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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 chats on this Forum having 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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A2D2 Mentally moving on
  • replies: 1

I and on my last unit of a Diploma but I can't possibly finish it this year and it is the second time I have tried it. I'm not really doing anything wrong, just have a lot of other stuff going on and trying to stay sane as well - you know how it is. ... View more

I and on my last unit of a Diploma but I can't possibly finish it this year and it is the second time I have tried it. I'm not really doing anything wrong, just have a lot of other stuff going on and trying to stay sane as well - you know how it is. I think I am being bloody minded and trying to finish because I should and I'm really upset I won't but by the same token, I want to move on with my life and have other things staring me in the face that need doing. I don't see a job from it any time soon if ever. I'm just not sure it is worth the mental energy to finish but I think I'm going to feel I let myself down by not getting there in the end.

Conni Totally lost
  • replies: 1

I have lost everything in the last week kids taken off me facing court to see kids facing criminal charges against me Centrelink payments cancelled

I have lost everything in the last week kids taken off me facing court to see kids facing criminal charges against me Centrelink payments cancelled

bootlegrascal Hallucinations for first time with bipolar II
  • replies: 6

Hi, I am 18 and was diagnosed with bipolar type II over a year ago for which I have been on medication for since, which as helped enormously. However I am worried because last night when I was driving home from work, I saw an entire house engulfed in... View more

Hi, I am 18 and was diagnosed with bipolar type II over a year ago for which I have been on medication for since, which as helped enormously. However I am worried because last night when I was driving home from work, I saw an entire house engulfed in flames on a hill in front of me, yet there has been no record of this happening on DFES, which there would be, and I drove past the same spot today and I couldn't see any sign of this being real . I have never hallucinated before and there have been no changes to anything in my life and I am worried that I won't be able to tell the difference between reality and fiction. I often feel sort of dissociated, like I'm watching myself or not fully present in life, but I have learnt to live with that. Overall I have been doing really well for the last 2 months, but this has me freaking out. I even called the fire department (it's in my call log so I know that is real) but because I didn't know exactly where it was as it was up on the hill, they couldn't do anything. Some advice on if this is normal and if I should be worried about progression of symptoms from other bipolar II people would be amazing!! I am quite shaken up and would love some feedback... cheers

BlackMetalDragon How To Convince Others...
  • replies: 2

Ok... I'm having all sorts of issues with how to describe to a very helpful, caring and supportive family member that when I'm going through an extremally depressive episode, I find it impossible to communicate with the outside world. Whether an epis... View more

Ok... I'm having all sorts of issues with how to describe to a very helpful, caring and supportive family member that when I'm going through an extremally depressive episode, I find it impossible to communicate with the outside world. Whether an episode is days or weeks, I just roll myself into a ball and sleep... I can't cope with anything. Yet my relative can't seem to comprehend why I "can't just send a text"... no matter which way I explain it, it just doesn't get through. What am I doing wrong?

Guest_3671 life is strange
  • replies: 1

Hi I'm female 29. Been in a relationship with current partner for 5 years. In 2015 he was unfairly arrested on a plane that I was on too over a misunderstanding with staff and police. For most of 2016-2017 we had a long distance relationship. In 2017... View more

