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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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Mickii Physical versus mental illness
  • replies: 6

Do other people feel physically ill when they are depressed?

Do other people feel physically ill when they are depressed?

LTee10 Feeling numb
  • replies: 5

I don’t exactly know if what I am feeling is classified as depression or if I am being over dramatic. For a long time now I have had negative thoughts about myself when I am sad/upset or having a bad day. I think that I am ugly, fat, useless, stupid ... View more

I don’t exactly know if what I am feeling is classified as depression or if I am being over dramatic. For a long time now I have had negative thoughts about myself when I am sad/upset or having a bad day. I think that I am ugly, fat, useless, stupid and I am a burden to everybody. Everything just hits me all at once. Most of the times I cry my eyes out to the point they are red and puffy, I listen to sad songs feeling so numb and broken my heart literally feels like it’s dropping. I have thoughts of suicide all the time when I am sad (but not actually attempt it as I am scared of the pain) I find myself writing goodbye notes to my family hoping it will help me/make me feel better. I feel so much hurt and sadness to the point I think everyone would be better off if I was gone or that I was not born. I so badly want to talk to someone about it but it’s hard trying to express myself, I feel like they may not understand or might even judge me. I can’t even talk to family about it as I am too embarrassed. I just need advice on what I should do because I hate these feelings and don’t want to feel them anymore.

Guest_9315 May have Bipolar 2
  • replies: 10

Greetings and Salutations, I haven't posted before, however I do find reading other threads helpful, thank you. It encourages me to speak out too. Please excuse my post if it's all over the place, as I'm not sure where to start. I'm not even sure wha... View more

Greetings and Salutations, I haven't posted before, however I do find reading other threads helpful, thank you. It encourages me to speak out too. Please excuse my post if it's all over the place, as I'm not sure where to start. I'm not even sure what I'm looking for!!! I guess, I'm just taking a step to to seek support in more ways than one. I've recently returned to seeing my psychologist, who believes I may have Bipolar 2. I'm going to continue seeing her on a regular basis (thankfully, it is bulk-billed). I'm also being referred to a psychiatrist - to discuss this further, and may have to go on medication. That scares me --- I'm afraid the medication will make me physically sick. But after speaking to friends and extended family, I'm open to anything at the moment as I feel like I need something to kickstart me into healing properly. I haven't been eating well and have lost a lot of weight. I know all the things I need to do, but I struggle to do them. What is breaking my heart is that I feel like my husband and children have deserted me, because of my poor mental health. My husband has attempted to support me in his own way. I can imagine he is worried and I can understand he is doing the best he can. My communication is quite poor and I know I need improvement in this area. I find it hard to speak, so instead I wrote a long letter to my family apologising for my poor mental health, assuring them I am seeking help. The thing is, in the past, I have tried to do this on my own and convince myself I'm okay. Clearly, I'm not. I feel like they've given up on me. Which is also understandable, as I often give up... Before I 'lose my temper', I feel convinced it is justified. I have reason to get pissed off. I live quite an alternative lifestyle. My said hubby doesn't have a regular job, but rather does what he wants when he wants. I have a business from home that takes up a lot of my time. People around me aren't surprised I've lost my mind living with him. He himself is all over the place, but is convinced he's altogether. So much so, he has convinced our children (and me over and over and over again) that 'there's something not right with Mummy. she needs help'. I had a serious car accident when I was a toddler, which I have always lived with and presumed was okay with, but now am feeling this trauma has affected me and contributed to my 'mental damage'. Anyway, I just wanted to reach out. Thank you for taking the time, x

white knight Bipolar 2, coping with it
  • replies: 0

Everyone is an individual, but here is the challenges that I undertook post correct diagnosis. Here below is references to help you cope with bipolar 2. (Topics in bold you can put in the search bar to read- just read the first posts) Acceptance- som... View more

