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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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Steambeaneriza Coping with new Bipolar
  • replies: 2

Hi so I've been depressed for about half my life but. Recent I've been experiencing what I thought could be Mani or hypomania in between periods of depression. But I didn't stress too much over it BC I just thought maybe I was starting to feel better... View more

Hi so I've been depressed for about half my life but. Recent I've been experiencing what I thought could be Mani or hypomania in between periods of depression. But I didn't stress too much over it BC I just thought maybe I was starting to feel better and was having some good days. But the a week ago I all of the sudden felt like I'd taken cocaine, I was so hyper and not thinking before talking and would get obsessed with any task I was doing or couldn't keep my mind on anything at all. I tried some slightly harder drugs for the first time (which I'm usually very against) and almost booked a holiday (and would have if my boyfriend was available to check dates with) I spent $700 over 2 days (which for me is huge) and after all that stuff I kinda realised what was going on and while I was still in an insanely good mood and super hyper, I was able to talk myself out of SOME of my impulsive behaviours. Anyway so I've still been feeling this way for a week and haven't slept in over 48 hours and have still been doing usme kinda weird stuff. So yeah idk this is a first for me.... And while it's been so much fun, I'm scared of the danger I'm putting myself in and the stigma that surround bipolar disorder (if that is what this is). Soooooo yeah can anyone who has been through this give me any tips or anything .... Or just a friend to vent to. (Btw I am going to see my go and psychologist about this next week)

Jettsett88 Depression is ruining my life
  • replies: 5

Hey I am new here, My depression is really winning right now. I am feeling numb and unmotivated. I got a major asssement due tomorrow and I've already had 4 extensions on it. Yet I still cannot do it. I am comfort eating and being lazy more than ever... View more

Hey I am new here, My depression is really winning right now. I am feeling numb and unmotivated. I got a major asssement due tomorrow and I've already had 4 extensions on it. Yet I still cannot do it. I am comfort eating and being lazy more than ever and it shows. Right now, I literally hate who I am physically and mentally. I am so tired of being a burden to my friends which is why I am here. If I didn't have kids who knows where I'd be...

Asdfghjkl1 idk
  • replies: 3

I think that i'm bipolar and i don't know what to do. Mid way through last year my family caught on that i was feeling really bad about myself and not wanting to do anything so I went to a counsellor and they said that it was most likely that i was d... View more

I think that i'm bipolar and i don't know what to do. Mid way through last year my family caught on that i was feeling really bad about myself and not wanting to do anything so I went to a counsellor and they said that it was most likely that i was dealing with depression and sent me to go to a therapist. Others things came up and i ended up not going. I felt bad like this for a while but then I just started feeling a lot better, more energetic and generally happy. I never though much of it and just assumed that it was just because it was something that had happened and I had gotten over it. I made a lot of commitments to partaking in sport and other activities during this time and was basically ready to do anything. Then later on that year i was hit with another phase of depression once again feeling terrible as well as not wanting to go outside at all or spend time with others and therefore braking the commitments I had previously made and been confident I would fulfil. During this time I was extremely lazy and unmotivated, causing failure in most aspects of my life. I felt worthless and went through a period of contemplating suicide and self harm. Over the past month I have been really energetic after feeling blue before and into quarantine. For a while I have had a feeling that I had had bipolar or some similar issue but today when i lashed out at those around me for no apparent reason i am realising that there is definitely something going on and I need to stop it before I hurt someone or myself. Looking back on it I can't count the amount of similar situations where i have just lost control of my mood and unnecessarily attacked someone verbally. I feel lost and am unsure on what to do. I found these forums whilst learning about mental health at school. Hopefully i did this right

Monash Live alone
  • replies: 16

I have no idea what these forums are all about. I have nothing in common with anybody here. I never went to uni. Never ran a business. Never been a manager. Highest salary I ever had was 50 thou. I never married or had kids. I live alone, don't have ... View more

I have no idea what these forums are all about. I have nothing in common with anybody here. I never went to uni. Never ran a business. Never been a manager. Highest salary I ever had was 50 thou. I never married or had kids. I live alone, don't have many friends (only 4 good friends including my sister). I've never been overseas. The last sexual relationship I had was in 1987. I can't make things or play music or anything. I am a 65 y/o man. I sometimes try things to fit-in and then fool myself into thinking I actually belong but sooner than later I realise I don't and then have to pull out. Please don't tell me to take up bowls or ballroom dancing.

Spd Depressed
  • replies: 23

I don't have family or friends to speak to, so I thought I'd give this a go.

I don't have family or friends to speak to, so I thought I'd give this a go.

lodo 29 and still living with parents and depressed.
  • replies: 9

I am a 29 years old male, single, turning 30 this year and I still live with my parents. I have a full time job. Been working at that job for 4+ years (I’m an office clerk), but I don’t make enough to be able to afford rent. I’ve recently completed a... View more

I am a 29 years old male, single, turning 30 this year and I still live with my parents. I have a full time job. Been working at that job for 4+ years (I’m an office clerk), but I don’t make enough to be able to afford rent. I’ve recently completed a Certificate III in IT from TAFE, and I’m in the process of trying to find a better job in IT. I’ve been trying to find a new job in IT for the last 6 months but haven’t had any success, due to a lack of experience in the IT field. Seriously, it’s infuriating and embarrassing for me. My parents keep telling me that its OK for me to stay at home with them, and as far as I know they don’t seem very interested in helping me become more self-sufficient, so I’ve been taking steps to achieve my goal of being self-sufficient by myself (by learning to cook my own meals, manage my own finances etc.) but my mother keeps cooking food for me even though I tell her that I would like to try and learn to cook by myself. Don’t get me wrong I love my parents and I’m not blaming them for my predicament, but they seem to have a “helicopter parents” vibe to them. I almost feel like running away to a Homeless Shelter or something just to leave my parents’ house. What’s your advice?

