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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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trqltea Waiting for appointment w/ psych... what to do in the mean time?
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I'm new here! I've gone to my GP recently about my increasing low moods and general tiredness/lack of interest towards everything in my life, and she suggested that I might have depression. Unfortunately, tried to book an appointment wit... View more

Hi everyone, I'm new here! I've gone to my GP recently about my increasing low moods and general tiredness/lack of interest towards everything in my life, and she suggested that I might have depression. Unfortunately, tried to book an appointment with a psychologist aaannnd there's a 2 month wait list. Problem is, I feel myself getting worse every day. Most of my hours are spent sleeping or feeling extremely agitated and unsettled and it feels like things won't ever improve. So... while I wait my for my appointment in June, is there anything I can do to feel better? I know a psychologist won't 'fix' me, so I should try a few things at least before I get there... I've heard meditation is helpful, but I really don't know where to start.

Veve trying to move on
  • replies: 3

in my 40s, mid life blues have come into my mix of depression and anxiety along with stress of being out of work and trying g to find a job! first time posting and saying hello

in my 40s, mid life blues have come into my mix of depression and anxiety along with stress of being out of work and trying g to find a job! first time posting and saying hello

highhopes Miserable in life - Contamination OCD / Depression - wishing I had a friend
  • replies: 1

Hey all, Thanks for your time reading my post. I actually suffer from the following: Contamination OCD Depression Anxiety PTSD My contamination OCD affects every single thing I do in my life and everything everyone else does around me (such as my par... View more

Hey all, Thanks for your time reading my post. I actually suffer from the following: Contamination OCD Depression Anxiety PTSD My contamination OCD affects every single thing I do in my life and everything everyone else does around me (such as my partner). I have extreme anxiety when it comes to bringing something in the house (or even from one area of the house to another sometimes) and even going to the mailbox I have to have a shower (new clothes required). After work I shower before touching anything in the house unless I can help it (only door handles I touch and wipe afterwards). I wipe my phone down and the floor behind me. I have an extreme phobia of Cigerette smoke and panic being anywhere near it as well as get panicked seeing it on tv. I am still productive in some sense as I love gardening but still get frustrated when I get dirt under my nails even though I use latex gloves. Even though there is people around me like family and my partner, i'm feeling extremely lonely inside going through this on a day to day basis. I am on a particular medication which is helping but there is still a worrying feeling that overlays in everything I do. I'm so worried that bringing something into the house and letting myself touch surfaces will then in itself become contaminated. I wish in some ways I could forget what I know. I've struggled with a number of things in life which has eaten away at my self esteem and its now to the point where it latched onto my OCD and I now can't even feel like I can wash my hands properly (let alone anything else in life).

BabySteps Burdens that Bother me, Rather than my Own Fault's
  • replies: 2

I'm bothered by many things Modern Masculinity, It's more than less Sexist, and Misogynism and Emasculating, on the Rarity Domestic and even Rape, I know not all Masculinity Is to the same extent, But It's common enough for not relating to your Own G... View more

I'm bothered by many things Modern Masculinity, It's more than less Sexist, and Misogynism and Emasculating, on the Rarity Domestic and even Rape, I know not all Masculinity Is to the same extent, But It's common enough for not relating to your Own Gender, and that doesn't put me In any LGBQT Sexualities I mainly Just Preference a Conservative and a Religious Gospel Biblical Nature and Character, and Nobel Values Certain things that Men say like "You didn't know Her" or "When they dominate their Toxic Opinions over a Healthy Masculine defense towards a Female Sexist Attack, It's not to say that these things happen to everybody everyday, but fairly common It's the frustration of Managing Pre Diabetes Type-2 and being at the beginning with my Life In all Accounts at 26, and my Parent's are very much Older In their Early 60's I'm without Company and Experiences with Women, because I'm Lost with Direction, but I really want Creativity, but my Self Esteem Is somewhat withdrawn and otherwise Chatty I don't like Modern Pharmaceutical Medications, I'm almost finally proven well enough to come Off Anti Psychotic's My Depressing Burden's, It's not ANYTHING to do with Mental Health, It's rather Society's Fault's and Modern Narcissism's and Self Superiorities and Personalities that Walk Over You

SilverLight Anyone else have horrific nightmares??
  • replies: 6

Like, I don't even know how my brain comes up half the crap I have nightmares about. . I'm talking my best friend assaulting me, watching my husband get hurt, myself getting attacked, cheating on my husband and last night my brain decided my nana com... View more

Like, I don't even know how my brain comes up half the crap I have nightmares about. . I'm talking my best friend assaulting me, watching my husband get hurt, myself getting attacked, cheating on my husband and last night my brain decided my nana committed suicide... Just why? Is this just normal with poor mental health or am I just really screwed up?!

