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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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Elsam Emotional Blunting
  • replies: 1

Just wondering if anyone has experienced emotional blunting? I have been on an anti depressant for some time and have just realised that I am emotionally numb. I cannot stand this feeling as I have not been able to cry or experience any emotion. I ha... View more

Just wondering if anyone has experienced emotional blunting? I have been on an anti depressant for some time and have just realised that I am emotionally numb. I cannot stand this feeling as I have not been able to cry or experience any emotion. I have stopped my anti depressant for now and am feeling fine. i just need my emotions to return and am trying to flush the medication out of my system. Has anyone experienced this and if so how long did it take for your emotions to return to normal? Thank you

Zeppie Just can’t deal with lonely
  • replies: 3

I have been dealing with depression on and off for 20 years I’m 36 years of age and suffer chronic pain but that’s just a part of my life now. It’s the loneliness I can’t deal with all my mates have moved on with families and kids and I’m still the s... View more

I have been dealing with depression on and off for 20 years I’m 36 years of age and suffer chronic pain but that’s just a part of my life now. It’s the loneliness I can’t deal with all my mates have moved on with families and kids and I’m still the single one out of us all. I have recently had to move back home due to not working a great deal with this pain issue I can only do 16 hours a week and that’s not enough to live on so Mum rescued me due to lack of $$. So with all this going on my depression has increased more than ever and it’s scary. It’s hard to see all these happy couples and to know your going home alone to mums house at the age of 36. I try to do things with the boys but I can understand they are busy with the family so I’m left lonely again and the brain just runs wild with negativity I just don’t know what to do please help me.

blueskies1 Dating someone with depression
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I was dating a guy with depression for the last few months but recently he has stopped talking to me, fairly out of the blue. He told me that he was feeling really down and I told him that I'm here if he needs anything. It's been a few m... View more

Hi everyone, I was dating a guy with depression for the last few months but recently he has stopped talking to me, fairly out of the blue. He told me that he was feeling really down and I told him that I'm here if he needs anything. It's been a few more weeks now and I've heard nothing from him. Can anyone shed some light on what it is like to start dating someone whilst you have depression? I want to help him but I also don't want to push it. What is the best way for me to support him? PS I acknowledge that relationships just die of their own accord anyway but this seems very uncharacteristic of him. Thanks for your help!

Redboots In mental bondage
  • replies: 2

Hi I’m new here and just needed somewhere to share what’s been going on inside me. My depression goes in weekly cycles and its mentally exhausting. I’m not on medication and I don’t want to be as in the past they through me around a bit. I feel I can... View more

Hi I’m new here and just needed somewhere to share what’s been going on inside me. My depression goes in weekly cycles and its mentally exhausting. I’m not on medication and I don’t want to be as in the past they through me around a bit. I feel I can manage my lows with regular running. But when it hits me it really hits me and I don’t understand the reason for being alive. I don’t like this world and I don’t want to be a part of it. These thoughts immobilise me and I literally cannot leave the house. I feel like I’m screaming through a glass box on the top of a hill and no one can see or hear me. Does anyone else feel this imprisonment and isolation of depression?

Crystal70707 Struggling as a young mum & just want to be happy so my daugther doesnt grow up thinking it's her fault I'm always depressed.
  • replies: 7

I am currently living with my daugther & boyfriend of 1 year. Some days i am doing great but the bad days out way the good days. Been struggling with my emotions, especially towards my boyfriend. One minute I can be extremely happy than the next I'm ... View more

I am currently living with my daugther & boyfriend of 1 year. Some days i am doing great but the bad days out way the good days. Been struggling with my emotions, especially towards my boyfriend. One minute I can be extremely happy than the next I'm yelling at him or I start shaking & cry for no joke hours straight and I cant stop. It is effecting my daugther because even though it's not directed at her, she sees this emotionally unstable side of me that would make her feel like I'm not strong enough to be her mum. Really desperately need advice or any thoughts on what my shaking and very quick /bad mood swings are the cause of. (I have tried going to the doctor but everytime I use any excuse to not explain that I need help as fear of judgment)

Brent228 Is my depression feeding off my betrayal of love?
  • replies: 4

Hi all this is my first time posting. I have recently been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety and I am struggling to find any clarity to the mess constantly in my heads. I am in a relationship of 12 year with two young boys (who I could nev... View more

Hi all this is my first time posting. I have recently been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety and I am struggling to find any clarity to the mess constantly in my heads. I am in a relationship of 12 year with two young boys (who I could never live without). I am scared because as hard as I try, I can’t seem to find the love I once had for my partner. It is taking every fibre of my being to feel it and it freezes me to a point of panic but a shell on the outside and the only light I can see or feel in the darkness is for another. This feeling for someone else consumes my every thought and is the only thing that seems clear. I guess what I’m have a lot of trouble with is, is it possible that these new feelings are real and my depression is feeding off my inability to accept I no long love the mother of my children? Or has my depression blinded me.

fred2018 wishing to connect with others in the same mental space
  • replies: 5

After many years with mixed success on medication for unipolar depression, I am trying a ' magnetic' treatment, we can't mention treatments can we hah? Have had the illness since I was 18 like I said with mixed success , have found the illness confus... View more

