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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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Happydays Depression Sucks
  • replies: 1

Hi Ive had depression most of my life and it sucks It’s hard when you have trouble dealing with it It’s not like a bad mood where you normally come out of it in a reasonable timeframe Sometimes I can be doing things I actually enjoy and still be depr... View more

Hi Ive had depression most of my life and it sucks It’s hard when you have trouble dealing with it It’s not like a bad mood where you normally come out of it in a reasonable timeframe Sometimes I can be doing things I actually enjoy and still be depressed How does that work Hard on people around you as well

Jessksch How can I learn to enjoy things in every day life? Everything I wanted to do I failed in
  • replies: 2

I have always had trouble enjoying things in front of me. Even as a child I would dream of a pegasus coming out of the sky and taking me away from boring life to a beautiful and happy world that had adventure. I'm over 35 now, working and have a grea... View more

I have always had trouble enjoying things in front of me. Even as a child I would dream of a pegasus coming out of the sky and taking me away from boring life to a beautiful and happy world that had adventure. I'm over 35 now, working and have a great life (while not being rich) and no kids but a loving partner and cats I love. I always did things or hobbies because I got attention and that's what gave my life purpose: to impress my family, to impress the bullies someday and regret being mean to me, being special. But all my dreams have never turned into fruition and I guess that's a good thing as I went after things with this only as motivation and it would have corrupted me so quickly. I work a small retail job but am very happy with it, people are nice I work with and I get to help people without having to make commission sales and force them to buy things (I hated that, I don't like lying to people so I hate sales). I have always wanted to become a graphic novel artist, become a great artist and make characters and meet my childhood crush was a motivation for a long time.However, after finishing uni 10 years ago I realized my illustrations were just not good, I tried commissions, never sold anything, tried drawing comic book pages, nobody liked them...it ruined me for a while. It was only after still trying till I was 34 to sell things and get into art that I have decided to give up as it was making me miserable. I came to terms now after a year or two that it's not worth it, I was chasing the wrong kind of dreams and to just be happy with myself and what I create, to "create for fun". However, I can't seem to do it or get joy out of anything? I play video games but now as many games have not updated, I am bored of it. I start a hobby but of course the novelty wears off I and I get bored. I am too afraid to paint again as no matter how hard I try, the end is never good enough for me or others. I can't seem to get joy or look forward to anything anymore. I don't have aims anymore because my all my dreams have gone wrong even when trying so hard ( tried to be a vet nurse the last 5 years but was bullied so much I had enough of it too). Everythign seems to have been discovered or done and nothing in the world excites me anymore and I don't know what to do. It's just video games and work and caring for my pets and partner and I am so bored and depressed not having an aim anymore as I keep failing at everything I wanted to achieved.

Guest_35450387 Wife wants a separation / divorce
  • replies: 1

Need advice, My wife feels I have let her down over our past 17 years with lack of action and listening to her needs, I do a lot for our relationship, but I think it’s more about what I think I need to do and not what she needs. She feels neglected a... View more

Need advice, My wife feels I have let her down over our past 17 years with lack of action and listening to her needs, I do a lot for our relationship, but I think it’s more about what I think I need to do and not what she needs. She feels neglected and trapped. I want to support her and listen to her but feel so overwhelmed with work and responsibilities around the house that I am exhausted. We both have anxiety and my depression is really struggling right now. I have tried to read about approaches to talk and have structured methods but so far I have failed to communicate at every step. I feel broken, lost and don’t know what to do next. We don’t have kids, just our 4 dogs that are our children.

Ollienells feeling disconnected and incapable
  • replies: 3

I feel like I have spent the last 3ish years trying to gain myself back but it's so hard to let go of feelings and bad habits. I'm generally ok with everything at this point and can get through most days with distractions because I'm used to feeling ... View more

