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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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SadMum05 Not coping with life anymore :(
  • replies: 10

Hi, I’m new here so I’ll just spill it all out...I’m very depressed at the moment. I’m not sleeping, can’t fall asleep till 2/3am in the morning and on work days need to be up at 5am. I’m teary but hiding it well, I have no motivation and could sit i... View more

Hi, I’m new here so I’ll just spill it all out...I’m very depressed at the moment. I’m not sleeping, can’t fall asleep till 2/3am in the morning and on work days need to be up at 5am. I’m teary but hiding it well, I have no motivation and could sit in the chair all day and not move some days. I separated from my husband in January after 24yrs of marriage and even though I know it was the right decision I’m feeling very down for all the changes I’ve had to go through. If it wasn’t for my 16yr old daughter who has been an absolute supporter I wouldn’t be here. I feel very isolated, really only have one friend. I’m on SSNRI for depression but mainly for pain and I doubt it’s working anymore. I don’t know what to do, but I can’t continue much longer like this.

gaslighted1969 Aspergers, OCD, anxiety, and help with getting onto NDIS.
  • replies: 5

Having aspergers syndrome and low vision I'm trying to get onto the NDIS for getting assistance with depression and an OCD which has become worse. I've found the treatment that will help, but need someone to advocate for me during the process. As sho... View more

Having aspergers syndrome and low vision I'm trying to get onto the NDIS for getting assistance with depression and an OCD which has become worse. I've found the treatment that will help, but need someone to advocate for me during the process. As short as I can keep this, I was heavily bullied at school with no friends, and with no understanding of autism at the time (late 1970s into early mid 1980s), no one really knew anything. Like any teenager, my puberty gave me the usual sexual desires, but living in a catholic household, such personal moments of deep well being and pleasure were suppressed vigorously. Anything that would allow me to explore my sexuality was taken away, and having no friends at school, things that people know about such endeavors at around 10 11 12 years of age, I never really got a grapple onto until I was around 23 24. The psychological and mental effects have been major. The first of which was having no confidence in breaking into the world. Aside from several tertiary courses, I've never seen paid work. As discrete as my asperger's is (HFA), neurotypicals seem to just pick it up, and their behaviour becomes different. It has been difficult to socialise, make friends, get into interests, and so fourth. I've done a lot in my life, but friendships and involvements are often a come and go thing, usually the longest something lasts around is five or six years before it burns out from it's own course. I had no oxygen during my birth which also has effected me mentally, I need to keep things clean within a certain zone within my unit, which is managable under normal circumstances. Having extra-sensory feel, means I can feel right down to if someone has touched an object in my clean zone such as secreted body oils being present on the objects surface. I would clean it and life moves on. However with some life changing events being a possibility, my anxiety and OCD has erupted a few times of late, meaning whole afternoons and evenings can be spent cleaning a sofa, or wiping down walls. I've got a few of these inflatable things that completely suppress the anxiety when it hits, but I'm needing to get more of these made, which I can't afford, hense why I'm needing help to get funding from the NDIS. It's a one off amount for a custom order and I'll be fine basically for several decades. I looked through google, but trying to track down someone who will assist with the paperwork and who will advocate looks confusing.

Arin_S Feeling rejected and hurt by my own therapist
  • replies: 7

Hello, first time posting my own thread so hope this goes ok. I have been in therapy for a couple years now. There are many things I find extremely difficult to be open about, due to fears of judgement, shame, guilt etc. Additionally, the outward sti... View more

Hello, first time posting my own thread so hope this goes ok. I have been in therapy for a couple years now. There are many things I find extremely difficult to be open about, due to fears of judgement, shame, guilt etc. Additionally, the outward stigma towards the specific symptoms I experience, which cause me much distress, made me hesitant to even acknowledge them. I figured, however, I need to make myself vulnerable in order to start addressing these issues. So, I spend the month reflecting and narrowing my experiences down into a concise list, as I find myself having difficulty expressing myself. So I hoped writing it down for my therapist would help make my struggles more clear, as to get the help I need to improve... But, upon sharing my experiences with my therapist, they made many comments towards me that made me feel extremely judged and demeaned. I wont be specific for privacy reasons, but essentially they told me that I write "too articulated" and my symptoms sounded "textbook" for some sort of disorder I don't remember. This shocked me, I thought I only ever had anxiety. But, they continued to make comments that gave me the impression they thought I was diagnosing myself and literally scoffed at my struggle with these issues, which I am extremely hurt by. They also said that these things make me an "exhausting person to be around", and that I am broken. I feel like she patronised my feelings, accused me of faking things and now I find myself questioning everything. "Am I a bad person? Are things not as bad as I thought, and I'm just too sensitive? Am I faking everything?". After this, I am finding it hard to open up about anything, terrified of being accused of faking my emotions, and that everyone looks down on me as an attention seeker. I am looking to go to a new therapist, as I find myself coming back from this therapist more unstable than before. However, my trust with the mental health care system is damaged, and I anticipate myself having immense difficulty opening up to a new therapist. Sorry for long explanation, but essentially my question is: how can I get over my feelings of hurt after being accused of faking my experiences? And how can I begin to move forward, and continue my mental health journey towards a better self, without my emotions and fear of rejection preventing me from opening up? I'd really like to hear what others think, and if anyone else has experienced this. Thank you very much for reading. -Arin

