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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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Black_Forest Plastic is Poisen
  • replies: 0

People don't understand. They don't understand that depression feels as though we just a recyclable plastic bottle. I'm made and filled with water, emotions, happiness, and then I am just cast out to the world. I sit on a shelf waiting for anyone to ... View more

People don't understand. They don't understand that depression feels as though we just a recyclable plastic bottle. I'm made and filled with water, emotions, happiness, and then I am just cast out to the world. I sit on a shelf waiting for anyone to choose me. I watch as people come and go, glancing at me, noticing me, ignoring me. Then when that one person shows up, they take me and pay for me, as if I were just something that could be traded away, like a piece in their own games. Who, exactly, buys the water bottles? People that need the water, the happiness. But not always. So the thirsty and the full take the water bottles, and slowly drain me from the happiness inside me. I watch as it all pours out, and yet, despite the pain this gives me. I let it happen. Because this is my purpose. And when the thieves of my joy are satisfied, and I lay empty, they toss me. I am once again traded for money. Then they fill me with the water and joy from somewhere else, but whose happiness is this, I do not know as they force me to be 'happy' again. Even if I don't want to be. Whose joy did they steal? Just to continue my purpose and suffering? Well... nothing I can do about that. So once again, I am thrown on the shelf, waiting, waiting for the next person to buy my happiness for themselves. This continued, never stopping, never taking a break. There were people that chugged my hope and joy as fast as possible. Some only took small sips, draining me as slowly and painfully as possible. There was even a person that poured my heart straight into the dirt, for their own amusement. But after all that, I was content, because I was helping them, and they were letting me help. Not only that, but although they returned me to be filled back up, just to repeat this torturous cycle, it was better than me ending up in landfill. With all the others that were taken out of this cycle. I want to leave. But we all know how the plastic kills. So I must choose; live an eternity of pain and artificial, or leave and poison all around me. That is why, I am still content, I just need to last it out. 'Water is joy; but bottles are poison. Which sacrifice must be made?'

AnnaSpanna Is it my disorder or my job that’s making me want to quit?
  • replies: 3

Hi, I work in a call centre which has been abusing JobKeeper by forcing us to work 10 hours more per week than pre-COVID days. It's also increased the monitoring and scrutiny on us all to 11! Every call we make is analysed and dissected to a ridiculo... View more

Hi, I work in a call centre which has been abusing JobKeeper by forcing us to work 10 hours more per week than pre-COVID days. It's also increased the monitoring and scrutiny on us all to 11! Every call we make is analysed and dissected to a ridiculous level. The Thursday before last we had a meeting with our bosses about the situation and everyone had their chance to say how undervalued, scrutinised and disgruntled we all felt. When it was my turn, all I could do was cry and I couldn't stop for almost an hour! I think it was the relief of finally hearing that I wasn't the only one feeling stressed. I saw my GP a couple of days later because I was still feeling extremely low, and he gave me a medical certificate for a week off, which ends tomorrow! The problem is that I don't feel any better at all. I’d like to quit but will struggle financially if I do, and at 53, I might not be able to find another job, as they are scarce in regional Australia. I can't take SSRIs anymore due to a very rare side effect which could leave me blind. I don't know what to do. My boss is not the sympathetic kind at all. I’m just so confused, suggestions and advice please!

Guest_4593 Got everything lucky me
  • replies: 6

Family suck work sucks life sucks..... Got anxiety, depression, alcoholism, blackouts, seizures,.don't sleep and no dam support .pointless existence.. with the weight of everyones problems on me . Most hated person in the family yet the most used. Im... View more

Family suck work sucks life sucks..... Got anxiety, depression, alcoholism, blackouts, seizures,.don't sleep and no dam support .pointless existence.. with the weight of everyones problems on me . Most hated person in the family yet the most used. Im the yes child and i do everything for everybody. I have 1 family members that likes me . Months now im stuggling and this family member ( likes the new me) my most valuable moment and my family likes me better depressed and not caring... am a better person with depression and no emotions

