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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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Caitlin0204 Unsure what to do/why I feel like this
  • replies: 2

Hi all, its kinda hard to put into words how I feel but I’m going to try. Ive had anxiety for a few years now, it used to be really bad about 4-5 years ago but I got it under control. The past 5-6 months I’ve had some pretty shit things happen in my ... View more

Hi all, its kinda hard to put into words how I feel but I’m going to try. Ive had anxiety for a few years now, it used to be really bad about 4-5 years ago but I got it under control. The past 5-6 months I’ve had some pretty shit things happen in my life (workload, family issues and issues with my partners family). I thought I was handling it well and then one day I woke up and realised I needed help, I wasn’t doing ok and I noticed my moods were very low. I went from absolutely adoring my partner, planning a future, booking holidays, doing life things that made me happy to having no “love” or “joy” from anything. My relationship has turned. I’m so distant and have no sex drive, I have no desire to do the life things I wanted to and no excitement for my big European holiday this year. This also brings out my anxiety and makes me feel worse. im at a total loss. I started seeing a psychologist but I just find I can’t get out of this depressive state (only been twice now) I noticed tonight I can go from being how I use to be to quickly going into this depressive state. I don’t know what to do, its really affecting me socially and my relationship with my boyfriend and family. I just wanna know the way I’m feeling isn’t just me going crazy in my own head and there is a way to deal with this feeling or lack of feeling. thanks!

Allymay94 Cant feel the pain.
  • replies: 1

Long story short my bf broke my heart I lost it and screamed cried. I didn’t want to hurt myself or do anything stupid I just couldn’t handle the pain of it. I had to have a benzodiazepine to sleep. After waking up I felt exhausted and numb like thin... View more

Long story short my bf broke my heart I lost it and screamed cried. I didn’t want to hurt myself or do anything stupid I just couldn’t handle the pain of it. I had to have a benzodiazepine to sleep. After waking up I felt exhausted and numb like thinking what he did to me it’s like my mind couldn’t see it straight and I couldn’t feel the sadness of it. I hate feeling pain but I’d rather feel something than nothing at all. Just a short back story my mum killed her self 9 yrs ago I found her, after a couple of days of still being in shock I guess I felt numb ppl said I was really strong but I just blocked out the pain and couldn’t talk about it. Is that what my mind is doing when it’s over powered with to much emotion it wants to shut down? Is that healthy? I’ve also got GAD so I over analyse things. I can still feel sad but the big things I block out.

angelkattie Hi im new
  • replies: 22

I think i have depression i havent been to a professional and minor anxiety i have collapsed once overthinking and crying and not being able to breathe for no reason. Im not sure how this forum really works so if someone wanted to help me that would ... View more

I think i have depression i havent been to a professional and minor anxiety i have collapsed once overthinking and crying and not being able to breathe for no reason. Im not sure how this forum really works so if someone wanted to help me that would be great

Nikita12 Memory loss - pseudo dementia
  • replies: 3

Hi, I’ve had depression for 15 years but I was still quite high functioning until 2 years ago. At that time my world fell apart. My depression has been so severe and the most distressing symptom is the memory loss. I don’t remember hardly anything ab... View more

Hi, I’ve had depression for 15 years but I was still quite high functioning until 2 years ago. At that time my world fell apart. My depression has been so severe and the most distressing symptom is the memory loss. I don’t remember hardly anything about my life and it’s like my memory is being wiped from minute to minute. I have forgotten all of the knowledge I built during my career and I’m unable to retain any new information. My vocabulary has been reduced to only a few words because I’ve forgotten the rest. I go to places I’ve been going to for twenty years and they don’t feel familiar. My psychiatrist says I’m suffering pseudo dementia. I’m just wondering if anyone else has experienced the same thing. I’ve been to a lot of depression support groups and no one else reports this symptom. I just want to know im not alone and to hear from someone who understands. Thanks for reading.

