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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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Jaibigrone907 I hope things can turn around for me. ( likely doomed ) Part 1
  • replies: 12

I'm now, not only 29 without any payed work history. I've had nine months of volunteer in something I hated doing. My resume is basically pathetic and it's otherwise blank with just overselling my sociability and that I'm eager to work miserable entr... View more

I'm now, not only 29 without any payed work history. I've had nine months of volunteer in something I hated doing. My resume is basically pathetic and it's otherwise blank with just overselling my sociability and that I'm eager to work miserable entry jobs. I don't want those industries, I'm not suitable, adaptable or wanting retail, factory crap or anything like hospitality washing dishes or being a barista. I never wanted to do construction, apprenticeships and manual labour. The entry jobs don't provide the ideal employment security and remote commutes that I would want. The wages and salaries are just the bare minimum, if your not earning $60,000 and about $30 wages you can't be happy financially or really survive individually in modern Australia, in my opinion you need around $50 wages and at least $80,000 to be happy in current Australia. I graduated high school with only a Foundation VCAL, not a generic VCE and with a strong ATAR and I feel I failed in numerous aspects. Since I was bullied and hated everyone in high school that mistreated me during those six years. I had started with video game addictions that lasted over a dozen years since I was 12. I was immature with how I was behaving at home when I was 14 - 17, I just was not considerate. I also had no interest in basis school studies that didn't provide me a strong specific reasonable interest. I was conceiving University as a social norm since 15, only for people that want academic titled careers, I always wanted to be creative or musical, but only as a recluse hobbie, I've come to terms that likely won't happen, because I can't be the confidence or nature to really be the way I'd wish to be. I had low self esteem because I knew arsewholes since 2008 untill 2017 and I was bullied in many ways, taken for granted and they thought their better than me.

Sammy_347 Feeling Invalidated and Exhausted - Struggling to Cope
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I’m reaching out because I feel incredibly isolated and just can’t seem to deal with things alone anymore. I don’t talk to my parents about my feelings because whenever I try, it ends in a fight, and I just feel even worse. They often sa... View more

Hi everyone, I’m reaching out because I feel incredibly isolated and just can’t seem to deal with things alone anymore. I don’t talk to my parents about my feelings because whenever I try, it ends in a fight, and I just feel even worse. They often say I have an “easy life”—that I’m lucky to have grown up in a nice house, in a family with money, and in a good school. And while I can acknowledge that on the surface, they don’t know half of what I’m going through. I wish they understood, but I don’t think they ever will. They know I have ocd, but instead of being supportive, they seem to think it makes me a “freak.” My ocd has completely taken over my life—I’m constantly worrying about germs, can’t sleep, and can’t drive because I’m terrified of causing harm. I’m depressed every day, and these feelings have damaged my relationships. I hate myself for it and feel so alone. I've even self-harmed, but they have no idea, and I feel like I can’t talk about it with them without being shut down. What they also don’t know is that a couple of years ago, I was raped by someone I trusted. I’ve buried it for so long, but I’m finally beginning to talk about it in therapy. It’s been extremely difficult, and between sessions, I feel overwhelmed by intense emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations that seem to bubble up, especially at night. I’m mentally and physically exhausted, and sleep is a struggle. I wish my parents could understand how much I hate feeling this way and that I’d give anything not to feel this way. Recently, I tried opening up to my mum about comments I get from people about my eating habits at work—they make me feel self-conscious and judged. But when I tried talking to her about it, she just brushed it off as “small talk” and said that I “have a great life” and should be grateful. It felt like another reminder that I’m not allowed to feel upset or express how hard things are for me. After that, I just stormed off, and now I feel both angry and defeated. I’ve been wanting to move out for years, but I’m still a uni student, so it’s not financially possible yet. I just wish I could find a way to stop feeling so alone and ashamed, and I’m hoping maybe someone here might understand or have advice on how to cope with these feelings. Thanks

Guest_41130637 Marriage seperation
  • replies: 1

I am 77 years old and have been married for 49 years. I have known my wife for more than 50 years. She has decided to move out because I have taken her for granted over the years and not taken her feelings into account. I have regarded her as my rock... View more

