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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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faegirl I don't really feel anything anymore...why could this be?
  • replies: 36

Hi there, I'm not exactly too good at conveying my thoughts in a succinct manner, so I'm sorry if this get's confusing. As the title says I don't really feel anything anymore. I sort of walk around like some sort of robot, going through the motions, ... View more

Hi there, I'm not exactly too good at conveying my thoughts in a succinct manner, so I'm sorry if this get's confusing. As the title says I don't really feel anything anymore. I sort of walk around like some sort of robot, going through the motions, feigning happiness when I'm in my classes at uni and I don't know if this is normal? It's almost like my base mood is really quite low and flat, and that I feel empty as if there's nothing left in me. I don't genuinely feel happiness (only fleeting moments), I don't even feel sad a lot of the time, I just don't really feel anything. I'll admit, I've put myself through a lot of sleep deprivation due to studying which started maybe around year 12 (so I've done it on and off for about 3 years), and my diet hasn't been the best so that could be why I feel low on energy at times, but I have been working on sleeping more instead of staying up late to finish work. Despite this, my low / empty feelings persist, it feels more than just tiredness. I don't care for things anymore. Things don't give me any satisfaction, I don't get really upset over things anymore (aside from when I'm super stressed from uni and break down haha), I don't get really happy over anything either. Music, the one thing which I swore I could never live without, which used to make me feel good, is now starting to sound like noise in my ears to block out the world. I don't really know why I am this way. I used to put this "deadness" down to my personality, I've been this dry/kind of emotionless person for as long as I can remember, but I think lately it's gotten a little worse. I was always told as a child to "smile more" or to stop being pessimistic etc. but now I've kind of begun to wonder whether this is just my personality or if it is something more? At times, on top of my low mood I get hit with really dark periods where I lose all motivation, I don't talk to anyone (not that I have anyone aside from my family to talk to anyway), I don't do anything. I just sit in bed and watch crap on netflix or youtube to distract myself from the thoughts. I feel that I cry more easily nowadays (and I don't really know why because I don't feel extremely sad) and these periods have started happening more frequently as of late. I don't know if this is depression. I don't have any real reason to be depressed. Is it all in my head? I really have no idea anymore. Has anyone felt the same way before?

JamesS New city...
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I am struggling to sleep. I recently moved cities after being offered a dream job. Not long after, my relationship ended and I've been adjusting to being single. I've moved house, left my friends and family behind, and have started basically ... View more

Hi all, I am struggling to sleep. I recently moved cities after being offered a dream job. Not long after, my relationship ended and I've been adjusting to being single. I've moved house, left my friends and family behind, and have started basically a new life. At first I felt very positive with so much change, but it has started to dawn on me the enormity of the change and how isolated I am. I want to feel optimistic but I only feel anxiety and depression, which I hoped I had left behind. My biggest fear is that people secretly hate me, or are holding grudges against me. I really just want to find peace and happiness. Thanks guys

Username2021 Afraid of getting help
  • replies: 3

I have thought about going to the doctors and telling them about how I'm feeling but I just feel like he would just tell me to change my lifestyle around and not give me something that will help, I'm constantly feeling tired and numb I'm not fully aw... View more

I have thought about going to the doctors and telling them about how I'm feeling but I just feel like he would just tell me to change my lifestyle around and not give me something that will help, I'm constantly feeling tired and numb I'm not fully aware of what feelings are what because I have never really dealt with them only pushed them aside I just want to feel happy with my life I want to be able to tafe work instead of putting it off for another time I am unemployed because I'm afraid that I'm not good enough and will mess up and get fired anyway and another thing that upsets me is being 27 years old and getting out of 2 toxic relationships in a row when everyone around me is getting married and starting a family I feel like my time is running out and it's going to be harder to fall pregnant when it's time because my periods are all over the place I can go months without getting a period I just recently moved out on my own for the first time and I'm scared that my house is going to get broken into as well as me getting attacked by someone I just can't shake that feeling I have tried so hard to be positive and to get into spirituality and stuff like meditation and wellness but it seems like it's getting old now I just want to feel ok

ypla Feeling so lonely
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone My name is Allen (not real name) and I found this forum through lifeline. This is my first post here so please be kind if I've neglected any rules. I'm going though major depression that I think is mainly caused by loneliness. I don't hav... View more

Hi everyone My name is Allen (not real name) and I found this forum through lifeline. This is my first post here so please be kind if I've neglected any rules. I'm going though major depression that I think is mainly caused by loneliness. I don't have any relatives or friends, and my anxiety kicks in when I see people going out with their friends and partners. I thought I'd fight my anxiety by being outdoors but it's causing more harm than good. Going out for a drink or meal makes me happy but I get weird looks when I ask for a table for one. It feels like they watch over my shoulder so I could finish up and just leave. I don't enjoy outdoors anymore. I'm almost 30 and never fell in love with someone that loves me. If I die, there is no-one to attend my funeral. I went to uni and I wished I could've found someone because it feels like I can't now. It just sucks. I'm scared of dying alone. Already stated having heart problems due to anxiety and stress. Every day feels like I'm grinding and grinding. My performance at work has almost diminished to zero. I've worked so hard to reach where I am now and now it feels like I don't have any purpose now. Please help me.

