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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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OnceALowlander Battling with day to day life because of depression, past traumas and loneliness in my relationship...
  • replies: 1

I used to be in a relationship where I could pour my heart out to him, tell him everything, anything and I would find answers and if there was no answers to my issues, at least there was a kindred spirit and a listening ear. That was a while back, in... View more

I used to be in a relationship where I could pour my heart out to him, tell him everything, anything and I would find answers and if there was no answers to my issues, at least there was a kindred spirit and a listening ear. That was a while back, in my late teens but it was long distance and life moved too fast - I don't miss him, he is happy with someone else now but i desperately miss the relationship we had, miss having someone to turn too and just to feel comfortable telling them how i feel and knowing that i will be understood and cared about. i have got myself into a situation where i don't have that link anymore, that "place"you can go to where you can offload and know you won't be judged or despised....i feel lonely in my relationship and the idea that i have to reach outside for help, hurts.

Pink_kitty Medication
  • replies: 3

Does anyone here with bipolar ever get sick of the way medication makes you feel numb? Mine turns off all my feelings and I hate it. I also hate the way it slows down my thinking. I can't think if I'm put on the spot or if someone asks me a question ... View more

Does anyone here with bipolar ever get sick of the way medication makes you feel numb? Mine turns off all my feelings and I hate it. I also hate the way it slows down my thinking. I can't think if I'm put on the spot or if someone asks me a question or makes a joke.

naralle My Depression is in full swing mode
  • replies: 6

Hi I'm new here and for the entire month of June my Depression has been active and controlled. I'm not my happy bubbly self and I don't like asking for help but this time I am.

Hi I'm new here and for the entire month of June my Depression has been active and controlled. I'm not my happy bubbly self and I don't like asking for help but this time I am.

deprees8 Tired
  • replies: 2

hi all, Its been a awhile since I was on here but I'm finding it difficult to try and express how my depression is affecting my life to both everyone and my doctor. Don't get me wrong a doc is meant to help but I have lately been feeling that my doc ... View more

hi all, Its been a awhile since I was on here but I'm finding it difficult to try and express how my depression is affecting my life to both everyone and my doctor. Don't get me wrong a doc is meant to help but I have lately been feeling that my doc is thinking that I'm using my depression as an excuse not to do things. And also I'm unemployed and looking for work and I have just started a new case worker for my unemployment obligations and I tried explaining how hard it is to look for work and even if I had a job how hard it is with depression. I would like to work but multiplied problems lie in front of me. I like this doctor that I'm seeing at the moment but should I change or stick it out. Also how do I deal with the case worker. I have only just had a week of good thoughts after 4 months of stress and anxiety due to covid 19 and my work for the dole place being shut down for that time and still closed. Any thoughts?

John_Maia Covid deniers making me anxious and depressed
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone who reads. I’m a healthcare worker, currently not working in Victoria. I’m 22 weeks pregnant and living through lockdown. I understand lockdown and it’s honestly not too bad. Until I watch the daily updates from Dan Andrews on Facebook a... View more

Hey everyone who reads. I’m a healthcare worker, currently not working in Victoria. I’m 22 weeks pregnant and living through lockdown. I understand lockdown and it’s honestly not too bad. Until I watch the daily updates from Dan Andrews on Facebook and see all the comments about how it’s all a hoax and the government just wants to control us. As a healthcare worker this scares me, but I’ve always seen stupid people. But as an expectant mother I’m terrified! Terrified that selfish people like this will keep us in lockdown longer, and when there is a vaccine, will endanger my baby, simply because they don’t believe in Covid. I’ve been doing a lot of crying and feeling very scared, not wanting to let anyone visit my baby when she’s born. I’m scared I’m going to lock myself and her away to keep her safe. Guess I’m just looking for anyone who understands, maybe has some tips for how to stay away from the toxicity on Facebook. It’s like a drug like I can’t stop reading it! thanks in advance!

Toe Bipolar Wife just want to share
  • replies: 3

So sad just want my side to be heard. My wife of 27 years has Bipolar. After what has been a life time of being blamed for her sadness she was diagnosed 5 years ago. That made it clear but not easy on me in fact it helped her justify her behavior. I ... View more

So sad just want my side to be heard. My wife of 27 years has Bipolar. After what has been a life time of being blamed for her sadness she was diagnosed 5 years ago. That made it clear but not easy on me in fact it helped her justify her behavior. I am still the vilan the cheater the cause of her deep sadness. My kids have grown up thinking it was their dad who was the bad person making mummy cry all the time. Now they are grown up they see it differently but still support their mum as the one that need help. While I continue to struggle alone. Last night my wife continued her abuse and my son has taken her away. Things escalated and I asked them not to come back. Now I am alone isolated with all the support removed with my safety net my family removed. Who helps me !

Kno7568 I'm lost and I don't know if want to stay here anymore
  • replies: 3

Hi, Im a 34 year old male, no partner, no kids, no house, I pretty much have nothing and I like it that way. Now I'm ex military, I've accomplished everything I have ever wanted, plenty of money almost retired but I don't know if I can keep going for... View more

Hi, Im a 34 year old male, no partner, no kids, no house, I pretty much have nothing and I like it that way. Now I'm ex military, I've accomplished everything I have ever wanted, plenty of money almost retired but I don't know if I can keep going for another 40+ years it just seems far too long. I hate travel, people and really everything... But I'm sure I'm missing something I can't find anything that I can enjoy and I've lost all enthusiasm for life. Im sure it's a problem but I just want out and I'm done I'm pretty sure. I use to play a game with my old friends; I called it the bucket list... "Name something I haven't done?" And it would always end with me having done everything...(but farther kids) I have no desire to have kids, but I did raise a boy from the age of 1 till he was 7 and left to join the military so that's done. I guess what do you do when you have done everything you have ever wanted?