MissJ94 How to manage work!
  • replies: 6

I have a history of bipolar, depression and anxiety. Lately with work issues and management not giving a crap about their employees ive been having heaps of stress related to work. This stress is now affecting my mental health where now ive had self-... View more

I have a history of bipolar, depression and anxiety. Lately with work issues and management not giving a crap about their employees ive been having heaps of stress related to work. This stress is now affecting my mental health where now ive had self-destructive thoughts on my way to work so i dont have to be here. Im so over working here and cant leave until i get another job because im not in a financial position to do so. Plus the landlords have put my rent up recently so its struggle street. Centrelink say i earn too much too to be on any payment so things are really tough. Its all majorly affecting me. Ill have times im binge eating due to stress but times i wont eat for days due to stress. Im having headaches daily and my blood pressure has been high too. The doctor says its becaus eim stressed and also need to try to lose weight. Loosing weight is almost impossible when you have other conditions preventing it combined with this stress and depression and physical and mental exhaustion. I just dont know what to do. I feel sick just thinking about everything thats going on. I also go back to placement in 3 weeks and not sure how im going to manage because of my mental health! Im crying daily because im not coping at all. I cant get in to see my psychologist until mid april now so it seems theres nothing i can do. I just dont know what to do anymore. Im just over everything.

Josasem Why is this happening
  • replies: 1

Hi I’m new to this forum, and would like to talk to people about what me and my family are going thru. A week ago my exwife was diagnosed with untreatable liver cancer. It shook me and my kids to the core. I have a support system, which are my family... View more

Hi I’m new to this forum, and would like to talk to people about what me and my family are going thru. A week ago my exwife was diagnosed with untreatable liver cancer. It shook me and my kids to the core. I have a support system, which are my family from overseas. My son is battling depression issues, he is 17 years old. When this news about his mother happened, he now doesn’t want to talk about anything to do with his mother and her condition. He will simply say “stop, I don’t wanna talk about it” I know it’s hard for him and his sister to see their mother like this, hell it’s hard for me. We only been separated for months. I’m still trying to cope myself day by day. I can’t eat properly, specially being alone myself, it’s all I think about, my exwife and why is this happening to us. But back to my son, this not talking about his mothers condition is a good way of dealing with it mentally. As a father, yes I’m extremely worried about his mental state of mind. And for my daughter, it’s the same way, but she seems stronger mentally. From what I see. She is now taking over her household, and helping her mother, for a 17 year old, this is an immense responsibility. This is my worry, the mental well being of my kids, seeing their mother like this. Specially when they don’t want to talk about it.

Cam_e I don't want to do it anymore
  • replies: 5

Life takes so much effort and for what? We work and work and work until we die?! As a lower class from the slums, you really have no chance until you are hit with immense burnout, lack of any motivation and I can't even be bothered finishing what I w... View more

Life takes so much effort and for what? We work and work and work until we die?! As a lower class from the slums, you really have no chance until you are hit with immense burnout, lack of any motivation and I can't even be bothered finishing what I want to say im that exhausted. Life is so hard. Im scared to not be here anymore, but I also cannot fathom existing like this any longer, just for it to all be for nothing anyways. Like, we can literally drop dead of a stroke or an aneurysm at any time... What is that bs?! I go to school for years, bust my ass working, just to potentially drop dead of something I have no control over?! What is the point?! Am I psycho or crazy in thinking how bullshit life is?! Like sure its great and all to live when things are going well, but when things are going shit... I just can't deal anymore. Sorry its just how I feel and honestly don't know what to do or what the point is anymore. Im a useless, worthless human being. Waste of literal air and space.

IceCreamBunny36 Can't get up
  • replies: 8

I can't get out of bed. I feel numb. Everything is a struggle. I'm not eating. Going to the toilet is hard. Even texting my boyfriend seems to be so much effort. During the day I just lay there, trying to get up but I can't. I stay awake for a few mi... View more

I can't get out of bed. I feel numb. Everything is a struggle. I'm not eating. Going to the toilet is hard. Even texting my boyfriend seems to be so much effort. During the day I just lay there, trying to get up but I can't. I stay awake for a few minutes then fall asleep for an hour or two. Is this normal?

User018263 Hopelessness and Lack of Meaning
  • replies: 9

Hi all if anyone has advice would appreciate hearing it. ive had depression for a few years now amongst other things. It’s been really bad and now it’s slowly getting better. Except that stopped. I’ve started coming off meds. I feel useless. I know I... View more

Hi all if anyone has advice would appreciate hearing it. ive had depression for a few years now amongst other things. It’s been really bad and now it’s slowly getting better. Except that stopped. I’ve started coming off meds. I feel useless. I know I’m capable but today I got 2hrs and 19mins worth of work done. I replicate that most days. It seems that no matter what I do - I could climb up Everest and back, I just end up feeling so fundamentally sad about existence, life and meaning to anything. because it feels like nothing changes, I just don’t know if I want it to change. Sometimes I don’t want it to get better because I’ve forgotten what that feels like. I just wake up late in the morning, ‘start’ work, exercise a bit and sleep. And nothing changes but a single rotation of the Earth. Each day I just end up in tears over again. I just don’t know what to do. Have any other people felt like this? I’ve been told time heals and I’ve waited for that time. Is there a solution to get more energy and purpose? Thanks for any help