Youngmum2016 Feel like my kids will be better off
  • replies: 4

Hi I’m 23 and a mum too two little boys age 3 and 3 weeks old my first son has stage 3 autism and my second sub has hip dysplasia and clubbed feet tonight everything just got on top of me and I thought the kids will be better off without me and I was... View more

Hi I’m 23 and a mum too two little boys age 3 and 3 weeks old my first son has stage 3 autism and my second sub has hip dysplasia and clubbed feet tonight everything just got on top of me and I thought the kids will be better off without me and I was better off dead I’m sick of feeling this way someone help I’m in a hole I can’t get out of

Chica72 New here ... facing depression
  • replies: 1

Hi, I’m new here tho I’ve joined a while ago and just recently discovered I am depressed and I’ve suffered anxiety and panic attacks in my past. i have two adult children at home from first marriage that don’t work. Always full of excuses. my husband... View more

Hi, I’m new here tho I’ve joined a while ago and just recently discovered I am depressed and I’ve suffered anxiety and panic attacks in my past. i have two adult children at home from first marriage that don’t work. Always full of excuses. my husband of 8 yrs and I have separated, we have been trying to fix our marriage but it’s a struggle with my two lazy ones and his kids from first marriage who don’t like me for entering their dads lives. They are adults as well. im so depressed, I don’t want to do nothing. And I don’t want to get help in fear everyone thinks I’m a worthless mother, I have children with my recent husband. I have been put down by his family that it’s actually crushed me but I try to stay above the water.

LifetimeDreamer Communicating effectively with person that is depressed
  • replies: 1

Hello, I would very much appreciate your advice. My partner is currently going through grief, especially the depression phase of the grief cycle. That is obviously more periodic depression rather than clinical, however I assume that the symptoms and ... View more

Hello, I would very much appreciate your advice. My partner is currently going through grief, especially the depression phase of the grief cycle. That is obviously more periodic depression rather than clinical, however I assume that the symptoms and pains he experiences are very similar. I would like to understand better how I best communicate with him without causing him pressure and stress or accidental hurt. I am generally there for him and just let him know that he can always turn to me if he wishes to. But as we are manoevering how this is affecting the progress of our relationship, I have also shared my feelings and needs with him. I have done that in an email because he currently feels particularly comfortable when we write to each other. That way, we can both take the time to think through our response and what we think and feel. I am happy with that, so I wrote him an email telling him how I felt a little sad but how I also understand that some of the decisions we have recently had to make are the wisest thing to do right now even if not easy. I also told him that for now, I can live with the new arrangements we have put in place for us (i.e. taking it very slowly and curbing some of our previously made plans) but that I would also need to have those arrangements be temporary only. Basically, I said, I am ok with the distance and undefined nature while he focuses on rebuilding his foundation but that I would not be able to do that forever because I would need to see that we are slowly but steadily moving forward together. Are those sorts of things ok to say or are they counter-productive in his current state? He is currently starting to embrace the requirements to have more social interaction again and actively do things to avoid getting stuck in the depressive phase. I think that is great and I have given him positive feedback and encouragement because I think that is an excellent move. So I do not want to impact him negatively but I also feel I need to be honest and share my own feelings so we are communicating well and transparently. I am cautious and benevolent in my approach and I told him there is no need for him to hurry anything or feel pressure. I just felt it was important that he knows there will come a time for me when I cannot continue this way. I do not want to keep that from him and then, if it eventuates, hit him out of the blue. I would rather avoid it altogether by building awareness and therefore countermeasures together.

krybblu Hi, I'm KRY and I'd like to share
  • replies: 2

Hi folks I'm KRY and have just joined. I'm hoping to be able to make some meaningful contributions by sharing my personal experiences with depression and anxiety, and as a carer/supporter for my sibling who has been struggling with mental health for ... View more

