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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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Earth Girl Being a bit parentified
  • replies: 9

I was watching a Youtube and in the video, it said that your parents should help you with your problems, but they shouldn't get you to help them with their problems. My Mum is often asking my sisters and I for support and help with her problems. I of... View more

I was watching a Youtube and in the video, it said that your parents should help you with your problems, but they shouldn't get you to help them with their problems. My Mum is often asking my sisters and I for support and help with her problems. I often use to give her as much support and advice as I could, even when it was over something little and she never took the advice. She said it was good, she said she would try it and then the next day, she would tell me what she did and what she did was the exact opposite of what I suggested. For example, she'd tell me these dumb, over the top arguments she had with people while playing table tennis, then I would explain to her ways she can be more assertive, so it doesn't get to that point, then she said that it sounded really good and that she would try it and the next day she would tell me that she told so and so to f off and all sorts of things. What makes it even more annoying is that when I tell her about my problems (which are a lot more serious than being about things like ping pong), she usually acts like she couldn't care less. Even if I'm getting bullied really badly or if I'm talking about something that happened when I was having a psychotic episode, she just doesn't care most of the time and my Dad cares even less. The Youtube video also said that your parents shouldn't be naked in front of you if you are over the age of 2 (which I knew before watching this because... ewe), but my parents do this all the time. My Dad will walk around in a long T-shirt without any pants on and just pull his T-shirt down when his not in his room and my Mum will walk around the house completely naked, she'd even look out the loungeroom window, hands on hips, completely naked and if we said something she would go "Nobody outside will be able to see me because of the plants." Whenever we would ask/tell her if she could stop/to stop walking around the house naked, she would get mad at us and sometimes scarily mad at us. The last time I nicely asked her not to she went "Oh Earth Girl, you're such a drama queen!" and then I said, "How would you feel if your Mum walked around the house naked?" and she went "Oh! I would throw a fit!" then I said, then maybe you should stop doing it!? and she said "Okay, well, I'll think about it." What do you mean you "will think about it"?! She sometimes even goes outside to take the bins out without any pants on. They also don't think they need to wash their hands after going to the toilet after going number 1 because "he doesn't get it on his hands" or "urine is sterile." They drive me crazy.

mr magoo work
  • replies: 10

why can’t we just go to work do our work and go home Why do some managers insist on singling someone out to destroy their self respect self esteem and possibly even making them feel so worthless that living with the harassment is just too much where ... View more

why can’t we just go to work do our work and go home Why do some managers insist on singling someone out to destroy their self respect self esteem and possibly even making them feel so worthless that living with the harassment is just too much where is the accountability for being pushed and prodded into doing or saying something stupid now we have to get help for ourselves because of others abusive behaviour Where is the justice,accountability mental health help in my industry is lip service dotting the eyes and crossing the tees meanwhile many good people with great potential are being subjected to what basically amounts to mental torture pretty much all questions and no answers sorry but myself and my family are suffering because of one person’s need to make this happen and has the power to stop it

Outback1_ Workplace colleague conflict
  • replies: 7

I'm between a rock and a hard place now and can't see a way forward other than resigning.After 3 years of voicing my concerns about a colleagues behaviour toward me and st tiles others and a manager who is aware of this and says 'well some people we ... View more

I'm between a rock and a hard place now and can't see a way forward other than resigning.After 3 years of voicing my concerns about a colleagues behaviour toward me and st tiles others and a manager who is aware of this and says 'well some people we just don't get along with but have to work with them' I've taken sick leave to have some space.Ive had a years worth of workplace counselling, aired my concerns about being unable to work with her due to her bossing me around (she isn't my manager), railroading me in meetings, being terse when some tasks are within her remit, not helping when asked, verbally scoffing at some of my ideas in meetings, sending me 'directive emails' as opposed to suggesting nicely, etc etc.Recently our padp reviews have meant I have to do more with her but her portfolio is bigger than mine. Mgr said now your roles are clear you should have less conflict.within 2 days of being back from leave she hammered me with emails and started telling me how to do my job. i can no longer work under the pressure of her and incompetence of my boss. I feel unsupported, trodden over, silenced and stressed. any suggestions to manage other than finding a new job ? thank you

