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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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Eri-d Schizophrenia
  • replies: 8

Hi, my names Erika And the doctors think I have Schizophrenia and depression. I feel lost and alone. I hear voices and see things that are not really there. I don't have any friends and have no one to talk to. Last year things got bad and I tried to ... View more

Hi, my names Erika And the doctors think I have Schizophrenia and depression. I feel lost and alone. I hear voices and see things that are not really there. I don't have any friends and have no one to talk to. Last year things got bad and I tried to kill myself and got put in hospital. Any one feel to talk to me as I'd love to hear from you. Thanks. Erika.

_Will_ I don't know what to do anymore
  • replies: 4

I’m posting here because I haven’t been doing well for the past couple of weeks, and I feel increasingly lost, overwhelmed, and unsure about what to do next. things have become harder to manage, so I’m hoping that sharing what has been happening migh... View more

I’m posting here because I haven’t been doing well for the past couple of weeks, and I feel increasingly lost, overwhelmed, and unsure about what to do next. things have become harder to manage, so I’m hoping that sharing what has been happening might help me find some support or advice.I’ve applied for about eight jobs over the past month, and it’s always the same outcome: “Your application won’t be moving forward,” or I never hear back from the hiring manager. So, I tried putting that energy into helping my community by volunteering. However, everywhere I look for places to volunteer, I find that they’ve stopped accepting volunteers because of a sudden increase in applications.So, I can’t find paid work, and I can’t even find a way to help others or contribute to my community through volunteering. It feels as though every path I try to take is blocked before I have the chance to move forward. I keep putting in the effort, filling out applications, searching for opportunities, and trying to stay hopeful, but nothing seems to change. Each rejection or unanswered application makes me feel more discouraged and more disconnected from the life I want to build. Without work or a place where I can be useful, my days feel empty and directionless. I start questioning whether I have anything meaningful to offer and whether my efforts matter at all. What’s the point? What’s the point of living when I feel stuck in the same place, unable to work, help others, or make any kind of progress? What’s the point of waking up every day and feeling as though I am doing nothing with my life, no matter how hard I try to change that?What’s worse is the way suicidal thoughts keep creeping in. I’ve had thoughts like this in the past, but I’ve never acted on them. Lately, though, they’ve been getting stronger and heavier, leaving me feeling frightened, overwhelmed, and completely lost. I keep thinking, “Things aren’t going to get better, so what’s the point of existing?” and I quickly tell myself to snap out of it. I just want to feel like myself again.

Isaac98 How to somehow function when I hate everything about Australian culture due to social alienation and not wanting to bow down at all?
  • replies: 8

Admittedly, there's so much for me to hate here and its even worse when I can't leave for a long time due to being so dependent on my parents.. I'm 22, but I'm not very functional and I very rarely work since I'm in a job with my step-dad who I don't... View more

Admittedly, there's so much for me to hate here and its even worse when I can't leave for a long time due to being so dependent on my parents.. I'm 22, but I'm not very functional and I very rarely work since I'm in a job with my step-dad who I don't get along with well at times (same with my mum). I'm also somewhat autistic ("highly" functioning) and that anxiety and depression (non-suicidal) affect me, but my main issue is that I want almost nothing to do with nearly anything Australian due to how much I hate this place and most of them for complying with a subjectively bad system. But yeah, what I hate about this country and its culture is its authoritarianism (gun laws; coronavirus regulation, beaucracies everywhere, signs warning fines punishment everywhere, so many victimless crimes etc), being treated like convicts, anti-intellectualism, tall-poppy syndrome, entitlement, and almost all Australians happily complying to their masters regardless.. Here's an example for authoritarianism, a Tasmanian was seriously arrested for camping out in the middle of nowhere for one night during national Coronavirus lockdowns.. This is how bossy our society is, that would not happen in libertarian parts of America I want to go to. Being treated like convicts, minorities including myself not being able to have any say in politics due to it being democratic (only cares about majorities) and that our police don't care for oppressed minorities such as gun owners; male domestic violence victims, drug users etc. They only care about helping the state strip their rights due to being legal. Anti-intellectualism, most of us think we should "just comply" with coronavirus regulations regardless of others' situations and that most Australians are so fearful of less gun control with SO MUCH arrogance. Tall-Poppy syndrome, being so arrogant about America everytime they talk about that country despite not knowing much about it and thinking we're the best country when we have so many flaws. Entitlement, most of us forcing others to be like us to have a "right" to safety. Compliance, a word you cannot disagree with without harsh criticism from our culture. If something's illegal, our society automatically thinks its taboo.. Even women wanting to defend themselves with tasers. However.. I don't know how to change my bitterness with Australia when my real self is taboo and that I don't feel very cared for by the system, I can't even find a single friend aside from a neighbour.