Hi folks I'm KRY and have just joined. I'm hoping to be able to make some meaningful contributions by sharing my personal experiences with depression and anxiety, and as a carer/supporter for my sibling who has been struggling with mental health for several years now. In high school I had one close friend attempt to take her life and diagnosed with BPD, another close friend diagnosed with schizophrenia. I first felt that something was not right with myself in my late teens, but rationalised that whatever I was feeling was just teen hormones and dismissed whatever I felt as being nothing as serious as my friends. It wasn't until several years later in my final years of university that I sought professional help. I'm doing much much better with managing my depression and anxiety these days. I would say that since high school, I've always had a good awareness of mental health and conditions, but not how it applied to me. Last year, something scarier than all the hopelessness, loneliness and sense of overwhelm I felt at my worst happened... My sibling self-harmed in an attempt to escape their mental struggles. For all my personal experience, being my sibling's confidante and general awareness of various mental health conditions, none of that prepared me for this. My sibling is doing better now and I continue to be part of their immediate support group. Looking back, I wish: 1. I had a friendly adult I could trust and talk to in high school, so it could be identified earlier that I needed help. 2. I had found out earlier about all the free and credible resources available, so I didn't feel so helpless or vulnerable/ashamed to ask. 3. I was part of a community that withheld judgement and could empathise and/or understand my struggles and confusion. 4. I was able to attend a seminar/forum/expo with my family so I could educate them earlier on mental health and remove stigmatism. 5. Understood my rights especially in regards to privacy/confidentiality, so I didn't have to feel pressured to tell the GP everything I told my psychologist, then feel vulnerable and judged in order to get a new script. I'm looking forward to checking out the different threads and helping the community.

Willo2020 Lost
  • replies: 9

I am lost. My depression is now at its worst. The GP's best efforts are not helping, and I've just sold the last guitar, the one I was keeping, and put all the money into an account for my daughter's. I have no joy in even looking at the wonderful pi... View more

I am lost. My depression is now at its worst. The GP's best efforts are not helping, and I've just sold the last guitar, the one I was keeping, and put all the money into an account for my daughter's. I have no joy in even looking at the wonderful piece of wood I've had since I started earning real money. Cant even listen to music anymore. I call and get no real help. I go to mental ward, get zero help there. The selling of the last guitar was a big moment.....I have her a pat when she left. Next thing is my grandfather's 1973 Fiat 132. I need it to go to my eldest daughter. I don't know, I don't owe anyone any money, but if I "accidentally" get eaten by a shark, then I want to make sure some bottom feeder doesn't get it Im at the end....there's no cross road......just end of line

wiilson13 Overwhelmed and Exhausted
  • replies: 3

I've been seeing a psychologist for about a year now. This has helped me with a lot of my anxiety issues as I was having panic attacks frequently as I had developed social anxiety. I often faint when I panic and was in constant fear of humiliating my... View more

I've been seeing a psychologist for about a year now. This has helped me with a lot of my anxiety issues as I was having panic attacks frequently as I had developed social anxiety. I often faint when I panic and was in constant fear of humiliating myself in public as it had happened a few times is social settings like being out for dinner. I still get anxiety but not as bad anymore. Lately I've just been feeling really down about myself. And some days (like today) I just feel so low and like every choice I have made is wrong. Recently I began a Master's Degree and had to quit my full time job so I could study. I hated my job and felt liberated when I left. But now I feel so down because I am having trouble finding a part time or casual job, and am very worried about not having any income. I have applied for centrelink, but that may take weeks to come into effect. I'm really struggling to stay motivated through online study, and cannot focus. I can read a passage of text and literally not retain a single thing. I feel stupid and like I am already falling behind my peers. I am concerned I have made the wrong decision in choosing to quit a job to complete further studies. I have reached out to some of my peers to start a study group in the hopes I can get some support, but I have an assignment deadline rapidly approaching and am concerned my work will be trash. I am exhausted all the time, even when I get 8-9 hours sleep and I really struggle to get out of bed in the morning. I am overweight and try to take light walks but find I am even more exhausted afterwards. I just don't know what to do or how to get motivated.