Mozaik Why I hate life
  • replies: 1

Hello all, it's been a while since I posted. I've figured out why I hate my life so much. I hate my life, because I didn't ask to be here. The way I see it is, I didn't ask to be alive, and therefore, it is unfair that I have to deal with things I do... View more

Hello all, it's been a while since I posted. I've figured out why I hate my life so much. I hate my life, because I didn't ask to be here. The way I see it is, I didn't ask to be alive, and therefore, it is unfair that I have to deal with things I don't want to deal with. List of things I don't want to deal with below: Work - it's a waste of my time, my previous time Put up with shitty people Put up with crappy employer Put up with society's downward trajectory causing problems on my life The fact that I have to work to earn money, and I have to have money to have the life I want - also called wage slavery - so basically I have to endure things that I don't want to get a smidge of happiness, and by the time that smidgen comes along, it's not good enough. For me, life feels like a contract that I didn't sign for, but I have to bear the conditions of. It's completely unfair. Trust me, I have blamed God, my mother for not aborting me for this I have to endure. If someone played me 15 minutes clip of my life preview, I'd be like.... Nope!! But yes, I don't like life in general, I cannot wait to be over with this. Thanks to reading

Jamie-75 Hey :)
  • replies: 3

Not really sure where to start,this will be the very first time ive ever reached out looking for help,i'm nearly 50 and up until now i've kept everything bottled up most of my life,the face i show people outside of my house is totally different from ... View more

Not really sure where to start,this will be the very first time ive ever reached out looking for help,i'm nearly 50 and up until now i've kept everything bottled up most of my life,the face i show people outside of my house is totally different from the one i have behind a closed door,sometimes everything just starts to spill over and my head feels like there's to much noise happening and i start crashing and my emotions go haywire,working in a highly stressful environment doesn't help either,think it just adds fuel to the fire a lot of times but sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place where work is concerned. I probably know i have some sort of depression but can't get enough courage to actually talk to someone in person,even doing this is hard for me but i'm trying,i know if i don't try, things are just going to keep getting worse,hoping down the track i might be able to talk to someone face to face but for now just sort of vent through here,thx for listening

Guest_10200 living with depression plus dealign with emotionally unavailable parents
  • replies: 2

hey everyone, it has been a while since ive last used beyondblue however there has just been a lot of things that have happened recently with my mh and just overall life satisfaction. okay so im currently 17 years old, and after many years of never r... View more

hey everyone, it has been a while since ive last used beyondblue however there has just been a lot of things that have happened recently with my mh and just overall life satisfaction. okay so im currently 17 years old, and after many years of never really understanding why id feel these rlly low pits and just general filtered dissatisfaction, i had gone to the GP and received a diagnosis for severe depression and anxiety. though definitely during that time it was one of the hardest times to keep living and waking up (this was roughly 1-2 months ago) it feels like im feeling the aftermath of this feeling. and to be fair every time I ask someone if depression and these feelings rlly ever goes away because genuinely spiralling, ruminating and thinking about all these things in my laughing makes it truly exhausting. for example even when im with friends, ill find it social anxious + awkward even if I know so much about them, though it always feels like they dont know anyhting about me or more its I haven't been able to let them know really anything about me and that makes me just incredibly numb to the fact that im idly being here. and also with my mum especially, since it is holidays, everything she talks to me about, everything she argues, everything is always about doing more work, and not dissapointing myself and my parents and how im wasting time in my life, whenever I try go out to like take a break, ive just been mentally exhausted. and yes I have a psychologist and im seeing her soon, however it just feels like im like I said before, just idly roaming and i 1. dont really know what im going to do in my future 2. im not bored ive just been drained 3. when im by myself I feel comfortable but also I know im avoiding rlly the unavoidable idea of social connection. though rlly I just want to have a higher satisfaction with my life, but also school is starting but im worried again for the rlly long holidays that follow. (im just seeking some advice as i find sometimes calling helps but it feels as though every time im either retelling my story or i can rlly voice out everything ive been meaning to say)

