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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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IT Depressed
  • replies: 1

Hi, I think i might be severely depressed. It would of happened 18 months ago when a person i was helping out for work for 2 years, backstabbed me. I always wanted to be friends with them but thought my anxiety and depreasion was the problem. So i to... View more

Hi, I think i might be severely depressed. It would of happened 18 months ago when a person i was helping out for work for 2 years, backstabbed me. I always wanted to be friends with them but thought my anxiety and depreasion was the problem. So i told them my mental disorders so they could see past the awkwardness of me. The person said that is why there are physciatriats. I felt lost and betrayed. How can i get over this? Thanks

demonblaster STRESS; techniques of coping with it
  • replies: 27

Hi Everyone all inputs very welcome. We all have stress in our lives at some stage unfortunately because it's so powerful. The good part is it can be used in our favor to help us. I haven't yet mastered managing it although have learnt including bein... View more

Hi Everyone all inputs very welcome. We all have stress in our lives at some stage unfortunately because it's so powerful. The good part is it can be used in our favor to help us. I haven't yet mastered managing it although have learnt including being here l some ways to manage it. Please feel free without judgement to talk about anything that you've found helpful no matter big or small breakthroughs potentially it could help many. I believe we're all capable of learning which means there's HOPE in turn giving us a reason to work towards a better happier future. new beginnings ⚘

PLEH____ PPD And Alcoholism
  • replies: 1

I’m new here. I’m 4 months PP! I went through PP psychosis the first month after having my daughter. I had extreme invasive thoughts of self harm and harming my baby and my family. I feel like a horrible mother I never pictured myself being. I woke o... View more

I’m new here. I’m 4 months PP! I went through PP psychosis the first month after having my daughter. I had extreme invasive thoughts of self harm and harming my baby and my family. I feel like a horrible mother I never pictured myself being. I woke one night and an incident happened which was my wake up call to go see my GP who put me on medications and upped my dosage. Soon after I began medications I began to feel a little better that I decided I’d have a couple drinks to myself while I spent time in my garden. I enjoy this, I enjoy the feeling of motivation I get from cracking a can at 10am while I do my house work. Fast forward a month or two I’m now drinking everyday. I only buy a 6 pack and it stretches over the entire day. Basically what happens is I feel like I have no drive to do anything in my home and it takes soooo....long to accomplish anything, everything in mum mind overlaps. I can’t just let things go because I have kids to worry about. So I get so miserable about it all and I’m like who cares, I’ll buy a 6 pack and just have one, then on turns my country music and I’m stuck somewhere in my garden or house fussing over everything with another can! I’m function again. Am I an alcoholic? I’m worried I’ll grow more and more dependent idk.

Rhi-Ann Anhedonia and emotional blunting
  • replies: 3

Interested to read how you guys manage the anhedonia and emotional blunting. That numbing feeling and having no interest in anything, even though you know you actually do feel a certain way and you do know what your passions are. What are some active... View more

Interested to read how you guys manage the anhedonia and emotional blunting. That numbing feeling and having no interest in anything, even though you know you actually do feel a certain way and you do know what your passions are. What are some active tips that work for you guys? ✌ Rhi-Ann

ANT333 It’s just too hard
  • replies: 2

Hi I decided to join today mainly because I’m in a really bad place right now and I need some help. I have been diagnosed with bipolar and am just coming down from a manic episode. I have been suffering from bipolar for 25+ years and to be honest I’m... View more

Hi I decided to join today mainly because I’m in a really bad place right now and I need some help. I have been diagnosed with bipolar and am just coming down from a manic episode. I have been suffering from bipolar for 25+ years and to be honest I’m tired, I’m emotionally and physically drained. I just don’t want to feel like this anymore. can anyone please offer some advice. I’m currently taking meds and I just don’t want to be taking more than I already am so I would like advice of how to overcome this feeling without having to take more medications. thank you

Alannah57 How do you find warmth in a world that feels cold?
  • replies: 4

It feels like the world is indifferent and cold, happiness isn’t allowed to last and positive things don’t matter. I feel so trapped here, how do you find warmth when you are missing in warm, genuine interactions, when no one understands you, when li... View more

It feels like the world is indifferent and cold, happiness isn’t allowed to last and positive things don’t matter. I feel so trapped here, how do you find warmth when you are missing in warm, genuine interactions, when no one understands you, when life’s just about the task at hand?

Musiclover10 Depression is crippling
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I am currently in a deep depression and at a total loss. I have been clinically depressed many times in the past and overcome it, but I just can't seem to pull myself out of this one. At least not on my own. I believe the trigger was chr... View more

Hi everyone, I am currently in a deep depression and at a total loss. I have been clinically depressed many times in the past and overcome it, but I just can't seem to pull myself out of this one. At least not on my own. I believe the trigger was chronic physical pain which I had for several weeks before the black dog set in. Feeling frustrated, hopeless and worn down by physical pain that I didn't have answers or a cure for and no idea when it would subside etc. I still am experiencing a bit of physical pain but my biggest issue now is the way I am feeling emotionally. I am struggling to get out of bed every day. Waking early and just staying there for hours, not wanting to face the day. It's getting harder every day. I'm finding it hard to communicate with those closest to me, even being around people is hard. I feel like I've been trying and pushing through for several weeks, despite feeling down and flat but now it's really interfering with my daily functioning and I've reached the point where I've given up trying. It all seems hopeless. And I feel incredibly low. I'm cancelling plans and don't feel I'll be able to go to work next week. I also have a wedding in a couple of months and I am in the bridal party. It's such an important event and I'm so worried because of how I'm feeling. Please help

Shazie Changing my antidepressants
  • replies: 8

I’m having such a hard time at the moment, my meds have been changed and I feel totally hopeless, I can’t stop crying, today has been the worst day since starting the new meds. Please tell me it will get better, I don’t feel like I’m coping at all. M... View more

I’m having such a hard time at the moment, my meds have been changed and I feel totally hopeless, I can’t stop crying, today has been the worst day since starting the new meds. Please tell me it will get better, I don’t feel like I’m coping at all. My husband doesn’t understand, he is waiting for me to cook tea but I just don’t have the motivation to do it, he is acting like it’s my fault I’m like this. I don’t know what to do, I feel so useless, I can’t think straight, all I want to do is curl up into a ball until everything and everyone goes away. Please someone give me some advice before I go insane

TJS4133 I've been fighting depression for so long but I don't know how much longer I can keep going
  • replies: 6

I've been struggling with depression for pretty much all my adult life; that's several decades now. To be honest, I have had many good years. But the last 18 months or so have been really hard. And I don't know how much longer I can keep fighting. I'... View more

I've been struggling with depression for pretty much all my adult life; that's several decades now. To be honest, I have had many good years. But the last 18 months or so have been really hard. And I don't know how much longer I can keep fighting. I'm just exhausted. I have a loving wife and two great children for whom I'm trying to stay alive but I need something more. What's the point? How and/or where can I find meaning and joy? I know these are big questions but I'm sure some of you have faced similar ones. Any tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated

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