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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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stace11 Nighttime sadness
  • replies: 2

Hello! I just want to know how other people handle the same situation as me. I can only assume it’s depression... over the past I have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety & PTSD. Generally it’s the anxiety and ptsd that tend to run my life, not s... View more

Hello! I just want to know how other people handle the same situation as me. I can only assume it’s depression... over the past I have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety & PTSD. Generally it’s the anxiety and ptsd that tend to run my life, not so much the depression. Lately at night things have been different. After a long day at work, dealing with children, cleaning etc etc etc. My husband will leave for work (he works nights), I get myself all sorted, finally after a full day of everything, I sit on the couch or on the bed. And I just feel this overwhelming wave of sadness. Nothing causes it, nothing triggers the feeling. I just sit down and feel sad. I’m not thinking of anything and the sadness doesn’t make me think of anything specific either. Just feel sadness, watch a sad movie and cry by myself type sad. I have felt things before in the past but this sadness just feels different, it’s just so...... lonely, sadness, like someone has died. Why is this only happening now? Depression has never been the major disorder in my mental health. Why is it such a different sadness to the usual? Why at night? what can I do?? I just feel so sad?

sokunn Feeling depressed
  • replies: 2

Hi i feel depressed because i cant get a girl friend. I also worry about money a bit

Hi i feel depressed because i cant get a girl friend. I also worry about money a bit

OptimisticQuail Motivation depleted, sadness exhaustive
  • replies: 20

Hello All. First time poster. It's great to see that I'm obviously not alone which I knew. Over the last month I have felt down and sad for reasons I really can't seem to understand. At times I sit there and tears are about to flow but I stop myself.... View more

Hello All. First time poster. It's great to see that I'm obviously not alone which I knew. Over the last month I have felt down and sad for reasons I really can't seem to understand. At times I sit there and tears are about to flow but I stop myself. I know it not weak, but I feel lost. I have a great job (albeit demanding), a great family and other extra-curricula activities (coach of footy and cricket teams). Recently, as stated above I have no motivation to get up each morning, my productivity at work is rapidly decreasing, I dont seem to care as much for my work. I also have no general motivation for extra-curricula activities including maintaining my lawn which I used to love doing. I have seen a psychologist once after a referral from my G.P but it was only a 'meet and greet as such. I want to lock myself up in my room and keep away from people. I start things but have no desire to complete them (can't believe I am forcing myself to do this). I know I need to address this concern but I feel ultra guilty to be absent from my workers and my family at times to get myself better. I sit here, typing this thinking of the next thing I have to do and already this is making me sad. I'm lost. I'm not really asking questions as such but I would love to understand what could come next for me with some insight from others who may have been in this situation. I am not sure I will act on it though. I want to get better but I dont know if I want to act upon it (if that makes sense). Thanks for reading. Ahhhhh.

Ggrand When your left to live all alone...with mh..
  • replies: 4

Hello Everyone.. It’s been 6 yrs since my hubby passed away..even more since my sons flew the coop...and I’m still struggling to motivate myself to do anything..Maybe because it’s just me here and doing things for me is something I’ve never really do... View more

Hello Everyone.. It’s been 6 yrs since my hubby passed away..even more since my sons flew the coop...and I’m still struggling to motivate myself to do anything..Maybe because it’s just me here and doing things for me is something I’ve never really done before....I was always looking after other people...and their needs.. Living alone with depression/anxiety and C-PTSD....really does overwhelm me at times...and the constant battle of trying to get out of the dark place on my own..can bring on non stop crying....which can get extremely frightening and most times it’s impossible to do things to lift my spirits....I only go out one day a week because of my anxiety.. I really want to ask you..do you get any satisfaction out making things..like new cushion covers, curtains, blankets, clothes etc..or playing internet games,reading..gardening...art.. etc..and how do you get yourself motivated to do them?...especially when no one but you will see the finished result...Is it worth doing these things?..Do you get satisfaction or just feel meh.. Even shopping is difficult..I never know what to buy..because cooking for one is no fun....eating meals alone becomes more of a choir then pleasure...most nights it’s cheese toasties..or a simple salad..or a couple of boiled eggs...food for some reason just doesn’t taste good...and I’m only eating because I need to... How do others cope with living alone after many years of being in a relationship and your partner and the kids are no longer at home......mine live many hours drive away...and I rarely see them.. I would love to know how other people manage...and if your happy living on your own..or does loneliness become a major problem at times... I would really appreciate any suggestions on knowing how you you live alone...and if you’re comfortable doing so...I’m having a lot of difficulty.. Kind thoughts.. Grandy...