I feel like I have spent the last 3ish years trying to gain myself back but it's so hard to let go of feelings and bad habits. I'm generally ok with everything at this point and can get through most days with distractions because I'm used to feeling like this, but there is a deep emptiness in me and I wish things were different. It genuinely feels like I have lost my spark and I think half the time I am disassociating. The thing is I feel like myself when I am by myself but in public and around other people, I instantly revert to wanting to be invisible. And it works because no one really notices me or cares. The bar is so low that any little thing that someone does for me, makes me feel seen. Even though I'm comfortable by myself, what makes me sad is that people don't really know me and I don't have any true close friends anymore. I've noticed that even when I try make new friends, I struggle to put in effort and open up because I think I'm scared to get close to people. I have realised this is all because of my past experiences. Ever since I was little I struggled to fit in and I never really felt like I belonged anywhere because I was insecure about how I looked. After I started feeling more confident I opened up more but that led me to bury the extroverted side of myself because I felt criticised for it. I just came off as annoying and I started to believe that, along with feeling like a burden and people not caring about me. This made me push away a lot of people I cared about, self isolate and become insecure again. Now I'm trying to move on from all of that but change is hard for me because it takes so much effort for me to do anything. I have tried incorporating good habits, making new friends, and trying new things but it never lasts. Starting is the hardest part. I won't say there hasn't been any progress but it's all so slow. And I can't help but compare myself to my peers who seem like they have it together. It's especially hard right now because recently I barely graduated and now I have been trying to find a job in the industry but I feel so incapable. That's a whole other problem. Anyway, this was a bit of a rant and sorry if some things don't make sense. I would like some advice from people who have succeeded in getting out of a rut. Honestly any related advice would be greatly appreciated. I mainly just want to feel comfortable enough to be myself around people, without any shields up.

Mao Feeling stuck.
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone, I hope you're all doing well! This is my first time talking in a forum like this and I dont even know where to start, ive genuinely been rewriting this for the past 4 hours but theres just so much context I cant fit in here so im just g... View more

Hey everyone, I hope you're all doing well! This is my first time talking in a forum like this and I dont even know where to start, ive genuinely been rewriting this for the past 4 hours but theres just so much context I cant fit in here so im just gonna go for the basics and give context as needed so im really sorry if it sounds confusing. I feel extremely stuck in life right now. Im currently 22 and have been dealing with anxiety and depression like symptoms (cant say for sure I have depression cos my psychologist said she didnt believe in label like thus I never got a confirmation) for the past 5 years and ive started questioning the meaning of life to the point where nothing seems worth it anymore. I know people say its about the journey and not the destination but I dont know why that just doesnt make sense in my head. I cant get myself to do anything, whether that be studying or even basic things like eating, unless its extremely easy and quick and I dont have to put in any work. I cant focus and all the things I used to enjoy now feel like chores and currently ive just been existing rather than living, if that makes any sense. I constantly feel home sick, even when im at home and I cant get myself to study for uni which consequently, makes me more stressed because I keep falling further and further behind. I feel like even though part of me says to keep going and keep trying, the rest of me has given up and has just accepted life means nothing so theres no point in anything and I just wish I was never born. (Although I do struggle with self harm and suicidal ideation, I dont think I would ever actually do anything because, ironically, thanks to my anxiety im too afraid of the unknown and whatever comes after life to do anything myself) Im just stuck in a limbo. I feel like a huge fraud too because nothing in my life has happened to make me feel this way and I dont know whats wrong with me and I barely understand what I feel. I dont even know if im here to look for advice or answers or just to let it out. This was probably all over the place and I think I just said a lot of nothing, specially since I cant even get myself to proofread all this because doing any sort of work creates like physical pain in my head and I genuinely dont understand why!! But I just needed to get something out or else I know ill keep rewriting it until I give up and drop the idea. Thank you to anyone who read this long and I hope you all find things to help with your problems in this forum.

Pringa Confused and exhausted
  • replies: 1

don’t really know how to explain how I’ve been feeling lately. I just feel completely lost. Every day I feel like I lose another little piece of myself, and sometimes I don’t even recognise who I am anymore. Most of the time I either feel sad, angry,... View more

don’t really know how to explain how I’ve been feeling lately. I just feel completely lost. Every day I feel like I lose another little piece of myself, and sometimes I don’t even recognise who I am anymore. Most of the time I either feel sad, angry, overwhelmed or completely numb. I still have moments where I’m genuinely happy and laugh and feel normal, but they never seem to last. Underneath everything there’s this constant heaviness and exhaustion. I feel like I’m existing rather than actually living. Sometimes I wish I could just go to sleep and not wake up, or that somehow I could disappear without having to do anything myself. I don’t have a plan to physically hurt myself, and weirdly that sometimes makes me feel like a fraud like maybe I’m not actually struggling enough to deserve help. I also can’t say any of this to anyone my dad doesn’t understand, I’m estranged to my sisters I don’t want to be a bummer to my friends and I couldn’t add another worry to my mum

M-aggie Chronic Depression
  • replies: 14

I dont want to be alive anymore, im tired. Everyday Im trying to convince myself life is good and worth living but it's a constant struggle. Im having bad dreams more often and I have trouble falling asleep. I often think that I'm a bad person, that ... View more

I dont want to be alive anymore, im tired. Everyday Im trying to convince myself life is good and worth living but it's a constant struggle. Im having bad dreams more often and I have trouble falling asleep. I often think that I'm a bad person, that I'm rude and dumb. I want so badly to contribute something to society but I dont think I ever will, Im not special, I don't have talents.

