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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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Guest_4521 Not coping.
  • replies: 21

I am in Victoria, pregnant and due in November and I feel like the biggest loser on the planet at the moment because I'm pregnant...in the middle of a pandemic. Remote learning is the biggest load of bull donkey. I have seen in my life. People in my ... View more

I am in Victoria, pregnant and due in November and I feel like the biggest loser on the planet at the moment because I'm pregnant...in the middle of a pandemic. Remote learning is the biggest load of bull donkey. I have seen in my life. People in my life know I'm not coping. I reach out and crickets. My daughter's school doesn't care that I'm struggling with remote learning. I am refusing my prenatal appointments because I know if I catch this stupid virus they will separate me and the baby. I would rather die in childbirth than risk that. At least I'll get to see my baby before I die, I won't if I catch COVID. Hospital is harassing me even though I have explained why I won't go...so I blocked their number. I feel nothing but guilt for being pregnant, I don't even know what the future is going to be like for my kids, at the moment the world is a rotten place to be! I left my mother's group because they were all celebrating their pregnancies. I couldn't and I still can't. This isn't a good thing, and I didn't want to rain on their parade. I can't tell if I am depressed, disillusioned or just angry. I really hope all these sacrifices are worth it for those who need it, because it's not for me! I did therapy last year to help my social anxiety and agoraphobia. It is back with a vengeance but now I know I'm not being paranoid, people are definitely NOT trust worthy!

user981 Girl disconnecting me from her life
  • replies: 3

I was very close with a girl having a long distance relationship. 3 Months into the relationship she changed one day and wasn't enthusiastic to talk to me, and started to lie about stuff. She then said we can't be together anymore and doesn't want to... View more

I was very close with a girl having a long distance relationship. 3 Months into the relationship she changed one day and wasn't enthusiastic to talk to me, and started to lie about stuff. She then said we can't be together anymore and doesn't want to be attached to someone she can't have. The next day she got back to being close with me. A few days later I woke up to find she had removed me off her socials. I messaged her and she said she is trying to hide from me and said she has depression and has been in pain for 6 months. She told me that she will be going to hospital for a month and that I won't be able to contact her. She however stayed in contact with me while she was in hospital. She said she would be allowed to go out once a week. So she went out of the Saturday however she was going to school, home and back to the hospital - She seemed to be going out lot while in hospital. A couple days after being in hospital she got out but she didn't even tell me. I asked her why she isn't going to the hospital tonight and she said she's out. She added me back on the socials after being out however she was not the same as she didn't want to Snapchat me even though she still used it. We used to snap eachother every day and night. I thought this was strange. There were moments were she wouldn’t seem enthusiastic to talk to me and we would sometimes have arguments, I would try keep it calm but she got to upset with me. She ended up blocking me a few times. We ended up agreeing to just be friends and a few days of not talking as much and her not showing much enthusiasm to talk to me, she wanted to be close with me again. She did this another one or two times. Recently out of nowhere she said she is with a guy. Then one day she said she was at the guy’s house however she was clearly at her house (she was snapping me and I could see) She lied about being at his house. She lied about this guy as a whole. She keeps telling me about this guy she spends time with however he doesn’t exist. I am not sure why she would be making all these lies up. I feel like I am talking to a completely different person. I have tried to keep it cool and calm. I just don’t know why she has been so different towards me. I remind her that I am always there for her and she means a lot to me and that I care about her. When she was in hospital she said “I need you to be here for me”, “I’m in so much pain”, I was there for her and she knows I was there, why is she being like this to me?

Bert-22 Hi...
  • replies: 2

Gday, I’m new to this so forgive me if I am posting in the wrong place! im not really sure what to say... I’m not sure why I feel the way I do! I have trouble making real friends, lost of people I know, but no one that I would say is a close friend. ... View more

Gday, I’m new to this so forgive me if I am posting in the wrong place! im not really sure what to say... I’m not sure why I feel the way I do! I have trouble making real friends, lost of people I know, but no one that I would say is a close friend. I can go months without anyone making contact to just say hi or see what I’m up to. I have reached out, joined groups and really tried to establish friendships... I get really lonely even though I am surrounded by people every day.

brooke_25 Impulsive spending / recovering addict
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am a recovering addict, that has been diagnosed with BPD, GAD, PTSD and Depression. I wasnt an every day user but I couldnt drink/go out without it, and I would crave it on weekends, a bit of fun turned into a coping mechanism. My addiction sta... View more

Hi, I am a recovering addict, that has been diagnosed with BPD, GAD, PTSD and Depression. I wasnt an every day user but I couldnt drink/go out without it, and I would crave it on weekends, a bit of fun turned into a coping mechanism. My addiction started to cause relationship problems so I am working my butt off to stay away from triggers. I am on day 17. But now I have realized since the substances are eliminated, I am now impulsively shopping, yesterday I spent over $400 on shoes and gifts to get that rush. (being stuck at home isnt helping, it seems shopping is all i can do) I feel like i am bouncing from one addiction to another! Any suggestions to curb cravings to get a superficial high?