Everyone is an individual, but here is the challenges that I undertook post correct diagnosis. Here below is references to help you cope with bipolar 2. (Topics in bold you can put in the search bar to read- just read the first posts) Acceptance- some of us get all emotional when it dawns on us that we will take meds for the rest of our lives. It’s not that bad. Acceptance- is this our biggest challenge? Part of YOU- bipolar is a part of you as are your limbs and your character. Motivation- it plays a big part because others will over criticise you. Feeding your brain Guilt- You won’t ever get rid of it but like everything with bipolar, reducing it helps. Guilt the tormentor Relaxation- Another way of caring for yourself. Meditation- words of wisdom- he helped me for 25 years Sensitivity- You won’t get rid of this either but you can improve it. Also don’t feel guilty about it. Again it’s part of YOU. Words are stick and stones Expectations- We crave support. It’s normal to want it. However giving it to an invisible illness challenges our loved ones. This forum fills a void.. “Normal” people will not understand Non professional interference. Seems everyone around us is an expert. Yet it takes one to be a GP then many extra years of study to be a psychiatrist. You’ll need to counter these people. Defend yourself! Wit/ the only answer for torment and Fortress of survival (plus part 2) and Vulnerable- be ready to defend Support. You can get it here on this forum, support groups and reading/research This bipolar life Suicidal thoughts. They might come around. Remember, tomorrow they may not be there. They arrive like an unwanted visitor. Avoiding suicidal thoughts or intent and Suicidal thought and choices and Saving yourself from doom Rejection- you’ll lose friends, even family. You’ll close ranks and turmoil is something you’ll have to cope with. Disowned by family members- how to survive it Anger. You might find you can be explosive. Introducing ways to quell it is beneficial. Anger- can you own it? I hope these guidelines on coping with bipolar help you. Please feel free to discuss them or add to them TonyWK

Jarred28 Major Depression
  • replies: 3

Have been diagnosed with major depression for quite some time now and just feel like giving up. Will this ever get any better My family all call me a sook and that there’s nothing for me to be depressed about and I need to get over myself. I have no ... View more

Have been diagnosed with major depression for quite some time now and just feel like giving up. Will this ever get any better My family all call me a sook and that there’s nothing for me to be depressed about and I need to get over myself. I have no friends to talk to this stuff about as they bully me about my mental health and just generally don’t seem to care. Just so confused in life have no idea what to do, just want to move away and hide forever.

Lilly18 Hate
  • replies: 16

I hate my dogs I hate being a parent I hate being a widow I hate mess I hate my brain I hate my feelings I hate my false glimmer of hope I hate being me

I hate my dogs I hate being a parent I hate being a widow I hate mess I hate my brain I hate my feelings I hate my false glimmer of hope I hate being me

sunnysky I hate myself
  • replies: 6

Hello, this will be my first time doing something like this so please bare with me. I don't really know how to label this feeling, whether I'm actually depressed or if I'm just being over dramatic. I've just felt so pressured. My parents don't love e... View more

Hello, this will be my first time doing something like this so please bare with me. I don't really know how to label this feeling, whether I'm actually depressed or if I'm just being over dramatic. I've just felt so pressured. My parents don't love each other. They were going to divorce when I was just born but my mum has a factory work job and begged my dad to stay for me and my brother. So he did, but my dad hates my mum and brother and only loves me. I know it's selfish of me to say that his love is burdening, but every time I talk with him it's like I'm walking around glass. He gets angry easily, he's always shouting, and I have to calm him down. And whenever I say something that he doesn't like, he'll start threatening me. "I'm only here because of you, if you don't like me then I'll just leave." It's suffocating, having to fake how I act around him, even the simplest of things upset him to the point of ignoring me for weeks, each day of silence scaring me that he will leave. And my parents have always pressured me about school. But my grades have gotten worse, and they are disappointed in me. I understand why, since I'm such a disappointment. They would shout at me when I was a kid for bad grades. I never got to hang out with my friends or play. What was the point of all the tears I shed if I was going to end up with terrible grades anyways? One day a few months ago I had what I think was a panic attack at home in front of my parents. They were shouting at me again, and I couldn't stand the shouting it made me feel so afraid and weak and suddenly I was screaming and crying. It felt like I was dying. And I thought that my parents would care, they'd feel sorry for me, they'd comfort me. But they only screamed louder. They asked me why I was screaming and I said I was stressed from school but they called me a liar. "Everyone is stressed you're not special". "you're just weak" And I guess I was. When I think about everything I'm the reason for my own sadness. If I were smarter, if i could deal with stress my parents wouldn't be angry. If I was a better daughter, a better person I wouldn't feel this useless. Whenever I feel sad which seems to be all the time lately, I can't help but blame myself. I hate myself so much. For everything I've done. For being useless and weak for being pathetic, for crying, for being stupid, for being too dramatic. I wish this feeling would go away but it's been here for weeks and i feel like I'll never get out

