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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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Helpadad Depression and alcohol
  • replies: 16

Hi there, it came to a head the other day, I moved the kids out. I got my wife’s brother and mother involved in an intervention to try and show her that her drinking is destroying our family. It initially backfired, screaming, threats of killing hers... View more

Hi there, it came to a head the other day, I moved the kids out. I got my wife’s brother and mother involved in an intervention to try and show her that her drinking is destroying our family. It initially backfired, screaming, threats of killing herself etc. it wasn’t safe for the kids so I moved them out. That evening, to cope with the fighting she went out for more drink and crashed our car. Nobody else, which was lucky, but if someone is watching over is, it was the wake up call needed. she called me the next day, very low and said take me to get help. We went to the hospital which in itself was horrible. But they signed her up to a program for detox. We are just at the end of the detox week and have more on going therapy. I am staying positive because I have my old wife back. The kids have their mum back. I have stopped drinking myself completely and cleared the house of all drink. The doctors told me the odds of it working first time are slim, but I remain hopeful. She had a glimpse of what she would lose and what it would cost. the doctors have pointed to her loss of identity, caught in a rut, school drop off, kids lunches, supporting me, doing nothing for herself. This is something we will change and something I am more aware of. I initially thought there was no help, but it took drastic actions to find it. Whilst the help available does need improvement for mental health, it is there. My other posts explain how bad we were. ADIS are helping us, and I encourage others in a similar position to call them. https://adis.health.qld.gov.au/ Early days but things are changing. thanks

Chris D Depression I need people around me
  • replies: 50

This is my first time back to BB in quite a few yrs. I am currently at my lowest point in many years, all I'm seeking is people to support me. Hope someone can chat to me.

This is my first time back to BB in quite a few yrs. I am currently at my lowest point in many years, all I'm seeking is people to support me. Hope someone can chat to me.

mickey_dee hi all
  • replies: 2

Hi all I am new to this online stuff but been up n down for years.

Hi all I am new to this online stuff but been up n down for years.

Enola I am old nowl depressed since 15 years old. Never ends
  • replies: 1

Still just hanging on. I need a mentor. At 60 and it never ends. I know it all but still only last a few days. Just pretending asll the time. Is it woeth it.

Still just hanging on. I need a mentor. At 60 and it never ends. I know it all but still only last a few days. Just pretending asll the time. Is it woeth it.

Helarctus Forgot meds - Feeling the whirlpool of suck
  • replies: 7

I was distracted some last night and forgot to take my evening medications. The logical half of my brain understands this, knows this is something I can ride out, in a day or two things will even off and function will be restored. The emotional half ... View more

I was distracted some last night and forgot to take my evening medications. The logical half of my brain understands this, knows this is something I can ride out, in a day or two things will even off and function will be restored. The emotional half is already in a panic, cursing and flailing. Hammering fists on the inside of my skull; the sound of the keyboard is a pin strike in my ear and the prospect of getting out of bed a torment. Any suggestions on ways to rush the uptake or manage this downswing are appreciated. Helarctus.

doonzy spiralling out of control
  • replies: 1

hey guys been a sec since i have been on my life is crazy atm week before christmas i went from being employed with a stable job, a wife and kids and a loving family to all of a sudden single no job and everyone is the opposite of happy. i really hav... View more

hey guys been a sec since i have been on my life is crazy atm week before christmas i went from being employed with a stable job, a wife and kids and a loving family to all of a sudden single no job and everyone is the opposite of happy. i really have no idea what to do now. ive been looking for services around my local town but alot of them are for immediate help and im not really sure if i fit that right now. i know i need help and that i am extremely sick but i just dont know where to go from here. hope everyone is going well and keep fighting the good fight

bob01 again
  • replies: 1

over the past week Ive been kept busy. I started education again and finnally met up with mates. however I find these to sort of be a distraction from myself as i spend time off doing nothing, all i want to do is be alone as each day just talking to ... View more

over the past week Ive been kept busy. I started education again and finnally met up with mates. however I find these to sort of be a distraction from myself as i spend time off doing nothing, all i want to do is be alone as each day just talking to family just feels unnecessary, when im alone i feel relaxed and flat (which is how i am most of the time anywayse). since I last posted ive felt mentally numb (fogged), partially daised, stupid and get a tight almost sick feeling in my chest. just overall i feel like im a changed person underneath a mask

NicolaA Supporting my kids when I’m depressed
  • replies: 2

How can I support my kids - one with BPD, depression, ptsd, and body dysphoria and one with Social Anxiety - when I’m clinically depressed myself?

How can I support my kids - one with BPD, depression, ptsd, and body dysphoria and one with Social Anxiety - when I’m clinically depressed myself?

Wondrous How do you do it
  • replies: 5

I want to know HOW do you get better. I know what to do to get better. I know that I need to eat well and regularly, I know that I need to exercise and get out in the sun and fresh air. I know that I should journal or meditate or read or find a hobby... View more

I want to know HOW do you get better. I know what to do to get better. I know that I need to eat well and regularly, I know that I need to exercise and get out in the sun and fresh air. I know that I should journal or meditate or read or find a hobby. I know that I should get off my phone and social media. I know I should socialise. I know I should be mindful and positive. I know that I should clean and organise because living in a clean and organised house makes me feel calm. I know that I should shower and look after myself properly, I should take the time to dress nice and put myself together so I feel put together. I know all this. I know that I should take it slow and allow myself grace when it doesn't go as planned and I should not expect too much of myself all at once. I know this. Im not asking WHAT I need to do. Im asking HOW do I do it. HOW do I get out of bed and into the shower? HOW do I find the energy to make myself breakfast and then go for a walk? HOW do I put into practice the things I know I need to do? I am unable to keep living the way I am but I am also unable to do anything about it. I always just end up back in bed after doing the absolute bare minimum required of me.

Lonely91 How did I get here
  • replies: 2

I’m normally a bubbly, lively person with so much energy and enthusiasm but the last few years have sucked that out of me. On the outside, people think I’m ok but on the inside I’m falling apart. I’m always tired and constantly so sad. I’ve been knoc... View more

I’m normally a bubbly, lively person with so much energy and enthusiasm but the last few years have sucked that out of me. On the outside, people think I’m ok but on the inside I’m falling apart. I’m always tired and constantly so sad. I’ve been knocked back too many times. I have no job satisfaction. I have financial stress and live on my own. I am so lonely and I feel the loneliness every single night. I struggle to get quality sleep or even sleep at a reasonable time. My relationship with my parents is not great at all. My mother is a narcissist and has affected me in so many ways. I am not me and I haven’t been me in a very long time. I have had so many breakdowns and feel like such a burden. I feel like hiding or running away. I just want to disappear sometimes. I need to find a way to get through this because it is draining me.