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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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GreenEgg Lying in bed awake, sad, when I should be feeling more positive
  • replies: 2

It’s been a little while. A lot has happened since I last visited here, I’ve been coasting along a bit. I think that’s what my life is mostly - like I’m cruising, not really there. Not happy, but often not totally miserable either. I blink and a few ... View more

It’s been a little while. A lot has happened since I last visited here, I’ve been coasting along a bit. I think that’s what my life is mostly - like I’m cruising, not really there. Not happy, but often not totally miserable either. I blink and a few months pass, but nothing really changes. And then it’s not ok, it’s really not. Sometimes it’s fleeting - a day spent crying, agonising. Filled with dread and sadness. Sometimes it’s much longer. It feels like nothing sticks. I want to feel genuinely connected to people, but I don’t really make effort. I want to be more involved with my family and check in more, but I don’t. I want to start doing more exercise, but I don’t. I want to pick up a hobby. I want to volunteer. I want to change jobs. I want to move. I want all of this stuff but none of it I follow through with - sometimes I’ll even get to the point of being sooo close. Other people often seem from the outside to have such energy, motivation. They just decide and do it… Anyway, I’m not sure there’s much of a point to this post. I feel bad, like this is another way I don’t have much consistency

Raf Unjustifiable Sadness
  • replies: 2

I'm a young teen and, like many others, I feel sad often. Every day I've been tired and felt disconnected or derealized from what I do. There's not much to look forward to or to be happy about in my life. During the most recent holidays I smoked weed... View more

I'm a young teen and, like many others, I feel sad often. Every day I've been tired and felt disconnected or derealized from what I do. There's not much to look forward to or to be happy about in my life. During the most recent holidays I smoked weed almost every single night out of my bedroom window, and I've been vaping for two years. I feel sad, but there's not much of a reason to be. My parents are loving and make good money, I go to a decent school, I have lots of caring friends, and it makes me feel guilty for having this intermittent depressive state. My mum has clinical depression and yesterday I snuck one of her antidepressant pills, I woke up and felt so much better. My friend offered me a cone (weed) before school and I got way, way too high. I fainted in my first class and my mum picked me up. Honestly, it's pretty humerous, and I happily accepted the day off. Anyways, I'm sure others also feel this guilt for being sad, anxious and unproductive, for no particular reason, or no reason justifiably great enough to put me into the mood I've been feeling.

Raf SH For no Reason
  • replies: 3

I'm a young teenage boy and I've been self harming recently. I haven't done this with suicidal intent nor has it been very severe. My girlfriend self harms and I wondered what on earth could push someone to harm themselves, it wasn't an urge I had ev... View more

I'm a young teenage boy and I've been self harming recently. I haven't done this with suicidal intent nor has it been very severe. My girlfriend self harms and I wondered what on earth could push someone to harm themselves, it wasn't an urge I had ever felt. I came home from school one day and I felt particularly bad so I self harmed, that was a few months ago, and recently I've been feeling urges to do it again, which I've given in to. I don't know why it gives me a feeling of fulfilment, but it does. I have been feeling depressed recently, but if someone asked me why I self harmed I couldn't give them an answer that justifies it. The only thing I'm really scared about is my parents or friends noticing, so I keep my hoodie on all the time. Does anyone else self harm, but you you feel guilty about it or feel that you don't have a "good enough reason" to do it?

username1115757 hallucinations?
  • replies: 2

does anyone else get hallucinations from worrying about upcoming things?like, for example, I have a first aid course I am meant to attend today, but I've been up all night beating myself up. making up stories and so on of all the bad things that coul... View more

does anyone else get hallucinations from worrying about upcoming things?like, for example, I have a first aid course I am meant to attend today, but I've been up all night beating myself up. making up stories and so on of all the bad things that could happen, sick and worried about leaving the house. And at one point while I was having a panic attack I started to see stuff that wasn't there.I've been suffering from severe depression and anxiety for about 20 years now and it just keeps getting worse/thoughts of {you know} don't leave, but nothing this visual.

