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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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Suisse Possible ADHD, can anyone relate? Low dopamine is killing me
  • replies: 2

Hey, Not sure where this fits. But I found out last year I tested positive for ADHD, no one will tell me for sure if I have it. But i'm pretty convinced I do. Lately it's been super hard to focus too, and if I've had it then I've had it my whole life... View more

Hey, Not sure where this fits. But I found out last year I tested positive for ADHD, no one will tell me for sure if I have it. But i'm pretty convinced I do. Lately it's been super hard to focus too, and if I've had it then I've had it my whole life, but lately it's just super hard to focus. I keep going to get junk food, or abuse the internet, other times I have stuff to do but couldn't be motivated to do it even though I'm trying really hard. I just went through a break up and I can't help but crave something or feel empty and sad. When I found out at first it crashed my world cause I realized that all the shite things I've done in the past that I blamed myself for, weren't even my fault and I feel like if I'd known sooner I could have avoided a lot of heart ache. I kinda wish that when it was flagged when I was a kid that it wasn't shoved under the rug like it was. That feels unfair to my parents though because I know they did their best - but I do wish that I'd been able to use my past years better. I guess at the moment i'm scared cause I dont know where to go from here, once I move out of the house my ex and I live in, i'm gonna be on my own. I've never been on my own, (ive always gone partner to partner) and eventually i'm gonna quit my job to go study to change careers... how can I even trust my decisions anymore considering how corrupted by this possible disorder they've been in the past? Like how do you know your doing the right thing with adhd or if its just another novel idea? Anyone got experience with this? Thanks, Suisse

Mal83 Depression and loss of friends and family
  • replies: 1

Hi, I don’t know if anyone else has issues with losing friends and family over their Behaviour or personality? I’m unsure as idk who I am anymore. I feel like there seems to be something wrong with me. I can’t keep people in my life. I always say or ... View more

Hi, I don’t know if anyone else has issues with losing friends and family over their Behaviour or personality? I’m unsure as idk who I am anymore. I feel like there seems to be something wrong with me. I can’t keep people in my life. I always say or do the wrong things. If I try and be someone I think people want me to be it doesn’t work and if I open up and show my true self I seem to get the same reaction. I’m unsure what to do and I’m at the point I’ve lost most people around me. I’m at a loss atm. I have a wonderful partner but I wonder how long it will be before I ruin that too. Help?

Gadzooks Can I or Can't I, Can stubbornness win?
  • replies: 1

Hey all, I introduced myself a little while back and this is my first proper post. I wasn't really sure where to put in it or what to say, I just know I'm feeling pretty down and last time sharing helped a bit. I was diagnosed with anxiety at the sta... View more

Hey all, I introduced myself a little while back and this is my first proper post. I wasn't really sure where to put in it or what to say, I just know I'm feeling pretty down and last time sharing helped a bit. I was diagnosed with anxiety at the start of the year and the whole 12 months has been spent trying to best manage and respond to this while also living my life. I'm so stubborn and whether it is a good thing or not I went to work each day, shared with others what was going on and got help from the expected sources. I have depression now too, intermittently, I think it came about as just being so tired and sick of everything going wrong despite how hard I tried. Ultimately I didn't think it would be nearly 2020 and I'd be still feeling awful and still wondering 'can I' or 'can't I' have a good day, live my life, put the things other people to do behind me or even if I'm lucky, sleep. I'm still stubborn and I still want so badly to try and get through this and enjoy all the wonderful things. This year I've come to realise anxiety has always been a part of my life, but the depression somehow scares me more though that doesn't really make sense. Anyway, enough rambling, is it possible that 2020 could be better? I appreciate knowing that others understand. It helps just to write and read sometimes I think G

Dermona Whats happening with me?
  • replies: 2

Hello community! Overview: for last year i had big anxiety spikes out of blue. Now i came to realisation those anxiety spikes come when i become hyperactive, i start questioning myself why i m feeling that way and anxiety hits. I m using medication f... View more