Hi I'm female 29. Been in a relationship with current partner for 5 years. In 2015 he was unfairly arrested on a plane that I was on too over a misunderstanding with staff and police. For most of 2016-2017 we had a long distance relationship. In 2017 I visited him while he was overseas. We traveled around SE Asia. He had a friend who was staying at his apartment while we were away who killed himself. Until late 2017 my partner returned home with me after he had a mental breakdown. I traveled overseas to take him home. He was arrested at the airport for pending court case from 2015 and bailed to my parents house because we had no where to stay. By mid 2018 he was imprisoned for 4 months. I would visit him from interstate every 2 weeks over the weekend. I've been helping him deal with the problems in his life and it has been exhausting. He has hurt in his life and has hurt me emotionally. I understand hurt people hurt people. I am a very patient and understanding person to have gone through a lot with my partner. Things have calmed down and we are getting our lives back together. We are renting a new place after staying at our parents. We are looking for jobs as we have been on social security for a while. We eat healthy and have better ways of communicating with each other. We both want to move forward. However sometimes I have anxiety and depression. I'm afraid of bad things happening. Although by nature I am a shy or reserved person I feel a particular discomfort around other people and don't know how to interact with people anymore. The experiences I've had and the support I give to my partner make me feel a bit isolated. I don't really have anyone to talk to because I feel no one I know really understands my feelings or the experiences I've had supporting someone I care about who has gone to prison and has some mental health issues too due to trauma maybe. We also recently found out he has Hepatitis C which he will begin treatment for this week.. I've been tested and I'm clear. But it was so stressful. When he got out of prison I thought the stress would be over but the experience still hurts and still lingers. I used to be interested in producing music but I've lost interest in creativity. I don't listen to music anymore. I just had to express myself here. My partner will organise seeing a counselor and I am considering seeing one too . life is strange. thanks for reading

Sebastian4472 Harsh Winter
  • replies: 4

Is there a general feeling that this has been a hard winter. I seem to be doing really tough and so far the warmer weather has not helped.

Is there a general feeling that this has been a hard winter. I seem to be doing really tough and so far the warmer weather has not helped.

GinaS Partners constant stress is extremely hard to deal with when I already struggle with Bipolar
  • replies: 3

Hi All, Im needing some advice on how to deal with my home life. I was diagnosed with BP in 2006. It has been an extremely rough road finding the right medication balance but i got there . My partner of 7 years has a stressful job and a very demandin... View more

Hi All, Im needing some advice on how to deal with my home life. I was diagnosed with BP in 2006. It has been an extremely rough road finding the right medication balance but i got there . My partner of 7 years has a stressful job and a very demanding 12 yr old son who comes to stay with us every second week. I understand the stresses that my partner faces as we work in the same industry field , however my partner is always extremely stressed and everyday i find myself hiding away as its the worst trigger with my Bipolar. He is a wonderful man , however quite self focused on his own day to day workings. Over all the years i have communicated with him the best i can about Bipolar disorder, given him booklets , website links , taken him to appointments and advised him of triggers etc etc.the last 2 months through a medication adjustment because of getting older and its been extremely difficult with the side effects and just trying to be aware of my behaviour in the household and trying not to affect everyone,,, its been tough! The main issue is , my partner will come home every night and unload a huge amount of venting stress on me from the day he has had at work,, usually by the time hes finished venting he rarely asks me how Im feeling or even how my day was. By the time hes finished,im so exhausted from taking on a days worth of his stress, i will go and sit under a running shower and cry my eyes,out then move around quietly for the rest of the evening walking on egg shells in the hope of not starting up another venting session i have to listen too. Im at the point that i dont want to go home in the evening just so i dont have to drown in his stress another day longer. He is very aware that his stress is one of the biggest triggers as we've discussed it numerous times but it just doesn't change anything. some evenings i will get up and walk away mid conversation as i just cant take the negative venting any longer ,, then he will realise its too much ,, but avoid me like i have the plaque for the rest of the evening. I feel im the one doing the supporting role but when i require the support , its simply not available to me as he virtually has no room left mentally to accommodate my stress or issues and give support. How can i change this toxic routine and get the loving support i need sometimes as the episodes ive had over the last few years have been brought on by his stress

normal_guy Understanding my situation
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, This is my first post so thank you for reading. I would very much appreciate anyone who may have answers or have been in a similar situation to shed some light on why I am thinking the way I am. Lately, I have been feeling depressed and ... View more