Jose Looking for clues?
  • replies: 17

Has anyone gone through a situation where you were attacked by the entire society literally? I am trying to convince myself that I am having delusions but it's more than a dream at the moment considering what's going on. I think I am so famous in the... View more

Has anyone gone through a situation where you were attacked by the entire society literally? I am trying to convince myself that I am having delusions but it's more than a dream at the moment considering what's going on. I think I am so famous in the entire country I live in and even think I am involved in a grand conspiracy. Yes this might be delusion but the moment people see me they attack, period. Passive attack to make me mentally sick. I feel like a celebrity, I am kind of enjoying little bit of it every now and then. Playing with attackers is my new hobby and something that keeps me moving to be honest. Gotta give them credit for that eventhough they don't realize it. But what in the world have I done to end up like this?

bubba Feel so lost
  • replies: 3

Hi, Am a complete newbie here, so forgive me if Im not posting in the right spot. F48 married and no kids.The last few months have been a complete struggle and I don’t know whats wrong. Am not happy with my life at the moment. It’s a bag of mixed emo... View more

Hi, Am a complete newbie here, so forgive me if Im not posting in the right spot. F48 married and no kids.The last few months have been a complete struggle and I don’t know whats wrong. Am not happy with my life at the moment. It’s a bag of mixed emotions and I ride the waves of ups and downs everyday. I have told no one I have been feeling this way. Not even my best friends, husband or my own family. I wake up when hubby goes to work, and when he leaves I can easily sleep another couple of hours. I currently don’t work. When I do wake up, it feels like it’s a real struggle. The house is a mess, it’s not a huge mess but could def be better, but I just feel so overwhelmed I just leave it be. I’m bored at home, but then I have always liked my own company too. I may go out and get a few needed essentials, but just come home again and lay on the bed, and be on my phone, probably sleep again another couple of hours before hubby comes home from work. All of my closest friends are interstate or overseas. I can’t seem to “gel” with anyone local. And once I do find someone who could be friends… they say they are leaving soon to travel around Oz, or are just too busy to meet up. i miss having deep and meaningful conversations with people about anything. (Other than my husband) And ones I feel drawn to are of the opposite sex and married or long term relationships but then that makes it awkward too. But I have no desire to cheat etc.. I just miss connecting with people. I have no friends locally. Not a single one. We are in a social club and I’m on the committee because I have nothing else do to. And I just simply did it, as I have all the time the world to help out. I feel it’s the only thing that gives me purpose in life at the moment. i keep cancelling upcoming medical appointments probably for the last 6mths. I just can’t be bothered with anything. Its making me more sad, as I realise I need help, but don’t know who to ask, what questions to ask, and I really dont want to be put on medications. i suppose you could say fear of the unknown. I just feel, sad, down, depressed, overwhelmed, lonely, lost just about every single day lately. And I hate it. I’ve lost the old me somewhere along the way and I want and need it to change. Or is it just simply perimenopause lol… far out 🤦‍🤷‍thanks for reading.

passingthrough Depression and negative affirmations
  • replies: 20

Hi all, I'm not sure how to use this forum to get help, and feel that I have nothing to offer fellow participants, but I need to try something at this time. I'm 34M, probably somewhat autistic (but undiagnosed) and been struggling with what I roughly... View more

Hi all, I'm not sure how to use this forum to get help, and feel that I have nothing to offer fellow participants, but I need to try something at this time. I'm 34M, probably somewhat autistic (but undiagnosed) and been struggling with what I roughly call depression. I'm currently taking SNRI antidepressants and attending therapy. Other than that it's hard to say what's going on with any clarity. I regularly tell myself these things, usually in threes and always including the last two:“I can’t do anything right”“I can’t do it”"I can't do anything"“I hate myself”“I’m a loser”“I deserve to die” I believe that this is causing me to feel worse, and creates negative feedback loops. I just want to know if anyone has any suggestions for how to either stop or ignore this behaviour. I've tried contradicting it ("I'm doing my best, and I deserve to be happy") and tried logically dismantling it ("Loser? I didn't realise this was a competition", "Deserve to die? Everyone dies!") but so far nothing has really worked. It's mainly triggered by rejection or criticism, either by my partner or me, for example criticism of my work performance or behaviour. I've talked to my therapist about it, but we haven't really discussed any strategies. I'm happy to read other threads, just don't know where to start. Thanks.

