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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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phightingphan idk ikd ikd idk idkidk idk idk
  • replies: 6

School starts up again tomorrow. Safe to say I do not want to come back. To be fair, I don't think anyone wants to come back, but I like to imagine I am suffering over it the most. It makes me feel good when I know I'm hurting more than others. I hav... View more

School starts up again tomorrow. Safe to say I do not want to come back. To be fair, I don't think anyone wants to come back, but I like to imagine I am suffering over it the most. It makes me feel good when I know I'm hurting more than others. I have holiday homework I haven't done, big deal, right? Well... it is. I haven't read our assigned book for English Advanced, and my work for the book content/themes of it, which I can't finish tonight, because I haven't even read the book yet LMAO. I also have to work on my ancient history essay (which, might I add, is an actual assignment that counts towards my grade), but am I really willing to write 1500 words of rubbish I don't care about? No, not really- that's why I'm here. I like to complain about things I could've easily changed if I weren't lazy. To tell the truth, it really hurts me when I think about how there is something fundamentally wrong with me compared to everyone else. There is nothing I can do about it; I can only accept it and move on with my life, but it's so, so, so hard to. I grew up feeling different, and I was always aware of it, but it never truly affected me until it did. Until the years of being a social outcast of a child caught up to me in some of the most integral years of my development, teenagehood. Not being properly socialised as a kid will always come back to bite you in the ass, and I wish I knew that. I wish I were normal. I wish I could deal with my school problems like a normal kid. But I'm not normal, I will never be normal, and I can only sit and mull over my life until it ends. Or, get help. I could get help, I could just reach out and be done with it. I'm too lazy to do that either, or too scared, it's getting hard to tell nowadays. I don't just attribute this way of thinking to my life, but rather to my brain itself- there is clearly something wrong with my brain. I am probably neurodivergent or extremely depressed or both. And yet, despite it all, to everyone else, I will always be completely well-adjusted mentally! Sure, I'm an antisocial weird freak who is addicted to her phone and is incompetent and lazy and a living, breathing failure (these are not all my words), but I'm just a normal teenage girl. I love my life. God, I love living.

seawhiplash Unsure how to tackle depression and school and teachers
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone!Hope people are doing okay. I am currently finishing my last year of high school and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I have gotten special provisions (I got them this year) and am seeing professional help from psychologist and ... View more

Hi everyone!Hope people are doing okay. I am currently finishing my last year of high school and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I have gotten special provisions (I got them this year) and am seeing professional help from psychologist and school counsellor.Where do I start? I have been finding it hard to keep up with both school and my thoughts and my feelings for a long time and this year it has kind of spiralled. Long story short, I ended up accidentally telling one of my teachers that I had depression. I went to my teacher to ask about content covered in class and was asking if I was okay and I said "not good, sorry I haven't been participating in class conversations" and she said "its fine [something along these lines] you are probably tackling bigger things right now" and then she helped me with my content questions and then she asked how I am feeling and I just started breaking down because I have been very unstable. To be honest I do not really remember the rest of the conversation because I feel like my memory has gone out the window as my thoughts are taking up all my brain capacity but anyways I don't really know how to tackle it now, I feel like I made it awkward with my teacher now and or maybe she forgot about it (there are only a few people in my class but she teachers other subjects as well) and that is kind of re-consolidating my thoughts about how I am worthless and that I don't deserve to have care or even be depressed in the first place. I have been trying to attend class and keep my grades up as exams are coming and I am doing quite content heavy subjects. I wanted to ask, if anyone is a teacher or knows about how to actually tackle both depression and school. I am finding it hard to actually be in class to be honest without feeling overwhelmed ( I know that sounds stupid but) or even be at school without being on verge to breakdown, I often zone out a lot and don't have friends to talk to about this stuff either. I have just been feeling very lonely but also empty but craving something to make me feel at least somewhat alive. My psychologist said to possibly tell my teachers I might need mental breaks in class and create a signal with them that I need to go outside or something but I am afraid of the result of that conversation validating my depressive and um bad thoughts already or just breaking down again. Thoughts on this or maybe other suggestions? Sorry for the long message and if you have made it thanks for reading! Wish everyone the best.

