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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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Stressed Guy My life at the moment
  • replies: 3

So, I'm just going to start of by saying my problems aren't as serious as others on these forums but here goes. I guess with this coronavirus situation happening in the world it's made me regret not making any real friends or even having a girlfriend... View more

So, I'm just going to start of by saying my problems aren't as serious as others on these forums but here goes. I guess with this coronavirus situation happening in the world it's made me regret not making any real friends or even having a girlfriend up until this point in my life (I'm 26 years old). It just feels like I have no one to talk to except for my parents (I have 2 older brothers but they've got their own lives) I also got accepted into uni back in February and was supposed to start my bachelor of arts course on the Gold Coast in July and I was really looking forward to it. I wanted to study subjects I was interested in, I wanted to socialize with other people and I was going to join their soccer comp. I currently live in Sydney at the moment and with all of this happening I don't know when our house will be sold and when my parents and I will be moving to the Gold Coast (Not like the course will be on campus in July. It would probably be online anyway which I don't really like. I'm currently studying a diploma of travel and tourism online and it's a little bit challenging. I prefer studying on campus) I guess I feel depressed sometimes about all of this as well as being angry at myself for not trying enough in years gone past. I'm trying to stay positive and keep busy by writing short stories (I really love writing, that was the main reason for applying to uni) as well as reading, watching movies, playing videogames, creating a website, making funny YouTube videos, continuing to clear stuff in the house and trying to complete the diploma of travel and tourism (I don't know what for, it seems useless atm) It just guess everything right now feels monotonous (And even though I'm an introvert, I miss going to the movies, bowling and to sport games with my mum) I know it's not as serious as other people's problems but I just don't know who to talk to about any of this.

Emily1992 sudden feelings of depression
  • replies: 2

i dont generally struggle too much with depression, but i have very bad anxiety and social anxiety and generally if i do start to feel low mood or depressed it will usually be due to overwhelming feelings of anxiety. its like a sick, twisted cycle. a... View more

i dont generally struggle too much with depression, but i have very bad anxiety and social anxiety and generally if i do start to feel low mood or depressed it will usually be due to overwhelming feelings of anxiety. its like a sick, twisted cycle. anyway, i suddenly feel depressed right now and the thing is i hardly ever know how i got there? its like my brain is working overtime and overthinking in the background doing tasks that im not entirely aware of, almost like a background program on a computer. Yes! actually that is exactly what it is like! like im thinking anxious all over the place thoughts, but i myself in my concious mind dont even know what im actaully thinking. how insane does that sound?! LOL does anyone else feel this way? i literally dont even know where i am going with this, but i guess im sick of the same old pattern and cycle and i always end up feeling extremely irritable and angry more than anything because im sick of feeling this way. why cant i just be normal"?!! i wonder what it actually feels like to feel "normal" (lol what even is "normal" though right?!) and have an absolute absence of these crazy thoughts in you mind?! i know for a fact i have met people like that although i cant see into their minds and i may be wrong, i swear these people are so convincingly calm and seem as if they dont have a care in the world. i am intelligent and i often think about all the amazing things i could have/could do if it werent for these utterly paralyzing thiughts and feelings, especially around social anxiety and being around different people in general. I just have so many compunded thoughts and feelings (like i said i dont even know half of them!) and i end up like a pathetic, lazy and unmotivated heap of mess! and then i get even more pissed off at myself for being lazy! OMG lol talk about drama queen! i go for walks, i try to get out i mean its harder with this pandemic shit at the moment, but i am still going for at least a 30 minute walk each day well most days anyway. I have felt alright the last few days but not sure why. but now feel like crap. i am 28 and i still live at home with my mum which i still feel bad about although i have gotten better at not letting it bother me as much. I have been single for 5 years now and i feel very sad deep down that i still have not met anyone amazing in my life, but i just get on with it. and i have like 1 freind lo. i am very lonely but honestly in this world not much you can do.