After many years with mixed success on medication for unipolar depression, I am trying a ' magnetic' treatment, we can't mention treatments can we hah? Have had the illness since I was 18 like I said with mixed success , have found the illness confusing at times but am looking forward to seeying if this treatment gives me some clarity, my mother passed two years ago so thats also made things interesting, I try to keep my sense of humour as it has kept me somewhat steady through some rough seas. Hah this has turned it to more of a ramble but yeah.

iAlex Not sure what's wrong, losing all hope, thoughts getting dark. . .
  • replies: 13

So im new to this and dont often share like this but im at a loss right now. I'm 30 year old guy if that helps. I started feeling this way maybe a week ago and it hasnt subsided so i dont know if its depression or what. Out of nowhere i suddenly was ... View more

So im new to this and dont often share like this but im at a loss right now. I'm 30 year old guy if that helps. I started feeling this way maybe a week ago and it hasnt subsided so i dont know if its depression or what. Out of nowhere i suddenly was on the verge of tears at work, things i never though of before started flooding my mind. Things like, how im disappointed in how much life turned out, job, social life, love life etc. I tried to stay positive and tell myself it will be fine, but that didnt work. My job is a dead end and i have to partner so im at home alone most of the time. Socially i dont really have many friends, maybe 3 or 4 but they have their own lives and actual careers so i never get to see them. My only form of happiness seems to be in the form of video games and tv shows/anime but even now i barely play any games. Im a bit overweight and thought exercising would help, so i started walking while listening to audio books and that seems to help until im done and back at home. Then everything starts to sink in again. Ive tried eating better and thats a dead end it seems, my appetite has gone out the window and for the past week ive had the equivalent of 2 ready made meals a day, like the jenny craig ones just store bought. Basically im feeling lost, alone, and empty. Like ive got nothing and wont ever have anything. The one girlfriend i had when i was 20 hurt me in a way that before i knew it 10 years had gone by of me being single. Thats basically it, its not very well structured so i apologies for that but my mind is racing and all over the place right now so i tried to make it as readable as i can. Just looking for advice, i cant turn to family since my mother i havent spoke to for years, my father is going on holidays in less than a week and i dont want him to miss them or have a bad time, he needs them.

BornToBeBetter Trying To Understand How Long Should I Have Off Work??
  • replies: 5

Hi, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety yesterday after going to my HR manager and breaking down in front of her. She promptly got me to contact my GP and make an appointment, he has referred me to see a psychologist, of which the fi... View more

Hi, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety yesterday after going to my HR manager and breaking down in front of her. She promptly got me to contact my GP and make an appointment, he has referred me to see a psychologist, of which the first available appointment isn't until Saturday afternoon. ( The psychologist did say one may come up sooner) My HR manager said take as long as you need of work to help clear your head, my problem is I know how busy it is and feel guilty for taking time off to work through this diagnoses. I know everyone is different in regards to collecting their thoughts and getting back to being functional. Should I feel bad? or just suck it up and go back to work tomorrow and wait to see the psychologist on Saturday or use this time off to try and workout what is going on in my head?

Mistwraith93 I need to vent In Safety, feel free to join in.
  • replies: 5

I apologise for this stream of consciousness in advance, but I’m in a very bad place at the moment and need to do something other than... well... keep it inside. im certain I will be fine later on but god it doesn’t feel like it right now. I havnt be... View more

I apologise for this stream of consciousness in advance, but I’m in a very bad place at the moment and need to do something other than... well... keep it inside. im certain I will be fine later on but god it doesn’t feel like it right now. I havnt been “ok” in over a year now. I have been dealing with severe clinical depression and anxiety for years now but it was when my fiancée and partner of 12 years left me “because I can’t watch you be this sad anymore”. That statement would almost be sweet sweet if I hadn’t then found out she had been repeatedly cheating on me for the last couple of years. Her not loving me anymore and wanting to go would have been fine. Would have hurt, but hey, it’s an honest reason I could have respected. but finding out all the other lies and whatnot absolutely broke me. Since then Ive had a lot of trouble making new friends. I think I’m too desperate to be friendly and it comes off as dishonest, insincere or just plain weird. It also doesnt help that at my age (26) everyone has their friendship groups pretty nailed down and breaking into someone else group can be hard. but right now I’m at the end of my rope because I have not had any kind of social interaction with anything resembling a friend in over two months now. I keep trying to make plans, and nothing ever goes through. i get the usual excuses/reasons, life is crazy, and getting people together when everyone’s got jobs or studies is hard. I GET that. But two months is starting to feel ether deliberate or a cruel joke. im the person people come to to talk about all their problems. People message me for advice, and help and I’m happy to give it, but when the conversation turns away from the topic at hand, the conversation ends. as the title suggests, this is more about venting for me than asking for help. I’m DOING all the “things” I should be doing outside of seeing a psych (I’ve used all my cheap visits, and have racked up 2000$ debt with psychiatrists following the breakup) I’m trying to reach out to people, I’m giviv them ALL the benefit of the doubt, I’m trying to meet new people through volunteer work and I’m chasing a new job. im trying not to be desperate. But I AM desperate. i like my alone time but I feel so horrifically and comically alone right now and there is nothing I can do apart from “keep going” for no logical reason. there is ALOT more going in but word limits are a thing. I’m an open book, so ask away, or vent yourself if you need to. I’ll listen.