AirJordanFan93 Feeling Really Depressed Again
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone this is my first post on here in a long time. Im really struggling with my depression at the moment. I have been dealing with it on/off for years now but I am currently having my worst bout since the start of 2016. I think it might be eve... View more

Hi everyone this is my first post on here in a long time. Im really struggling with my depression at the moment. I have been dealing with it on/off for years now but I am currently having my worst bout since the start of 2016. I think it might be everything that is going on in the world at the moment just hitting me all at once as well as my personal issues. I am very much in a position where I am just really struggling with day to day life and see no purpose in it anymore. I broke down in the toilets at work today its the first time its happened in the near 6 years I have been at my current job but even that I can't deal with anymore. Honestly all I want to do is sleep since its basically the only thing that gives me any sort of joy at the moment and everything else is just a huge chore. Even after I got home from work this evening I went into my room and cried my eyes out again 2nd time that has happened in the space of a week. I should note I have had a change in duties recently and I am really struggling to deal with it and really don't know how to address it at work but I think its a massive reason that kick started my depression this past week. I find it really hard to open up to people in person but find it much easier to open up on forums and threads like this. Sorry if this got a little too personal I just needed somewhere to vent since I even struggle to open up to my parents with whom I still live with and if I do I would probably just break down in tears again.

Yelah90 Am I being selfish??
  • replies: 6

I'm almost 30. Don't get me wrong i love my grandparents dearly. But every week I help my mum out shopping with them. I get mad because my parents guilt trip me into helping. Because I have nothing better to do. I would rather be out ibushwalking ins... View more

I'm almost 30. Don't get me wrong i love my grandparents dearly. But every week I help my mum out shopping with them. I get mad because my parents guilt trip me into helping. Because I have nothing better to do. I would rather be out ibushwalking instead and enjoying my life, before I get goo. I'm just mad. That I'm kinda force into it. Then afterwards my mum goes and has a rest while I'm sitting home bored.

Missberri Depression from isolation
  • replies: 3

Hi, I have been feeling really really down lately and I'm not sure who to talk to. This whole year has been really tough on everyone and at the moment I'm having a hard time going back to how i was feeling before lockdowns and everything going out of... View more

Hi, I have been feeling really really down lately and I'm not sure who to talk to. This whole year has been really tough on everyone and at the moment I'm having a hard time going back to how i was feeling before lockdowns and everything going out of control. At the beginning of the year I was feeling pretty confident, I had so many plans for things I wanted to achieve this year like make new friends and spend more time with people in my life, find a new job in my field, possibly find a relationship. It's been very difficult to do any of these and I feel like I've completely lost my confidence and motivation to even try now and I just feel unhappy, lonely and not like my usual self at all. I never was a super confident person to begin with so now that all this has happened I feel like a complete mess and like I'm stuck in a black hole. Before covid I was seeing this guy and we were seeing eachother a bit when lockdowns first started. We were getting along so well but stopped because it was difficult with the restrictions. He started talking to me again recently and I was pretty excited to hear from him, but things felt so different like we werent talking as effortlessly and when I went to hang out with him it felt more awkward like I didn't even know what to say. He hasn't talked to me since we hung out now and I feel like it's because my social skills have gone so bad from the isolation that of course he wouldn't want to be around me. I wish I knew what to do to gain my confidence back I just feel so stuck and awful right now and I feel like I can't even see people because I'm so much of a mess that it will make me feel even worse. Someone please help

Elegance_and_euphoria Is there a way to be free from guilt?
  • replies: 2

A few years ago my mother attempted suicide. Since then I have been dealing with immense guilt. Everyday I walk around knowing I'm not enough to make her want to live and I know it's selfish to think like that but I can't help it. No matter what I do... View more

A few years ago my mother attempted suicide. Since then I have been dealing with immense guilt. Everyday I walk around knowing I'm not enough to make her want to live and I know it's selfish to think like that but I can't help it. No matter what I do now, it all feels pointless, I feel pointless. Nothing, including me, feels real or important anymore. I tried talking to a councillor at school about it but she didn't help. I can't talk to my mother about it as she already has enough on her plate. I can't tell my friends about it as I don't want to burden them with my baggage. I just need someone to talk to. Every time I see her face I feel guilty, I think about all the things I could possibly have done to make her want to stick around a bit longer. I've contemplated suicide myself but I could never do it to her or the rest of my family. I'm not mad at her for what she did, or rather, tried to do. I'm mad at myself for not doing anything, though I'm not sure I could have done anything at the age of 13. I don't feel real anymore...

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