FightingFree12 New here. Is life supposed to be like this?
  • replies: 2

Hi all I am suffering what I’m assuming is depression. I have suffered mild anxiety over the years and have worked extremely hard to cope with that. I found a deep spiritual faith early last year and had my life on a good track. But sadly towards the... View more

Hi all I am suffering what I’m assuming is depression. I have suffered mild anxiety over the years and have worked extremely hard to cope with that. I found a deep spiritual faith early last year and had my life on a good track. But sadly towards the end of last year I let myself go and have felt useless, hopeless and have zero self-worth. I am a 24 year old nurse working through this crisis and while I’m grateful for a job I wish I too had an excuse to stay in bed all day like people who have lost their job. I see people on social media exercising and being active and I can’t even fathom moving my body or eating healthy. I’m eating a lot, tonnes of sugar and fatty foods. I’ve put on 8kg. I feel horrendous but am in such a dark place to have any hope of healing myself. I planned on moving to Canada in July this year and finding a new life for myself. But now that has all been ruined. I have a supportive family but no friends. I have never made friends for the past 6 years and my high school friends are very far away. I feel so extremely lost and hopeless about life and especially this pandemic. How long will life have to be stagnant and mundane for? I’m not suicidal but I genuinely can’t begin to imagine having to live a life this flat for another 70+ years. Any tips for depression welcomed. Thank you

Lid My depression
  • replies: 3

Hey, I've been suffering from depression for approximately the past two years but during the past few months it has gotten much worse. I am having trouble getting out of bed. I'm always down and I don't enjoy doing some of the things I used to do. I ... View more

Hey, I've been suffering from depression for approximately the past two years but during the past few months it has gotten much worse. I am having trouble getting out of bed. I'm always down and I don't enjoy doing some of the things I used to do. I feel so alone. The only reason I get out of bed is the thought of some of my closest friends. They are always there for me. They are always willing to listen, to support me and to help me. I am so grateful I have them in my life. My family does not help. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety and depression. My older brother suffers from depression as well and my parents were there for him instantly. They helped him through it but they can't do the same to me. I just want them to help me through it. Not put me down or say I'm bunging it on or something else. I need them and they are not here for me and they wonder why I no longer talk to them about how I'm feeling or why I'm so down. They wonder why I've become so distant. I don't want to be but I am over getting hurt by them. Could really use some advice. Lid

GuestQM Existential depression
  • replies: 11

I feel like no one understands me, and it makes me incredibly lonely. It started when I was in school, and I thought it would get better as I grow older. I’m now approaching 30, but I’m still not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I tried to ... View more

I feel like no one understands me, and it makes me incredibly lonely. It started when I was in school, and I thought it would get better as I grow older. I’m now approaching 30, but I’m still not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I tried to understand others, to listen to their problems without judgement, and to give advice (when asked). I’ve been told that I’m a good listener and a good friend. But when I need someone to talk to, no one seems to understand. Sometimes I am misinterpreted, other times I am ignored and even criticised. It seems the more I try, the more I am misunderstood, and the more I feel frustrated. I hate going out to parties or meetup groups. Everyone seems to talk over each other, and no one listens. The more I socialise, the lonelier I feel. I tried to improve myself, to read books, to try to think more rationally, to communicate more clearly, so that others can understand me better. But after years of trying, it all seems fruitless. It’s no one’s fault, really. I have a sensitive temperament that makes me a little out of sync, a little hard for others to understand, I know that. I can’t change who I am, nor can I change other people. But this doesn’t make things better. On most days, I’m okay. I’ve adapted by spending most of my non-working time alone at home, reading books, watching movies, etc. I like stories that have some philosophical themes, e.g. existentialist writers like Sartre, Camus, Kafka, etc. Some of these may be depressing, but at least they make me feel understood, which is something that the people in my life cannot provide. I can feel myself changing over time, becoming more isolated, more cynical, more resentful, and less trustful towards other people. I know how counter-productive it is, but I don’t know how else to cope. On some bad days I feel like wanting to end all of this. I just came out of a bad depression, where I spent days in bed and even had suicidal thoughts… right now I’m feeling a little better. I’m thinking of seeing a psychologist. But where do I start? I don’t even know the name of my problems, other than ‘depression’ and ‘loneliness’. The few counsellors/therapists I’ve tried were of no help at all, and I often felt worse after speaking to them. I’m also thinking of moving to another city and start over (after the virus ends), but I’m not sure if this would help. I’d hate to waste so much effort just to end up back at the same place. I guess I’m just hoping to find people are in the same situation, or have been through something similar… what worked for you? how did things improve? Anyway, thanks for reading through all of this…