BLACKDOGG66 Social Visit Fatigue
  • replies: 2

I live by myself, and at times I do get lonely. I have recently had short visits (overnight) from both my son and best friend.Don't get me wrong, I’m happy when they arrive, but not long after I wish they would go.After they have departed though, I f... View more

I live by myself, and at times I do get lonely. I have recently had short visits (overnight) from both my son and best friend.Don't get me wrong, I’m happy when they arrive, but not long after I wish they would go.After they have departed though, I fall into terrible depression and feel adrift.Does anyone else feel like that?I have been diagnosed with Depression+, Anxiety+, cPTSD

KayKay123 How do I ask for help?
  • replies: 4

Im a teen and have been struggling for a while, suicidal thoughts and things like that. I am so tired of everything and burnt-out and just don't want to feel like this anymore, but It's so hard and paralysing to mention anything at all to my parents.... View more

Im a teen and have been struggling for a while, suicidal thoughts and things like that. I am so tired of everything and burnt-out and just don't want to feel like this anymore, but It's so hard and paralysing to mention anything at all to my parents. They're good people, but I'm just so scared and I don't know why. Does anyone know any ways I can tell someone?

vegivegi No matter how lucky I am or good the job is, I can't keep working
  • replies: 0

I've got a TAFE Diploma, and that was the closest thing to a fulltime job I've ever had. After that because I was on DSP, I worked at a bakery for five hour shifts. I finally managed to become an Au Pair in Europe i.e. my literal lifelong dream; I go... View more

I've got a TAFE Diploma, and that was the closest thing to a fulltime job I've ever had. After that because I was on DSP, I worked at a bakery for five hour shifts. I finally managed to become an Au Pair in Europe i.e. my literal lifelong dream; I got fired within two weeks for the funniest reasons ever*, and then in my rematch family I only had one hour of work in the morning and 4-5 hours in the evening - commute was walking across the room, massive break in between. And once I got back home I start working at the cafe two minutes walk from me - three hour shifts, 3-4 mornings per week. But no matter what, no matter how well it starts out, I always end up dreading every shift, getting home and then spending 10-12 hours dreading the next shift. Suicidal at times espesh in winter, in that "not going to do it but it would literally be easier to die than go to work for one hour" way. I can't even play the video games I want to after work because they take too much energy so I just stare at my idle game numbers going up. I missed out on so much Eurotrip stuff because I couldn't do anything after work but go straight back to bed. Crying a lot, including as I'm typing this. Two weeks into the cafe job and I messed up some stuff during a rush this morning, and it's too long to explain but I did some things the way she taught me (she's annoyed at me) and then messed up things she hadn't taught me how to do yet (she's annoyed at me.) This is how life is. Do things as told: angry at me. Figure things out by myself: angry at me. Ask for help/instructions/clarification: angry at me. I can literally do nothing right, ever, for anybody, and I never know why because they refuse to tell me. When other workers make mistakes, nobody is ever as angry at them as they are at me. Every person I talk to is a bomb waiting to go off and it makes me want to never go outside or do anything. I can try to get back on the DSP and my parents support me but I know they're scared of what will happen if I don't have a job/career as I get older but even three hours literally makes me want to die. (*One of the reasons was that I'd supposedly lied about being able to drive because during my first ever time driving in europe, I kept turning on the window wipers instead of the indicator. Because the cars are swapped around. And she bought me some driving lessons but the teacher literally asked me "why are you here, you already know how to drive?" and stopped the lesson to take me to a café. Well at least sometimes we can get comedy out of it right)

roses5668 I feel alone
  • replies: 2

Not quite sure the point of posting this, but I've been really struggling today for the first time in a while. I have depression and anxiety and am on medication for years now, but today the depression and sadness was a lot. I wonder if I'm alone in ... View more

Not quite sure the point of posting this, but I've been really struggling today for the first time in a while. I have depression and anxiety and am on medication for years now, but today the depression and sadness was a lot. I wonder if I'm alone in this feeling, but to me it almost feels as though someone died that feeling when your heart is heavy and to breathe hurts. It just feels like I need to cry all day. But my life is good, and when my partner asks why I'm sad, all I can say is "I don't know," and I know that frustrates him because he wants to help but can't. I feel as though I'm being annoying for feeling upset without any reason, and maybe it annoys him too, because I sit in silence crying, and it feels as though he doesn't care because he sits next to me in silence, saying nothing. But I know he does care anyway, that's not the point. The point is, I feel sad, and I'm scared it won't stop. I've been through this before, many times, but I'm still terrified and in some ways i just want to stop it all, i’ve tried before but i can’t do that again because it hurt too many people.