Healthy_anxiety Depression, dissociation, derealization and depersonalisation
  • replies: 8

Hey guys I don’t know I’ve there’s a thread for this. Here I go, so I’ve been battling anxiety for the past 5 months. And I’ve noticed when you get one you’ll get the other, but I never get those thoughts about harming. It’s just so new to me and I d... View more

Hey guys I don’t know I’ve there’s a thread for this. Here I go, so I’ve been battling anxiety for the past 5 months. And I’ve noticed when you get one you’ll get the other, but I never get those thoughts about harming. It’s just so new to me and I don’t know what to do when this happened does anyone have tips or tricks when these thought of things happen? Thank you for your time

dat_br0_fr0 Just need someone to talk to, im so alone
  • replies: 4

Hi guys, name's Josh. I'm 25 years old, a boxer and a trades assistant (CNC machining) and have been going through a hellish period of my life. I have Bipolar Disorder (1) I'm medicated, on 3 types of medications! can you believe that? and I'm just g... View more

Hi guys, name's Josh. I'm 25 years old, a boxer and a trades assistant (CNC machining) and have been going through a hellish period of my life. I have Bipolar Disorder (1) I'm medicated, on 3 types of medications! can you believe that? and I'm just going through the darkest period, have been for nearly all my life. Been like this for a week now, just crying constantly and sleeping all day (well it comes in moods and things that trigger me to be like this). I have a son, Hayden, he is the most gorgeous lil man you'll ever see, he is 2. Lil' blue eyes and blonde hair looks like his pappy, and a terror! Problem is, im fighting for my access to him in the family courts.. My (well no ex partner) left me, found someone else right quick. During the Dispute Resolution conference that happened recently, my ex had said her partner was there being the '' father figure '' for my son ever since he was 5 months old and bestows the title of '' step father '' she isnt even married. I missed out on my sons best milestones (any first time father will want to experience) I missed him walking and talking. Somedays, I just cant take it. I'm crying as i type this and im so sorry, i just want someone to talk to. The courts are favoring the mother, I see my son very rarely. My lawyer has my pychs letter saying what I have and the medications im on is it true that the magistrate will use this against me?, but he knows im dad! thats great I do skype calls with him I just lose it when he says '' bye daddy '' I go, trying to hold the tears '' Bye little guy, i love you so much '', but I'm just so angry! I cant swear here but the frustration, my disorder.. Someone help me please? I need someone to talk to Josh

Kelizabeth Haven’t eaten in 3 weeks
  • replies: 17

My relationship of two years broke down horribly 3 weeks ago with the realisation of emotional abuse and I’ve been plunged into the most intense depression I’ve ever experienced. I haven’t eaten in 3 weeks and have lost over 7kg. I can feel myself fa... View more

My relationship of two years broke down horribly 3 weeks ago with the realisation of emotional abuse and I’ve been plunged into the most intense depression I’ve ever experienced. I haven’t eaten in 3 weeks and have lost over 7kg. I can feel myself fading away but have no motivation to change it,’y stomach doesn’t grumble anymore and I sleep most days. I’m already on antidepressants and my GP has given me sleeping tablets but I feel so lost and have no idea how to get better. I’m not even sure I want to

815 Supporting a depressed husband - seeking hope
  • replies: 6

I am married to an amazing man. We have been together 20 years, married for 15 and have 2 amazing daughters. We have always stood by each other, and he has always been loving and supportive. Towards the end of last year, my husband told me he was dep... View more

I am married to an amazing man. We have been together 20 years, married for 15 and have 2 amazing daughters. We have always stood by each other, and he has always been loving and supportive. Towards the end of last year, my husband told me he was depressed. At that time, I asked him to get help. He said he didn't want to and we left it at that and things got better for a few months. But for the most part of this year things have been very up and down,. A couple of weeks ago he admitted that he wanted to die. I know nothing about depression so every time we talk about it, I ask him to get help. However over the last few weeks he has stopped talking to me, and started sleeping in our spare room. He has told me that I can't help him, he wants to go it alone, I haven't been there for him, and may other hurtful things. I keep telling myself that it is the depression, but it causes me great pain and sadness. Last week one of his oldest friends contacted me to tell me that my husband had been to see him. He told him he's lost and disconnected, doesn't know where he is, and how or where I stand with him. But his friend told me that he loves me, and that I can't give up, even when/if my husband says he has. He hasn't given up. But I need to be patient and try to find a way to reconnect. I cry every time I think of this. I do believe there is still love there. But I can also appreciate that the depression probably leave very little room for him to feel/see anything else right now. I know the priority is to get him help. However as he keeps refusing, I feel there is little more that I can do. I know he needs professional help and as long as I still have the strength to, I will keep trying to convince him to get help. I am writing this post basically because I need hope. I need to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I need to know that loving him and simply being there for him (even though he says it's not enough) can get us through this. So if anyone has any experience, stories to share, tips and suggestions on how to reconnect, I would be very grateful. I know that it sounds highly idealistic, and we don't live in fairy tales. But I have to keep believing that we will get through this somehow.

TaylaP1199 Lacking motivation and depression
  • replies: 4

Hey my names Tayla I’m 25 years old and have suffered with anxiety and depression since the age of 14 which has been very up and down over the years. Over the past few months I have been lacking motivation for doing basically anything and feel physic... View more

Hey my names Tayla I’m 25 years old and have suffered with anxiety and depression since the age of 14 which has been very up and down over the years. Over the past few months I have been lacking motivation for doing basically anything and feel physically and emotionally exhausted all the time. I have been lacking motivation to work which has been very stressful (work in childcare) and recently started university which is done all alone so finding motivation is difficult. I have not been going to the gym as I just don’t have the energy to go..someone help?

risxbel i dontn feel real it’s getting bad again
  • replies: 4

hello i don’t know what to do i have been struggling for the past few weeks with constantly dissociating and feeling out of body i’ve been really manic andbi can’t take it anymore. i have bwen smoking weed which is not helping and i have been develop... View more

hello i don’t know what to do i have been struggling for the past few weeks with constantly dissociating and feeling out of body i’ve been really manic andbi can’t take it anymore. i have bwen smoking weed which is not helping and i have been developing auditory hallucinations. i am sorry if this does not make sense but i am reall y struggling and don’t know what to do i am unable to see my psychiatrist .