Alfio Is this really what life is?
  • replies: 3

I’m 23, and I am at war with the world. I am not speaking with my family, direct and extended - due to problems which have arisen from the loss of a family business. I am losing everything from this. Family relationships, personal assets, and now my ... View more

I’m 23, and I am at war with the world. I am not speaking with my family, direct and extended - due to problems which have arisen from the loss of a family business. I am losing everything from this. Family relationships, personal assets, and now my partner. The stress and anxiety are killing me. I am seeking counselling from my doctor and another therapist yet it doesn’t feel like it’s helping. I fight with my girlfriend because of the stress this is causing me. I want my life to be with her, yet right now I don’t even see a life for myself. The stress is killing me from the inside, the amount of days I have spent sleeping in bed, not eating. Moving. Talking or drinking is worrying me, yet I just can not see the bright side to this. With each new hopeful day, comes a new problem and new stress. I have put all my faith in God and the hope that this will all start to heal itself if I can continue to try and better myself. But I only continue to fail. I don’t know what to do, I need to find ways to talk to myself and show myself that things will be okay. But I just can’t

AnonAndy Newbie here
  • replies: 4

Firstly, I don't feel like I deserve to post here, that my troubles aren't worth talking about and I should be able to get over it. So start of feb, i quit my work (managers made me feel worthless and crap) to start uni. I had to live on campus as th... View more

Firstly, I don't feel like I deserve to post here, that my troubles aren't worth talking about and I should be able to get over it. So start of feb, i quit my work (managers made me feel worthless and crap) to start uni. I had to live on campus as the drive is ~7 hrs from home. I hadn't worried about making friends as I find myself to be pretty social, but was the complete opposite at uni. After moving in and starting uni, I barely talked to anyone and if not in class I was in my room. I felt like crap until I managed to make a friend, and we went gym together which gave me a huge boost. I was proactive with my studies, keeping up with my family, friends and my partner until uni shutdown of corona, and I had to move back home (I haven't lived home for 2 years). My house environment isn't bad, it's just I finally felt I was getting started on my life, I attempted uni before but dropped out to work for a couple years, which I don't regret but I do wish that time could of been spent towards forwarding my career. First couple days were ok, but not having regular reason to get up in the morning (gym), things started to spiral from there. I've been going to bed 1am - 3am, not keeping on top of my uni stuff, eating very little, basically have isolated myself to my room, coming out for dinner but not saying a word to my mum or her partner. I've also been pushing my partner away as well. I hate myself for pushing the people I care and love away and I just want these feelings to go away. Also doesn't help that I can't see my partner due to the new (but understandable) laws. Tonight after dinner, I was lying in my bed just feeling really down and sinking feeling in my stomach, and my parter is trying to message me. I ignore her for a while, until she gets fed up and asks why I'm not talking. Sparks a bit of an argument/conversation, which was very helpful for me to get out of bed and onto this website. I told her that I don't like talking to her about feeling like this as I feel she'll see me as a weak person, and she assured me the opposite. I feel that when I talk to people about my issues, it's a weakness to not be able to help yourself and seeking it from others. Thanks for reading the post, I just needed to clear my head and vent

Paige_T depression
  • replies: 1

Last night I cried myself to sleep hoping to feel better by morning. I woke up today and I am still trapped in the dark. I’ve already lost one family member to depression. I never wanted to be consumed by the darkness but here I am writing about it. ... View more

Last night I cried myself to sleep hoping to feel better by morning. I woke up today and I am still trapped in the dark. I’ve already lost one family member to depression. I never wanted to be consumed by the darkness but here I am writing about it. I usually write in my journal to help because I refuse to let anyone know how I’m truly feeling. I question why I am here , what is even the point.