OneStepAtATime Emotionally exhausted
  • replies: 3

Hi, I’ve avoided reaching out to mental health lines till now. I’m not in a great place this is the worst it’s ever been. I’ll feel good again in a week or so but I know it’ll hit me again soon and seeing how this time is worse I’m scared how much wo... View more

Hi, I’ve avoided reaching out to mental health lines till now. I’m not in a great place this is the worst it’s ever been. I’ll feel good again in a week or so but I know it’ll hit me again soon and seeing how this time is worse I’m scared how much worse these phases will get. Anxiety/depression runs in the family, I’ve suffered through phases all my life. Most of the time I feel I don’t belong, like I’m stuck, tired of trying to keep up with life. Even small things like messaging people or getting through the day can feel overwhelming. The thought of the word “effort” or “life” feels heavy. I’m not suicidal I would never but I’d be lying if I said I never picture it. I wonder what it would be like to not feel so heavy all the time. I want to feel peace, like I belong somewhere but why do I feel anxious no matter where I am, I want to be anywhere else but I know I’ll still feel discomfort. I hope I made the right choice reaching out here.

Lindsay0581 How to like yourself when there is nothing to like
  • replies: 9

I don't think I have ever really liked anything about myself. I don't think there is anything to truely like. I am truely worthless. I was always the dumbest in school and university ( uni drop out - so much failure). I suck at sport. Have trouble co... View more

I don't think I have ever really liked anything about myself. I don't think there is anything to truely like. I am truely worthless. I was always the dumbest in school and university ( uni drop out - so much failure). I suck at sport. Have trouble communicating at times. Have worked retail for maybe 20 years because, no office job would ever hire no matter what CV place/ job adivce, advancement I have tried. And I have begun to hate customer serivice with a blind passion. I swear being good a good customer service whatever is really just letting people treat you like crap. I will never earn enough money to be a true equel partner in my my relationship. People - even people who know me well can never tell me what I am actually good at, or just say I am kind which is some patronizing consolation prize for being an idiot. Mostly palitudes cause they don't know what to say. Oh she's dumb but at least she's nice about it. So many pysgologists and councilers just get me to talk in cirlces becuase at the end of the day I am me and that is never going to change. A pysgologists once told me that I should congratualte myself cause I get out of bed in the morning. The whole thing felt so patronizing. So I still don't understand what is to actually like.

Jenna_ Just need to talk
  • replies: 2

17 and recently got diagnosed with depression. ever since starting college i haven't been happy. everyday i wake up with the dreading feeling of having to interact with people in the fakest way ever while suppressing my own emotions so i dont have to... View more

17 and recently got diagnosed with depression. ever since starting college i haven't been happy. everyday i wake up with the dreading feeling of having to interact with people in the fakest way ever while suppressing my own emotions so i dont have to deal with them. eventually they lead up to you. its now an every week type of thing, where i break down crying, hopeless for my future. my parents are immigrants - they dont believe in mental health problems, i hate being at home anyways because my parents are just always mad at me. i dont know why they can never ask me if im ok , i dont even feel comfortable opening up to them. i really hope i never become a parent like that. im not sure what i did to have a life like this. i feel like a failure. my grades just keep slipping, how am i even gonna get into university at this rate. i hate myself so much. i really hope someone understands. what do i do

Emotions26 Do not feed the monster
  • replies: 141

I am struggling to understand this website and find my way aroundI have replied to some peopleI think that two champions replied to my first two postsI do not know where they are now I have supported several posts of othersI have replied to one perso... View more

I am struggling to understand this website and find my way aroundI have replied to some peopleI think that two champions replied to my first two postsI do not know where they are now I have supported several posts of othersI have replied to one person I think today I am resonating with several posts in different areas but cannot remember where they are I am literally lost within this website as well as within myself I am working very hard at keeping the dreaded "D" at bay which I have battled with too many times.I have had this since young apparentlyI have had large gaps of time where I am mostly symptom free I think The monster is the dreaded "d"It is also a relative whom I have had to relinquish her hold over me.I have only learnt about this stuff recently so struggle talking about it. So I think of do not feed the monster as in do not think of her. Or do not feel guilty or upset or worry or a thousand other things Also do not feed the dreaded "d" as it lurks waiting I will not find this piece again