G12345 I think I have depression I’m scared
  • replies: 14

I’m freaking out because I’m been feeling low for 13 days almost 14 I think I might have or be developing depression I’m afraid that all my motivation I have now is going to go I need to feel happy again can anyone tell what depression is i don’t und... View more

I’m freaking out because I’m been feeling low for 13 days almost 14 I think I might have or be developing depression I’m afraid that all my motivation I have now is going to go I need to feel happy again can anyone tell what depression is i don’t understand it.

Sulaco_86 can’t explain to friends
  • replies: 5

hello... my first post - I’m looking for some help or advice... I can’t talk to my friends about my anxiety/depression because I feel that they can’t understand what I’m even talking about or going through, because on the outside I try to maintain ap... View more

hello... my first post - I’m looking for some help or advice... I can’t talk to my friends about my anxiety/depression because I feel that they can’t understand what I’m even talking about or going through, because on the outside I try to maintain appearing normal and “happy” so that they don’t ask me if something is wrong. but I’m not normal and happy at all - and whenever I “put myself down” in front of them they’ll shrug it off and tell me I’m being silly etc - because to them I always seem happy so they maybe think I’m joking? how do I tell my friends that they don’t know me at all? how do I tell them the old cliche “it’s not you it’s me”?

Striker-9 The battle is real
  • replies: 3

Hi. It took me about 15 minutes just to figure out what to write and where to start. To anybody looking from the outside into my life they would say it’s a great life. I have a beautiful healthy baby boy and an amazing wife. But the last 12 months ha... View more

Hi. It took me about 15 minutes just to figure out what to write and where to start. To anybody looking from the outside into my life they would say it’s a great life. I have a beautiful healthy baby boy and an amazing wife. But the last 12 months have been an exhaustive and character changing mental battle. I have found myself slip deeper into negativity and just tired of the daily routine. Things that I used to love to do just don’t bring me that satisfaction anymore. I carry a weight of sadness and frustration constantly. I love my wife and son with all my heart but I am constantly carrying a guilt that because of the way I feel and how it affects me that I’m not being the husband or father I should be. I do have a highly stressful and demanding job but at this point in my life it’s what I need to do to get me and my family ahead in life financially. I moved interstate a few years ago and left my life behind (friends, family) and as much as that move was what I needed at that time in my life and I was able to get married and start a family in my new home, I have struggled to make it my home. I grew up in a broken family, parents separated when I was an early teen and i never realised until now just how much of an affect those years had on my life. When I reflect on things I actually can never pin point a time my father said he was proud of me or loved me. In fact growing up I was always compared to family friends kids and highlighted that I was not where they were at in my life. I specifically remember a time when at age 13 my dad stopped coming to my soccer games because he would say that I wasn’t good enough. So self worth and confidence has always been a struggle for me. In my early adult life it wasn’t a problem because I would mask it with drugs, alcohol a fake macho persona and “having a good time”. But now that I am a father and a husband I am really starting to feel those wounds. I’m tired of this daily struggle and daily mental battle.

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