thinkingofu Feeling like a burden on my parents
  • replies: 2

It feels so selfish to post this when other people on here really have it tough. I don't really know how to explain this situation and if anyone can relate, but here goes. I feel like a burden on my family both financially and emotionally. I'm still ... View more

It feels so selfish to post this when other people on here really have it tough. I don't really know how to explain this situation and if anyone can relate, but here goes. I feel like a burden on my family both financially and emotionally. I'm still in high school and live with my parents. My dad always talks about how he never should have got with my mother, that they were never meant to be together. He always talks about how life is so boring. I have a feeling that he's depressed. But I feel like it's my duty all the time to make him happy and not miserable about his own life. I'm exhausted. Sometimes I'll be trying to do schoolwork and feel guilty that I'm not trying to make him happy, if that makes sense. My mum is oblivious to everything, she has no reaction. I can't tell if she's numb to all the behaviour or if she genuinely doesn't know about it. We also have financial issues. Every step in my household feels like money going down the drain. They constantly talk about how they're in debt. We can't even afford rent. I don't know how we pay for stuff. But then I feel bad for thinking like this, because I do get along well with my parents most of the time. I suppose they're trying their best. But sometimes I think that if I was never around in the first place, their lives would be better. I'm not suicidal but I feel a kind of numbness to everything. It's just an awful feeling. I think my parents are depressed which makes me feel like I owe it to them. Everywhere I go there's always this lingering thought that I'm burden on everyone. I look at my friends who get a new phone every Christmas and think – you've never had to attempt to use the minimum amount of lights on in your house to save a bit of money, have you?. That sounds naive. But I'm so exhausted with all of this. I don't know when my numbness, anger, confusion, depression will go away. Thanks to anyone who read this far. I've read through a lot of other posts on this forum and it's nice to know that I'm not alone, and that everyone, no matter their circumstance, supports each other here. Have a nice rest of the weekend.

thoughtscollide Feelings of shame
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone. My name is Catherine. I am 47 years old. I don't really know where to start to be honest. I recall this site being helpful in the past, so here I am. I am really struggling with everything at present. Everything seems like an effort. Re... View more

Hey everyone. My name is Catherine. I am 47 years old. I don't really know where to start to be honest. I recall this site being helpful in the past, so here I am. I am really struggling with everything at present. Everything seems like an effort. Recently, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I have never had any major health issues relating to physical health, so it has been a lot. I am currently on medication for this, and have had my first treatment for it 2 weeks ago. I also had a Crohn's related operation also within this time frame. I thought I was managing okay, however, I did book in to see my psych anyway to chat with her about this. I am due to see her in less than 2 weeks. I am currently on anti depressants. Have been taking these for about 5 years. There has been some work stressors also. Lately, I am feeling feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, sadness, shame, and crying a fair bit. I feel like a crappy person. I don't really have anyone to talk to about how I am feeling, no real close friends as such. The friends I do have, I don't want to burden them with my stuff because I know they have stuff going on too. I know they probably wouldn't mind but there's things I just don't feel comfortable talking to them about. I know that I have people that care about me, and love me, and I am grateful for them. I just feel empty at the moment. I want to taper off the anti-depressant medication because I feel that they are no longer helping me. I have spoken to my GP about this in the last few days. He was not sure about what to do, or how to go about it, so he was going to consult with someone regarding this, maybe a psychiatrist? I am due to go back to see him next week. The crohn's in itself can you make you feel low energy, plus I also have low iron. Anti-depressant medications tend to make me feel sluggish. I feel like I am doing the best I can at the moment, is there something else I should be doing? I also weight train and walk 50-60 mins/day but even that is an effort when it never used to be. I know there is no quick fix for this. I have been here many times before! I have tapered off an awfully high dose of another anti-depressant medication previously, under the supervision of my GP at the time. I was definitely in a different head space back then, and it was pretty rough. I am hoping it might be less rough this time, as I have a lot of positives in my life. And that's the thing, I have a pretty good life - I work, I am studying, I have great family, I have a few friends, I exercise. I know none of that doesn't matter but I am trying to remember the positives. But, some days are harder than others. Thanks for reading. I am not sure what I need right now. I hope what I have written makes sense.

