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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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Alexa1401 Toxic Mind.
  • replies: 3

Hi, I would really appreciate it if someone could help me. I can't get out of my own mind. I have depression. Its getting to a point where it feels like it will never ease up. Life has thrown a massive curve ball once again. My mum has been diagnosed... View more

Hi, I would really appreciate it if someone could help me. I can't get out of my own mind. I have depression. Its getting to a point where it feels like it will never ease up. Life has thrown a massive curve ball once again. My mum has been diagnosed with stage 4 non smokers lung cancer and bone cancer. Im to young to lose my mum. I cant get past the thought that she will never see me get married, have children or even see me go through life. I never really got to spend quality time with her as we have all been working non stop. And now the quality time i have with her is because shes sick and needs 24/7 care. Theres so many other factors as to why i have decided to reach out to someone, anyone for help. I just feel so alone and not my happy bright self. I would do anything to go back to being happy. Even for a day. I would appreciate if anyone could help me or even reach out and say tat they feel the same so its not so lonely. Thanks

Melanie01 How to cope
  • replies: 3

I’m feeling a little lost. My mum had oesophagus cancer and went through radiation, chemo and then an operation that she came through with flying colours. Started to get up walk around and eat like normal and then it took a sudden turn, and passed aw... View more

I’m feeling a little lost. My mum had oesophagus cancer and went through radiation, chemo and then an operation that she came through with flying colours. Started to get up walk around and eat like normal and then it took a sudden turn, and passed away 13 days after surgery. My brother passed away 11 months and 3 weeks before that from a heart attack and my dad 9 months prior to that from pancreatic cancer. All I do is cry and I don’t know how much longer I can try and hold it all together. I’m the oldest of 3 girls left and I’m trying to hold it together for the other 2 but I don’t know how much longer I can. I’m emotionally and mentally exhausted and don’t know where I go from here.

Desedrata Overwhelming feelings of being otherworldly.
  • replies: 7

Hello, This was a topic I wasn't originally going to bring up but since I have noticed a couple of other people have mentioned having similar feelings and thoughts, I thought I'd brave mentioning my experiences. I am an athiest however I was raised a... View more

Hello, This was a topic I wasn't originally going to bring up but since I have noticed a couple of other people have mentioned having similar feelings and thoughts, I thought I'd brave mentioning my experiences. I am an athiest however I was raised a Catholic and was also exposed to a lot of mythology and folklore. It was/is believed that some members of my kin see ghosts and have premonitions, myself included. I have always had a curious mind which lead to me seeking answers wanting to know how to become more intune with these gifts. I read and then I read some more and what I discovered broke my heart. For some reason or another I believed science and magic were the same thing which is probably fortunate really because I searched for answers in the non-fiction section and I found them. They just weren't what I wanted. I did not find how to strenghthen my gifts. I did not find how to get back to the world of Faye instead, I found reality. It was a shock to say the least and I spent a good decade or two coming to terms with my discovery and the loss of an entire world. I also commited the most unforgivable crime against God next to being Athiest. Which since then has left me with a feeling of being trapped in Pergatory as punisment and what better way to punish me then to force me to live the life I wished so, very much to escape. I feel trapped here in reality and have a constant longing to return to my world. I feel like when I see things or have very vivid dreams that they are my real kin trying to get me back, take me home. I know this is not the case but sometimes I still google to try and find away home, just incase. Part of me wants to forget, to live my life but the other part of me is afraid to because then the demons that put me here will have won or is it by holding on that I have failed the angels that put me here to protect me from the Faye?. I don't actually want anyone to answer that question as I know it is not real. I just can't shake the feeling is all. I have written this to let others know they are not alone in feeling that they do not belong to this world. What you think does not define who you are, what you do does.

Wonderland I don't know how to be honest with myself
  • replies: 2

I had anxiety for 2 years silently struggling to breathe every single day. I was so scared to reach out for whatever reason. I was so scared to admit it to myself. I finally accepted it and reached out for help and I feel I was on track to recovery. ... View more

I had anxiety for 2 years silently struggling to breathe every single day. I was so scared to reach out for whatever reason. I was so scared to admit it to myself. I finally accepted it and reached out for help and I feel I was on track to recovery. However, last year I stopped talking to my abusive mother. Even though I know it's for the best it plunged me into a dark place. A place I have now been trying to escape for over a year. I feel so stupid, because I feel like I have done it again. All over again I have been scared to reach out. I have been scared to admit it to myself. I am in a depression. I can't be alone with my thoughts. I can't sleep. I miss my life but can't seem to get back to it. I did go to my GP to talk about medication, but I just cried the whole time. And answered the questions on my mental health test dishonestly because Im scared to be diagnosed. I don't know how severe it is, and how much of this is normal. I don't know what to do to get better. I tried to see my psychologist again, but found out he has left the clinic. I cried a lot and it just feels too overwhelming to organise a new psych. I feel it might be time for me to take some medication, but I'm honestly so afraid of gaining weight. I feel like it's so stupid and I know mental health is just as important but I'm already thicker than I'd like to be. I just don't know how to deal with this. I'm trying so hard but haven't made any progress.

jelly12 On the edge
  • replies: 1

I have just realised this week that I am close to having a complete breakdown and possibly a psychotic episode. It was triggered by some new work that I have taken and it sent me reeling. That night I could not sleep at all. The next 3 days I could n... View more

I have just realised this week that I am close to having a complete breakdown and possibly a psychotic episode. It was triggered by some new work that I have taken and it sent me reeling. That night I could not sleep at all. The next 3 days I could not go to work and had physical symptoms. I eventually got some sleep in the following days. but not much, I have decided not to do that type of work again for my own mental and physical health. I have long term major depressive disorder and anxiety. I am taking my medication. Does anyone have some suggestions to help with managing the sleep issues? I need to do some work this week and I can't go on feeling this exhausted.

