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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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supasquid lonely
  • replies: 4

Im so over being lonely.. my wife left me 5.5 yrs ago..I am 48yrs old... Ive tried therapy.. Ive tried medication.. I joined a gym 1.5yrs ago.. nothing seems to fill the hole in my heart

Im so over being lonely.. my wife left me 5.5 yrs ago..I am 48yrs old... Ive tried therapy.. Ive tried medication.. I joined a gym 1.5yrs ago.. nothing seems to fill the hole in my heart

Ionicbond Debilitating weight gain
  • replies: 2

Hi, I have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder (bipolar/depression) and am currently suffering from a depressive episode. I don’t want to admit it to anyone but I think it’s really due to a 25kg weight gain in just over a year. I use to be s... View more

Hi, I have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder (bipolar/depression) and am currently suffering from a depressive episode. I don’t want to admit it to anyone but I think it’s really due to a 25kg weight gain in just over a year. I use to be such an athletic girl and have started to gain so much weight because of my medication, well that’s at least what I believe. I don’t know what to do. Only my GP believes it’s due to the medication where my psychiatrist doesn’t. If I was taking the medication as a tablet there is no doubt I would have stopped it by now but I actually have it as a monthly injection. I’m thinking about stopping it and telling my family I am still doing it which I know is bad but this weight gain is becoming debilitating. How should I approach asking to change medications, and convincing my family it’s actually because of the medication and not other factors like exercise and food habits? I am so upset I am questioning my diagnosis so I can convince myself to stop the medication which has helped me so much, I feel so lost.

#worriedsick Desperately worried
  • replies: 1

My husband quit drinking about 8weeks ago. He was hitting the alcohol really hard and I begged him to stop. He did. He suffered from regular bouts of depression after the birth of each of our children. But our last baby I thought we might of been in ... View more

My husband quit drinking about 8weeks ago. He was hitting the alcohol really hard and I begged him to stop. He did. He suffered from regular bouts of depression after the birth of each of our children. But our last baby I thought we might of been in the clear as we’ve been going good. But it seems this has come out of no where. He yelled at my son( his stepson last weekend and called him a name) I stepped in and then he said he will not live with him he wOuld rather die. And then we argued. The next day he slept all day and night. He’s this weekend slept all day and night and does not want to talk to me about it. I may be doing the wrong thing , I keep telling him how much he means to me and the children, how much I love him. And he says he does not want to love and that I will move on together we have 3 kids and 3 step kids. I asked him to get treatment as we need him and want him happy. He has outright refused to see a doctor, or get help. He says he just wants it all to end. What do I do . I’m lost this is consuming all of me I love this man with all my heart how can I help him? I can’t get him to get help I’m so scared that he will suicide im lost. I find myself getting angry ( I know I shouldn’t) as I can’t understand why we don’t make him happy? I’d appreciate any advice

Vivienneh Bipolar 1 plus separation
  • replies: 2

I have bipolar 1 with mixed states. Hospitalised for the first time and my husband announced whilst I was resident in a mental ward that he was leaving me. My brain got fried from extended mania so it took a month for it to dawn on me, the reality of... View more

I have bipolar 1 with mixed states. Hospitalised for the first time and my husband announced whilst I was resident in a mental ward that he was leaving me. My brain got fried from extended mania so it took a month for it to dawn on me, the reality of being seperated. I’m exercising and taking the meds, and doing everything I’m supposed to do. How do you adjust to a marriage break up safely with bipolar 1?

Circling_the_Drain So lost.. Always ruin things
  • replies: 4

Hi, I dont know where to start, except that I've ruined another long term relationship through the same pattern of behaviour that cost me my marriage, past employment, friends and family. And i dont know that i can fix it this time. Honestly if this ... View more

Hi, I dont know where to start, except that I've ruined another long term relationship through the same pattern of behaviour that cost me my marriage, past employment, friends and family. And i dont know that i can fix it this time. Honestly if this is how lifes going to be with BPD I don't want it...

ribbon123 I am very tired
  • replies: 6

I find little reason to live, apart from my family who lives across the globe. I was lying on my bed, trying to escape this. Forced myself to sleep, and woke up an hour later. I remember waking up feeling so sad, so lost, so empty. I dread tomorrow. ... View more

I find little reason to live, apart from my family who lives across the globe. I was lying on my bed, trying to escape this. Forced myself to sleep, and woke up an hour later. I remember waking up feeling so sad, so lost, so empty. I dread tomorrow. Some day I slept all the time, but day like this, I could not sleep, even afraid of having a good dream, being happy in my dream, but waking up with nothing. I am a PhD student, who used to love what I did so much. But the job I once love becomes dreadful. I call myself worthless in my head a few times a day. It got better, then it got worse, way worse, then repeat. Counselling does not help. Or it helps, but I ruin it. I am not sure anymore. What if it would be like this for the rest of my life.

