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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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Giaisinsane Why is everything so hard
  • replies: 2

Forcing myself to do stuff is so tiring, My passions and dreams feel so far away. My friends ignore me. And heck my sister is so selfish she is actually faking her “suicidal thoughts ” because she couldn’t handle the fact that my mum was trying to su... View more

Forcing myself to do stuff is so tiring, My passions and dreams feel so far away. My friends ignore me. And heck my sister is so selfish she is actually faking her “suicidal thoughts ” because she couldn’t handle the fact that my mum was trying to support my depression for a minute. I can’t talk to my mum because she’s rlly stressed about my sister and I feel like I don’t even know my friends anymore. Nobody listens nor cares about me anymore... please help. Somehow?

imbadwithnames Struggling again
  • replies: 6

If you don't know from my previous posts, I am living in Victoria and moving interstate due to loss of job opportunity because of lockdown. I have the approval to move back, but as you all know, COVID is constantly getting worse in Vic as people are ... View more

If you don't know from my previous posts, I am living in Victoria and moving interstate due to loss of job opportunity because of lockdown. I have the approval to move back, but as you all know, COVID is constantly getting worse in Vic as people are too selfish to stay inside and isolate. I have been isolating since the beginning of March and it is really ticking me off that so many selfish people are ruining it for everyone. I am on an inhaler and have lung issues so if I were to catch it, it could cause major issues, more than usual. My issue stems from the fact that I am completely alone in Victoria. Pretty much everything is packed except a few things outside my room, but my foot is twice the size due to all the standing and walking up and down the stairs in my house taking things to the tip or getting rid of furniture ect. I can barely walk but I have to as I have more stuff to take the tip and pack, which is only going to make the pain worse. My only family down here are being incredibly selfish and won't help me or give me any support at all. My family back home are all telling me what to do but not helping me at all or telling me how to do all of these things they expect from me, with the excuse "You're an adult, figure it out yourself". I have never ever done anything like this before and was not taught how, itsn't that your job? Aren't you stupposed to teach me, and help me when I stumble? Isn't that what family are supposed to do? You brought me into this world, I didn't choose it, you're supposed to help me live. My housemates are being awful as usual, and actually cancelled the lease without consulting me (I'm not on the lease because they broke the law, long story) and now I need to be out within 2 weeks. If I am not, I will be living out of my car while all of my stuff is on route interstate. I have approval to get through the border, but I have no way to get to the airport because again, selfish family are the only people I know. I would usually catch public transport but SkyBus is cancelled and public transport when the virus is at its worst? Not a good idea. Flights are also few and far between. I am depressed and scared and stressed and alone and I just want the stress to end. I want COVID to end. I'm so sick of this. My friends are still helping me but honestly I just feel numb. I feel like I don't actually feel anything at all. My anxiety is through the roof and I have nothing to help combat it.

Lila1 I'm really struggling with life.
  • replies: 2

I was very shy and got bullied for it in primary school by this one girl who convinced my friends to push me away, I started playing this online game that my older brother influenced me to play (11 years of age) I enjoyed it for the game-play but eve... View more

I was very shy and got bullied for it in primary school by this one girl who convinced my friends to push me away, I started playing this online game that my older brother influenced me to play (11 years of age) I enjoyed it for the game-play but eventually I met people on it, I learnt things I wasn't supposed to at that age and became very attached to people on it and the game - I went on it after school everyday and found it hard to get off. I met a lot of bad people (most of them predators) I had to learn the hard way of trusting people online. I was diagnosed with depression and severe social anxiety disorder soon after I first self harmed when I was 12 and I had just started high school. I had trouble with this one girl and that's when my absence first starting going down,the bullying stopped after I told staff but the feeling of depression and loneliness didn't. Year 9 - I was struggling to get up everyday, I cried and had anxiety attacks almost everyday and I never showed up to school. I decided to leave school resulting in not going to school for 2 years and my high school friends blocked me and said I brought toxic energy into their lives - I know I didn't say or do anything to so they meant my mental health and that really damaged me. I'm now I'm in Year 11 and I've been attending this different school for around 7 weeks and slowly but surely I started to skip days, I cried when I got to school last week and told my mum it was too hard to go in and I didn't even go at all this week. Everyday for the past 3 weeks I've been feeling depressed about school and the past 3 days have been the worst, I've been feeling physically sick of symptoms of fatigue, drowsiness, tiredness,crying a lot for no good reason,having episodes of feeling depressed but I feel nothing really that bad is happening to me, no one at that school is causing me trouble and my home life is fine. So why do I feel like this? Why is it so damn hard to get up? Why is it so hard for me to attend school? I don't know the answer to any of it, everyone else in the world can do it but I've never been able to go to school without feeling terrible and mentally drained. I have a choice to go to school and complete Year 11 (self paced work, you finish when you finish) or leave school and look for a job/ volunteer but I reckon I wont end up nowhere on that path. I'm so stuck and have no clue what to do. I would really appreciate any words from anyone.

