. That absolutely broke me (even though we have been broken up for over 2 years, we would still talk up until a couple months ago). I regret breaking up with him and want a future so bad. I can't control my thoughts right now and they're spiralling out of control. I haven't slept the past 2 weeks and I'm just so drained.

Lightning22 I am worried that I am the issue and that I have no mental illness
  • replies: 2

So for years during highschoolI wasn't motivated and didn't have the energy to do anything so all I did was read books and watch videos but even then I dont remember what I read or watched I think because im not letting it settle in my mind and am im... View more

So for years during highschoolI wasn't motivated and didn't have the energy to do anything so all I did was read books and watch videos but even then I dont remember what I read or watched I think because im not letting it settle in my mind and am immediatly moving onto another book or video. It felt like i was half zoned out 24/7 and that I just king of woke up as an adult when I was told my family were having money problems I was a lot less relaxed/zoned out for around a weekand got to talking to my GP from the advice from my sister. My GP believes that I have ADHD, Deppression, Anxiety and some form of Autism, I was diagnosed with ADD when I was 5 but my Mum just gave me fishoil and said it would fix my attention issues, this seemed to help for a bit but I dont know if it was the fishoil or not. I am having a consultation(Not a diagnosis) with a Psychiatrist in a month but I am just getting more worried because I think I am the problem and that I dont have mental issues, but I think I am also slightly hoping that I do have mental issues because then it means im not a failure and I wont be a waste for the rest of my life. I find it hard to focus and to learn but I dont know if that is becaus I have issues or if im just not used to It because of years of doing nothing, memorization for example is hard for me or I think it is I have no real was to compare it to someone else. Most of the time I just feel unmotivated, low on energy and am trying to stop myself from getting back into the constant videos and books but it feels easier which it is but its not right, deprression confused me because I have never been one to think retrostpectivly and try to make connection about my mood and how I think and it is hard cause my go to answer about thinkgs are "Im fine" or "I'm Alright." also not sure if it has any merit in this but my parents always just called me lazy and that my ADD was borderline pretty much not even there even though I had visible issues apparently according to others. When I try to compare my thinking and how I act with my friends they are always thinking whilst I feel like im only doing things based of instinct and not much thought or how they are very creative and doing good in jobs and study even though they have mental issues themselves. Job hunting is not going well I'm worried about my mental consultation and diagnosis and I feel asthough to be a functioning human that can live comfortably I need to get a high level education but am trying to do self study first and it's not going great whilst also having to deal with the fact that we need to get some income.

Guest_18988351 Meet up groups for 50+ people in Sutherland Shire
  • replies: 1

hi all, wondering if there are any events or meet ups in the sutherland shire area of sydney for ppl struggling with their mental health and in their 50's.

hi all, wondering if there are any events or meet ups in the sutherland shire area of sydney for ppl struggling with their mental health and in their 50's.

ionic Life feels like an uphill battle with no hope
  • replies: 2

For years I have felt utterly useless everything I try I fail and just when life started to look bright it went 180. school started to go well I got into a relationship people were talking to me and respecting me but now I just feel empty and horribl... View more

For years I have felt utterly useless everything I try I fail and just when life started to look bright it went 180. school started to go well I got into a relationship people were talking to me and respecting me but now I just feel empty and horrible again I feel like im about to fail all my classes due to my lack of effort brought on by my mood which are the only things ive actually felt good at I feel like im a second choice for everyone like no one thinks of me when im out of sight. Even the person im dating who is like the first person to ever truly care about me it feels like im just a substitue beacuse they cant have who they truly want along with the myriad of other problems that seem to run my life. Im scared of the future but I can't get the drive to fix what scares me I feel like im constantly at war with myself I feel drained and scared all the time. I just really needed to vent and scream out some where beacuse I don't really have anyone to talk with and even if I did it feels immpossible to have them understand.

Captain T Im not coping
  • replies: 435

Hi all. I just need to get this out somewhere. I am in a very dark place. I feel as though someone is sitting on my chest and have so much emotional pain yet feel numb at the same time. Im alone and lonely. I hate myself and who I am. I am so tired o... View more

Hi all. I just need to get this out somewhere. I am in a very dark place. I feel as though someone is sitting on my chest and have so much emotional pain yet feel numb at the same time. Im alone and lonely. I hate myself and who I am. I am so tired of fighting to get well and when I go to bed I pray to not wake up. I can’t keep going on like this. I need to get better

Weaponsofmassdisstortion Cherophobia
  • replies: 1

Cherophobia; meaning an aversion to happiness In the past I would always curse my luck. I would always think to myself; If only things were easier for me, I would've gotten so much further in life by now. Well, here I am. I have finally gotten my wis... View more