Floss89 Ex depression dumped me
  • replies: 3

Last week my ex dumped me we sorted it out he explained how he got depression we sorted it out after a goof weekend Monday he breaks it off we havent spoken or anything what do i do im loosing my mind he in depression and stressed bout all these bill... View more

Last week my ex dumped me we sorted it out he explained how he got depression we sorted it out after a goof weekend Monday he breaks it off we havent spoken or anything what do i do im loosing my mind he in depression and stressed bout all these bills i do not know what to do

stace11 Long story, feeling defeated
  • replies: 3

Hi! this will be a long one but I really don’t know how to shorten it. I don’t know if i need advice or if I’m just letting it all out, to give my head some much needed space. Plus, with my anxieties I always worry that I seem attention seeking for m... View more

Hi! this will be a long one but I really don’t know how to shorten it. I don’t know if i need advice or if I’m just letting it all out, to give my head some much needed space. Plus, with my anxieties I always worry that I seem attention seeking for my post. obviously I know in my heart that it’s not true, in my head it is. let’s start at the beginning. After a massive panic attack when I was 16 years old, I ended up in hospital and that’s where my journey started. I’m now just over 30 so it’s really hard knowing I have been dealing with this struggle for half my life, half of my life is only fighting to get through another day instead of living. My panic attack was because I was broken up with by a boyfriend who I didn’t realise was mistreating me until a long time later. I honestly feel he is who started my depression and severe anxiety, it all stems back to that. Anyway! My life hasn’t got a whole lot easier since... dealing with years of depression and anxiety usually can make a person crumble but adding more on top has been a handful. - my current husband TRIES his absolute hardest to understand and support me. But before I arrived he didn’t believe in mental illness & just thought it was made up in people’s heads for attention. So I do give him sooo much credit for being able to adapt and realise the severity of this illness, but it’s hard to confine and feel understood by someone who once felt that way. - I’m a step mum, I love it. Their mother is extremely high conflict, she’s caused 8 years of constant and unbearable abuse. We have majority care of the children and they are thriving. But going from no children to 2 was a massive step. - I now have 2 kids of my own now. I had SEVERE ppd with them, so bad with my first I had to be hospitalised. I did not connect with my child for a long time & the guilt from that is just eating me up inside. - my oldest step child has severe behavioural issues, adhd & is on the autism spectrum, that’s definitely not something I’m complaining about, but adding that to the mix is hard. I love the child but I’m relied on so much for his support that I throw myself on the back burner to help them, like any mother would! But feeling as terrible as I do in general, when he’s in a “moment” and he says how terrible of a parent I am, how much he hates me and how he wants to kill me is exhausting I feel like I’m just complaining, but days are getting harder. Yes I see a therapist. But sometimes I just need to know that I’m ok.

sparrowhawk Feeling bad about feeling bad?
  • replies: 2

Hi guys. I have had a low mood for several months following sustained emotional trauma. i and am getting support from my GP, psychologist and a good friend. I have a lot of negative self-talk and generally feel very lethargic and flat. People around ... View more

Hi guys. I have had a low mood for several months following sustained emotional trauma. i and am getting support from my GP, psychologist and a good friend. I have a lot of negative self-talk and generally feel very lethargic and flat. People around me sometimes notice and that tends to make me feel really guilty. I feel really bad about myself for feeling bad, though in reality I know it's not through my own fault, it just IS. Yesterday I apologised to my friend for being down and she challenged me on it - I know she was trying to help but it made me feel awkward and worse about myself. Do you guys go through similar feelings? How do you manage them?