SanjZ Perinatal depression with twins
  • replies: 1

Please share your perinatal stories. How long did it last how did you get through it. im seeing a counseller on Tuesday. really struggling at the moment. Am only 8 weeks pregnant with twins. Feel so depressed, sad, just want to sleep and can’t wait f... View more

Please share your perinatal stories. How long did it last how did you get through it. im seeing a counseller on Tuesday. really struggling at the moment. Am only 8 weeks pregnant with twins. Feel so depressed, sad, just want to sleep and can’t wait for the days to be over. i have a 16 month old son, have support at home but just can’t wait for this feeling to go. I had a mild case with my son which I think stopped after first trimester but just scared it’s going to last much longer as having twins. please give me hope

Yelah90 Is it okay to feel scared?
  • replies: 3

So i was talking to someone, who said that were invading the country. And with social media, the news. Im scared of the world and the current situation. I asked him if he was joking or being serious, cause talking like this scares me. He didn't reply... View more

So i was talking to someone, who said that were invading the country. And with social media, the news. Im scared of the world and the current situation. I asked him if he was joking or being serious, cause talking like this scares me. He didn't reply. And said how old are you. So i have told him it scares me. What else can I do Am I not allowed to tell people how the current situation scares me? Also I had an counsellor and she said I acted like a 6 or 7 years old. So i felt uncomfortable so I let her go. But because i also attend art class where the counsellor knew the people who ran it. Im becoming more paranoid about going to art class. Which is making me feel uncomfortable to go. And its over the computer so its hard to express how you feel while everyone is listening.

fred2018 Checkin in August2020
  • replies: 2

Ha I'm going to blame Covid for some of my current depression but I know its not just that. My goal this year was to find consistent work to keep depression at bay. Ha that has taken time, I at least have an interview next week. The other thing volun... View more

Ha I'm going to blame Covid for some of my current depression but I know its not just that. My goal this year was to find consistent work to keep depression at bay. Ha that has taken time, I at least have an interview next week. The other thing volunteering has been stopped due to Covid but planning to put that in somewhere in my week once I have work or maybe before it but its second priority unless there are no jobs soon. Kept busy in other ways but I just think the brain likes consistency hah and its been a bit rocky this year. Who else is dealing with a flattening depression that feels like a fog/cement? Best to all

helenalicai Early in relationship, my partner is Bipolar
  • replies: 5

Sometime around 6 months ago after two months of straight talking, I went on a first date with the most perfect man, someone who gets me on every level, wants most of the same things in life as me, but especially on major issues (we both don’t want b... View more

Sometime around 6 months ago after two months of straight talking, I went on a first date with the most perfect man, someone who gets me on every level, wants most of the same things in life as me, but especially on major issues (we both don’t want babies), we could not stop talking to each other, and we’re still like this even months into our relationship. He proposed to me 2 months in and we were in a bubble of happiness. His friends and family love me and we all get along really well. My friends who have met him love him too. Now I know from the start he was medicated for anxiety and seeing a therapist - as I also have anxiety and depression and I’m medicated and have been through therapy, this was not a red flag for me as it gave us deeper understanding and love and support for one another. The issues in our relationship started when I woke up one night and he was crying because he had drunk bottles and bottles of high percentage alcohol. I thought this was weird because nothing in my mind had triggered it. He said he couldn’t sleep so he tried getting drunk to get to sleep. Fast forward about a week later, we’re at the local pub together and this girl starts flirting with him in front of me. The worst part is he starts flirting back. Not as in making a move on her but laughing at her jokes and being open to her advances, instead of rejecting them. After this I tell him to pack his things and get out, unwilling to listen to him, because knowing cheaters in my personal life, if they do it once they’ll do it again. He was devastated and cried and begged me to forgive him. I eventually gave in and things were great for months. Once or twice a month he would binge drink heavily which concerned me but not enough to consider leaving. A week ago, he cheats on me by trying to text other woman asking them for sex and lying that he’s not engaged. I find out, I’m devastated, and he doesn’t seem to care. 12 hours later he comes to, and is devastated and is like I don’t know why I did that I don’t like anyone else i think I’m broken. We saw a psychiatrist and he diagnosed him with mild bipolar, and changed his medication warning us that his moods could change while adjusting. A few days after this, my usually beautiful, warm and affectionate fiancé tells me to pack my shit and get out. He’s now living at his friends place and has told his friends he has no desire to get back with me. I’m devastated - we both believe we’re soulmates. Is there any hope for us?