Kkkk Sum bullshit (don't read if it upsets/bothers U)
  • replies: 3

Just spilling this onto the internet hoping for enlightenment/guidance. I just try so hard (I think) to get help but I can't really beat my damnation (my lonely life). It's just funny how the 'law of attraction' just doesn't wanna work for me at all.... View more

Just spilling this onto the internet hoping for enlightenment/guidance. I just try so hard (I think) to get help but I can't really beat my damnation (my lonely life). It's just funny how the 'law of attraction' just doesn't wanna work for me at all. Like damn. Can I get anything?? Maybe ONE person who cares about me?? My mental frustration and agony is always being met with pure silence in the real world. Like pls. I feel arrogant for seriously mentally questioning life and existence but it's like I think the only thing that feels true to me. Maybe I'm a pessimist. But I've noticed for MYSELF (not others), that most of my so called 'life' (very easily triggered by that word rn) has been lived in numbness. Can't connect to my actual physical body walking, talking, seeing, eating. Feel like I just jinx every so called 'good' (hardly comprehend that word) thing from happening by just existing, but then again. Was I going to outsmart the system of whatever this realm is? Nope. Hurts my massive, depressed ego!! Daunting to just open my damn eyes sometimes. I feel pathetic but I also feel honest. Which is all I want. Even if that leads me to almost the worst thing. But mentally daunted. People say to get help but that's kind of meaningless to me rn no offence. I only have my phone. And the imaginable possibility of seeing a therapist which is a PAIN to organise for so many pathetic personal reasons. Like, isn't life supposed to be inclusive???? Why is seeking so called help so hard. I'm mentally ready to blurt out my traumas and life everywhere and hope someone can tell me what's going on but the actual world I'm in won't allow that? Don't got nobody to run to. Hate to upset people but I always do somehow. How am I a disappointment whilst never having been appointed? Someone reading this might question if I'm lying. Telling the truth. Over exaggerating, burdening people. You will never know!

Moo_5 Going back downhill?
  • replies: 2

I’m a 21 year old female who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder which I am treated for. I’m a full time uni student commuting to campus three days a week and I work two shifts at one job during the week and one shift on the weekend at my other ... View more

I’m a 21 year old female who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder which I am treated for. I’m a full time uni student commuting to campus three days a week and I work two shifts at one job during the week and one shift on the weekend at my other job. Lately I have been feeling overly emotional, sensitive, down, numb, flat, lonely and unmotivated. My brain would be racing from one thing to the other. I’m not the kind of person who really does hobbies or can ease back as sitting and watching a show is not enough to ease my wandering brain. I do have a history with Sh which I really do not want to repeat but when I am feeling low like this it is a worry. I feel stuck because I need to work to make money to live and I need to do uni so I can get my degree and get a job. Everything is just feeling very hard and impossible and it feels like taking it one day at a time just isn’t working at the moment.

avecela What is wrong with me
  • replies: 1

Recently, I have been extremely overwhelmed within everything that's happening in my life. It goes to a point with I feel a sense of numbness or hopelessness throughout everything I do. I struggle to find my purpose in living. I often fantacize my fa... View more

Recently, I have been extremely overwhelmed within everything that's happening in my life. It goes to a point with I feel a sense of numbness or hopelessness throughout everything I do. I struggle to find my purpose in living. I often fantacize my family finding me dead because I think it is the only way they could see that I am truly struggling. I don't know why I am like this. I can't even comprehend my own emotions. I don't even know if my feelings are ever valid anymore. Am I actually going through a mental disorder or am I just a teenager, am I just sad, am I just being dramatic? I don't know how to feel about myself, about my emotions. I want to get better but each day I lose hope and the sense of purpose in my life.

Stilloutthere Depression and Anhedonia
  • replies: 1

I have been a long term sufferer of depression, well over 30 years of my life now has been in an anhedonic haze of unfeeling.In order to be able to feel some kind of happy in my life I turned to drugs and alcohol when young and this has been an ongon... View more

I have been a long term sufferer of depression, well over 30 years of my life now has been in an anhedonic haze of unfeeling.In order to be able to feel some kind of happy in my life I turned to drugs and alcohol when young and this has been an ongonig battle ever since.I have maintained jobs, and never committed any crime to support my smoking or drinking, but it has long term destroyed every relationship I have ever been in.I try to quit, and the anxiety and anhedonia just harder, I end up crumbling and smoking again. My partner is sick of it, I have lied to her to try and hide it and now she is leaving me. We have a house together and I will not be able to keep it in the split, I have been on workers comp and have not had a "job" for almost 2 years. Unable to keep the house I might not be able to keep my 2 cats :'( I feel I have lost my career due to a crappy workplace, my relationship beacuase I am a failure who cannot feel without substances, and I do not know if I can start again at 48 to build another life in a world I find depressing and hard to live in.

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