R-claire Feeling lost, scared and exhausted
  • replies: 5

For the first time in my life I am suffering depression after a few events in my life completely turned and I have been faced with a lot of self reflection and judgement. I am in Melbourne and lockdown has been tough on everyone- I have not worked in... View more

For the first time in my life I am suffering depression after a few events in my life completely turned and I have been faced with a lot of self reflection and judgement. I am in Melbourne and lockdown has been tough on everyone- I have not worked in months and each day find myself struggling to even get out of bed or wash my hair. Every day feels the same and it is draining. Just before the second wave, my partner and I (who were in a long distance relationship) decided we would live in the same city. I gained employment and was all ready to move. Then the second wave hit and my partner 'changed his mind' and decided to leave me. This shattered me as I did not understand what was happening. Each day I found myself crying more and more and couldn't see the light. He continued to contact me and tell me everything I wanted to hear except to not be together because I was too 'forceful.' Grieving the loss of my bestfriend and being essentially unemployed left a giant hole in my heart. Not being able to see your loved ones, friends, anything that a normal life would help was unavailable. Over the past month I have been falling deeper and deeper and have found no joy or happiness in any day. I am usually a very outgoing, confident, motivated person, and now my own family don't recognise me. Now I am torn or if I should spend a lot of money and move to get the support of my family in the gold coast or to be tough and do the responsible thing and wait here and see what happens. Either way I cannot live like this. I am scared everyday and feel like I am in a downward spiral. I do not know how to cope anymore, who to reach out too and what to even think. Even waking up is hard these days. Feeling lost within myself and scared of anything and everything. I feel numb, alone and empty. Any coping strategies to help.

Jman01 Depressed Male
  • replies: 3

So where do I start... I am a 42 year old male and I had been on medication for a number of years and recently my gp referred me to a psychiatrist, as my moods were still up and down and my temper short.. The psychiatrist during the first session dec... View more

So where do I start... I am a 42 year old male and I had been on medication for a number of years and recently my gp referred me to a psychiatrist, as my moods were still up and down and my temper short.. The psychiatrist during the first session decided that I didn't need medication and believed the short tempers and anger were a result of me being on a medication I didn't require... I had been on this medication for the past 10 years and I had obviously forgotten what it was like to not take anything.. I went through the tapering of the medication and then through weeks of withdrawal symptoms I could barely function. Once the side effects subsidered I initially felt ok but a few weeks of not being on anything I developed a huge knot feeling in my stomach from the time I woke up to the time I went to bed, it was their if I woke up at night even. My moods flattered and and I break down in tears often.. I am trying to exercise more, read positive quotes, spend time with my family but I am trying to think more positive but it usually gets shot down pretty quickly usually by me. I haven't notice a results and can't find enjoyment out of anything or look forward to anything. I had my first session with a psychologist last week tho this first session I don't walk away with anything and now it's another 2 wweeks before I can go again.. At the same time I'm worried and thinking is this the right person for me am I going to get anything out of it? Or am I wasting my time and in 1 month I'm no closer to getting out and then have to start all over again.. I'm very lost as I don't know if I should find a different psychiatrist and talk to them while I see a psychologist... Go back on medication, tho certainly not my first choice after what I went through getting off it. Anyhow if someone has some magical advice it would be appreciated..