Tired_and_over_it Venting
  • replies: 1

Hi, this is my first post and I just wanted to vent. Its probably going to be long so if you don’t feel like reading I suggest moving on now. To start, I am a 38 female and I have had mental health issues for years. My diagnosis’s have been depressio... View more

Hi, this is my first post and I just wanted to vent. Its probably going to be long so if you don’t feel like reading I suggest moving on now. To start, I am a 38 female and I have had mental health issues for years. My diagnosis’s have been depression, anxiety, bi-polar type 2, borderline personality disorder and autistic traits. I have physical conditions diagnosed such as spinal issues, arthritis, joint hyper mobility relating to a connective tissue disorder, reynaulds syndrome among others. I won’t go further into the physical conditions as this post is about mental health, however physical issues come into it so i included for clarity. I work in a government job, and since august last year my physical conditions have flared so I can only work reduced hours. Prior to this I managed my symptoms ok, and working full time. I am good at my job, going above and beyond and was rewarded with a promotion. It was after receiving this promotion that my physical symptoms flared prevented me from working full time. Instead of being an inclusive and supportive workplace they made my life hell and put me through so much to try and get me to quit or demote myself. Since this began my job has been in limbo with constant threats by my employer of losing my job. The problems at work have exacerbated my mental conditions. I have been struggling since august of last year and the issues are still continuing to this day. I have a wonderful GP, clinical psychologist and psychiatrist. Im on numerous medications to help. Then the corona virus hits, and now the country is ‘encouraged’ to stay at home and not go out. I was swimming a couple of times a week which was helping, it felt like I could forget everything when I was swimming and just had the water surrounding me, it was a form of meditation. Now I can’t go, and my physical issues prevent other forms of exercise, including walking or I end up in a lot of pain. Im now isolated (with husband and daughter), I can’t go swimming, I can’t get out and I don’t know how long this will last. I’m waiting to see if Comcare will accept my claim, my job is still in limbo and now stuck at home because of COVID-19. I just want to explode or hide from everything which I can’t because I need to move and rest equally to try limit pain. I hate being in limbo and I have to guide my daughter in her remote learning. run out of characters but I think I explained. I’m struggling with a lot and needed to get it out. Thanks for listening.

Ilsie 1st time self isolator feeling very isolated
  • replies: 3

Hi. I was experiencing a moderate level of depression and anxiety prior to making the decision to take a holiday with my eldest daughter that I hoped would be very good for my mental health. The current situation resulted in us cutting our holiday sh... View more

Hi. I was experiencing a moderate level of depression and anxiety prior to making the decision to take a holiday with my eldest daughter that I hoped would be very good for my mental health. The current situation resulted in us cutting our holiday short and making a mad scramble back to Australia. Unfortunately this meant that we have ended up in 'self isolation'. However, my daughter and I live 3 hours apart and I am really struggling with being isolated at home. I have wonderful neighbours, a beautiful partner that does not live with me and good friends. However, I have found that the past 5 days being confined to my home without being able to work or so much as walk around the block, very challenging. I have felt a very high level of depression and anxiety. This is coupled with guilt and anger because apparently the sun is shining and the birds are singing and I 'shouldn't feel this way.' Ah, if only it were that simple. I suspect that there must be others that live alone, or even with a partner, who find themselves in this situation and I thought this might be a good place to hear their stories and share my own. Depression can be such a lonely beast at the best of times. Thank you for letting me join your forum. Ilsie

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