Bianca4 Could you give me some hope?
  • replies: 4

Hello, I have reached a very dark place in my mind and felt a little comforted when I found these forums on this website. I'm not one to burden anyone with my 'problems' as I know every person has things on their mind, especially these days during th... View more

Hello, I have reached a very dark place in my mind and felt a little comforted when I found these forums on this website. I'm not one to burden anyone with my 'problems' as I know every person has things on their mind, especially these days during the pandemic. But I am desperate now. I feel I need to post something in the hope that there might be at least one person here who may make me feel that maybe everything will be ok. About 7 weeks ago, I was stood down from my job due to allegations that were created by my Manager and his Boss to undermine my character in order for my Employer to dismiss me. And all because I made a bullying complaint against my Manager. I was bullied at work for months...it left me feeling extremely anxious, depressed and even a little traumatised. When I finally complained, my Manager retaliated against me and the bullying became far worse. I ended up going to the Fair Work Commission in the hope that my job could be saved and I would not be dismissed based on false allegations. In the past 7 weeks I have been stood down, HR harassed me with emails. And in a few weeks, I must face them in a conciliation hearing and hope my job will be saved. On top of this, my little Dog, who is my entire world, has become terminally ill and we may have to put her down in a matter of days or weeks. The thought of which absolutely kills me. I have a history of anxiety and depression since my late teens. But this is the worst I have experienced so far...my mind has been in such darkness and despair the past few days, made worse by Melbourne being plunged into Stage 4 lockdown. I understand everyone has a lot on their mind right now, but I have turned to the people here because I am in desperate need of someone to listen and care and I feel my pain will be understood here. I am blessed to have parents and a twin brother and a few good friends. We don't talk about such things in my family. And I don't want to burden the 2 or 3 close friends I can confide in. I feel they won't understand how depression like this destroys you. Thankyou for taking the time to read this. I wish you the best x

Cassie07 What's the point?
  • replies: 2

Hi, recently I have been feeling really pessimistic but I don't know how to change it. (By the way I'm not going to start self harm or commit suicide, just thinking) Just after self isolation started, I starting really thinking about this, whats the ... View more

Hi, recently I have been feeling really pessimistic but I don't know how to change it. (By the way I'm not going to start self harm or commit suicide, just thinking) Just after self isolation started, I starting really thinking about this, whats the point? I feel like there is no point to go on. We are all going to die anyways so whats the point of living? Nothing really matters because its all going to go away. It doesn't even matter if we make a huge impact on this world, because we are going to be forgotten- the human species is going to go extinct some time in the future- even if its really far away- the whole universe will drift apart and there will be no light. So there is no point to earth even existing let alone me- a tiny little speck in this giant universe. I sometimes feel like us humans shouldn't exist either- there is so much suffering that it would be better off without anything at all. I feel like there isn't a point to keep on struggling with good grades, keeping up with friends and exercising because I am going to die anyways. I kinda just want to give up. Another reminder, I have no interest in self harm or committing suicide.

JJ003 Reaching a breaking point
  • replies: 2

I’m 16, have been depressed and very anxiety-ridden for 4 years, and I feel like I’m going to reach a breaking point. Not to the point of hurting someone else, but to the point of severely hurting myself. I can’t hold conversations with anyone anymor... View more

I’m 16, have been depressed and very anxiety-ridden for 4 years, and I feel like I’m going to reach a breaking point. Not to the point of hurting someone else, but to the point of severely hurting myself. I can’t hold conversations with anyone anymore, I’m so self conscious and I’m ultimately a really sad person. I’ve isolated myself from my friends, I’ve gained quite a prevalent stutter, teachers don’t talk to me anymore because I look so miserable all the time, and it’s even getting to a point where I can’t talk to my little brother because we’ve kind of grown apart for a few years, my older brother doesnt talk to me because we had an argument a while ago and he’s too scared to reconcile, my dad has another family to look after now, and I have no interest in doing anything to better myself. I realise that this is all just me wallowing in my self-pity, but I don’t know what to do anymore. Therapy costs too much, the stigma that counselling has at my school will just make people think less of me and I doubt any helplines will ever actually be able to help me. I don’t have anyone left. I can’t see myself going on for much longer. I’ve lost all of the joy in my face, and I can’t envision a future where I don’t feel like this. Please don’t feel compelled to reply. I’m just venting, and don’t want to be a burden to anyone.

