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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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hedobesadtho Talking to parents about depression
  • replies: 4

Hello, I've never posted here before and don't really know how to start but I'm a 20yo male and have been experiencing depressive symptoms for years. I've been to headspace a couple of times but it ended up falling through (psych quit), but finally w... View more

Hello, I've never posted here before and don't really know how to start but I'm a 20yo male and have been experiencing depressive symptoms for years. I've been to headspace a couple of times but it ended up falling through (psych quit), but finally went to a GP referred psychologist on Monday. I just feel really weak and stupid at this point, I have a couple of friends I've talked to about mental health but not in person due to the coronavirus lockdown. I want to tell my mum (live with mother and stepdad) that I think I'm depressed, but I have no clue how to go about it. I've always been quite successful academically, am in 3rd year uni, but for ages have had psych said I had a lot of depressive symptoms. Unfortunately I'm really good at hiding my emotions, and I love my mum but haven't really had any conversations relating to deep important stuff in recent years, so I have no idea how to start. I've also been abusing drugs which makes it a lot harder to talk to my parents as it's not something im proud of but I don't want my mum to be disappointed in me. I just don't want to feel like I'm alone even though I live in my house with my family, does anyone have any tips for how to talk to her about it? It's also hard because I have a little brother and wouldn't want to talk to her about it in front of him, and he's awake until about 8pm everyday. Thanks, I hope anyone who reads this has a great day : )

Arizona_Ranger38 Overwhelmed rn
  • replies: 2

So much happening in the past 5 weeks and I feel like multiple times I'm at my breaking point, so many things going on idk where to start and having an INFJ Personality is not making this easier as i am finding it either hard to express to people how... View more

So much happening in the past 5 weeks and I feel like multiple times I'm at my breaking point, so many things going on idk where to start and having an INFJ Personality is not making this easier as i am finding it either hard to express to people how i am feeling and when i can no one except one person can even begin to understand how im feeling or what im talking about. already Talked to Consoler a few times last few weeks and i have tried to follow "strategies" of dealing with all this Depression and stress but nothing is working for me.

fred2018 faking things
  • replies: 2

Whos taken the fake it to you make it approach with depression? I have probably had an episode since 2018, tried a treatment in hospital last December didn't work, found out it could be because my depression has bipolar elements and people like mysel... View more

Whos taken the fake it to you make it approach with depression? I have probably had an episode since 2018, tried a treatment in hospital last December didn't work, found out it could be because my depression has bipolar elements and people like myself don't respond aswell to it. So I am in a limbo sort of state, I sort of know that I am not right, but going the route of getting back into working , despite this, which I find kinda funny as I feel semi functional. I am lucky to have another treatment on the horizon if need be, and that proves to be helpful to many people. I have friends, family but things like making dinner sometimes seem like a bigger chore then they need to be (thats just one example at times like this). I took medication the other night to quell the irritability and I didn't crack it at my family when I felt I might, thank you medication. Anyways cheers

SRB Where to go for help?
  • replies: 1

I am lost as to where I can go to get help. I have found it very difficult to see a GP in my area. I have been to a number of psychology services, that I have engaged personally and a through my employers wellbeing service and found these of no value... View more

I am lost as to where I can go to get help. I have found it very difficult to see a GP in my area. I have been to a number of psychology services, that I have engaged personally and a through my employers wellbeing service and found these of no value, in fact found them to make me feel worse. I am full time employed and changes that are occurring at work are creating challenging environment as I personally don't agree with some of the changes and if I am open about my opinion I am judged and feel verbally harassed. I am not wanting to go to work anymore but have nothing else to fall back on. Talking to colleagues and my manager is not an option. I live alone and don't have a huge social network and I find it very difficult to get motivation to get out and about. Whilst I have the worst thoughts, I don't consider myself a high risk of suicide as I also reflect on what suicide will mean to family and the impact it will have on others who know me. I am looking for what has worked for others that have found them selves lost and the normal help services not working for you.

KM11 Feeling like what’s the point
  • replies: 4

Hi, so I’m making my first thread. - feel very scared. The past few years nothing has changed. I feel so empty now that I’m feeling like what’s the point anymore. I go to work (full time) - yep pays the bills but I’m getting to a stage that I hate th... View more

Hi, so I’m making my first thread. - feel very scared. The past few years nothing has changed. I feel so empty now that I’m feeling like what’s the point anymore. I go to work (full time) - yep pays the bills but I’m getting to a stage that I hate the place. That no one appreciates me in the workplace. People say shit to me and I start crying. I go home every night - cook dinner watch my show and go to bed. I sit on my phone every day and think no one is messaging me. And when I message people it’s like it’s an effort for them to even reply. But don’t get me wrong I live with my sister and it’s great. I’m single - I have my struggles with men. They always tend to ghost me. And I think it’s because I’m so needy and lonely. That when someone gives me attention I love it and don’t to leave it. Because it doesn’t happen often. Not sure what happens after I post this. but really felt like I needed to speak out for once. I’m always crying and Feel like I need help.

