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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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ToLate I need to leave society
  • replies: 12

Hi I'm new here, so I guess hello to everyone. I think it's time for me to live in the bush with a tent. I guess that it means becoming homeless I have given up on people totally. I'm a 40 year old male and all my life has been pain and suffering. I ... View more

Hi I'm new here, so I guess hello to everyone. I think it's time for me to live in the bush with a tent. I guess that it means becoming homeless I have given up on people totally. I'm a 40 year old male and all my life has been pain and suffering. I suffered from mental, physical and emotional abuse from my parents, sexual abuse from a teenage girl, extreme bullying in school. I'm not talking about what kids talk about now. I'm talking about having zero friends, constantly teased by peers and even teachers. Having my school work shown to the whole class while teachers made me stand in front of the class. I had issues at school with ADHD and Dyslexia. I've had relationships but have always ended up being cheated on or the other person turned out to be horrible. Plus only have a couple of friends I used to have a successful career, earning good money etc but the stress of the job and relationship at the time destroyed me. I haven't been working since 2010. I've had to stay living with family which I feel deeply embarrassed and shamed about. So in the last few years I've practically removed myself from society except for the fish keeping community. I met someone online about a couple of months ago. She is only in her mind 20's but we both seemed to connect very quickly and strongly (something that I seem to do easily). Until today where the whole age thing made her do the "let's be friends only" talk I'm tired of humans, I've lost any and all empathy. I feel deeply that I would enjoy seeing all humans suffer. Now I'm not about to hurt people but I sure as hell won't stop someone suffering even if I could. I'm tired of everything, and it's not something any mental health expert or medication will help. It's like my spirit is dead. I believe I need to live society, it's actually illegal to just live in the bush but I'm worried about being pushed any further. I think it's safer for everyone for me to do this. Sorry for the long story but I needed to get it off my chest

NetDog Need help
  • replies: 2

My BPD is pushing me to the brink! I have no after hours support from my psychologist, I don’t see my psychiatrist until April, it takes 5-10 days just to get into my GP, and there is no way I am going back to our local mental health facility! My psy... View more

My BPD is pushing me to the brink! I have no after hours support from my psychologist, I don’t see my psychiatrist until April, it takes 5-10 days just to get into my GP, and there is no way I am going back to our local mental health facility! My psychologist recommended using this forum, but really it is like using a bandaid on a deep cut that needs stitching. I do feel like I would be better off if I died in my sleep, but have no plans or deep feelings of suicide.

Plantey Telling employer?
  • replies: 2

I work for a large multinational company in Melbourne. Just got diagnosed with depression last week and started medication. The final straw for me seeing the doctor was some harsh words my manager said to me about my performance. I am on leave now fo... View more

I work for a large multinational company in Melbourne. Just got diagnosed with depression last week and started medication. The final straw for me seeing the doctor was some harsh words my manager said to me about my performance. I am on leave now for a few weeks. i feel like telling my boss might help her understand my poor performance last year and help my return to work. But I’m also worried about the stigma and if she reacts differently. what should I do ?

Porty Depression
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone my name is Rod I was first diagnosed with depression in 2012 after a series of traumatic events we have just sold our house and moved to regional Victoria to start a fresh life, but due to Covid and losing my job at the start of the year,... View more

Hi everyone my name is Rod I was first diagnosed with depression in 2012 after a series of traumatic events we have just sold our house and moved to regional Victoria to start a fresh life, but due to Covid and losing my job at the start of the year, the stress of selling and moving it’s come back hard I am on an antidepressant atm which has levelled me out to an extent but I really struggle to get out of bed in the mornings i really hate feeling like this and would appreciate any advice on how to get back on track

CBRITGuy I think I am suffering from depression
  • replies: 3

Hi all, First time poster, as have been looking through all of the resources on the site over the past 24 hours. I feel it is time to start to do something about my life and how I feel. I think I am suffering from depression. There are probably a lot... View more

Hi all, First time poster, as have been looking through all of the resources on the site over the past 24 hours. I feel it is time to start to do something about my life and how I feel. I think I am suffering from depression. There are probably a lot of reasons for it, things from the past that stick around in my mind and pop their head up from time to time. I have been to counselling (EAP) in the past to help with issues to do with accusing my partner of cheating (I have been cheated on in the past a few times and there was, and likely still is, lingering issues there). I likely, especially at this stage of how I am feeling, have an alcohol dependency. I have been drinking heavily for the past few weeks. I want to stop this dangerous cycle I am in. My partner is a Senior Manager at the same place I work, and early in the relationship she did not want anyone to know about it (which I could understand, it was a new relationship), however we got engaged and I thought that it might change as time went on. This has been a major sticking point, and trigger of the feelings of self-loathing, worthlessness I feel, even now. At 2 Christmas parties, whilst drunk, major arguments have happened, and at other times in the year. This has of course caused her to be upset, angry, and rightfully so. After the most recent one, I have now had to find somewhere else to live. This was because she wanted me to find somewhere to live. We actually started talking and trying to rebuild, but then an issue happened between my daughter and her son. My daughter does not want to live there anymore, and my partner feels upset that I actually found somewhere else to live, as we were trying to reconcile. However the incident with the kids made me think I needed to have a place where my daughter could feel safe. My daughter has gone to her mum's now for the second half of the holidays. I feel a little under pressure to go over there, as I have withdrawn into myself nearly completely with how I am feeling. That then upsets her and I feel even worse. I am looking at lots of different resources, online CBT, reading articles, and calling BeyondBlue, not to mention I feel I should see my GP and also will be using EAP again. It's just so damn hard sometimes. I don't really know what to do, but I know I need to get better.