_Ev_ I cannot make connections with anyone
  • replies: 4

I’ve been struggling with depression for the past 4 years (I’m 16 now), and it is slowly just getting worse. I think I’ve messed up with keeping relationships with people. The past four years I haven’t been trying to connect with people (because of m... View more

I’ve been struggling with depression for the past 4 years (I’m 16 now), and it is slowly just getting worse. I think I’ve messed up with keeping relationships with people. The past four years I haven’t been trying to connect with people (because of my mental health problems), and now, I cannot connect with people. I don’t know how to act. I don’t have a clue who I am. And I know I’m just 16, but I’m not interested in anything. I don’t have passion. I don’t have excitement. Everything is just one, long, dull moment of nothingness. And I can’t talk to people. I seriously cannot. And if anyone replies to this, please don’t judge if I struggle in my reply. I can’t talk to my mum or dad or brothers, and I don’t have friends. I don’t know what to do.

Muddypuddles22 Really need a new way of thinking.
  • replies: 6

Im finding it really hard to keep up my full time job because I dont really find much joy in it anymore and I get treated horribly as a trainee. I dont think im right for the job because im always being judged and laughed at because im not that stron... View more

Im finding it really hard to keep up my full time job because I dont really find much joy in it anymore and I get treated horribly as a trainee. I dont think im right for the job because im always being judged and laughed at because im not that strong or confident. I want a different life. I tried to talk to my bosses and supervisors about how im going outside of work and how this job is really affecting me and they dont know what to do or how to help. I dont really find much joy in anything anymore. I get only a few hours of sleep a week. I feel guilty and ashamed to be around friends and family because of my constant mood. I just really want to be somebody else. I've tried to get help and nothing has worked, medicine makes me worse and alcohol just brings everything to the surface and I breakdown and shut everyone out. I dont know what I can do. Im only 20 but I really dont see myself feeling better anytime soon.

Mathilde Silence isn't golden
  • replies: 10

Hi. This is really unusual for me to open up. It's a first on a forum but I'm trying everything I can to help myself getting better in hard times and potentially helping someone who would have the same struggles than me. I have been struggling with m... View more

Hi. This is really unusual for me to open up. It's a first on a forum but I'm trying everything I can to help myself getting better in hard times and potentially helping someone who would have the same struggles than me. I have been struggling with my mental health since my early teenage years, more than 15 years now. Originally from France, I have been seeking help multiple times and never received any help from either peers or professionals. Talking about mental health is still quite a taboo there. I don't have much of a family left due to severe family dramas and my mother's passing when I was 13. There was only my father and I remaining. My father has always been really rough on me and in denial mostly all my life. When experiencing what was my first depression, he used to drag me out of bed because I couldn't get up to go to school, exhausted that I was. I don't blame him, it was his way to "help" me, to "shake" this out of me (a lot of people act like this and been acting like this in my life). Also had the luck at 18 to fall for a psychopath narcissist who sucked the life out of me for 3 years and almost killed me in the end. Unfortunately, the police never really did anything against him. After long years of battle with fear and my mental health getting worse, I decided to leave the country and settled down in Australia. Two years ago, I have been diagnosed with Bipolar II which was as much of a punch in the face than a relief. Medication helps me manage my low moods and my sleep but I am still struggling periodically with strong and deep depressive episodes (I am going through one as I am typing). In the last year and a half, I have been hospitalised twice. The first time for suicide attempt (I then was placed in a psychiatric ward for a few days), The second time because going through a severe hypomanic episode, I lost control of myself after 4 days without sleeping. I am extremely grateful to be in Australia and receive so much support and also been informed enough for me to read efficiently through my different mood. I am here because I needed to get it out. It is helpful to put it there. If anyone needs to talk or needs help, helping others helps me more than anything. Remember than speaking is already helping and silence isn't always golden. Much love and thank you for reading me.

Muddypuddles22 I want to be proud of something.
  • replies: 4

I need some projects or inexpensive hobbies that I can improve on and feel accomplished about. I'm 20 years old and have a full time job that makes it very hard to cope with what I currently have going on. I enjoy hands on things like construction an... View more

I need some projects or inexpensive hobbies that I can improve on and feel accomplished about. I'm 20 years old and have a full time job that makes it very hard to cope with what I currently have going on. I enjoy hands on things like construction and computers. I'm finding it really hard to feel like I'm worth something so if I find things I can work on or create, I might feel something.