DepressedNoEnd Current Struggles
  • replies: 5

Posted this earlier as a reply but adding as a main post as only got one response and any other advice would be good. What I find hard is the constant interactions and criticism, really not good....sorry to bother.... Sounds pathetic, but I am just a... View more

Posted this earlier as a reply but adding as a main post as only got one response and any other advice would be good. What I find hard is the constant interactions and criticism, really not good....sorry to bother.... Sounds pathetic, but I am just absolutely sick of family life, I am sure I would be much happier on my own. Wife and 3 children all close in age, eldest is 11. Boys constantly argue, daughter okay but my wife and I are also fed up of each other as well, just a constant constant continuous grind. Earn money, spent before I get it, until next pay day, I work two jobs. Alot of pressure is financial pressure but not all of it, getting abuse from boys, if not one its the other, constant I hate you etc, wont read, do school work, be obedient, leave me alone….. They do plenty of clubs etc. Its horrible, work is a relief, people treat you like normal there. Come home and I just cant stand it, I want this that and the other... Mid 40s renting, just seems like no end, been on anti depressants 5 years, used to be happy and very fit doing running 40-60km a week or so, now just eat and have 25kg plus to lose. I think its the children that I just dont like, we got on fine more or less without children. Just wish I woulndnt wake up some days, got to be realistic, ideally our/my own house with an annex would be great and we could both get some time away but in small place renting and the constant noise drives be batty so I have a noise cancelling headset as work from home a bit and means dont hear the children. I realise I must sound selfish as my wife calls me every single day, but its completely miserable, every day. I absolutely hate family life, not saying we dont have any some good times but its the constant grind and wining about everything that gets me down, had a few days away with work a while back, really enjoyed it not seeing them, read some books, ate better and went to some classes in local gym. I am trying to turn it around and just joined a gym as have a lot of weight to lose and got to start somewhere but sometimes I wish they would just leave me alone and I didnt have a family. I know I should be grateful for a family etc but its just pushing me to my limits. Dont know how to turn this around…any help much appreciated, thank you for your time in reading…..

ZoeT_feet Down again
  • replies: 8

I have too many problems and I get so down I can’t sleep or do anything constructive. I stay up all night wondering if I should move in with my sister 六 or stay close to my daughter. I took my meds late again today. I can’t pay my bills, I have a ver... View more

I have too many problems and I get so down I can’t sleep or do anything constructive. I stay up all night wondering if I should move in with my sister 🧑 or stay close to my daughter. I took my meds late again today. I can’t pay my bills, I have a very obnoxious family member trying to make my life hell and people keep trying to break into my house.

Random1 Family issues
  • replies: 4

Hi, I don’t really know what to say but I just need to offload a bit off my mind. I’m in another depressive episode that’s been going on for a while I find it hard to get out of bed and get outside, the things that used to be easy aren’t anymore. I k... View more

Hi, I don’t really know what to say but I just need to offload a bit off my mind. I’m in another depressive episode that’s been going on for a while I find it hard to get out of bed and get outside, the things that used to be easy aren’t anymore. I keep procrastinating and avoiding school work. It just feels like I can’t do anything, my family hates me and does nothing but insult me. My step dad won’t stop yelling at me and cursing me out, it feels like I’m trapped and no one cares, he calls me the most horrible names and turns everyone even my own family against me, not long ago he cornered me into a wall and I tried to push him away because he was raising his hand like he was going to hit me but he switched the story and everyone blames me, he has been in this cycle and calling me a manipulator since I was a kid, but he tells my little brothers all these disgusting things about me, sometimes I just listen in and cry because he treats them so much better than he has ever treated me and it sucks because he’s been with my since I was four and my mother does nothing about it. I just feel like I can’t do life anymore it’s just to much, I’m distancing myself from everyone and I don’t know what to do anymore.

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