Gravyboat A tough ride
  • replies: 1

Hello all.. My names Alex and im 30 years old. This is my first post or attempt to reach out to a mental health community... Ive been suffering from axiety and depression most of my life, ive kicked super big goals in the past with travel, and career... View more

Hello all.. My names Alex and im 30 years old. This is my first post or attempt to reach out to a mental health community... Ive been suffering from axiety and depression most of my life, ive kicked super big goals in the past with travel, and careers and relatipnships, but only temporary (even if that means a few years). I grew up moving alot, getting abused by my parents, i didnt have alot of people to relate to or spend my time with that wernt toxic. I made it out on my own by 17 and lived with friends, grew my career, went through a few really hard breakups. These relationship came with new friends and people willing to let me into their lives and families. Struggled with mental health and having no one around who understands it for such a long time has made this worse, my friends have always said just pick yourself up and move on to whats next. Ive been able to do that time and time again, but the last few years have spiralled. I no longer care about my career, i cant trust people, i am haunted by my best friend leaving me opposed to offering support. I understand what a normal life is, but it doesnt to me at all. What do you do when you dont have anyone, when your burnt out from the simple act of trying. Work gives me no satisfaction, and the many things that i used to love barely even exist anymore, as are my want for them. I dont seem to recogise the world anymore, i see people walking around happy, families, partners and friends, people supporting each other through their lives. I cant let in anymore, between my family and the people ive loved breaking my heart, along with the stesss of mental health. Its so exhausting, at times its like trying to hold up a sand cliff, its just impossible. Does this go away or is this how my life is, is it worth it? when i dont feel, and its not a short time, its all i know. Literally no one understands how i feel when i talk to them, medications have not made an impacyt, theropy made impovments for a time. All i think about now, is mental health, it saturates my brain, ts far too easy to not want to be here anymore, and its unfair that i cant make the people left in my life understand any of this.

Jimmy112 Chef with depression
  • replies: 4

Hi guys first time post I'm a head chef and have been for 6 years now! Been trying to deal with my depression and anxiety witch is due from the massive amount of stress, pressure and lack of work life balance! Choosing alcohol to help deal but drinki... View more

Hi guys first time post I'm a head chef and have been for 6 years now! Been trying to deal with my depression and anxiety witch is due from the massive amount of stress, pressure and lack of work life balance! Choosing alcohol to help deal but drinking a bit to much every day! Just wanted some advice on how to deal with it and when and how is the best way to try and step back? Or quit. My heart isnt in the trade anymore and wanting to give it up but I cant financially Thankyou!

April30 Depressed but feel like I can't talk to anyone..
  • replies: 6

I have depression and anxiety. And I'm finding life really hard at the moment but I feel like I can't talk to any of my friends because I'm so worried they'll just think I'm attention seeking, and everyone already has enough problems of their own any... View more

I have depression and anxiety. And I'm finding life really hard at the moment but I feel like I can't talk to any of my friends because I'm so worried they'll just think I'm attention seeking, and everyone already has enough problems of their own anyway.. I feel so guilty for having depression and anxiety because I feel like I don't have an excuse to feel like this because I have a 'good' life, I know so many people have it so much worse than me so yeah I feel like what excuse do I have. I worry so much that I'm just making it all up because for years I thought something was off with how I felt and I tried talking to my parents but they just said I was fine. But finally years later someone convinced me to go see a doctor, who said I have bad depression and anxiety.. (Later my parents said they had figured that but hadn't wanted me to label myself with that.) But that just resulted in me feeling worse because I'm not fine, but I should be fine, but I'm not, but maybe I am, but I don't think I am, BUT I SHOULD BE... and feeling like what if I was making it all up and feeling so guilty. Even now after the doctor has told me I have depression and anxiety, I still feel so guilty and worry I'm making it all up.. So I don't know how to reach out to my friends..

Kittee679 Depression? Anxiety? Panic attacks?
  • replies: 1

I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve suffered with depression for years I’m one month Into trialling a new medication. 3 days ago I snapped I just woke up hysterical crying. My chest felt like an elephant sitting on it. Every time I hear noise or my ph... View more

I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve suffered with depression for years I’m one month Into trialling a new medication. 3 days ago I snapped I just woke up hysterical crying. My chest felt like an elephant sitting on it. Every time I hear noise or my phone goes off or someone moves I feel a jolt in my heart and a panic and can’t breathe properly. I was on the verge of harming myself after the first day. I’ve passed that point the hysterical crying has stopped but today three days later I still feel I can’t do anything. My chest hurts my heart hurts my soul hurts I feel like I can’t brwathe and every thing still makes me jump. I’ve never had a episode like this before. How do I make it stop? I went to my gp and broke down and she said I have a viral infection and sent me away she didn’t even listen. I’ve tried talking I’ve talked it alllll out with family and friends but nothing is helping this.

BOC64 Seeking advice to help a good friend
  • replies: 4

Hi I have a really good friend in his early 30s who I believe has depression based upon a number of things he tells me and that I observe. I have suggested he speak to someone however he continues to tell me he is fine and does not need to. Is there ... View more

Hi I have a really good friend in his early 30s who I believe has depression based upon a number of things he tells me and that I observe. I have suggested he speak to someone however he continues to tell me he is fine and does not need to. Is there more that I could be doing as I do not want to become a pseudo psychologist for him? Thanks J