Hazels Parents and depression
  • replies: 2

I'm 16 and have been feeling depressed for a long while now and my parents don't care, I try on many occasions to bring up the topic because I'm at the point where I'm having suicide thoughts but they just add more fuel to the fire and I can't take i... View more

I'm 16 and have been feeling depressed for a long while now and my parents don't care, I try on many occasions to bring up the topic because I'm at the point where I'm having suicide thoughts but they just add more fuel to the fire and I can't take it any more I'm trying ways to try and cope

JJ1981 WANTING TO FINALLY VENT MY TRUE SITUATION
  • replies: 3

Well…I may be 43 years old. I’m supposed to be enjoying the best years of my life, living on my own terms, getting respect from people.But, I happen to be one of those people who keep “falling through the cracks” in Australia (as the Aussie patriots ... View more

Well…I may be 43 years old. I’m supposed to be enjoying the best years of my life, living on my own terms, getting respect from people.But, I happen to be one of those people who keep “falling through the cracks” in Australia (as the Aussie patriots would say - Happy Australia Day, by the way!). But if you understand my story (and it’s a long one), you would appreciate that it’s really a matter of having cracks made in front of me then being pushed through them! A lot of cracks…Despite me being quite smart, hard working and competent, I ended up in a profession that is thankless, should have paid me better, should have gotten a lot more respect and is now infested with backstabbers as my colleagues. I became burned out and started to veer away from full time commitments because of this lack of social, professional and financial respect.I wanted to start a new life in a new city. Although I was very grateful to have been there, I did not improve my income, make any real friends or find love. I did not get any increase in credibility in myself as a person, man, and future protector and provider. I had to resettle back in my old city (of which I despise so much because of the arrogance of its people there). Even that was not enough to stop my family from barraging me with criticisms about how weak, ungrateful and disloyal I was by wanting to move away from the people in my old city. My mother told me that this arrogance “happens everywhere”, is normal and is not allowed to be countered against - as a matter of being “nice and respectful”. And that I was “ABANDONING” them, which was never true!Being nice and respectful to a people in an Australian state costing me 12 years of my adult life, a $70,000 HECS debt (that would probably never get paid off), left me without any genuine social connections, no true financial security AND destroyed any credibility I have had with the people I care about?!?!?!I had another argument with her after so many. I now swear to myself that this will be the LAST argument because I am sick and tired of being scared of how she will react. My late father being a kind of enforcer for her didn’t make things any easier (even though he probably knew I was right - but don’t contradict the wife, if you want her to stay loyal!)I’m thinking about splitting my time between my old and new city, but my mother wanted me to STAY BACK because I’m basically seen as a loser! And I’m looking at even more criticism from my family!Despite me seeing one of the best psychiatrists in Australia, being on two separate mental health medications and being a patient in two mental hospitals, this is the legacy of which I am really trying to shake off but don’t think I can ever recover from. Me having a recent broken leg didn’t make things any better - I never want it to happen again. On top of all health problems related to my psychological stress ranging from obesity (of which I worked really hard to drop) to sleep apnoea, to depression and reactive anxiety, to testosterone deficiency.And, if that was not enough, I did not that there were some occasions when (sigh) some minor suicidal thoughts “tried” to enter my head. That had me REALLY scared! I’m crying just typing the last sentence. There is no way that I would think about committing it, but people are really trying to make it look that I have to attempt it before people start actually taking me seriously!I am feeling well and truly stuck, alone and scared. And, I feel that I will get into so much trouble, whether I step with my right foot or my left! Me not having anyone to talk to or help me out makes it even harder still. I honestly don’t know how I managed to hold out so well for so long in my life!The only remedy in my life is, really, to make dramatic, rapid and genuine progress in what I want to do with my life, everything from making constant decent money (as in six figures with the inflation happening here) to setting up my own family. But, I feel that any window of opportunity left to set things right is shrinking much faster than I want it to.So sorry to be a burden to anyone trying to read and analyse this, but I don’t know where else to express myself right now.

Jess8078 How to support someone who doesn’t believe in support?
  • replies: 2

Hi! thank you for reading! sorry for generalising, but what do men do to feel better which is not simultaneously bad for your health (like drinking alcohol)? my husband doesn’t believe in meditation, taking a breath, going for a walk or talking to pr... View more

Hi! thank you for reading! sorry for generalising, but what do men do to feel better which is not simultaneously bad for your health (like drinking alcohol)? my husband doesn’t believe in meditation, taking a breath, going for a walk or talking to professionals. (These are things I would do if feeling blue). I have told him to take “me” time. He took a long time off work (2yrs) which I supported to reduce his stress levels, but it honestly didn’t help much. I was working full time, and was still more relaxed than him. The only time I see him fully relaxed is with a beer in his hand. Or out fishing (but that requires organisation and good weather…). any advice on how I can help him would be great. (And don’t say intimacy, well aware of that one and doing my best).