Jade_smith Alcohol Binge Drinking depression
  • replies: 1

I got kicked out of an event on the weekend and I got very mad. I was also very drunk. I do binge drink excessively but I have never experience anything like this. I started making up stuff to the police officers and told them bad depressing stuff th... View more

I got kicked out of an event on the weekend and I got very mad. I was also very drunk. I do binge drink excessively but I have never experience anything like this. I started making up stuff to the police officers and told them bad depressing stuff then walked around extremely upset and angry. I don’t think I can say it on here. How does binge drinking affect you guys? There has to be some underlying issues I need to work on. Sunday morning is also extremely stressful for me. Feeling bad and anxious as the alcohol works it’s way out my system. Has anyone gone through anything similiar?

Mind2Full Dark Horse - a movie worth watching
  • replies: 1

"You should watch something lighter next time" said my better half after seeing my face at the end of watching DARK HORSE. I've been struggling with the blues and compulsive thoughts. The hero of dark horse touched a nerve. To fight for those close t... View more

"You should watch something lighter next time" said my better half after seeing my face at the end of watching DARK HORSE. I've been struggling with the blues and compulsive thoughts. The hero of dark horse touched a nerve. To fight for those close to you beats beats any personal goal. I would watch it again : ) Its on sbs on demand. check it out.

Isaac98 How to somehow function when I hate everything about Australian culture due to social alienation and not wanting to bow down at all?
  • replies: 1

Admittedly, there's so much for me to hate here and its even worse when I can't leave for a long time due to being so dependent on my parents.. I'm 22, but I'm not very functional and I very rarely work since I'm in a job with my step-dad who I don't... View more

Admittedly, there's so much for me to hate here and its even worse when I can't leave for a long time due to being so dependent on my parents.. I'm 22, but I'm not very functional and I very rarely work since I'm in a job with my step-dad who I don't get along with well at times (same with my mum). I'm also somewhat autistic ("highly" functioning) and that anxiety and depression (non-suicidal) affect me, but my main issue is that I want almost nothing to do with nearly anything Australian due to how much I hate this place and most of them for complying with a subjectively bad system. But yeah, what I hate about this country and its culture is its authoritarianism (gun laws; coronavirus regulation, beaucracies everywhere, signs warning fines punishment everywhere, so many victimless crimes etc), being treated like convicts, anti-intellectualism, tall-poppy syndrome, entitlement, and almost all Australians happily complying to their masters regardless.. Here's an example for authoritarianism, a Tasmanian was seriously arrested for camping out in the middle of nowhere for one night during national Coronavirus lockdowns.. This is how bossy our society is, that would not happen in libertarian parts of America I want to go to. Being treated like convicts, minorities including myself not being able to have any say in politics due to it being democratic (only cares about majorities) and that our police don't care for oppressed minorities such as gun owners; male domestic violence victims, drug users etc. They only care about helping the state strip their rights due to being legal. Anti-intellectualism, most of us think we should "just comply" with coronavirus regulations regardless of others' situations and that most Australians are so fearful of less gun control with SO MUCH arrogance. Tall-Poppy syndrome, being so arrogant about America everytime they talk about that country despite not knowing much about it and thinking we're the best country when we have so many flaws. Entitlement, most of us forcing others to be like us to have a "right" to safety. Compliance, a word you cannot disagree with without harsh criticism from our culture. If something's illegal, our society automatically thinks its taboo.. Even women wanting to defend themselves with tasers. However.. I don't know how to change my bitterness with Australia when my real self is taboo and that I don't feel very cared for by the system, I can't even find a single friend aside from a neighbour.

Jonahs123 Relapse of depression and anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hello, i recently finally had the courage to speak to my GP and my family about my mental health. I’m now 6 months into medication and receiving occasional CBT. I think over the last month has been the best time I’ve had in my life. The stress of HSC... View more

Hello, i recently finally had the courage to speak to my GP and my family about my mental health. I’m now 6 months into medication and receiving occasional CBT. I think over the last month has been the best time I’ve had in my life. The stress of HSC is still existent, but the medications really have alleviated the low moods. I’ve been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. My question is: How likely is it that I will experience a relapse of both diagnosis's? Are they really lifelong illnesses I have to acustom to, or will it one day be gone? cheers, jonah

Ladoo I don't know what's wrong with me
  • replies: 17

Hi everyone..I'm a 45 year old male and I'm just not coping at all. I even find it hard to write here. I just don't know which way or where to turn to..I'm lost. Just existing. Holding on to hope.

Hi everyone..I'm a 45 year old male and I'm just not coping at all. I even find it hard to write here. I just don't know which way or where to turn to..I'm lost. Just existing. Holding on to hope.