hawaiian_robot feeling very hopeless
  • replies: 5

hi all, no caps because not feeling up to typing properly life is in a bit of a rut, can't see things improving anytime soon. have been out of work since dec 2019, was working at a school but they didn't renew my contract. said something about how th... View more

hi all, no caps because not feeling up to typing properly life is in a bit of a rut, can't see things improving anytime soon. have been out of work since dec 2019, was working at a school but they didn't renew my contract. said something about how the budget couldn't allocate a lab tech, but it's bullshit because i know they got someone to replace me. have a lot of qualifications but just nothing in my field. still applying for whatever but not even getting an interview. this is despite job network being like 'have you thought about cleaning', that's awesome with a chemistry phd. worried i'm going to be share housing forever, i'm 37 this year, no hope, no job prospects, no relationship, no home of my own where i'm secure. dealing with centrelink makes me want to off myself.

AnxiousGeek80 Depression And being an Alcoholic !
  • replies: 2

At 41 years of age , And dealing with terrible depression and alcoholism for more years then I care to admit > I have Finally Taking the steps to Go into detox to clear this negative aspect from my life . I was wondering if anyone has been been throu... View more

At 41 years of age , And dealing with terrible depression and alcoholism for more years then I care to admit > I have Finally Taking the steps to Go into detox to clear this negative aspect from my life . I was wondering if anyone has been been through this process before . As I suffer from been confined to an area that im not allowed to come as I please and Not being allowed to smoke is open outdoor areas is such BS !! lol Anyways , thanks for taking to read my post, and any and all feedback is most welcomed

JK-Elle Study
  • replies: 1

So I'm a single mum to 4 and studying full time. Two weeks in I seem to have had a little breakdown, I took a day off from school, and after a really massive sleep feel so much better, but I now worry it will happen again. I don't have the option to ... View more

So I'm a single mum to 4 and studying full time. Two weeks in I seem to have had a little breakdown, I took a day off from school, and after a really massive sleep feel so much better, but I now worry it will happen again. I don't have the option to go part time (isn't offered), and I need to study as I was an idiot in my youth and didn't build a career for myself so am now 35 with nothing to offer the workforce and I really need a job so between a rock and a hard place. I've tried various psychologists, I take my meds (going back to my dr to discuss what happened last week)

aliven playing computer game to avoid depression
  • replies: 4

I used to get a kick out of playing a computer game daily now I realize I only played it to mask depression. What can I do instead of video games? go for a walk?

I used to get a kick out of playing a computer game daily now I realize I only played it to mask depression. What can I do instead of video games? go for a walk?

blu_ Struggle, struggle
  • replies: 1

Hello all, This is my first post since 2017. I've thought a lot about coming back here over the years, particularly during 2020. I'm here today because I am struggling to adjust to my new workplace, am feeling quite alone in my struggles, and need a ... View more

Hello all, This is my first post since 2017. I've thought a lot about coming back here over the years, particularly during 2020. I'm here today because I am struggling to adjust to my new workplace, am feeling quite alone in my struggles, and need a safe space to express how I'm feeling. I was stood down from my previous job (I had been there for just over one year) at the end of March 2020 and made redundant in September 2020. This was a stressful time, though I was fortunate to find a new job at the start of December. It is not is exactly a dream role, and I knew the work itself would be stressful (it's a customer service position) but I felt positive about the company and the culture. Anyway, 3 months in and I am really struggling to adjust, and it's triggering my depression quite significantly. I am feeling quite isolated because I'm not really part of a team as such, I work quite autonomously. Most of my colleagues have been there for a number of years and, while they are friendly people, they have formed tight-knit groups. I didn't receive much in the way of training and have kind of been left to figure things out as I go. I was told at the start that I 'was never alone, and can always ask for help', but...I am often left alone and when I do ask questions I am treated rather dismissively. I spend most of my work days feeling incompetent and inadequete, and my days off in a depressed state. Today I spent most of the day in bed, I didn't step outside. I just felt so...drained and empty. Anyway, I'm not really sure what I wanted to get out of posting this, just felt the need to share. To those who have read this - thanks for listening.

Weaponsofmassdisstortion I am going to the psychologist tommorrow
  • replies: 3

First session. is tomorrow. My support worker is coming along for the first one only. Cause I get quite bad social anxiety. I was just thinking about all the things I should talk about with him. And it just got me thinking about stuff. About all the ... View more

First session. is tomorrow. My support worker is coming along for the first one only. Cause I get quite bad social anxiety. I was just thinking about all the things I should talk about with him. And it just got me thinking about stuff. About all the things I have been through. All the bad childhood experiences I went through. And even the hard experiences I went through more recently. I am feeling pretty down at the moment. I wish the future would hurry up and create a machine which could erase memories. Because I would like to forget a lot of my life.