Idk5 Lost
  • replies: 3

I don’t really know how to describe how I’m feeling, but I thought writing it somewhere might help.I’ve been seeing a psychologist, and they think I may have bipolar disorder, so I’m currently trying to work through what’s actually going on with me. ... View more

I don’t really know how to describe how I’m feeling, but I thought writing it somewhere might help.I’ve been seeing a psychologist, and they think I may have bipolar disorder, so I’m currently trying to work through what’s actually going on with me. At the same time, a lot of trauma from things that happened about five years ago has suddenly come back up. I thought I had moved past a lot of it, but apparently I haven’t, and dealing with it now has been really overwhelming.I honestly feel like a lost puppy in a park sometimes. I don’t really know where I’m going or what I’m supposed to be doing. Some days I feel wild, energetic and like I want to do everything, talk to everyone and just live. Then other days I’m completely the opposite. I feel depressed, exhausted and disconnected from everything. I don’t want to do anything or talk to anyone, and sometimes I genuinely feel like I could just stare at a wall for hours.I think the hardest part is never really knowing which version of me I’m going to wake up as. I know there are people who love me and I know there are good things in my life, but knowing that doesn’t magically make the sadness disappear.

Alice850 Work issues, need some advice
  • replies: 1

I’ve been in this job for about three months now. I’ve just had my three month review and the feedback was good except for when it comes to me being more reserved, my manager said that I’m quiet and reserved and sometimes just come in and say hello t... View more

I’ve been in this job for about three months now. I’ve just had my three month review and the feedback was good except for when it comes to me being more reserved, my manager said that I’m quiet and reserved and sometimes just come in and say hello to everyone do my job and go home. There has been some issues over the past few months where I’ve been left out of some things at work or have felt like I’m not really made to feel part of the team. This review meeting was only last week so since then I’ve really tried to engage a lot more and join conversations throughout the day, not that I didn’t do that before, but obviously that was some feedback that I need to be doing more of that so that’s what I’ve done. I’ve now been told today that I no longer report to that manager and I now report to my colleague, who’s now my manager. She’s 20 and doesn’t have any experience. I’m 31 for context and have over eight years of experience in this industry. I had a meeting with her today and she has now got me reporting every afternoon and telling her every single thing that I’ve done throughout the day and what my priorities are for tomorrow. We also have a leadership development program where I work. It’s only just been run for the first time. They’ve now selected the group of people that are going to do it next year. I’m not one of them and one person who has been selected has been there for less time than I’ve been working there and another person has literally only been there for two days. I really don’t know what else I can do. Even before this colleague became my manager today I had a chat with her last week to ask what I could do differently or how I could engage more in the workplace. Not that I don’t already do that. I do engage in things, but I asked her what could I do differently to be shown to be taking initiative? She gave some feedback and I’ve been doing that. I really don’t know what else to do. I’m looking for other work but there are no jobs in this area at the moment. I guess I just would like some advice from people who have gone through something similar or have any advice on what I should do because it’s really starting to affect my mood, I feel really depressed and it’s starting to affect my personal life outside of work.

Sassykaz Boomer Blues
  • replies: 4

I have just joined today out if desperation. I'm 65, retired & have moved to the country with my husband. I loved living here initially. All that fresh air, growing my own vegies, view of the kangaroos or cows out the front door, watching the birds, ... View more

I have just joined today out if desperation. I'm 65, retired & have moved to the country with my husband. I loved living here initially. All that fresh air, growing my own vegies, view of the kangaroos or cows out the front door, watching the birds, hanging out with my little dogs ... You get the picture. Then it started - slowly at first. I got sick; just a flu but couldn't get off the couch from then. I had trouble breathing - multiple tests, COPD diagnosed. I had pain down my side - more tests, chronic osteoporosis diagnosed, together with multiple (5) spinal compression fractures. I have put on a lot of weight to the point I can't bear to look in the mirror any more.So now I know I need to diet &:get some exercise but I can't get off the couch. My husband is doing all the housework, most of the cooking & still working a couple of days a week & I feel really guilty but I just can't do it. When he's not home I sit here & cry. My house is a mess, my garden is neglected, I'm fat & unwell & I'm lonely. Pretty crap all round really. Any ideas? I need to get off this couch before it devours me.

a_buzz Unsure..
  • replies: 1

Hi all, Been awhile since I’ve been on the forums. Life has been a struggle at the moment with work and at home and my depression hasn’t been the best as of late. Anyone else feeling like this at the moment?

Hi all, Been awhile since I’ve been on the forums. Life has been a struggle at the moment with work and at home and my depression hasn’t been the best as of late. Anyone else feeling like this at the moment?

Guest_75681321 Unemployment
  • replies: 2

I've been unemployed since Easter and im starting to not cope with it. Im in an employment program and im considered thier most "employable" member, on top of this ive been applying for atleast 20 jobs a month and haven't gotten to the interview stag... View more

I've been unemployed since Easter and im starting to not cope with it. Im in an employment program and im considered thier most "employable" member, on top of this ive been applying for atleast 20 jobs a month and haven't gotten to the interview stage for any of jobs ive applied for, I cant bring myself to pay for another certificate just for it to get me no where, this has led me to have suicidal thoughts lately.

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