I am 77 years old and have been married for 49 years. I have known my wife for more than 50 years. She has decided to move out because I have taken her for granted over the years and not taken her feelings into account. I have regarded her as my rock and now I am in a major state of depression. I have always said that I could'nt survive without her.I have always had the fear of living by myself and this seems that it will happen.Because of my age, the group of close friends I had since a teenager have either died or retired interstate. I dont have any relatives to help me as my sibblings have both passed.The mutual friends we have, are not receptive to me as she told tgem how she felt and that she was going to move out before she told me.I feel so alone and empty and my self worth has hit rock bottomBeing an older male, I know that making clise new friends is a difficult task as people my age have already form clise frienships with others over many years.I dont wish to burdem y children or grandchildren but feel so lost and empty.

Guest_02478929 Depressed and hopeless
  • replies: 2

Hey, Im feeling really worthless and feel myself getting really angry lately.I have lost all interest in my job and my relationship is suffering. I do all the basics like train and eat healthy but it’s just not working. I find it really hard to expre... View more

Hey, Im feeling really worthless and feel myself getting really angry lately.I have lost all interest in my job and my relationship is suffering. I do all the basics like train and eat healthy but it’s just not working. I find it really hard to express how I’m feeling and just need some help otherwise I’m worried I will get worse.

Guest_28554102 Coping with uni placement
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I am currently on week 4/5 of hospital placement for my allied-health degree and I feel like I can't keep going but at the same time giving up isn't an option either. I have been studying for over 4 years and this placement is making me quest... View more

Hi all, I am currently on week 4/5 of hospital placement for my allied-health degree and I feel like I can't keep going but at the same time giving up isn't an option either. I have been studying for over 4 years and this placement is making me question whether I just wasted my early 20s because I absolutely hate it. This is my first clinical placement, and every single day has been a struggle. I have a history of depression and PTSD and was working really hard to stay afloat mentally before this placement even started. I have already reached out to my course-coordinator about my struggles and have tried communicating with my clinical educator but there isn't much they can do. My partner and family don't understand and keep telling me to push through. The thing is I have already been pushing, every day. I feel like they think I'm weak or dramatic. I am not the kind of person to give up easily, and I know how to push myself, but this is just too much. I'd rather run a marathon every day for the next month if it meant I didn't have to go back to placement tomorrow. Because the hospital I am at is paper-based, we don't really know what were gonna get until we go up to the ward, and it fills me with dread every day. I have gotten incredibly complex patients, while my peer gets to see lovely old ladies. It feels like a waste because I can't help these people at all, if anything I am a burden. I am going to try to push through the remaining week and a half but I fear I will have a breakdown while I am there. I have already had a few tears in the bathroom and panic attacks in my car. Even if I make it through this placement, I have to deal with the reality that maybe I just wasted 4 years and 60k in HECS debt for nothing. Has anyone dealt with a similar situation? I am simply at a loss and feel like nobody understands.

ABC01 This morning and happy.
  • replies: 10

Dear all,This morning I woke up and was having my breakfast and I thought “I kind of feel happy right now”. And my mind hated it and the reaction was to immediately started sliding back into feeling bad again. I wasn’t feeling euphoric or positive ha... View more

Dear all,This morning I woke up and was having my breakfast and I thought “I kind of feel happy right now”. And my mind hated it and the reaction was to immediately started sliding back into feeling bad again. I wasn’t feeling euphoric or positive happy,I felt just normal. For about 20 minutes. I have been through alot in the last couple of months and depression has taken me into dark places and the majority of my days are depressed and wanting to sleep or cry. Why did I do that to myself? I deserve to feel even just a bit normal. Am I now so used to feel this way,that feeling normal is uncomfortable to be in. Or is it guilt ,blame or regret of some sort. Can anyone help? ABC01

RJM Dealing with anxiety and depression
  • replies: 3

Hi new here, need some assistance with my situation. I have communicated with my family and close mate about my feelings of depression and anxiety I currently going through for around 3 months(anxiety I've had for ages). They constantly reassure me t... View more