EzT In need of help
  • replies: 6

Lately it feels like everything to getting too much, I’ve always been that type of person that’s always there for everyone around me but when I need help I push everyone around me away and completely shut down. I don’t want to be like that anymore bu... View more

Lately it feels like everything to getting too much, I’ve always been that type of person that’s always there for everyone around me but when I need help I push everyone around me away and completely shut down. I don’t want to be like that anymore but I don’t know how to fix it on my own. I just need someone to help me without feeling like a massive burden.

Ryleigh_19 Why does everyone annoy me
  • replies: 7

Feel like I can never be honest with anyone, I don’t know how to talk with normal people and wish I could, so carefree but yet they feel so ignorant. Depressions been getting bad, first month without seeing my mates and it’s not bad exactly but I kno... View more

Feel like I can never be honest with anyone, I don’t know how to talk with normal people and wish I could, so carefree but yet they feel so ignorant. Depressions been getting bad, first month without seeing my mates and it’s not bad exactly but I know I’m not gonna get better I don’t wanna be lonely but all my mates do is drugs and they feel so stupid.

Niks85 Thinking I want out
  • replies: 8

Hi to anyone willing to listen I haven't posted in a long time. I'm feeling very down lately and feeling a bit unhappily married because my husband although a great financial supporter is terrible at emotional support. Sometimes I find him controllin... View more

Hi to anyone willing to listen I haven't posted in a long time. I'm feeling very down lately and feeling a bit unhappily married because my husband although a great financial supporter is terrible at emotional support. Sometimes I find him controlling and occasionally he puts me down. Things were great once then covid hit and his company folded. Whats really got me down is he doesnt really want more kids we have a daughter who is 1 and I feel like im now grieving the baby I never had or will have. Today i actually thought about divorce which scares me. I love being a mum feeling so devastated. While its a thing of the past now I miss my best friend. My husband hated her and we are no longer friends because of it. Just so unhappy but we have a daughter now so I feel stuck. What do I do? Counseling wont work hes a closed book. I haven't worked for two years so im really stuck. So depressed

Dazzi Sounds
  • replies: 6

Hi Guys Im new to this site, but have suffered depression most of my adult life (im 49). I recently lost my nan who has played a huge part in my life, along with work stress and with the way the world is with covid the past 12 months has wrecked havo... View more

Hi Guys Im new to this site, but have suffered depression most of my adult life (im 49). I recently lost my nan who has played a huge part in my life, along with work stress and with the way the world is with covid the past 12 months has wrecked havoc with my depression. I imagine many people are in a similar boat to me. I stumbled across some sounds that i found soothing, ive always loved listening to rain of a night laying in bed and found it took some of the pain away and made me feel somewhat relaxed, so ive found some sounds and would listen to them at night. Stay safe, Stay OK most of all talk to those around you.

Macca247 Bipolar and Cheating (Advice)
  • replies: 6

Hey Guys, I am after some advice off people who have experienced bipolar and cheating issues. There is a long story around my Bipolar diagnosis but cheating multiple times over an 11 year relationship was the catalyst that got me in front of a therap... View more

Hey Guys, I am after some advice off people who have experienced bipolar and cheating issues. There is a long story around my Bipolar diagnosis but cheating multiple times over an 11 year relationship was the catalyst that got me in front of a therapist and therefore Im 33 and been diagnosed with Bipolar Dec Last year. I have been working on everything to help since last year, weekly therapy sessions and medication I still have episodes where frantically talk to other people and sometimes cheat. I will go periods where I don't even think about it (6 months) but then all of a sudden i find myself falling down the rabbit hole and it feels to good to crawl back out of. My (sort of ex) partner of 11 years and I live seperate we still share hope that we can have a relationship and this is why I need your help. I cant see or feel that I will be able to stop these actions and if this is the case I would prefer to end the relationship as I have already put her through to much pain and don't want to put her through anymore. My questions are: Will this always be a problem due to my diagnosis or does it go away ever? I am taking medication, therapy and it still happens I don't know what else to do? Any help / advice would be great Adam

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