Cranberry_Juice Just want to say thank you
  • replies: 3

I would like to say thank you as these forums help me with my depression,anxiety, BPD and bipoloar. Today I started thinking of sad things and then I started thinking of death and I started searching for coffins, when I start thinking like this I com... View more

I would like to say thank you as these forums help me with my depression,anxiety, BPD and bipoloar. Today I started thinking of sad things and then I started thinking of death and I started searching for coffins, when I start thinking like this I come to this forum and it takes my mind off these terrible thoughts by reading other peoples posts Im not very good at answering posts but this forum is a life saver to me Thanks,,

TheBigBlue Where to next?
  • replies: 2

I’ve lived with depression & anxiety for a number of years now, but recently the depression has really taken hold over the past few weeks. i haven’t gone to work for 3 weeks, I sleep most of the day, I’ve lost my appetite & I have no motivation to do... View more

I’ve lived with depression & anxiety for a number of years now, but recently the depression has really taken hold over the past few weeks. i haven’t gone to work for 3 weeks, I sleep most of the day, I’ve lost my appetite & I have no motivation to do anything. The only times I have left the house is for doctor appointments. i am in regular contact with my psychologist. I’ve seen the GP in the last 2 weeks, first time we did a mental health assessment & she upped my medication. I went again last Friday so she could check how I was going. She did another mental health has also given me a referral for a psychiatrist as feels they will be better paced to assess & prescribe appropriate medication. She also gave me some phone numbers to call if I needed to speak to someone. I contacted the psychiatrist’s office & emailed the referral through last Friday & still waiting for them to get back to me. So I’ve spoken to my GP, had appointments both in person & over the phone with the psychologist, have told my boyfriend how I am feeling & even told it all to my work team leader & manager. I also told my best friend & posted here. But I still feel lost. Nothing is changing or improving. I don’t know where else to turn. It’s been really difficult but I feel like I’ve really tried with reaching out to people. I just feel like there is no one else to reach out to but it doesn’t feel like I am getting the help I really need. Any advice?

Kahlo_25 Not caring anymore - partner has a gambling and pot addiction 
  • replies: 1

I’m not really sure where to start but amongst a whole heap of family issues I’ve been dealing with a partner with a quite severe gambling and pot addiction as well as anxiety and depression. I’m at a point now where I feel I am depressed. We are at ... View more

I’m not really sure where to start but amongst a whole heap of family issues I’ve been dealing with a partner with a quite severe gambling and pot addiction as well as anxiety and depression. I’m at a point now where I feel I am depressed. We are at a point now where we face loosing our house, car, everything really. Our electricity will be cut off soon and probably our phones. And I just thought to myself how nice it must be to not actually care. He seems to cruise through life through life not caring. So long as he has pot and poker machines in his life all else can go to hell apparently?? I’m almost positive he went with me to the counsellor simply to appease me when I said I thought he needed help. I’m finding it all somewhat beyond my control now and am completely lost. I’ve sought medical help locally but a pat on the back from your GP and a “ there there” is just not good enough. I never expected to come away with a List of prescriptions as long as my arm but I certainly expected more than I got. Where the hell can we go. We have no finances to pay large sums of money to professionals so I am very very lost.

Maui757 Big Emotions
  • replies: 4

Hi All, I've been working with my psych recently on my "big emotions" and trying to learn how to allow my emotions to be felt and heard, but not acted upon. Has anyone here done something similar? I am struggling to grasp how to let an emotion be wit... View more

Hi All, I've been working with my psych recently on my "big emotions" and trying to learn how to allow my emotions to be felt and heard, but not acted upon. Has anyone here done something similar? I am struggling to grasp how to let an emotion be without acting on it. Isn't everything we do acting on emotions? I know there is logical thinking too, but emotions always seem to play a part for me. To give some context, I've been struggling a lot with overwhelming feelings, getting stuck in the ditch of depression and finding that I don't want to get out of it. I go from living in a state of panic and anxiety, to hiding in the big black hole of depression where I don't feel anything. So my psych has been trying to work with me to learn how to "not be afraid of my big emotions". Because I tend to get very big emotions - If I feel happy, I feel REALLY happy, if I'm sad, I'm REALLY sad, Anxious - Extremely anxious, etc etc etc. you get the picture. How do you go by when the feelings that come up feel SO overpowering? If I feel jealous, the only way to move past it is by distraction, but there's only so many ways I can distract myself! If I feel sad, I have to try and distract myself until the mood passes but again, sometimes I can't distract myself. So how does one deal with big emotions? Am I an abnormality here? Maui