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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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Lightning707 Empty
  • replies: 5

I can’t really recall a time where I’ve been actually happy, I’ve had depression for years and I’ve managed by putting on a happy act for everyone but it’s getting harder and harder to maintain. I can’t really enjoy anything, I don’t really feel anyt... View more

I can’t really recall a time where I’ve been actually happy, I’ve had depression for years and I’ve managed by putting on a happy act for everyone but it’s getting harder and harder to maintain. I can’t really enjoy anything, I don’t really feel anything except for emptiness and sadness in my chest. Every time I feel like I make a bit of progress something happens to knock me back down again. A few years ago I had an accident where I ended up damaging my knee and getting this thing called complex regional pain, if that wasn’t enough I then found out I have inter-cranial pressure that is damaging my optic nerves and hypersomnia which makes me fall asleep all the time. Every moment I’m awake hurts and the medicine I have to take makes me feel nauseous. I’m really limited in what I can do, I don’t even want to move most days, it’s hard to get my family to understand that and they keep pressuring me and guilting me that I don’t do enough. It’s not that I’m lazy it’s that I can’t do it, the reminder of my limitations only makes me more exhausted and depressed. I think because I’ve been fakeing it for years they can’t take me seriously when I try to tell them I’m not ok. I’m really beginning to resent my body and myself because of my inability to do things. I have been to psychologists, but in person old habits die hard and I can’t help but minimise my issues and put on a brave face, it’s a wall that I can’t seem to overcome and no matter how many sessions I go to I don’t feel any change, I still feel empty inside and the lack of progress is just disheartening. I don’t know what I hope for in bringing this up here I just kind of wanted to tell someone how I feel.

Candylover Lonley
  • replies: 7

I feel so empty inside, like nothing is ever going to get better. I want to cry but no tears come out. I want to scream at the top of my lungs but I'll just get in trouble. There is no purpose to my life - I am of no benefit to society. Why do I exis... View more

I feel so empty inside, like nothing is ever going to get better. I want to cry but no tears come out. I want to scream at the top of my lungs but I'll just get in trouble. There is no purpose to my life - I am of no benefit to society. Why do I exist? Is this even real? I want to love and be loved but that'll never happen because I have horrible interpersonal skills and push away pretty much everyone I like eventually. It hurts so much to be abandoned and replaced by others - what's the point? My mind is a jumble of horrible selfish thoughts and no body even cares. It's all my fault. What's the point of this stupid life. Every day's the same, and endless loop slowly going downwards, getting darker as I get older. If I could have one wish in the world, it would be that I never existed. Nobody's gonna care about this post. Proof that it's all my fault and I'm the problem and I'm such a big fat selfish burden.

DG854 Supporting someone with depression
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I am looking for help on supporting my parnter through her deperession, I know it's a really tough thing she is going through however I need to equip myself with the best tools and support networks so that I can be the best support I can... View more

Hi everyone, I am looking for help on supporting my parnter through her deperession, I know it's a really tough thing she is going through however I need to equip myself with the best tools and support networks so that I can be the best support I can for her.

lochness46 I feel so lonely alot of the time :(
  • replies: 13

Im feeling very disappointed that my life is very lonely living with Mental Ilnesses. I live in a small country town & have been here for now about 5-6 years as a single parent. Ive tried to make friends but seem to either get involved ( till it to l... View more

Im feeling very disappointed that my life is very lonely living with Mental Ilnesses. I live in a small country town & have been here for now about 5-6 years as a single parent. Ive tried to make friends but seem to either get involved ( till it to late to relise)people that are the wrong people to be friends with or Ive been betrayed by them. I struggle with energy levels & Im tired & fatigued quite alot, especially lately, because Ive just been diagnosed with a physical illness. Its really made it hard for me to hold down any kind of employment, or even do volunteer work becasue of my mental health & now my physical illness. The only people currently in my life are paid professionals. There is also no mental health groups other hobby groups that im interested in my area. I wasnt born here in this area & only have a very dsyfunctional relationship with my mother, who is my only closeset relative. My son also struggles with social anxiety & only has 2 friends. He mainly socialises with his friends on line & at school, but it seems to end there. Ive tried meeting other parents at my somes school, but havent really clicked with any of them, & alot of them work, unlike me. I feel because Im a single parent, & a single parent whom doesnt work, that I dont seem to fit into any where.I try to contact people who I use to know who live in the city, but they are all so busy with their own lives these days...I hate feeling like Im a nobody that no one seems to ever contact

Angel_Joy I am new. Hello.
  • replies: 27

Hello, I am new here. Would someone like to know a bit about me and why I am here? Umm, this is kinda embarrassing. I-I don't really know what to say.

Hello, I am new here. Would someone like to know a bit about me and why I am here? Umm, this is kinda embarrassing. I-I don't really know what to say.

