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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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Kwee_Eng Desperate n struggling
  • replies: 13

Hi, I m new to this site. I have been on antidepressants since 20.1.20. I struggle everyday, intensity of symptoms varies. Does anyone out there can identify with how difficult it is mentally, emotionally n physically. At times, I just dont know how ... View more

Hi, I m new to this site. I have been on antidepressants since 20.1.20. I struggle everyday, intensity of symptoms varies. Does anyone out there can identify with how difficult it is mentally, emotionally n physically. At times, I just dont know how to manage the symptoms n look beyond to better days.

JimmyP2020 25, probably depressed, certainly struggling.
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, Where to begin? Not really sure myself, I'm feeling like the walls are closing in on me and no matter how much push I give, they just keep closing in. It kind of all started last year in earnest although I did have a stint on an SSNRI a ... View more

Hi everyone, Where to begin? Not really sure myself, I'm feeling like the walls are closing in on me and no matter how much push I give, they just keep closing in. It kind of all started last year in earnest although I did have a stint on an SSNRI a few years ago. My sister's health declined over the year before she passed on a few months ago. It left me feeling pretty rubbish since there was a lot left unsaid. Everything was left on a sour note years prior. You see, I grew up in a rather closed group that shunned society. A few years ago I traded that social group to pursue University. I never went to school as a child, or even did home-school. I was a free-range child. The community was, it still is, close knit. Everyone helps each other, everything is a group effort. It is idyllic in many ways, however, there is a strong in and out group dynamic. One can't be inside the group and participate in general life activities. If you are outside the group you are avoided and shunned like a team traitor. That's how I lost contact with my sister, by being an outsider. Information, as sparse as it was, arrived to me months later from family. There was also a push to bring me back into the fold by guilt tripping me. A ultimatum of sorts, come back and you can talk to your dying sister. This was all on the back of my final year at university. The academic pressure felt intense, but it was a reprieve, something to hide behind while the real pressure came from my family. I bounced from studying to drinking at night and playing a myriad of video games. I graduated, but I wasn't really ready to graduate. I wasn't ready for the job searching and interviewing. I was there at University to escape life, not to build to something more. It came to an end, my course, I graduated, and then I suddenly had nothing. I was standing with a piece of paper, and a desire to hide away. I struggled, I got a few interviews, but being depressed, I mumbled and fumbled. I was even told that I needed to speak more. Now I am still here, still feeling the same, still hiding away behind anything from my family. Video games, news, political forums. Anything that can sink time in a day and keep the feels back. Now I am feeling tired, so tired of it. I feel angry as well, like I could do something dumb. Fantasies of white hot anger mixed with hours of spacing out watching the endless dance of YouTube videos about a myriad of asinine topics. I'm drowning myself in pointless minutia to hide.

Tiger07 What are your experiences with medication? 
  • replies: 10

Hi, Im a first time user and hope this can be of assistance to me. I have been battling depression for a very long time, however I recently come close to self harm. I have been avoiding medication as I dont want to become reliant on it, however I hav... View more

Hi, Im a first time user and hope this can be of assistance to me. I have been battling depression for a very long time, however I recently come close to self harm. I have been avoiding medication as I dont want to become reliant on it, however I have just bitten the bullet and asked my physiologist to recommend someting for me. I was just wondering if people have had good or bad experiences with their medication? I am very nervous about commencing this type of treatment. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

M_M Hormonal anxiety and depression
  • replies: 1

I’m looking to connect with someone who is experiencing the same things as Iam. Almost 3 weeks ago I had been feeling super dizzy and extreme fatigue, felt like there was an elephant on my chest and just super sad. I didn’t know what was going on, un... View more

I’m looking to connect with someone who is experiencing the same things as Iam. Almost 3 weeks ago I had been feeling super dizzy and extreme fatigue, felt like there was an elephant on my chest and just super sad. I didn’t know what was going on, until I went to the doctors and told him I had been feeling but I didn’t have anything triggering why I had been feeling the way I had been feeling. He put it down to hormonal anxiety and depression, and a really bad side effect after coming of birth control. I’m on antidepressants which are helping heaps. And I’m just trying to get through each day.

Curleee BPD issues or poor behaviour by a friend?
  • replies: 5

Thank you to everyone who has posted on the thread: BPD person who needs a friend with knowledge of BPD. I have learnt so much about my diagnosis, just from reading this thread. I hadn't heard at all about mirroring (even though I've done lots of rea... View more

Thank you to everyone who has posted on the thread: BPD person who needs a friend with knowledge of BPD. I have learnt so much about my diagnosis, just from reading this thread. I hadn't heard at all about mirroring (even though I've done lots of reading)..... I am wanting to mention a situation with a friend. Essentially, I am never sure if when I have a scenario going on with a friend, whether it is BPD, or if its that friend's behaviour. In most instances, I easily blame myself for things - and most of the time, there are ways that I could have behaved better. But yesterday, I started writing an email to a friend, to hopefully resolve our issues with each other.... after typing the email out, I realised that I didn't fully believe what i was typing. So I have not sent the email, because I want to sit with what are my real gut feelings. I have trouble processing matters..... Situation is as follows: We've been friends for 23 years. I would consider this person, one of my inner circle. She has been having an affair with a married woman. I had asked her about this several times, just to enquire, because she seemed to be talking about this woman a lot; if it'd been more serious. And she said they'd been together 3-4 times. I didn't think much of it, not great to sleep with a married person; but whatever (I don't even know them)...... I then find out 18 months later (even though we speak a few times a week), that she has been in a full blown affair with this woman. I reacted by talking about how the husband feels...and pulled myself away from the friendship..... In reflecting, I don't actually care about what the husband feels. For me, I felt rejected and why has she kept it quiet. It also frustrated me because I have supported her through 2 relationships where her partners had had affairs..... (and additionally, one other holiday I went on with her, she brang a "friend"..... turns out it wasn't a friend....it was a lover)..... she thinks I judged her and that she isnt obliged to share things about her life with me. As a friend, it should be up to the person, to share what they want to share. The healthy and clear-thinking side of my brain thinks she is not taking responsibility. I don't know how to move forward and am distressed about it. Not sure how to move forward with the friendship.