Hi new here, need some assistance with my situation. I have communicated with my family and close mate about my feelings of depression and anxiety I currently going through for around 3 months(anxiety I've had for ages). They constantly reassure me that everything will be better and you constantly gotta fight, keep myself busy and love yourself. After getting a gf for the first time. I have been getting really insecure and negative thoughts of her leaving flood my head. She's perfect and It feels like I nothing to offer her. Comparing both of us has made me self aware of the many flaws I deal with. I'm super quiet and it's hard for me to get along with other people may be for the chronic anxiety. If we were together far in the future I can't get along with her mates and or family. My life is also uninteresting in comparison. After the depression hit i have recognise many physical symptoms the constantly gets me worried. Stomach-ache, shakey hands and body when at the gym. It feels like everything is drag because I'm always tired. Cognitive decline such as its hard to multitask or keep up with a conversation. Biggest one of all is memory. I can't recall many long term and short term memories. I'm not sure if depression amplified my bad recall and forgetfulness or if i had it before already. It makes irriated because if I learn a new skill it will just vanish and happy memories that I create will go too. I try to take more pics to remember the happy times or anything at this point. but it gets sad then I need to repetitively do it. I'm dyslexic too, having reading and comprehension problems. I feel super dumb and slow. Usually when someone is quiet they think a lot but my head is empty with negative thoughts of myself. I don't want to die but want a restart in life with better stats ahaha sounds weird reading that back. Is my situation curable? Brain is filled with doubt and jumping into medication has got me scared, what if it doesn't help.

Guest_30323071 Unsure what to do,I pretty much have an ultimatum with my life
  • replies: 1

As stated in the title I have a ultimatum and that is too continue on to hide my pain/problem but have people who still care about me or get help with it and loose everyone who cares about me and be completely alone,this feeling is making me feel dep... View more

As stated in the title I have a ultimatum and that is too continue on to hide my pain/problem but have people who still care about me or get help with it and loose everyone who cares about me and be completely alone,this feeling is making me feel depressed and ill and having dark thoughts but I will never act on it,any help would be good thanks

ABC01 Routine, Direction & Purpose. Very Confused.
  • replies: 2

Dear All,I am having an extremely hard time these last few months. I lost someone in May and was diagnosed with anxiety, depression and trauma diagnoses. I have health professionals. I have been told by others that I appear lost and drifting through ... View more

Dear All,I am having an extremely hard time these last few months. I lost someone in May and was diagnosed with anxiety, depression and trauma diagnoses. I have health professionals. I have been told by others that I appear lost and drifting through these months. I am starting to agree now that has been pointed out to me. I have been trying to fill my days with a game that has objectives. But when I stop playing the game, everything floods back. If I go out to appointments, the same. All distractions eventually end, and all the feelings come back to me. I was at the shops today to go grocery shopping for a special reason I had forgotten about on my usual shopping day, and I looked around. My thoughts were, all these people woke up today and said they were coming to the shops for whatever reason. And they did. Then they are going to go home and do the next thing on their list/mind,and so on until the day finishes. Whether it is chores or relaxing to watch tv or youtube. And then they will do it again tomorrow. That is life. But it isn't questioned or reflected on every step. People just do it with ease. I have none of that. I generally wake up scared of a full day infront of me of nothing. Or if I manage to work something out, once I stop, I am going to go back to being scared. I go to bed being scared. My issues are being half addressed, as medication and stabilizing it is forefront at the moment. And my professionals are only once a fortnight to every three weeks. So my question is this....How do I find routine? How do I find direction? How do I find a purpose for myself? Are they in the right order? I want to be like everyone else I see. I want to have things to do without the distress attached to them. I want a life back. I had a life before I lost them. I need to have a life again. Routine means to me: A group of activities I engage in, generally done in the same way in a pattern. Routines can be daily or weekly/fortnightly.Direction means to me: A specific way things are done to achieve something or a goal. It is to get me somewhere.Purpose means to me: A reason for my life. A reason I am alive. Can anyone give me some insight into that. Whether the definitions are right. Have you been there before(lost) and managed to come back. Thankyou for listening and providing any advice.ABC01

Thisgirl92 Feeling lost
  • replies: 2

Hello, This year has been nothing short of a life change.. both good and bad. I seem to be losing more and more of my friends, not able to trust family members and a bit at war with myself. I just need to chat to someone who isn’t judgemental and hel... View more

Hello, This year has been nothing short of a life change.. both good and bad. I seem to be losing more and more of my friends, not able to trust family members and a bit at war with myself. I just need to chat to someone who isn’t judgemental and help me find ways to push through