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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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yggdrasil Constant Unease
  • replies: 12

Hi my name is Ewan. I have called Beyond Blue many times but never made use of these forums. I have suffered from major depression since at least 2006, and have been on medication since 2010. I try so, so hard to manage depression responsibly but not... View more

Hi my name is Ewan. I have called Beyond Blue many times but never made use of these forums. I have suffered from major depression since at least 2006, and have been on medication since 2010. I try so, so hard to manage depression responsibly but nothing seems to work for long. I have done all the CBT and ACT stuff and am familiar with all the different psychotherapy theories. I meditate and exercise daily and my diet and sleep are generally very good. Nevertheless I still get very depressed. I was in hospital once in 2012 and again in 2016 for suicide attempts. I am in the dark place again now but am thankful I have been able to manage those kinds of thoughts thus far. I have worked so, so hard and somehow managed to obtain a masters degree in science from University of Melbourne, doing very well. In many ways things are much better now with my family life but for a long, long time things were very bad. My sister was in hospital over 40 times for major eating disorders, then drug problems, throughout my teens and early 20s. My mum has long term problems with eating disorders and prescription drugs, along with many, many other physical and mental health problems. There has never been a time in my entire life when I can remember her being far from crisis point. She is frequently in hospital - in the past for suicidal behaviour, now more likely for physical issues. I find the whole thing deeply depressing. She seems a lot better these days, and my sister has almost completely recovered, but I nevertheless feel as if some deep damage has been done to me and our family that will never heal. I feel a sense that I am doomed by my genetics to experience the same misery as my parents and sibling, and no matter how hard I try. I don't drink/smoke/do-drugs etc, but I still feel out of control emotionally. Recently both my PhD and relationship have completely fallen apart. I was no longer able to be a competent partner. I feel totally gutted by what has happened. I feel a massive sense of shame and disappointment with myself that never seems to go away. It's all just gotten too much and I can't see a way forward anymore. I also lost someone I knew to suicide recently that has created much hurt in my freindship group. Most of my friends suffer dramatically from mental health issues. I just don't know how to move forward anymore. I didn't sleep last night and have been having a lot of trouble ordering my thoughts. Thank you for letting me share this on this forum.

Rebecca94 Struggling
  • replies: 5

Does anyone else feel like it will never get easier? I've felt like this since my teens, I'm 26 now and it just gets worse. I've tried speaking to people, counselling, antidepressants but nothing helps. What's the point when nothing changes. I don't ... View more

Does anyone else feel like it will never get easier? I've felt like this since my teens, I'm 26 now and it just gets worse. I've tried speaking to people, counselling, antidepressants but nothing helps. What's the point when nothing changes. I don't mean to be rude as I know help is out there but it isn't working for me. Does anyone else feel like they will just never be happy?

Maryanne77 Recently unemployed, feeling depressed, worthless and unappreciated
  • replies: 3

I recently moved to a new town and have started studying. It has been nearly 5 months since moving and I haven’t been able to find a job, this is the longest I have been unemployed in all my working life. I feel like the usual housework and cooking I... View more

I recently moved to a new town and have started studying. It has been nearly 5 months since moving and I haven’t been able to find a job, this is the longest I have been unemployed in all my working life. I feel like the usual housework and cooking I do are now expected of me, whereas before it was appreciated and I was a valid contributor to house bills. Even though my studies are going well, I feel worthless, like my worth is only based on what I can provide financially. No matter how much my fiancé tells me I’m not, i find it hard to believe and have got myself into a rut. I feel so depressed and like he doesn’t understand as he’s off to work everyday, living a normal life and making new friends. When I read this back I feel hopeless for even writing it, but this is how I’m feeling right now and have been for a few months now

Lolue Making friends in late 20s
  • replies: 6

Hi, I've recently dropped a whole lot of toxic friends and friends who just never put in any effort. One of the big things for my depression is that I'm really lonely. Does anyone have any good suggestions on good places or hobbies to make new friend... View more

Hi, I've recently dropped a whole lot of toxic friends and friends who just never put in any effort. One of the big things for my depression is that I'm really lonely. Does anyone have any good suggestions on good places or hobbies to make new friends for people in their late 20s?

Jb_ Having many breakdowns from depression and lonliness
  • replies: 5

Hi, thanks for the opportunity to ask a question. Just seeking some general advice. Recently there's been a few people die in our family. My father from suicide and grandfather from cancer. I don't have any brothers or sisters or really any close fam... View more

Hi, thanks for the opportunity to ask a question. Just seeking some general advice. Recently there's been a few people die in our family. My father from suicide and grandfather from cancer. I don't have any brothers or sisters or really any close family. My closest friends have moved to New Zealand recently and the other couple of people I'd see have stopped talking to me. One only texting me to tell me everything he hates about me. I have never in my life felt so alone. With depression and ADD/ADHD on top of that... I'm often at a loss as to what to do. Loneliness feels very overwhelming when you have nobody to go to. When you feel friendships have an expiration date. Any and all advise appreciated. Thanks

Hopelessnick No girlfriend lead to my depression.
  • replies: 2

I just want to share my story and am open to any advice. I've always wanted to have a girlfriend, but have struggled, mainly due to my shyness in public and lack of social skills (I don't know how to socialise about "fun" things. I do say funny one l... View more

I just want to share my story and am open to any advice. I've always wanted to have a girlfriend, but have struggled, mainly due to my shyness in public and lack of social skills (I don't know how to socialise about "fun" things. I do say funny one liners quite a bit though and people laugh.) I am also insecure about my voice when I talk loudly, so I speak in a very quiet voice and most of the time, people need me to repeat what I said. By the way, I'm Asian who sees myself as a true blue Aussie, so my mates are all Caucasians. Anyway, that made me avoid social situations and made me stay at home a lot. As a result, I have become very distant with my friends. Then I stopped caring about my hygiene and hardly brush my teeth or shower. Now I feel like I'm stuck in bed in front of the TV 24/7. I work from home as well do to COVID-19. Every time I see a girl I find attractive on Tiktok who goes live, I try to socialise with them on their stream, but it makes me feel even more depressed. I can't help doing it even though it makes me feel sad. What should I do? I don't want to see a therapist unless I absolutely have to. Thanks in advance.