Succulent Queen Might revealing depression to co-workers/boss lead to better acceptance in the workplace?
  • replies: 5

Hi All, First time posting so hope I do this right. Here we go.. Over the years I've encountered many issues at work due to my long standing experience with depression. I have quit several roles in order to escape the judgement/stigma and my own resu... View more

Hi All, First time posting so hope I do this right. Here we go.. Over the years I've encountered many issues at work due to my long standing experience with depression. I have quit several roles in order to escape the judgement/stigma and my own resulting downward thought spiral stemming off of that judgement/stigma. In general the issues I've had are to do with building/maintaining rapport with co-workers/bosses/authority figures and an inability to make work friends or even acquaintances. I've also repeatedly experienced what I'd call a mild level of chronic bullying. The bullying was subtle but humiliating and devastating. Whilst it certainly didn't feel very subtle at the time, on reflection I can see that I blew things up to clinical proportions in my own mind. I think the bullying may have occurred as co-workers may have interpreted my aloofness/weirdness as rudeness or rejection ( have recently reflected on my own behaviours with a psychologist to consider how I may be coming across to others and the negative/unfriendly/awkward cues I might be displaying etc). There's a fair bit to the history but essentially I'm wondering if anyone has come clean, so to speak, to their employer or co-workers regarding depression. How did you go about doing this, what was the reaction from others and what was the long term result for you ie: did people leave you alone once they finally understood that you have a medical condition. I feel that to come out of the mental health closet may be the only way to make my work day emotionally manageable and continue with my right to earn an income. Just have no idea how to casually do this if it can be done. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Diamond23 Depression
  • replies: 2

Hi all.. I've been going through depression for a few weeks now and I'm not liking any of it, I've struggled at and have nobody to express my feelings to because when I do, I either get over it or just keep it bubbled up.. I hate myself for some reas... View more

Hi all.. I've been going through depression for a few weeks now and I'm not liking any of it, I've struggled at and have nobody to express my feelings to because when I do, I either get over it or just keep it bubbled up.. I hate myself for some reason and super jealous of my partner which has been hard for me to get over ever since he cheated I have no trust. I've been crying myself to sleep due to over thinking and thinking my looks are not all pretty. Some days I just want to lay in bed and cry, most days I walk around with a smile but end up hiding my tears. I need help even when I've helped a lot, I've been left in the dark with my crazy thoughts and just wanna die,just so I don't have to feel any pain....

Sars88 Trying to manage my bipolar and function with all other areas of my life
  • replies: 3

Hi , I was diagnosed with bi polar , PTSD and depression years ago.I have had depression since i was 16. However I have noticed in the last two years it is getting worst. 2018 was the year a psychiatrist diagnosed my with bipolar. So days i feel real... View more

Hi , I was diagnosed with bi polar , PTSD and depression years ago.I have had depression since i was 16. However I have noticed in the last two years it is getting worst. 2018 was the year a psychiatrist diagnosed my with bipolar. So days i feel really at peace with my self and only have certain maniac episodes. I do enjoy the maniac moments because i feel like i have so much fun . I know they are not great to have, because typically i have a massive meltdown the next few days THEY ARE THE HARDEST because all i think about is suicide. I know I wont do it, well i think i wont , but a big part of me wants to. In 2018 I lost my pop, and then last year my nan. They were practically my parents, I then had my relationship end this year after almost 3 yrs. I feel i have blocked everything out atm and feel insanely numb about everything. I have started seeking help, however I feel they just don't listen and they just want to pump more pills down my throat. I sometimes wonder if this is my life forever. That the thoughts in my head wont ever go away. I guess what I am asking is there alot of Bi polar people out there that go through the same mood swings. One day your on top of the world, the next you hate everyone and everything., does it ever get easier .. will the numbness ever fade. Do i need to see a different shrink ? what meds are other people on ? thank you .

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