Hello community! Overview: for last year i had big anxiety spikes out of blue. Now i came to realisation those anxiety spikes come when i become hyperactive, i start questioning myself why i m feeling that way and anxiety hits. I m using medication for 3months to help with my anxiety but paradoxically it helped me only 1-2weeks after i started taking it. For past month i keep log of how i feel and realised my mood radically changes from hyperactive to very tired, this usually happens 2 times in a day. For example today i got up in the morning after 12 hours of sleeping with racing thoughts (without anxiety) i became hyperactive i did insane amount of jobs feeling euphoria, guilt, fear at the same time this mood hit its peak and i lost all my energy and feel literaly like used napkin. In few days im visiting my psychiatrist and gonna tell everything that happens with me. This would seem to me like bipolar but there is that thing when i feel elated and sad at the same time, also moods shift few times in same day. When i say hyperactive i mean my mind is racing like insane, i cant stand still, if im hyperactive at work my collegues tell me to slowdown but i simply cant. Do you guys maybe have insight what is happening with me? I m really wrecked up...

Lee13 Help, need question answered?
  • replies: 6

Hey, I need a question answered. Can I request some type of psychological report from my psychologist to give to me, my lawyer or my GP? I’m Australian and was injured in a workplace accident exactly one year today in Canada whilst on a working visa.... View more

Hey, I need a question answered. Can I request some type of psychological report from my psychologist to give to me, my lawyer or my GP? I’m Australian and was injured in a workplace accident exactly one year today in Canada whilst on a working visa. My previous psychologist, told me she would document everything I’m going through in regards to the trauma I sustained. She told me I was exhibiting PTSD. I didn’t find her very helpful though.. and decided it would be best not to see her anymore. I emailed her asking for her to contact my lawyers to send them a report like she said she would. She called me to say that she could not write any reports as there is a “jurisdictional issue” however she knew all this time it happened overseas. She fed me some rubbish that she would contact her lawyers and find out if she could but she was pretty sure she can’t and would contact me back. Also told me the psychologist company she worked for did not want to be associated with this? Surprise surprise, she never contacted me back, she won’t open or respond to any of my emails. I feel she has just made things worse for me. She is jeopardising my claim too. My lawyers in Canada are asking for this report. I don’t know what to say to them. What do I say my psychologist refuses to provide you with the report. I am doing CPT for PTSD with another psychologist, so I will be asking them if they can send something to my lawyers. I just really need the first psychologist I was seeing to send this report Tommy layers. Any information would be helpful?

Carebear29 I’m new
  • replies: 1

Hi I’m new to this site.. I am on anti depressants but don’t feel like they are working. I have family but they don’t understand depression really and think I am just sulking at home. I am hoping I can get support here. I have aniexty as well I don’t... View more

Hi I’m new to this site.. I am on anti depressants but don’t feel like they are working. I have family but they don’t understand depression really and think I am just sulking at home. I am hoping I can get support here. I have aniexty as well I don’t like leaving the house or socialising with anyone..

JRogan I feel lost and like a failure
  • replies: 3

I’m 20, have sever depression and anxiety, usually I can cope pretty well and I can always help others with their own issues and problems but with me I don’t know what to do my sister is 4 years older. Successful. I’m the opposite. every job I lose i... View more

I’m 20, have sever depression and anxiety, usually I can cope pretty well and I can always help others with their own issues and problems but with me I don’t know what to do my sister is 4 years older. Successful. I’m the opposite. every job I lose interest in or get too depressed or anxious to go and end up quitting or getting fired. I don’t know what job to apply for or course to study. Nothing interests me and idk what to do, I hate being 20 and having no future, I have no money so I’m just costing money and I’m stuck in this endless cycle of going nowhere in life. i want to work, really I do. I want to have my own house and have money and have a future but no matter how hard I try I just can’t stick with it or something goes wrong and I end up right where I started. everyone says study something but I’ve looked at every course and I’m not interested, I work in hospitality but I’m too anxious to go to work. I’ve tried other places and it’s the same thing. I have no qualifications, a year 10 pass. Maybe. I don’t actually know if I completed year 10 because I missed the last few weeks. That’s it. What do I do? Where do I go? Honestly it’s like I wasn’t meant to be here. I wanted to study youth councilling which sounds ridiculous because I have depression but I can’t even do that without a year 12 pass and because I might not even have year 10 I don’t want to have to go back to school, at 20 and be in a class with a bunch of 15-16 year olds. what do I do?