JRFOXIE STUPID
  • replies: 8

I have Bipolar Disorder. In July I experienced a mixed episode. My psychiatrist admitted me to a private clinic. I swung to depression,became suicidal and attempted suicide. I was transferred to the nearest public hospital and they were concerned I h... View more

I have Bipolar Disorder. In July I experienced a mixed episode. My psychiatrist admitted me to a private clinic. I swung to depression,became suicidal and attempted suicide. I was transferred to the nearest public hospital and they were concerned I had injured myself in my attempt. The public hospital told me that my examinations had come back showing no injury and they would keep me for a few days then transfer me back to the private clinic. When the public hospital attempted to transfer me back the private clinic declined to take me back.They said they were still concerned about my suicidiality.As I didn't live in that region the hospital transferred me to my nearest hospital. As I was privately insured and beds were limited that hospital transferred me to another private hospital. There I had ECT and that psychiatrist took me off all of my medications and put me on a different antidepressant. It caused me to gain nine kilos. I was discharged on 3/10/20. I have begun feeling paranoid that somebody is going to kill me. So I contacted the office of my own psychiatrist , at the private clinic I was originally admitted to. I was given an appointment for Monday. Then this morning my phone rang and it was the clinic informing me that my appointment was cancelled and the clinic said that I could not see my psychiatrist again. So now I have no psychiatrist and have to try to find a new one. Meanwhile I'm feeling paranoid ,not sleeping and feeling ravenous all the time due to this antidepressant. It could take up to six weeks before I have an appointment with a new psychiatrist. I feel so stupid and angry with myself for attempting suicide.

Sallywully Tired, stressed and overworked mum
  • replies: 2

Hi, i am a 30 year old mum of two young children, one with a mental disability. I suffered from anxiety and depression in my 20s and attempted suicide once, landed me in mental hospital for a while. Got my shit together got help and for years I felt ... View more

Hi, i am a 30 year old mum of two young children, one with a mental disability. I suffered from anxiety and depression in my 20s and attempted suicide once, landed me in mental hospital for a while. Got my shit together got help and for years I felt so great happy and empowered. I had my second child and the same year my other child was diagnosed with his disability and things started to go downhill from there. So many other things happened in the meantime (as well as COVID) and started a new extremely demanding job, being the main provider at home keeping this job is a huge load on my shoulder on top of trying to be the best mum for my children whilst managing full time work and fast forward to now i am I once again really struggling to cope with extreme anxiety and depression.

lilly2016 Diagnosed with Bowel Cancer
  • replies: 49

Hi, I haven't been here for a while, I used to be part of the forums struggling with Depression and anxiety, well I'm back. I am terrified of my latest diagnosis of a large cancerous tumor in my bowel which needs to be removed in the next few weeks a... View more

Hi, I haven't been here for a while, I used to be part of the forums struggling with Depression and anxiety, well I'm back. I am terrified of my latest diagnosis of a large cancerous tumor in my bowel which needs to be removed in the next few weeks after delays due to just how busy the hospitals are. I'm scared, I'm anxious, I'm sad, I can't think straight, I'm in pain at times but have strong medication. I have addictions I need to stop pretty much asap! I pray, I cry, I shake and deeply hurt by hurting others by my diagnosis. I think of chemo all the time, the operation, my life. I'm not coping. I haven't told my father and don't know how to, his old and already lost his wife his brother, 2 sons and grandson in the past ten years. I know you can't do anything about any of this but if just one person could pray for me I would be grateful. I'm sad by what this virus has done to the world, the heartache it has caused for so many people, the personal stories I hear, the depression lockdown is causing. I try make the most of the times I feel okay, both physically and mentally but I just fall to pieces sometimes. I'm trying to be strong and pray the lord will give me the strength I need. I'm not brave, nor do I think I deserve the love I get sometimes for some reason, but please look after each other and help each other, please do something kind for someone because it makes so much of a difference in someone's life. We are all in this together. Thank you for listening. Xxx

Mumma_Ky Whole new world
  • replies: 10

Hi, I have been diagnosed with depression 4 weeks ago. I’m taking antidepressants,which have been increased, and I’ve started talking to a psychologist. I have suffered with anxiety for the last 15 years. I do not know what is going on, I have no ide... View more

Hi, I have been diagnosed with depression 4 weeks ago. I’m taking antidepressants,which have been increased, and I’ve started talking to a psychologist. I have suffered with anxiety for the last 15 years. I do not know what is going on, I have no idea what’s happening to me, let alone how to begin to fix it, and I am scared... really scared. I find it hard to find words when I speak, I seem to be on a delay when I have to verbally reply to someone, it’s almost like people think I’m not going to answer. I have no concentration, it took me 30 mins to order a pizza and I have no focus. I haven’t been to work in four weeks, and I cannot believe that I have no idea when I will be able to. I am an empty shell, no emotions, and that is so far from who I am normally that I don’t really know who this person is who is care taking of my body while the real me is away. Is this normal in the world of depression that I now find myself in . I have absolutely no control over what’s happening to me and it’s frightening. I don’t know what to do... do I try to push myself to do things that I don’t want to do, or do I wait and see what happens. I have no idea how to accept something when I don’t know what to expect from it next. Thanks for the opportunity to put these feelings down on paper, as such, I just don’t know what else to do with them.