Brineheart Feeling hopeless...
  • replies: 1

Hello, person reading this. If you have any advice, I’d love to hear it. Every single day, my thoughts seem to be working against me. Telling me how much of a failure I am and how hopeless my predicament is. I just want my inner voice to shut up for ... View more

Hello, person reading this. If you have any advice, I’d love to hear it. Every single day, my thoughts seem to be working against me. Telling me how much of a failure I am and how hopeless my predicament is. I just want my inner voice to shut up for a while. I am meant to be an adult but I don’t exist as one. I live with my parents and don’t have a job. I don’t even have my health. There’s something wrong with me and I thought it was chronic reflux but I am not so sure anymore. The other day, I bought three iced coffees during the day, and a snack with chilli powder in it. Then I had chocolate that evening. My throat was already giving me trouble that day, just from eating leftover pasta my mum made. So I was just thinking that I was suffering already anyway. I just went all out. But none of it did anything. If anything, it made me feel better because I could finally enjoy things I was actively avoiding. I’m so confused. I also stopped taking PPIs for the reflux a week earlier. But my throat still bothers me almost daily. I don’t know why. I’m depressed for a more serious reason, though. I’m so, so scared...I go to sleep every night dreading that I’m impotent. I feel my heart pound in my chest when I’m at rest. During the day, I pace around the house. I bite my nails. I pull my hair out by constantly twisting it around my index finger and pulling. I cry. I feel so worthless and hopeless and I have stuff to study but I just don’t do it. I’m in a long-distance relationship and she’s my world and she is patient and says it’ll all be okay and that it isn’t my fault but I don’t listen. I don’t deserve a partner if I’m impotent, do I? I’m on antidepressants but they don’t stop the inner voice. They don’t stop me from feeling worthless. They don’t stop me from feeling like a prisoner in my own body. I don’t know how much more I can take.

Notgoodwithnames Silence
  • replies: 4

I’m alone. In every way. For the last 15 weeks what was keeping me going was the little boy growing inside of me. Two days ago his heart stopped beating, I can’t do life without him. I can’t birth him or see him. I’ll never know him. I want to be wit... View more

I’m alone. In every way. For the last 15 weeks what was keeping me going was the little boy growing inside of me. Two days ago his heart stopped beating, I can’t do life without him. I can’t birth him or see him. I’ll never know him. I want to be with him. I’m going to be with him soon. I don’t know if people will think I’m being selfish or something but I’m not. I’ve struggled with myself for 12 years. This was going to be my saving grace, my little Isaac. I’m alone. I have been since I found out his heart stopped. I told his dad and I got told it was my fault and I deserved it. I’m not living in this world. Maybe I’ll go to heaven, I don’t know I can’t think right now. I just want to not be here. I don’t want help, nothing can help me, I know me. This will never go away which is why my decision is easy. Whats stopped me in the past was I was scared of making someone else feel the way I felt. I have no one in my life anymore so I don’t have to worry about that. when I say I have no one I mean no one. I’m alone and I’ll die alone. I’m silenced and forever will be.

Nevermind_me It's a constant battle I can't seem to win
  • replies: 3

I know I’m ranting and I’m sorry. I just need someone to hear me out. I’ve always felt frustrated and angry since I can remember. As a child, I had violent outbursts and breakdowns out of seemingly nothing. As I’ve gotten older, that anger still resi... View more

I know I’m ranting and I’m sorry. I just need someone to hear me out. I’ve always felt frustrated and angry since I can remember. As a child, I had violent outbursts and breakdowns out of seemingly nothing. As I’ve gotten older, that anger still resides deep down and never really goes away. No matter how many times I tell myself I’m fine and I’ll change, it never subsides. I had a pretty ordinary childhood, so I can’t blame my parents or anything for these feelings. I’ve just always had them and that’s that. Nowadays, I’m still seething to the point where I want to ruin everything and everyone, including myself. On top of that, I feel dull and have given up on living. There are some days where I’ll lie down in bed for hours and do nothing cause the things that once made me happy, seem too hard or not worth it anymore. Deep down, I know it’s self-destructive and I’ve desperately tried to change my attitude. However, it’s getting to the point where I wish I wasn’t born or the world would be better of without me. My relationships with others are also unstable at times. One minute we’ll be fine, the next I’ll be yelling and taking out all my issues onto them. I’ve told my family numerous times that I thought there was something wrong with me, but they usually dismiss it. They say ‘you’re just stressed’ or ‘anxious,’ which is probably true to an extent. However, I still can’t explain why I randomly pick fights with everyone, even though they’ve never done anything. Also, I don’t understand why one minute I love everyone and cling to them, then the next, I hate them and push them away. It’s like paranoia. I’m so worried or afraid everyone hates me, that I’d rather hurt them, before they hurt me. I barely try to make friends cause I have such a strong distrust of everyone I meet. I’m so antisocial now that I don’t even really have friends anymore. I stopped keeping in touch with them and they moved on. It feels like I’m trapped in purgatory and can’t escape. Everything is moving around me while I'm being devoured by anger, insecurity and insanity.