Hi everyone, This is my first post so thank you for reading. I would very much appreciate anyone who may have answers or have been in a similar situation to shed some light on why I am thinking the way I am. Lately, I have been feeling depressed and worthless finding it hard to find motivation about nearly everything. I am confused about why I am feeling this way as I have so many good things in my life and should feel lucky and happy to have them. A couple of years ago my partner and I built our first home, I am married to an amazing supporting wife, I have a full-time job, I am studying a degree at university part-time and we are both in good health. I am very grateful for all these things and there are no issues there. But, I find myself thinking about how worthless I am on a daily basis. I feel as though anyone who meets me does not like me and looks down on me like I am also worthless. Some days I find myself about to burst into tears for no apparent reason and then start thinking how my family would probably not miss me that much if anything happened to me. My wife does not know how bad I feel some days as I try to keep my head up and hide everything, pretending I am ok. In recent years I left the defence force and have become very anti-social. It wasn't until a year ago I realised I did not have any friends which sounds a bit sad. I used to have heaps of friends and a very active social life but feel as though no-one has much time for me anymore. These feelings of worthlessness and sad thoughts keep getting worse as time goes on. I have not thought of suicide but instead, I think of how I got to this point. I feel like I should not be complaining about anything in my life and nothing is actually wrong but I feel as though I am sinking and cannot get out of this point in my life. I admit I am embarrassed to talk about this to anyone being a typical bloke and ex-defence soldier because I don't want anyone I know to judge me.

rachisdepressed Depressed for months
  • replies: 3

Hey to anyone is for some reason looking at this I have been having many episodes of depression for months. It is about all the arguing with my friends. I never showed it, but i have been depressed. Recently, the bomb hit. One of my best friend stabb... View more

Hey to anyone is for some reason looking at this I have been having many episodes of depression for months. It is about all the arguing with my friends. I never showed it, but i have been depressed. Recently, the bomb hit. One of my best friend stabbed me in the back by saying they were not my friend anymore. The entire friendship group was broken. One of my friends decided to move on and go find new friends. But me and the lat friend were the only ones who were really disturbed by what had happened. I have been depressed in my head for months, but I was sick of keeping my emotions inside and started showing my feelings. Tired, grumpy and not listening. My parents called my lazy, but they don't understand. The only person i have told is the friend who stuck by my side. I keep thinking that it is my fault. As my only friend and the friend who broke up with me became friends again. It hit me like a ton of bricks. The friend who broke up with the whole group didn't want to be MY FRIEND! I have been depressed and I don't know what to do. The days keep dragging on and i feel sad almost every minute. i don't know how to tell my parents and i have no idea what to do! If you have any suggestions they are very much appreciated! thank you for whoever s wasting their time on hearing this. Depressed for months

Zyler Thank you. My story.
  • replies: 2

Thank you If it wasnt for beyond blues call line I wouldn't be alive right now. I suffered alone and in silence with severe depression and anxiety issues for over a decade before it all became too much an I attempted to take my own life. Luckily I su... View more

Thank you If it wasnt for beyond blues call line I wouldn't be alive right now. I suffered alone and in silence with severe depression and anxiety issues for over a decade before it all became too much an I attempted to take my own life. Luckily I survived and got the help I needed , doctors medication and support from your great organization. I lost alot because of my suicide attempt, my fiance, the love of my life left me, my depression had taken too much of a toll on her, I cant blame her really. I must admit I again thought about taking my own life when she left thankfully many calls to the support line got me through it. Today im much happier, i used to be unemployed unable to leave my house (rented) and unable to find much happiness in anything but now just over a year since my suicide attempt I'm running my own online advertising firm with a few solid clients and looking to take on far more. I'm happy, able to leave my house ( still renting) and enjoy the outdoors. I miss my ex fiance deeply I dont think that will ever change but thanks to you amazing people at beyond blue I now know I have a future, I have goals, (something I've never had before) I want to buy my own place, build my advertising firm up and I want to get to a place that I'm well off enough that I can give back to the community and help others that are struggling with depression. I guess that's part of what this post is, it's a thank you to beyond blue and hopefully an eye opener to those reading it because trust me if this is something that I can do then you can to.