Nawa21 Falling in love with your best friend never works, does it?
  • replies: 3

I’m tired, I really am. Its been years since I fell in love with my best friend. I’ve told her this in the past and got rejected. We didn’t talk for a while. We are now best friends again. We’re close. Very close. I love her more than I did before ye... View more

I’m tired, I really am. Its been years since I fell in love with my best friend. I’ve told her this in the past and got rejected. We didn’t talk for a while. We are now best friends again. We’re close. Very close. I love her more than I did before yet she doesn’t. Sending me spirally down the path of depression again. Nothing ever works for me. Not relationships, not my work and not life in general. Above all, it’s her that that kills me. Wish I could just end it all. Wish I was more attractive and taller that would help her see me more than a friend. The jealousy of seeing her with other people kills me. I know she talks to other people but she never talks about it with me. I think she knows it would hurt me. Im tired of crying, not sleeping and probably will turn into an alcoholic with the copious amounts of drinks I have each night to numb the pain and to forget. I wish someone would tell her how we could be great together because she clearly doesn’t see it. I apologise for the rant. Just needed to let it out, for once.

Dubbl0seven Why does music really bring the emotions we have
  • replies: 3

Getting answers for this is difficult and it really knows where to hit when we see us with what we are going through at the time . It like magic and sometimes that magic is really joyful and then it can really suck . But we listen to it no matter wha... View more

Getting answers for this is difficult and it really knows where to hit when we see us with what we are going through at the time . It like magic and sometimes that magic is really joyful and then it can really suck . But we listen to it no matter what .

Jasmine_R Felling sad
  • replies: 5

I always struggle the most at this time of the month my birthday is this Monday coming and I grew up in foster care bad homes I have no contact with my birth parents or my sis or what not cos they all did me wrong but when it comes to my birthday tim... View more

I always struggle the most at this time of the month my birthday is this Monday coming and I grew up in foster care bad homes I have no contact with my birth parents or my sis or what not cos they all did me wrong but when it comes to my birthday time I just get really sad lonely upset inside cos I do go out with my friends for mine but iv just always wanted to be normal and have a really birthday with my real family members but I never gotten that when it comes to this time I just fell cheated in this life cos I don’t have it makes me sad cry 🥺 comes to this time of the month I fell so alone in this world fell like no one loves me I just hat to get these feelings out I fell lonely

Franc_I Depression and anxiety
  • replies: 4

I’ve been depressed and anxious for most of my life, but right now it’s really bad. In addition I had chronic pain for the last 13 years. The strange thing is that there’s nothing wrong; in fact, our circumstances have improved recently. This doesn’t... View more

I’ve been depressed and anxious for most of my life, but right now it’s really bad. In addition I had chronic pain for the last 13 years. The strange thing is that there’s nothing wrong; in fact, our circumstances have improved recently. This doesn’t seem to matter to my depression, though. Over that past 35 years I have tried almost everything. Often the new drug, diet or exercise seems to work, but it never lasts. The only thing that really helps me is my current medication: my pain lessens and I feel great and confident. However, when it wears off around 3PM, the crash is so horrible, that I dare not take it anymore. I don’t think I have actually asked a question above, but I just wanted to share this.

Trebor77 So much therapy, so aware, still feel hopeless
  • replies: 9

Ok, my first post I know what’s ‘wrong’, I know my ‘story’, I know all the helping techniques and therapies and meds... I’ve tried them all... really committed to them... over 10 years I can’t break free... from my own head, my own thoughts... it fee... View more

Ok, my first post I know what’s ‘wrong’, I know my ‘story’, I know all the helping techniques and therapies and meds... I’ve tried them all... really committed to them... over 10 years I can’t break free... from my own head, my own thoughts... it feels selfish and self-centred... so many people are so much worse off than me... yet I feel like there is no reason and nothing to my life... even with four beautiful children... even with a good job... even with wanting, really wanting to get better it’s a disease, it’s ingrained and hard wired from my childhood... I wasnt abused... I was abandoned... always wanting someone to love me... unhealthily clinging to anyone in adulthood... putting up with so much mistreatment only to feel loved... not loving myself self love feels impossible to me, even self like using alcohol and drugs to escape the pain... to feel ok, if only for a fleeting moment, before feeling a million times worse im sober now, for quite some time... it feels worse i feel so unloveable, so broken, so hopeless i know everyone will say just hang on... do this... do that... put yourself out there, make friends, be mindful, try yoga, use SSRIs or SNRIs... it will get better... it takes months or years to rewire your brain... ive done all that... it doesn’t i don’t want sympathy, I don’t want someone to say I understand i want to know something that works... something that cuts through this hurt... this deep searing, tormenting hurt