Kaypatch How Did this happen? Why Did this happen?
  • replies: 6

How did I get to this place? I am 63 years old and I am sad, I feel lonely and I guess depressed. I have started to see a therapist however my background is that I was always told by my peers that things happen along the way and you just deal with it... View more

How did I get to this place? I am 63 years old and I am sad, I feel lonely and I guess depressed. I have started to see a therapist however my background is that I was always told by my peers that things happen along the way and you just deal with it and pick yourself back up and get on with it. But nobody told me about ageing and loneliness. I have a gorgeous family (who have put me through the wringers throughout the years, but have all bounced back and are healthy and reasonably happy) I have lovely friends as well. But I am sad, just incredibly sad and crying right now. I am normally in control but lately have felt more out of control than a bus with no breaks! Does this ever pass? One day I am OK one day I am sad and crying - actually most days lately. I feel like I don't want to go out - I don't want to put on a happy face - I don't want to see other peeps and families out being happy. Maybe I am just being a selfish human? Thanks for listening.

mocha delight Heartbroken
  • replies: 3

Just got some news not long ago that the grandma I’m closest to is showing signs both my grandfathers showed/acted like 2 days before they passed away since yesterday so if that’s the case she might not be with us by the weekend. So I’m feeling kind ... View more

Just got some news not long ago that the grandma I’m closest to is showing signs both my grandfathers showed/acted like 2 days before they passed away since yesterday so if that’s the case she might not be with us by the weekend. So I’m feeling kind of down and I’m don’t know how I’ll cope if I lose my grandma as even if she lived 1 1/2 hours away as I was growing up I was very close with her and would go to see her quite often or it felt like it was most weekends. All I want and have done so far is when I’m very upset is turning to food and anything fattening which is my coping mechanism

Lulu78 Medication problems
  • replies: 2

Hi ALl ive been medicated for the last 5 years for major depressive disorder, never had much luck in finding one that works for me. My latest cocktail consists of 2 meds one which was added more recently and has caused me to gain 7kg, my weight has a... View more

Hi ALl ive been medicated for the last 5 years for major depressive disorder, never had much luck in finding one that works for me. My latest cocktail consists of 2 meds one which was added more recently and has caused me to gain 7kg, my weight has always played a massive role in my mental health, ive had body image issues from as a young girl and my life has revolved around on trying to always be skinnier than i was last week, i know this may silly to som but it has always played a big role on determining my state of mind and happiness sadly ... i cant stay on this medication any longer as the fear of continuing to keep gaining weight scares the living hell out of me. Anyone had any experience with this? Im seeing my gp Monday so was going to mention it but would luv to hear anyones thoughts. thank u all kindly

new_beginning My kids deserve better
  • replies: 12

I hate weekends. When families are out enjoying time with their family and friends, experiencing life. My kids and i are at home, they on their tablets watching some mind numbing thing while their childhoods drift away. I cant give them the life they... View more

I hate weekends. When families are out enjoying time with their family and friends, experiencing life. My kids and i are at home, they on their tablets watching some mind numbing thing while their childhoods drift away. I cant give them the life they deserve. Theres only so many times you can take them to the playground before it gets boring. I just want them to beable to look back on their childhoods with fond memories and so far all they have is mum who is basically forever crying and a dad who is never about. i cant even find a job to try and improve our financial situation. Just knock back after knock back and reiterating the fact im not good enough for anyone despite me really wanting to make anything work. I just want out of this entire situation.

inapoloriodpicture i cant cope with school
  • replies: 4

so i’ve just started year 11- like, JUST started. it’s my third week back and i already feel like i’m drowning. i cant go one day without completely breaking down because i just can’t deal with it. i used to love school, but now i just feel so nervou... View more

so i’ve just started year 11- like, JUST started. it’s my third week back and i already feel like i’m drowning. i cant go one day without completely breaking down because i just can’t deal with it. i used to love school, but now i just feel so nervous there and i don’t have anyone that i can talk to. i feel alone around people i used to be close with, and i have no friends now because i just keep isolating myself. i haven’t been to a councillor because i can’t bring it upon myself to speak up when i’m struggling and ask for help. i was suspended last year because the school didn’t think i was in the right headspace to come back until i had seen a psychiatrist, but i only ever went to a doctor who referred me to someone- who i never went to. i’m just in a really bad place, i’ve already missed three days of school and will probably skip more. i don’t know what to do anymore, i already have so much homework but all i can do when i get home is sleep, cry, stare into nothing then wonder where all the time went. when i try to do homework i procrastinate- then get into trouble for not doing homework. i’ve lost all interest, even in the subjects that i was so keen to do. i constantly wish that i moved schools and beat myself up for not knowing how to ask for help. everything just feels so difficult and i don’t know how i’m going to get through two more years of this.

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