Edward75 Here we go again..
  • replies: 2

Depression. How does that feeling manage to sneak in under the armour. I swear I got on top of it 2 years ago. The anxiety comes and goes as I have learned to look at it objectively. But this time it must have got away, bloody depression. It feels li... View more

Depression. How does that feeling manage to sneak in under the armour. I swear I got on top of it 2 years ago. The anxiety comes and goes as I have learned to look at it objectively. But this time it must have got away, bloody depression. It feels like it has been lurking most of my life. Like a monster my mum set on me for being such a horrible child. I want to pull it out of my gut but it feels like its melted black to my DNA. Its symbiotic. If I cut it off and scrape it free will I die without it? If anybody could see my inside they would run away. It is sickening, unlovable, a fraud. Stupid, dumb, not fit for anyone. Like a moronic animal born without a brain. Evil, toxic. A selfish, mean spirit closed off to the world.. But these are my mothers words that I learned by rote. So yeah, I am 44, completely single for 2 years. Realise how I treat partners by pushing them away..I get so scared. I know exactly what I do, so as soon as i find somebody who there is a possibly of something. I mean we have not even been on a a proper date I have emotionaly shut down. I know my patterns now so why not fast forward 12 months and just hurt me. She is better off without me. I know I would be. I guess I am not ready to open up properly, maybe I never will be. Anyway, feel better opening up. Actually thought I had tamed the black dog, but in a way my walls were just a little taller. Tonight I will remove the black monster from my gut. And scrape it free. Tomorrow I will visit my ageing mother & remember that she did not give this to me. It escaped from her. My poor mum, who did she get it from. I will never know. But I forgive her without excepting some of her behaviors. I can accept her love as it is with no expectations. And not pass on the bitterness, but just love to my wonderful daughter and everybody else in my life. If anybody reads this, I'm hoping I'm only as crazy as the rest of the world. I could delete it but maybe somebody can relate.. tomorrow is going to be better.

KJJ an Undiagnosed sleep disorder affected my mental heath
  • replies: 2

Hi, Just posting an update that I hope may be helpful for some. After worsening depression and fatigue I finally took a diagnostic sleep study as suggested by my psychiatrist. I am quite a petite female with normal BMI and don’t snore so was quite sc... View more

Hi, Just posting an update that I hope may be helpful for some. After worsening depression and fatigue I finally took a diagnostic sleep study as suggested by my psychiatrist. I am quite a petite female with normal BMI and don’t snore so was quite sceptical and even more surprised to be diagnosed with severe upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS). Sleep apnea and UARS are apparently a common cause of treatment resistant depression and anxiety. After a few months I am finally used to my Cpap treatment and am finding my depression has improved significantly and energy levels have significantly increased. I feel as though I am coming back to life Although not a magic cure for everything I still need to watch for depression and anxiety triggers not related to my sleep disorder, things have improved significantly for me with Cpap treatment. I just wanted to share this so that anyone struggling might consider asking their GP or psychiatrist for a sleep study. You don’t have to necessarily be overweight or snore to have a sleep breathing disorder. My issues are related to having small jaw, mouth, and airways - leading to airway narrowing. Also make sure you get a sleep study that can detect RERAs and UARS not just AHI and Obstructive sleep apnea as just looking at the latter can miss other sleep breathing disorders that can cause mental health issues. Although I wish I discovered this earlier and wonder if my life had have been different if it had, I really hope that this can help someone else who is struggling.

august2001 I am struggling to deal with it.
  • replies: 2

Good Morning, I have never done this before and I am a little bit nervous to do it. I have known for a little while that I have depression but I have started feeling like I have anxiety and bipolar issues to and I don't know how to deal with it. I ha... View more

Good Morning, I have never done this before and I am a little bit nervous to do it. I have known for a little while that I have depression but I have started feeling like I have anxiety and bipolar issues to and I don't know how to deal with it. I have never told my doctor because I feel embarrassed and I struggle to tell my family and friends because also I feel really embarrassed. When I try to talk to my partner about it it makes me sad because he doesn't understand how I feel and he doesn't really believe in mental illnesses. At the moment I am really struggling to just get out of bed and to actually do work. I get home from work at 5:30 and sleep all the way until 7:30 in the morning because I don't want to get up. I have gained 15 kilos in 3 months because I am comfort eating. and I am ruining my realtiosnhips with my partner because I struggle to do day to day tasks. I get so incredibly angry every day. I will go from really happy to angry in about a minute. my mood swings are terrible and some days I really struggle just walking. which is terrible and I realise I really need help for that but also I have no one to talk to about it all. and I wish I just had a friend to talk to about this all but also I feel like they would think I am attention seeking. I just don't know how to feal with it and I wish I did because it is ruining everything around me and I want to be happy again. I don't understand why my partner doesn't car either. I think he thinks I am going through a stage but im not I feel as though I really am depressed and it makes me a terrible person to be around.