Cherophobia; meaning an aversion to happiness In the past I would always curse my luck. I would always think to myself; If only things were easier for me, I would've gotten so much further in life by now. Well, here I am. I have finally gotten my wish. The problem is I seem to have a fear of taking any risks. Especially if it involves improving my situation. I keep thinking that some great diety in the sky is scrutinising me and if things start to get too good for me, than said diety will visit upon something so bad, that the thought of me ever being happy again, will never cross my mind. Yes, I know; This is not logical. This way of thinking doesn't seem to make sense. And I would agree with you. However, I can't seem to think any other way. This seems to be the first time in my life that I have lived without any chaos. But now, I think I don't deserve it. It's as if my only purpose in this world seems to be to soak up all the suffering and pain of everyone around me. Like the laws of physics say, nothing good is ever supposed to happen to me. And once again, I would agree that this doesn't make sense. But I have though this way for as long as I can remember. “She said, 'I'm so afraid.' And I said, 'why?,' and she said, 'Because I'm so profoundly happy, Dr. Rasul. Happiness like this is frightening.' I asked her why and she said, 'They only let you be this happy if they're preparing to take something from you.”The kite runner.

Elle 30, happily married, beautiful daughter, but silently struggling with my mental health..
  • replies: 4

Hi all, new member here...struggling at the moment. Every time I have been to see a psychologist in the past, there are so many different issues to discuss, that I've never been able to find the right help. I'm 30 years old, very happily married with... View more

Hi all, new member here...struggling at the moment. Every time I have been to see a psychologist in the past, there are so many different issues to discuss, that I've never been able to find the right help. I'm 30 years old, very happily married with a beautiful 18-month-old daughter, however, I silently suffer with my mental health and I want to be better. I've been stuck in fight or flight my whole life due to past trauma, and I'm tired, so tired. I want to make a change to better myself, not only for me but for my family too. Personal struggles (feels good to finally list them all down in writing) * SA as a child by a family member. Made to keep quiet to not upset the family dynamic, and now I no longer speak to my family because of this. To go along with this, my parents are narcissists, and my mother has been jealous towards me my whole life. Lived in a lower-class home also, couldn't afford school uniforms, lunch boxes etc, so also got bullied for this/always felt I was not deserving of nice things. This mentality sometimes still carries through to my adult life, where I'm always putting others before my own needs. * Drug use in the home when I was growing up, lots of arguments/fights/screaming/silent treatment etc. * I was in a controlling/manipulating relationship for 6 years in my teen years, which ended in him cheating on me. * Suffered from terrible hormonal acne during my teenage years, and lots of body image issues because of this * Had a miscarriage in September 2019, then was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in December 2019, a very difficult year. * I have lots of people in my life whom I'm 'friendly' with, but wouldn't say I have friends. Quite lonely Currently 30, and in the best stage of my life, lots to be thankful for, however, I still am dealing with/processing the above, and it's heavy, a lot to live with day to day. If you've got this far, thanks for reading, nice to know there's someone else out there willing to hear someone else's concerns. Hope you're having a good day.

Nothing___ I feel trapped in my head
  • replies: 2

I don't even know where to start I feel like I have so much in my head and I don't even know what help I want/need or how to ask for it...I feel like I must be choosing this depression because I have a good life, a successful career, I love my family... View more

I don't even know where to start I feel like I have so much in my head and I don't even know what help I want/need or how to ask for it...I feel like I must be choosing this depression because I have a good life, a successful career, I love my family..I have insight into it being an illness but somewhere is a voice telling me that I have no business suffering. I was diagnosed and began medication 20yrs ago..and yet it still is a regular fight. I can hear the rational part in my brain but I have another voice telling me it must just be attention seeking. I have just received a promotion and got overwhelmed and cried at work. I'm terrified that people will really see how substandard and weak I am and that will be the end of it all. I am just so tired.

jules10 feeling stuck
  • replies: 3

I feel like my emotions are all over the place. One day I feel absolutely nothing at all, whereas another, everything hits me all at once and honestly it just makes me want to disappear, whether to another country or simply just vanish out of this wo... View more

I feel like my emotions are all over the place. One day I feel absolutely nothing at all, whereas another, everything hits me all at once and honestly it just makes me want to disappear, whether to another country or simply just vanish out of this world. It's almost like there's this void inside of me that will never get fulfilled because I don't know what can. I don't even know what's wrong with me. Is it because I spend so many years suppressing my emotions (I still am) that I don't know how to properly ask for help, nor knowing what I need help for? I don't know and I feel like I'm stuck and there's nowhere to go.

Lovedmum Sick sore and flat as a tax
  • replies: 9

I feel really silly bothering everyone but I’m so depressed! I’m on a fair amount of medication but can’t seem to get out of this horrible feeling I’m just about to take another week off work to just function! I’m really scared and alone atm as I fee... View more

I feel really silly bothering everyone but I’m so depressed! I’m on a fair amount of medication but can’t seem to get out of this horrible feeling I’m just about to take another week off work to just function! I’m really scared and alone atm as I feel so very ashamed of my condition. But I need to reach out as I’m very physically unwell now as I have lost so much weight which makes it all so much worse for some reason? I’m just lost that’s all, I know I’ll feel better soon but I’m so so sick of this depression popping its ugly self in my life when it wants! The anxiety is crippling first, then the flat mood follows, is this common? Thanks guys for giving me the opportunity to connect to others