Bones10 SEPARATION AND NOW SEVERE DEPRESSION
  • replies: 2

NEED SUPPORT AFTER SEPARATION, WHICH HAS TURNED INTYO SEVERE DEPRESSION AND VERY DARK THOUGHTS. ITS BEEN 3 MONTHS, I DONT SLEEP MORE THAN 2-3 HOURS A NIGHT, I CANNOT STOP THINKING MY BRAIN IS AT FULL STEAM AHEAD 24/7, I HAVE NO MOTIVATION WHATSOEVER,... View more

NEED SUPPORT AFTER SEPARATION, WHICH HAS TURNED INTYO SEVERE DEPRESSION AND VERY DARK THOUGHTS. ITS BEEN 3 MONTHS, I DONT SLEEP MORE THAN 2-3 HOURS A NIGHT, I CANNOT STOP THINKING MY BRAIN IS AT FULL STEAM AHEAD 24/7, I HAVE NO MOTIVATION WHATSOEVER, I DONT SEE MY FAMILY BECAUSE I DONT WANT TO BURDEN THEM WITH MY PROBLEMS. THE ONLY SUPPORT I HAVE HAD IS THE LADY I SEPARATED FROM AND ITS STARTING TO GET HER DOWN AS WELL, I DONT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I HAVE TRIED TO GET MY HEAD AROUND THE WHOLE ISSUE BUT I AM NOT HAVING MUCH LUCK. IM EXHAUSTED AND LOST I SUPPOSE . I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO? IM NOT NORMALLY AN AGGRESSIVE PERSON BUT MY TEMPER HAS ESCALATED AND MY PATIENCE IS VERY SHORT, IT FEELS LIKE ITS NOT EVEN ME ANYMORE! ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS GUYS AND GIRLS, Bones10

pkr00402 New to this, how do I ask for help?
  • replies: 6

Too often I feel inexplicably sad and empty, but I never let anyone see it. I always put myself out into the world as a bright bubbly person, I work as a receptionist in a gym so it’s all about keeping others happy. I feel like there’s no reason at a... View more

Too often I feel inexplicably sad and empty, but I never let anyone see it. I always put myself out into the world as a bright bubbly person, I work as a receptionist in a gym so it’s all about keeping others happy. I feel like there’s no reason at all for me to feel like I do most of the time, and I’ve never been to see anyone about it. I don’t want to feel like I’m wasting someone’s time or even spending money on an appointment that I didn’t need because I’m making it all up. I’ve had friends with really bad depression, and it makes me question if I’m just sad sometimes, like I don’t even have it as bad as others. I’ve seen this friend become too reliant on our friends and seen how many friendships she’s lost from being so hard to deal with, I don’t want to be that. I don’t even know if this makes sense.

Katso Help with depression
  • replies: 1

I am a 55 year old woman and I believe I have been depressed my whole life. Unfortunately the last year its become so severe - with heart palpitations, loss of interest in anything at all, avoidance of any activities- overwhelming tiredness and lots ... View more

I am a 55 year old woman and I believe I have been depressed my whole life. Unfortunately the last year its become so severe - with heart palpitations, loss of interest in anything at all, avoidance of any activities- overwhelming tiredness and lots of sleeping but no relief and feeling almost too tired to walk. I try to put on a fake face all day - accept all the rejection I have my whole life - from everyone and I'm just at the lowest feeling ever. I previously took a medication which was okay but I am just seeing if anyone feels the same. I feel so alone and after years of rejection- chronic low self esteem - old age symptoms making that worse - as every day I look at an old tired face, I'm almost giving up and need some relief from the sadness to try to find some peace