Hoodinny What else
  • replies: 2

How much more dose someone have to take b4 they break???, I've had 2 back operation an in that time my beta half has had 2 lots of mini strokes, told she has mums disease has gotten frozen shoulders (both of them) an last week we where told she has t... View more

How much more dose someone have to take b4 they break???, I've had 2 back operation an in that time my beta half has had 2 lots of mini strokes, told she has mums disease has gotten frozen shoulders (both of them) an last week we where told she has the onset of parkinsons. I've had to deal with being the black sheep in my family my hole life, like I'm a criminal or drugo this im not, but having to deal with my backnis one thing but what em i going to do when the misses getting bad an needs me to do more for her how em I going to help, like I can't even dress myself sometime with the back pain I get. Sorry for complaining guys but it's this I'm sick of being dealt the shit hand everytime with everything, I know life isn't eazy but with do I get a break I can't deal with it its all getting way to much 4 me 2 deal with to be honest I over it I don't know how much more I can take, I just wanna leave this earth an go else where but how do I do that!!!

WinterRin Is it just my anxiety or is it undiagnosed depression?
  • replies: 3

Lately I’ve been feeling much worse than I always do. This is bad because I usually feel pretty down because of my GAD (diagnosed by a professional when I was 5 years old). At first I thought it was just puberty and anxiety but it didn’t go away. I h... View more

Lately I’ve been feeling much worse than I always do. This is bad because I usually feel pretty down because of my GAD (diagnosed by a professional when I was 5 years old). At first I thought it was just puberty and anxiety but it didn’t go away. I haven’t told anyone about this and I think I should. Can anyone help me figure out if this is just a phase or will it stay? Also it could be genetic because my dad has depression. Sorry if this doesn’t make sense I’ve been struggling to type proper sentences

Alkaco21 Chronic health diagnosis. A new job. And a happy boyfriend.
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone. First time poster here. I’ve battled with depression as long as I can remember. I definitely go through periods where I’m okay and then times when I can’t manage to look after myself. The down periods are becoming more frequent. I have w... View more

Hi everyone. First time poster here. I’ve battled with depression as long as I can remember. I definitely go through periods where I’m okay and then times when I can’t manage to look after myself. The down periods are becoming more frequent. I have what I would consider to be high functioning depression. I did very well at school/uni. I have always worked hard and had great jobs ahead of others my age. I had my own water front apartment by age 23. To everyone looking in, I have everything. Even to me I know I have everything I could ever want. I still get home of an evening and can’t stop crying. I fight with myself to get out of bed in the mornings because I haven’t slept. Last year I got diagnosed with a chronic health condition and that’s really thrown me around. Especially because often this particular disease is an immune response caused by immense stress levels - something I know I have. I have a lot of guilt now piled onto an already debilitating condition because I know if I’d looked after myself better and loved my body, I probably wouldn’t be facing this lifelong illness now. There’s no treatment. I’ve recently finished uni and have landed a great job that I start next week. I can’t even describe the anxiety I feel over that and the imposter syndrome is very real. I can’t stop the thoughts telling me I need to call it quits and move home because I won’t cope with it. The same depression also tells me I’ll be a failure if I do go home. I’m an adult and I should be able to deal with a normal adult life. So - why can’t I? I met a great boy last year. He has his life together. A great job. A positive outlook. He’s generally happy. I’m just this depressed ball of emotion who needs to be looked after and absolutely crumples in a heap when we’re apart. (He works in another state). The weeks we get to see each other are great and I feel almost better. And then he’s gone and I’m a mess. I put my stress and anxiety on him and I don’t think it’s fair. I think he’s my person but I turn into a completely needy depressed mess and he shouldn’t have to tolerate that. Then I push him away in the throws of one of my episodes which are happening most days now. I’ve supported someone suicidal and I know the toll it takes. I just wondered if anyone has battled with anything similar and how you dealt with it. I’ve been seeing a psychologist for 4 months but don’t thinks that’s helped. Really considering medication. Any replies are welcomed. Thank you.

M2 Work disclosure?
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I'm a low level manager at an organisation that sees itself as quite modern and progressive. I'm currently struggling heavily with a long running bout of both anxiety and (more immediately present) debilitating depression which is impacting m... View more

Hi all, I'm a low level manager at an organisation that sees itself as quite modern and progressive. I'm currently struggling heavily with a long running bout of both anxiety and (more immediately present) debilitating depression which is impacting my performance at work. I feel VERY busy, my day is full, but i succeed in achieving VERY little. Not being able to adequately add any value only serves to add to my worry and fear and fuels my dive into despair. I speak to my wife regularly about leaving this role so i can have a breather and surface for air... But we can't afford this and my depression will only be fueled by new fears and stresses of finding a new role. i have constant ideation going on but this is not new, and not immediately concerning (though this can change rapidly). anyway... My question is... Is there any value to be had in disclosing my current situation with my manager? I suspect (know) this would trigger hr to be informed and it would spell the end of my progression in this company (modern or not, i suspect this place is no different to any other) but perhaps something immediately positive would be a result. Or am i dreaming? Stigma is difficult to wash off and this is not a new position for me to be in, just perhaps more severe and prolonged (8-9 months?) than outbreaks I've encountered before.